Oops.

Aunt Nettie pointed out that I am a grump. I told her that I'd been sick. I told her I've had two other sick family members to look after. I told her my peas have a virus, and the kitchen's a mess, and my nose is stuffed up. She merely tightened her lips and looked at me. A breach of etiquette, it was clear, was a breach of etiquette. There could be no mitigating circumstances. Amends were called for, and promptly.

She's a tough cookie, Aunt Nettie, even if her gentle tongue gives no hint of it.