Next Madam Julia turned to the twins. "My friends wish to see about some motor things, also," remarked Cora. "What would you think of having them all alike--for us there?" This brought on such a discussion, madam talking more in French than English, and Belle was kept busy translating for her sister. The madam preferred giving the young ladies such hoods and cloaks as would best suit their complexions. Bess should have a brown one--just running to the shade of her hair, but not quite reaching it, and Belle needed a dark blue--for only a true blond can wear dark blue and not look old in it. So madam explained. But the twins would not decide, after all, until their mother could be consulted, so the order was not definitely placed. When they were about to leave, and madam had vanished behind the silken draperies, Bess turned to one of the hat sticks, upon which rested a most conspicuous piece of headgear. "Oh, look at that!" she exclaimed. "Isn't it awful?" "It certainly is ridiculous!" chimed in Belle, taking the motor hood, for such it was, off the support and holding it up for inspection. "That's certainly what madam calls a 'creation,'" said Cora. "Who in the world would ever wear that?" asked Bess with a laugh. "I expected to," unexpectedly replied a voice behind them. The three girls turned quickly to confront Ida Giles. She had come in so quietly that they had not heard her. Cora, Belle and Bess looked dumfounded. "And perhaps in the future," went on Ida in icy tones, "it would be just as well to leave another person's hat alone." "I beg your pardon," Cora managed to say, "We--er--we were just--interested in motor hoods." "And making fun of mine!" snapped Ida. Louise had entered to attend to the new customer. Ida turned to her: "I wish to see Madam Julia!" she exclaimed. Outside Bess burst into her full, hearty laugh. Then the three motor girls made their escape. "I thought I would choke in there!" she exclaimed. "Lucky for you that Ida didn't take a hand in, helping you out in the choking process," remarked Cora. "She looked as if she would like to have done it." "But what in the world do you suppose she wants with a motor hood?" asked Belle. "To ride with Sid, of course," answered Cora. "But his machine is out of order, and he as much as said that he didn't intend to get it fixed right away," persisted Belle. "Maybe he's going to get a new one," ventured Cora. "I don't see how he can," replied Belie. "I heard father say he was dreadfully in debt. His folks had some dealings with father, I believe, about advancing him some money that is to come to him when he is a certain age, but it won't be for some time yet. They had to have some to pay his debts." "You ought not to repeat that, Belle," cautioned Bess. "You know father would be displeased if he knew you had spoken of his private affairs." "Well, I'm sure it will go no further--with Cora," retorted Belle. "I wouldn't mention it to any one else."