I wonder if her uncles, old Mr.Hamilton and Captain Shadrach, realize what happens when they're not about?
How would they take it, do you think, if I dropped a hint ?" Edna laughed.

"You would have to be very careful, Daddy," she said.

"Mr.
Hamilton and the Captain idolize Mary-'Gusta and she just worships them.
Besides, she isn't really their niece, you know.

She is a young lady of independent means--at least, so everybody says." Her father was surprised.

He asked what she meant by "independent means." Mrs.Keith answered.
"The means are not very extensive, I imagine," she said.