big bun at the nape of her neck, exactly like a schoolteacher. She gnawed at the inside of her cheek, a habit she had, staring straight ahead. Victoria and Blanche wore shoes.
Liddy wore a white cap, and Old Bess wore her apron.
Why, it is like the Queen is coming! I thought. My Mother Goose book sprang to mind.
Even Uncle Junius troubled himself to come out on the piazza, wearing a jacket in spite of the heat. He did not join us but stood well back, smoking a cigarette cupped in his hand, shaking his head from time to time as if he carried on some pressing conversation in his mind.
The plume of dust came closer, trailing out like a horses tail, and we could see that it was not one but two wagons coming.
Had to hire anothern in town, Selena said to nobody.
The wagons came up the lane past the old sawmill and then were lost to view in the cedar grove, popping out directly so we could all see that it was Mister Potter from the livery stable in town driving the second wagon, wearingthe stovepipe hat that was his trademark. Old Virgil clicked to the mules but made no sign as the big lady on the seat next to him waved grandly. Her face was hid by her hat and the traveling veil which wrapped all around her somehow, as if she was a great package being delivered to us. Whoa now. The wagons stopped in front of the house, the air was filled with dust. Washington ran out to grab the reins.
Then Uncle Junius was there too, his hand held out, saying, Cecelia welcome. She stepped down with the greatest of difficulty, Virgil holding her by the arm on one side and Uncle Junius on the other, her middle so big she could not hardly see over it to the steps or her feet— that was the problem. She grunted like a pig upon landing, then wheezed Aah! and put a hand to her heart. Liddy rushed forward and started unwinding the veil, running round and round Aunt Cecelia like a maypole until I got dizzy watching. First we saw the great wide waist, then the bosom like a huge shelf, then her puffy red face with its big red mouth, the arched eyebrows, the eyes bugging out, and the many chins that rippled like a waterfall disappearing into the wad of lace at her neck. She removed the hat from her piled up red hair and handed it over to Liddy along with the veil. Aunt Cecelias hands were little and fluttery, like the hands of another woman. They came up to pat here and there at her face and breast.
There now, she said to herself finally, then My dear Junius in a grand public voice, offering her cheek to be kissed. You look terrible. And My God, what a journey! What a journey I have had! Aunt Cecelia shook all over with distaste, so that the journey seemed to roll off her like water off a duck. But never mind! She went on, My comfort is not a consideration. The important thing is that I am here now, you poor, poor thing. Aunt Cecelia patted Uncle Junius arm then looked all about herself— at the unpainted house, at the outbuildings, at us all lined up for her inspection.
Behind her, Virgil and Spence lifted luggage and supplies down from the wagons. Selena watched them too and narrowed her eyes as trunk after trunk came down.
Rest assured, Aunt Cecelia announced, I shall take care of everything Junius! You may leave it all up to me!
Uncle Junius appeared embarrassed yet still supported her arm.
As for Selena, she looked like she could spit nails, and for once I did not blame her, the way we had all been working like dogs to get the house ready.
Then Aunt Cecelias roaming bug-eyed gaze settled hard on me. Molly! My dear, dear Molly, why you poor, poor little thing! She swooped me up and pressed me to her bosom which was like the horsehair sofa in the parlor, not soft like Aunt Fannies had been. Then she thrust me out at arms length. Well, she is certainly plainer than Alice, I must say, but that may be a good thing in the end. Too much beauty corrupts the character, dont you agree? she said to Uncle Junius who studied the ground.
Close up, I
Liddy wore a white cap, and Old Bess wore her apron.
Why, it is like the Queen is coming! I thought. My Mother Goose book sprang to mind.
Even Uncle Junius troubled himself to come out on the piazza, wearing a jacket in spite of the heat. He did not join us but stood well back, smoking a cigarette cupped in his hand, shaking his head from time to time as if he carried on some pressing conversation in his mind.
The plume of dust came closer, trailing out like a horses tail, and we could see that it was not one but two wagons coming.
Had to hire anothern in town, Selena said to nobody.
The wagons came up the lane past the old sawmill and then were lost to view in the cedar grove, popping out directly so we could all see that it was Mister Potter from the livery stable in town driving the second wagon, wearingthe stovepipe hat that was his trademark. Old Virgil clicked to the mules but made no sign as the big lady on the seat next to him waved grandly. Her face was hid by her hat and the traveling veil which wrapped all around her somehow, as if she was a great package being delivered to us. Whoa now. The wagons stopped in front of the house, the air was filled with dust. Washington ran out to grab the reins.
Then Uncle Junius was there too, his hand held out, saying, Cecelia welcome. She stepped down with the greatest of difficulty, Virgil holding her by the arm on one side and Uncle Junius on the other, her middle so big she could not hardly see over it to the steps or her feet— that was the problem. She grunted like a pig upon landing, then wheezed Aah! and put a hand to her heart. Liddy rushed forward and started unwinding the veil, running round and round Aunt Cecelia like a maypole until I got dizzy watching. First we saw the great wide waist, then the bosom like a huge shelf, then her puffy red face with its big red mouth, the arched eyebrows, the eyes bugging out, and the many chins that rippled like a waterfall disappearing into the wad of lace at her neck. She removed the hat from her piled up red hair and handed it over to Liddy along with the veil. Aunt Cecelias hands were little and fluttery, like the hands of another woman. They came up to pat here and there at her face and breast.
There now, she said to herself finally, then My dear Junius in a grand public voice, offering her cheek to be kissed. You look terrible. And My God, what a journey! What a journey I have had! Aunt Cecelia shook all over with distaste, so that the journey seemed to roll off her like water off a duck. But never mind! She went on, My comfort is not a consideration. The important thing is that I am here now, you poor, poor thing. Aunt Cecelia patted Uncle Junius arm then looked all about herself— at the unpainted house, at the outbuildings, at us all lined up for her inspection.
Behind her, Virgil and Spence lifted luggage and supplies down from the wagons. Selena watched them too and narrowed her eyes as trunk after trunk came down.
Rest assured, Aunt Cecelia announced, I shall take care of everything Junius! You may leave it all up to me!
Uncle Junius appeared embarrassed yet still supported her arm.
As for Selena, she looked like she could spit nails, and for once I did not blame her, the way we had all been working like dogs to get the house ready.
Then Aunt Cecelias roaming bug-eyed gaze settled hard on me. Molly! My dear, dear Molly, why you poor, poor little thing! She swooped me up and pressed me to her bosom which was like the horsehair sofa in the parlor, not soft like Aunt Fannies had been. Then she thrust me out at arms length. Well, she is certainly plainer than Alice, I must say, but that may be a good thing in the end. Too much beauty corrupts the character, dont you agree? she said to Uncle Junius who studied the ground.
Close up, I
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