IwasalwaysalittleinaweofGreat-auntStephinaRoos.Indeed,aschildrenwewereallfranklyterrifiedofher.Thefactthatshedidnotlivewiththefamily,preferringhertinycottageandsolitudetothecomfortablebutrathernoisyhouseholdwherewewerebroughtup-addedtotherespectfulfearinwhichshewasheld.WeusedtotakeitinturntocarrysmalldelicacieswhichmymotherhadmadedownfromthebighousetothelittlecottagewhereAuntStephiaandanoldcoloredmaidspenttheirdays.OldTnateSannawouldopenthedoortotheratherfrightenedlittlemessengerandwouldusherhim-orher-intothedarkvoor-kamer,wheretheshutterswerealwaysclosedtokeepouttheheatandtheflies.Therewewouldwait,intremblingbutnotaltogetherunpleasant.Shewasatinylittlewomantoinspiresomuchveneration.Shewasalwaysdressedinblack,andherdarkclothesmeltedintotheshadowsofthevoor-kamerandmadeherlooksmallerthanever.Butyoufelt.Themomentsheentered.Thatsomethingvitalandstrongandsomehowindestructiblehadcomeinwithher,althoughshemovedslowly,andhervoicewassweetandsoft.Sheneverembracedus.Shewouldgreetusandtakeouthotlittlehandsinherownbeautifulcoolone,withblueveinsstandingoutonthebackofit,asthoughthewhiteskinwerealmosttoodelicatetocontainthem.TanteSannawouldbringindishesofsweet,sweet,stickycandy,oragreatbowlofgrapesorpeaches,andGreat-auntStephinawouldconversegravelyabouthappeningsonthefarm,and,morerarely,oftheouterworld.Whenwehadfinishedoursweetmeatsorfruitshewouldaccompanyustothestoep,biddingusthankourmotherforhergiftandsendingquaint,old-fashionedmessagestoherandtheFather.Thenshewouldturnandenterthehouse,closingthedoorbehind,sothatitbecameoncemoreaplaceofmystery.AsIgrewolderIfound,rathertomysurprise,thatIhadbecomegenuinelyfondofmyaloofoldgreat-aunt.ButtothisdayIdonotknowwhatstrangeimpulsemademetakeGeorgetoseeherandtotellher,beforeIhadconfidedinanotherlivingsoul,ofourengagement.Tomyastonishment,shewasdelighted.
