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A rather eccentric genius was at this time associated with Kate in the kitchen department, upon whom she now vented her fun-loving propensity.

Aunt Polly as she was called, had been grievously disappointed in her young days, and, not lavishly endowed with amiability of temper before, grew sour and morose. She seemed to cherish eternal hatred to the whole race of mankind, except a distant relative who had been the Governor of a state; upon which fact she prided herself. She sought refuge under it for every imaginary insult, which was quickly resented with the remark, "Ain't I a cousin of the Governor?" This furnished great amusement to Kate who missed no opportunity of provoking her to it. Aunt Polly could not help liking her, although the source of constant vexation. Kate's kindness of heart did not fail to flow towards her, which, in a measure, atoned for the many jokes she played upon her, so that on the whole they got on very well together. No one could ever quarrel with Kate. She had too much sunny humor to prolong angry feelings, if she did excite them.