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Published online by Cambridge University Press: 12 January 2023
The aunt went around the room, oversaw the table that was set, and arranged the flowers. Outside it was so happy and sunny. Not humid, just another day of life in May.
Else was watching her aunt. How mild and soft she was in each one of her movements! And her face, so lovingly affectionate.
Else pondered. Her aunt had indeed been married for many years already and was still happy.
The little niece laid her finger on her mouth, as though she didn’t want to give it away, and with it made the mischievous face of a street boy: hah! You all think that because I am a teenage girl I don’t notice that most marriages are unhappy.
But Aunt Jola, with her gentle and loving face, looked at her so affectionately that Else couldn’t help but ask.
She observed her aunt first. Will she be angry, or teach her a good lesson instead of giving her an answer? Because she couldn’t stand that. There were some things about which she wanted to be clear, but it was never appropriate to know these things. Then there would only be the maids to ask. But they would say everything crudely. And she believed if she had the same question answered by her aunt, it would have to be so fine and tender like her skin, her way, her entire demeanor.
“Aunt Jola?” she began timidly.
“Yes, Else?”
“Would you please be so kind to explain something to me? You are so good, you will not turn me down.”
“What is it, then?”
“Dear, dear aunt,” she spoke very quietly, whispering: “I know that you are happily married, and uncle too.”
Her aunt smiled: “Is that so terrible?”
“No, aunt, but … but, I wanted to say that most of the other married couples that I have seen are not.”
Her aunt became serious and pensive.
“Please, tell me how you two do it, that you both are so happy! … That you make him so happy!”
Her aunt looked Else in the eyes: “You little psychologist, pay attention to these last words for your future existence as a woman. It is possible for a woman to make her husband happy. She only has to keep her eyes open a little bit, and act in good faith.”
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