gossip had it that when miss flossie was young , she 'd been in love with herman henkleman , but that miss ada had put a spike in the couple 's marital plans by convincing her submissive sister that herman , who was several years younger than flossie , was interested only in flossie 's share of their modest inheritance and that he 'd squander it all on liquor and make flossie into the town laughingstock to boot .