Ida's hair is not really red--not merely--carroty is the very word
needed. Well, she is the daughter of the Reverend Mrs. Giles. Don't
you remember the woman who always scolded us for everything?
Wouldn't let us even so much as take a turnip. And she wore such
pious-looking spectacles that we dubbed her Reverend Mrs. Giles.
Well, she still is Ida's mother."

"Then I don't blame Ida a bit. I'd be Ida myself if I was brought
up as she's been, though I suppose her mother means all right. It's
curious what queer manners some people have. But I dare say we all
have our own faults."

"And, with all of them, I hope the girls love us still--even Ida,"
added Jack quickly.

"Now, those others--the beautiful Robinson twins," pursued Ed.

"Oh, yes. Well, Bess and Belle are certainly the real thing in
girls--right up to the minute. Besides, they have an immensely rich
papa. You've heard of him--Perry Robinson, the railroad king?"

"Oh, yes. And their mother, if one may be permitted to ask?"

"Certainly, fair sir--Their mother is a wonderfully handsome woman,
in a statuesque sort of way. Very dignified, and all that. Now, the
twins are worth while."

"Exactly so," answered Ed. "Now I think--"

He stopped suddenly, and quickly jerked up his rod, but not quite