Harry had some western cousins, far removed, both by blood and distance.

Aunt Maria and her brother were the only relatives on his former wife's side.

Aunt Maria had received an invitation, both from Harry and the prospective bride, to be present at the wedding and remain in the house with Maria until the return of the bridal couple from their short trip.

She had declined in a few stilted words, although Harry had sent a check to cover the expenses of her trip, which was returned in her letter.
"The fact is, I don't know what to do with Maria," Harry said to Ida Slome, a week before the wedding.

"Maria won't come, and neither will her brother's wife, and she can't be left alone, even with the new maid.