Will it not seem slightly inhospitable to invite her to sit on a bare floor ? Have you forgotten that there is n't a stick of furniture in the blue north room and , worse still , that we have n't a spare cent to buy any , not even the cheapest kind ? '' `` I 'll give it up , '' said Ray . `` I might have a try at squaring the circle if you asked me , but the solution of the Aunt Josephina problem is beyond me . '' `` The solution is simply that we must write to Aunt Josephina , politely but firmly , that we ca n't have her come , owing to lack of accommodation . You must write the letter , Ray . Make it as polite as you can , but above all make it firm . '' `` Oh , but Sally , dear , '' protested Ray , who did n't relish having to write such a letter , `` is n't this rather hasty , rather inhospitable ? Poor Aunt Josephina must really be rather lonely , and it 's only natural she should want to visit her relations . '' `` We 're not her relations , '' cried Sara . `` We 're not a speck of relation really . She 's only the half-sister of Mother 's half-brother . That sounds nice and relationy , does n't it ? And she 's fussy and interfering , and she will fight with Cousin Caroline , everybody fights with Cousin Caroline -- '' `` Except Sara , '' interrupted Ray , but Sara went on with a rush , `` And we wo n't have a minute 's peace all winter . Anyhow , where could we put her even if we wanted her to come ? No , we ca n't have her ! '' `` Mother was always very fond of Aunt Josephina , '' said Ray reflectively . Sara had her lips open , all ready to answer whatever Ray might say , but she shut them suddenly and the boy went on . `` Aunt Josephina thought a lot of Mother , too . She used to say she knew there was always a welcome for her at Maple Hollow .
It does seem a pity , Sally dear , XXXXX your mother 's daughter to send word to Aunt Josephina , per my mother 's son , that there is n't room for her any longer at Maple Hollow . ''
Except above at beyond for if of on that to