'And if you went to fetch them home from school, you would know how bad it is, Mamma,' said Felix. 'Wilmet does not mind it, but Alda cries, and the sneaking girls do it the more; and they are girls, so one can't lick them; and they have not all got brothers.'
'To be licked instead!' said Mr. Underwood, unable to help being amused.
'Well, yes, Papa; and so you see it would be no end of a comfort to make them look like the rest.'
'By all means, Felix. The ladies can tell how far your benefaction will go; but as far as it can accomplish, the twins shall be resplendent. Now then, back to your anxious clients. Only tell me first how my kind old friend the Admiral is.'
'Here's his letter, Father; I quite forgot to read it.'
'Some day, I hope, you will know him enough to care for him personally. Now you may be off.—Nay, Enid, love, your daughters could not have lived much longer without clothes to their backs.'
'Oh, yes, it must have been done,' sighed the poor mother; 'but I fancied Felix would have thought of you first.'
'He thought of troubles much more felt than any of mine. Poor children! the hard apprenticeship will serve them all their lives.'
Meantime Felix returned with the words, 'Hurrah! we are to have the sovereign just as usual; and all the rest is to go to turn out Wilmet and Alda like respectable young females.—Hollo, now!'
For Alda had precipitated herself down-stairs, to throttle him with her embraces; while Cherry cried out, 'That's right! Oh, do get those dear white hats you told me about;' but the public, even there a many-headed monster thing, was less content.