And not even a holiday -- I 'll have to go to work just the same . Now Ida here , she does n't really need sympathy . She has holidays -- a whole fortnight -- and nothing to do but enjoy them . '' `` Holidays are dismal things when you 've nowhere to holiday , '' said Ida mournfully . `` The time drags horribly . But never mind , girls , I 've a plummy bit of news for you . I 'd a letter from Mother today and , bless the dear woman , she is sending me a cake -- a New Year 's cake -- a great big , spicy , mellow , delicious fruit cake . It will be along tomorrow and , girls , we 'll celebrate when it comes . I 've asked everybody in the house up to my room for New Year 's Eve , and we 'll have a royal good time . '' `` How splendid ! '' said Mary . `` There 's nothing I like more than a slice of real countrified home-made fruit cake , where they do n't scrimp on eggs or butter or raisins . You 'll give me a good big piece , wo n't you , Ida ? '' `` As much as you can eat , '' promised Ida . `` I can warrant Mother 's fruit cake . Yes , we 'll have a jamboree . Miss Monroe has promised to come in too . She says she has a weakness for fruit cake . '' `` Oh ! '' breathed all the girls .
Miss XXXXX was their idol , whom they had to be content to worship at a distance as a general thing .
Ida Mary Monroe Mother everybody fortnight jamboree raisins sympathy things