Compared to the movies, Aunt Elinor is nicer here in the books. She's strict because she loves her collection of books and would protect it since she paid a lot for it (and she loves books period). But being strict does nit mean she is mean to Meggie or even Dustfinger despite the way she talks. The way she acts is not so constricting and menacing. Even here, she allows Meg to do what she wants but within reason.
Made me think about The Priory of the Orange Tree ;-;