Truly inside into aunt Carrel L.'s personality during WWII. She had some hangups about privacy and control issues that many folks develop today. I did not perceive what lead to her lack of compassion so that remains a mystery. She was forced into outward displays of compassion but reluctantly therefore hypocrite with a big H. Those guest did not allow her aristocratic attitude change them. Good lesson there! The storm scenarios bounced back and forth and sometimes if I was not careful I lost track of whick storm experience the narrative was dealing with. I enjoyed the short novel very much, totally vintage! A little of this and that, not overwhelmingly dramatic. ( )