The challenge for a definite reply to so outrageous a question irritated Rosamund's nerves, and, loth though she was to admit him to the subject, she could not forbear from saying, 'Why?
Surely his family have the first claim on him!' 'Surely not, ma'am.

There is no first claim.

A man's wife and children have a claim on him for bread.

A man's parents have a claim on him for obedience while he is a child.

A man's uncles, aunts, and cousins have no claim on him at all, except for help in necessity, which he can grant and they require.