Miss Elizabeth Dorris had been very bad in her relationships all her life.This rich woman ruled tyrannically over her many poor relatives—King Rehoboam punished his people with scorpions, this woman punished his relatives with money; yet, like other godly creatures under the sun, their goodness Often pushes everything to a particularly tragic situation.Ms. Doris, who grew up in an environment where evangelism prevailed, always believed that her relatives should obtain salvation in her own way, so she always reminded her relatives repeatedly with harsh words and bitter ridicule—— They are all worthless people.She self-righteously arranges other people's lives, and this is not only reflected in the clothes and habits of others - she even wants to manipulate people's inner perception of her.For this reason, those who have undergone her thorough scrutiny no longer even fear God's final judgment.She had invited many poor ladies to live with her in succession, who, though not closely related to her, still called her Aunt Eliza, and always called her, with fear and gratitude— Miss Doris' call was sometimes more imperious than royal order; these women accepted all servitude submissively, bearing suffering as a cross to bear, hoping to someday receive a share of her inheritance in return.

Miss Dorris liked to savor her privileges every moment.During these long visits (Miss Dorris was, in a way, very hospitable), she made it her special object to break down the moral defenses of her guests.Miss Dorris had always found great pleasure in watching these kind people fulfill her excessive demands, watching these humble people have all their desires crushed.She takes pleasure in maliciously humiliating others in public (apparently to satisfy her own wicked vanity), or forcing others to do things they particularly hate.She was always quick to find the most sensitive places of the female guests, and attacked every weakness of them with the most straightforward evil words, until the victims were bruised and bleeding in front of her.No flaw (physical or psychological) escaped her taunts, not even a little extra body fat.Miss Dorris despised her victims to the extreme, mocked their mercenary souls in their face, and swore she would never leave a penny to these stupid and cowardly people.She deliberately took pleasure in asking these people for advice on giving her fortune to charities.She was not afraid to express her delight at their reluctant and vague suggestions.

Of all Miss Doris' relatives, only Miss Ley could restrain her a little--Miss Ley may be Doris's most distant relative, but she has a straightforward character like her.In addition, Miss Ley had a quick wit, and was often able to convert all harsh statements into a mockery of the speaker.Miss Doris did not hate this independent spirit; on the contrary, she had a certain liking for Ley, and even a little fear.Miss Ley had never been short of witty replies, and seemed to relish them—her demeanor, preparation, and knowledge often gave her the upper hand.In Miss Doris's opinion, this was often irritating, but it was also very funny: this woman who was much poorer coveted her inheritance as much as anyone else, but not only dared to make fun of her, but even dared to make fun of her. Challenge on her turf.Miss Ley always has no scruples to make fun of her cousin Miss Dorris mercilessly in public (and without any remorse), laughing at her illogical observations and the stupidity of her behavior.Miss Dorris was subject to ridicule of all opinions, even sermons.In this way, our rich old woman who doesn't often argue with others is often forced into a situation of contradicting herself; coupled with the fact that the winner always likes to show off, our old woman is always pale with anger and unable to speak .These kinds of disputes happen from time to time, and although the prickly Miss Doris always thinks that she should be the one who should get the high ground first, she often chooses to forgive Ley in the end.However, these disputes also indicate that the two sides will have a complete break one day.And the fuse that detonated all this is so insignificant, it is all in people's imagination, but it is far beyond people's expectation.

Miss Ley usually leaves her Chelsea apartment in the winter to travel abroad.This year, due to some unforeseen events, Miss Ley was forced to return to England earlier than expected, and her tenant was still occupying her house at this time, so she contacted Miss Doris to see if she I can agree to go to Old Queen Street to join her for a while.Though our old tyrant hated her relations, she hated being alone even more, and she needed constant company to vent her anger, so though it was her spiteful niece who was about to spend March and April with her , but in her opinion, it is better than the loneliness of being alone.So Miss Dorris wrote back to Ley with her usual domineering tone--even to Miss Ley, she could not help her imperiousness; she almost "ruled" Ley in the letter. The train the lady must take and the day of arrival.Whether this letter aroused Miss Ley's spirit of antagonism, or whether her itinerary really did not correspond to the date, she replied to Aunt Eliza that it would be more convenient for her to arrive by another train the day after the above date. Suitable.So Miss Doris immediately sent a telegram to her niece, saying that if she did not arrive on the day and time she appointed, she could not send a carriage to meet her.To which the young lady wrote back succinctly: "No need!"

"She's just as stubborn as a pig," murmured Miss Dorris to herself.When reading Ley's telegram, Miss Dorris seemed to see in her mind the smile on the corner of her niece's mouth as she wrote these three words. "I see she thinks she's extraordinarily clever." Nevertheless, Miss Doris treated Ley very well, and only in front of Ley, could Miss Doris's coldness reveal some warmth—in any case, Ley was always the relative she hated the least , though the niece was neither docile nor polite, at least she never seemed dull.Miss Dorris was always at her best when she had to prepare for a talk with Ley, and sometimes even unconsciously put aside her domineering vices, Show your rational, fun side, not your perpetually unapproachable look.

"You're getting old, my dear," said Miss Dorris as they sat down to dinner, looking hard at her guest for signs of wrinkles and crow's feet. "You're flattering me," retorted Miss Ley, "oldness is the only excuse for a woman who is determined to be celibate." "I guess, like everyone else, you're on the verge of marriage when someone proposes to you?" Miss Ley laughed. "Elisa, two months ago, an Italian prince fell in love with me and proposed to me." "'The Cudgel' can really do anything," replied Miss Dorris, "I guess after you told him your income he found out he misjudged his love!"

"I turned him down because he was too virtuous." "Polly, at your age, I'm afraid it's time to stop picking and choosing." "I found you to have a lovely talent for having two very different opinions about the same thing at the same time." Miss Ley was of medium height and slender; her unpolished hair showed signs of gray; and her wrinkled face well revealed the firmness of her character.Her lips are thin, changeable and expressive, which accentuates her grit.She was not dignified, and she was definitely not beautiful, but she carried herself gracefully and carried herself charmingly.Her eyes are so bright and so quick that they are sometimes disconcerting: without words they can turn pretentiousness into absurdity; before this piercing gaze all pretense, contempt and amusement will seek to hide .However, when Miss Dorris carefully reminded her, she still did not lose her unique posture, but showed it in a restrained, appropriate and admirable way; few people can see the posture behind it , as not to see the blame in it - the perfect art of concealing oneself.To achieve this aesthetic gesture, Miss Ley chose as modest a dress as possible (usually black), and her only decoration was a pendant of Renaissance gemstones so fine that no museum would Refusing to own it: Miss Ley would show the gem by fingering it on a long gold necklace around her neck in what, according to her outspoken relatives, was to show her The undeniable beauty of the hands.Her well-fitting shoes and embellished silk stockings also accentuate her proud feet – sleek, small, yet high instep.This was how she was dressed when she had visitors, and she sat in the elaborately carved Italian straight-backed oak chair between the two windows against the wall.And, she's developed some mannerisms, which fit perfectly when she's boldly criticizing life to entertain her friends.

On the third morning in Old Queen Street, Miss Ley expressed a desire to go out.She went downstairs with a very fashionable parasol - she had bought it in Paris. "You're not going to go out with this?" cried Miss Dorris contemptuously. "yes." "Ridiculous! You should bring an umbrella. It's going to rain." "Eliza, I have a new parasol and an old one. I'm sure it's fine." "My dear, you don't know anything about the weather in England. Then I tell you, it's going to rain cats and dogs today." "Eliza, you are talking nonsense."

"Polly," said Miss Dorris angrily, "I wish you had an umbrella. The barometer is dropping, and my feet are starting to tingle, which is a sure sign of dampness. Feel free to speculate about the future." The weather conditions are very impious." "I think, in meteorology, I am as familiar with the providence of heaven as you are." "Polly, that's not funny, you're sacrilege. In my house, I want people to do what I say, and I insist that you bring an umbrella." "Stop messing around, Eliza!" Miss Dorris rang the bell: when the butler appeared, she sent him to fetch Miss Ley her own umbrella.

Our young lady, however, laughed and said, "I absolutely refuse to use it." "Polily, please pray, don't forget that you are my guest." "Yes, so I have the right to do what I want." Miss Dorris stood up, and the big old woman held out her hand threateningly with a condescending attitude. "If you leave this room without an umbrella, don't come back. As long as I'm alive, you can't even cross this threshold." Miss Ley couldn't be more humorous that morning, she typically pursed her lips and looked at her elderly cousin with unbearable contempt.

"Dear Eliza, you overestimate your own importance. Do you think there are no hotels in London? You think I'm staying with you for fun, but I'm doing penance. Fact Now, what I have to endure is starting to feel too heavy for me, because, I think your cook is the worst cook you can find in a metropolis." "She's been with me for twenty-five years," replied Miss Dorris (with two flushes now in her cheeks), "and no one has ever dared to be picky about her cooking. If a guest complains about anything, I answer them, what's good enough for me is too good for them. I know you're stubborn and quick-tempered, Polly, and I can forgive you for that Disrespectful. Are you still not going to do what I say?" "yes." Miss Dorris rang the bell frantically. "Let Martha pack Miss Ley at once, and call a carriage," she roared out. "Yes, ma'am," replied the butler, accustomed to the capriciousness of his mistress. Then Miss Dorris turned to her guest: her guest was still looking very happy at the moment, which was irritating. "Polly, I want you to realize that I mean business." "That's the end of our relationship," Miss Ley replied with a sneer. "Should I also return your letter and photo to you?" Miss Dorris sat for a while, looking with silent anger at her cousin, who was very calmly reading the fashion news.At this moment the steward reported that the carriage had arrived at the door. "So, Polly, are you really going?" "You have ordered my luggage to be packed, and you have called for a cab. How can I not go?" Miss Ley replied kindly. "This is your own doing, and I don't want you to go. If you're willing to repent of your own waywardness and stubbornness, and bring your umbrella, I can let it go." "Look at the sun," replied Miss Ley. At this moment, as if to really annoy the domineering old lady, the shining light danced into the room and left a continuous pattern on the carpet. "Polly, I thought I should tell you that I had intended to leave you ten thousand pounds. Of course, I have changed my mind now." "You'd better leave the money to the Dorris family. To be honest, considering that they have been relatives of you for more than sixty years, they fully deserve the money." "I can give my money to whomever I like," cried Miss Dorris wildly, "and, if I choose, I will give all of it to charity. You are independent because you A measly five hundred pounds a year comes in, but obviously, that's not enough to keep you from renting out your house while you're away. Don't forget that no one has a right to demand from me, and I can make you a rich woman." Miss Ley replied unhurriedly: "Honey, I firmly believe that you can live another thirty years and continue to harm mankind, especially your relatives. I don't expect to survive you and succumb to your capricious, extremely ignorant, self-righteous, domineering, Boring and pretentious old lady, not worth your time." After hearing this, Miss Doris was out of breath and trembling with rage, but the other party continued relentlessly. "You've got so many poor relatives—go bully them. Spread your resentment and bad temper on those poor sycophants, but I hope you won't tell me any more tedious blah blah blah." Miss Ley never scrupled her rhetoric; she loved exaggeration and enjoyed herself.She thought it irrefutable, and she went out with the utmost dignity.In the days that followed, the two ladies did not speak again, and the domineering and stern Miss Dorris never changed her evangelical Protestant style until her death. She completely controlled the people around her and lived for nearly twenty years. .She died after a minor misbehavior by a servant girl caused too much emotion; and her relatives felt as if the shackles had been suddenly removed from their shoulders, and all felt a sense of relief. At the funeral, the relatives did not shed tears. Seeing the ruthless, powerful and domineering old woman lying in the coffin, everyone felt terrified; Miss Smith's will.This will was written by Miss Dorris herself, witnessed by two servants, and the specific terms are as follows: What Miss Ley didn't expect at all was that at the age of fifty-seven, she suddenly owned an annuity of nearly three thousand pounds, a beautiful old house in Westminster, and a large amount of old Victorian furniture.The terms of this will, written on the third day after Miss Ley's quarrel with the eccentric old woman, accomplished all three purposes for which it was set: The act of repaying hatred with kindness shamed the indifferent Miss Ley, and made all Doris people feel great disappointment and anger.