This is because Mrs.Everleigh-Spillikins feels that the day will come some day--say fifteen years hence--when the boys will no longer be children, and meantime it is so nice to feel that they are still mere boys.

Bob is the eldest, but Sib the youngest is the tallest, whereas Willie the third boy is the dullest, although this has often been denied by those who claim that Gib the second boy is just a trifle duller.

Thus at any rate there is a certain equality and good fellowship all round.
Mrs.Everleigh-Spillikins is not to be seen walking with them.

She is probably at the race-meet, being taken there by Captain Cormorant of the United States navy, which Mr.Spillikins considers very handsome of him.

Every now and then the captain, being in the navy, is compelled to be at sea for perhaps a whole afternoon or even several days; in which case Mrs.Everleigh-Spillikins is very generally taken to the Hunt Club or the Country Club by Lieutenant Hawk, which Mr.Spillikins regards as awfully thoughtful of him.