Cousin Stickles

Valancy Stirling

Cousin Stickles is Valancy's elderly, gossipy cousin who lives with the family and acts as a petty enforcer of social norms.

Uncle James

Cousin Stickles and Uncle James are allied in their petty tyranny over Valancy, sharing gossip and judgment.

Mrs. Stirling

Cousin Stickles and Mrs. Stirling are co-conspirators in enforcing a stifling, judgmental household atmosphere.

Valancy Stirling

Cousin Stickles is Valancy's elderly, gossipy cousin who lives with the family and acts as a petty enforcer of social norms.

Valancy Stirling

Cousin Stickles is Valancy's elderly, gossipy cousin who lives with the family and acts as a petty enforcer of social norms.

Uncle James

Cousin Stickles and Uncle James are allied in their petty tyranny over Valancy, sharing gossip and judgment.

Mrs. Stirling

Cousin Stickles and Mrs. Stirling are co-conspirators in enforcing a stifling, judgmental household atmosphere.

Mrs. Stirling

Cousin Stickles and Mrs. Stirling are co-conspirators in enforcing a stifling, judgmental household atmosphere.

Uncle James

Cousin Stickles and Uncle James are allied in their petty tyranny over Valancy, sharing gossip and judgment.

I

A live-in relative who shares Mrs. Stirling's rigid views and helps enforce the household's oppressive atmosphere.

II

Cousin Stickles is mentioned as the one who knocks on Valancy's door at half-past seven every morning, reinforcing the rigid routine of the household.

Chapter III

Whines endlessly about trivial matters; boasts of being married at seventeen; looks down on Valancy despite her own plainness.

IV

Cousin Stickles calls out to remind Valancy to wear her rubbers.

VI

Suffers from neuralgia; gossips with Mrs. Stirling; Valancy rubs her back with liniment.

VII

Notices Valancy's odd behavior; suggests remedies like vinegar and Redfern's Liniment; gossips about Dr. Trent.

VIII

Valancy anticipates Cousin Stickles' insistence on remedies and her disapproval of having feelings.

IX

Cousin Stickles observes Valancy's odd actions—sliding down the bannister, reading a book on Sunday—and keeps some of them secret from Mrs. Stirling, though she is deeply uneasy.

Chapter XI

Cousin Stickles whispers that Valancy is 'feverish' and tries to calm the situation, but is ignored.

XII

Mentioned as someone who would be fussy and alarmed, not sympathetic.

XIII

Present during family discussions and exchanges anguished glances with Mrs. Stirling.

XIV

Horrified by Valancy's behavior and Abel's profanity; passes through the hall and hears the oaths.

XV

Laments that Valancy will no longer rub her back at night and reluctantly reveals Valancy said 'Oh, darn!'

XXII

Cousin Stickles witnesses the scandalous drive and continues to pray for Valancy, believing they have been given a cross to bear.

Cousin Georgiana's News

Cousin Stickles is present at the Stirling house, sobbing over the perceived tragedy of Valancy's marriage.

Spring on Mistawis

Sitting with Mrs. Stirling, knitting grimly, part of the unchanged domestic scene Valancy observes.

The Return of the Prodigal

Shrewish and suspicious, but becomes willing to be convinced when the truth about Barney's wealth emerges.

XLII

Cousin Stickles is in the kitchen when Uncle Benjamin jokes with her about husbands.