In solemn earnest I began my speech to the aunt. 'Am I to impute this to the good-will of my friends or the malice of my enemies, and who hasn't more than enough of both?' Here the aunt made a remark which I helped her to spin out as well as I could so as to keep Cordelia, who was listening, in suspense, a suspense she could not put an end to, since it was the aunt I was talking to and my mood was serious.