"You know what your problem is, Elladora Black?"she began, her voice rising in volume ever so slightly. "You're too uptight! It's a wonder you don't pucker like a lemon. I've had more satisfying conversations with my wallpaper." Her ill temper had returned at the loss of her determination. Her sister-in-law was irritatingly similar in manner to her brother and it was probably only as a result of having to share the house with her more than Phineas that Ursula probably knew the woman as well as she did.

"I almost wish you had taken that man as a lover, I'd be appalled at your disgraceful behavior of course, but at least you'd have exhibited some moral failing rather than being a superior bore all the time." She was morose and she missed Thom and Ella had distracted her for a blissful moment from her pining but now she was ready to return to her sulking for lack of having any more patience to needle the woman further. "I hope my children relegate you to the attic in your dotage, goodness knows I shan't outlive you. Leave it to a bitter old spinster to lead a miserably long life just to spite everyone around them." She felt an inkling of guilt for being unreasonably harsh but was under no illusion that Elladora's skin was thin enough to be hurt by it nor that she particularly cared what she had to say anyway. Just like Phineas.

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