Louise Merrick lived with her mother a few blocks away from Patsy’s apartment, and her cousin Beth DeGraf was staying with her for a time.  They had all spent the summer with Uncle John at Millville, and had only returned to New York a few days before.  Beth’s home was in Ohio, but there was so little sympathy between the girl and her parents that she was happy only when away from them.  Her mother was Uncle John’s sister, but as selfish and cold as Uncle John was generous and genial.  Beth’s father was a “genius” and a professor of music—­one of those geniuses who live only in their own atmosphere and forget there is a world around them.  So Beth had a loveless and disappointed childhood, and only after Uncle John arrived from the far west and took his three nieces “under his wing,” as he said, did her life assume any brightness or interest.

Her new surroundings, however, had developed Beth’s character wonderfully, and although she still had her periods of sullen depression she was generally as gay and lovable as her two cousins, but in a quieter and more self-possessed way.

Louise was the eldest—­a fair, dainty creature with that indescribable “air” which invariably wins the admiring regard of all beholders.  Whatever gown the girl wore looked appropriate and becoming, and her manner was as delightful as her appearance.  She was somewhat frivolous and designing in character, but warm-hearted and staunch in her friendships.  Indeed, Louise was one of those girls who are so complex as to be a puzzle to everyone, including themselves.

Beth DeGraf was the beauty of the group of three, and she also possessed great depth of character.  Beth did not like herself very well, and was always afraid others would fail to like her, so she did not win friends as easily as did Louise.  But those who knew the beautiful girl intimately could read much to admire in the depth of her great dark eyes, and she was not the least interesting of the three nieces whose fortunes had been so greatly influenced by Aunt Jane and Uncle John Merrick.

But Patricia Doyle—­usually called “Patsy” by her friends—­was after all the general favorite with strangers and friends alike.  There was a subtle magnetism about the girl’s laughing, freckled face and dancing blue eyes that could not well be resisted.  Patsy was not beautiful; she was not accomplished; she had no especial air of distinction.  But she was winning from the top of her red hair to the tips of her toes, and so absolutely unaffected that she won all hearts.

“And for wisdom she’s got Solomon beat to a frazzle,” declared the Major to Uncle John, in discussing his daughter’s character.  But it is possible that Major Doyle was prejudiced.

“Well, what’s to be done?” demanded Louise, for the second time.

“We don’t vote in Ken’s district,” remarked the Major, “or there would be six votes to his credit, and that would beat my own record by four!”