All of Thurber's family members had strange habits and fears. Old Aunt Melissa Beall is afraid that she will die on South High Street. Briggs Beall is afraid of suffocating during the night and dying in his sleep. Aunt Sarah Shoaf believed that someone would blow chloroform into the room. Aunt Gracie Shoaf strongly held a belief that burglars come into the house every night.
Some examples include: One person is afraid (and certain) she will die on South High Street. Another person is afraid of dying in his sleep. His mother is paranoid and afraid of electricity. One is afraid of being hypnotized. </span><span> </span>
