The Clan In Conclave
Mr. Bob Bucknor was troubled. He had always prided himself on keeping an open house for his relations and to him Cousin Ann was a kind of symbol of consanguinity. He paid very little attention to her as a rule, except to be scrupulously polite. He had been trained in politeness to Cousin Ann from his earliest childhood and had endeavored to bring his own children up with the same strict regard to hospitality and courtesy to his aged relative. His son had profited by his teaching and was ever kindly to the old lady, but his daughters had rebelled, and it could not be denied were even openly rude to the chronic visitor. Now this project of European travel was afoot and the problem of what to do with Cousin Ann must be settled. The masculine representatives of the family were meeting in Ryeville and the matter was soon under discussion.
“It’s the women,” declared Big Josh. “They 221 are kicking like steers and they say they won’t stand for her any longer.”
“My wife says she has got a nice old cousin who would like to come and stay with us, and that she does all the darning wherever she stays and looks after the children besides. Nobody ever heard of Cousin Ann turning a hand to help anybody,” said Little Josh.
“Well, I fancy you have heard the news that I am taking my wife and daughters abroad this month and I cannot keep the poor old lady any longer,” sighed Bob Bucknor.
“Sure, Bob, we think you’ve had too much of her already,” said Sister Sue’s husband, Timothy Graves, “but Sue says she can’t visit with us any more. The children are big enough now to demand separate rooms and our house is not very large—not as large as it used to be somehow. In old days people didn’t mind doubling up, but nobody wants to double up with Cousin Ann and her horses are a nuisance and that old Billy irritates the servants and—”
“My mother says an old ladies’ home is the only thing for her,” said David Throckmorton.
“So do all the women. But who’s going to bell the cat?” asked Big Josh.
“I reckon we’ll have to go in a body and speak in chorus,” suggested Little Josh. It 222 was thus decided, after much argument. All the cousins were willing to contribute something towards the support of the old lady, but nobody was willing or able to take her in his home.
“Of course, we must provide for old Billy, too.”