I do not like to be around ill-behaved children, particularly when their parent is right there, laughing about how "lively" they are. There is a huge difference between "lively" children, and spoiled little brats. "Lively" children play with each other, want their parents (and any other favorite aunti/unkie type) to watch their more daring escapades, and maybe they might throw their arms around an auntie/unkie's neck a'la little Walter in Persuasion, and refuse to let go because they're feeling left out, but they generally don't disrupt everyone's fun at the expense of their own.

Now, I'll take into account the fact that Annamaria is only 3, and that makes her a little more bratty than the average bear. However, with the other children making a mess, she just seems like the icing on the cake. Plus, you'd think that Lucy and Anne would leave a crying child to the mother (or father, in the case of my own, er, precious niece) as common sense would dictate. As Robbin points out, though, the Steeles are ingratiating themselves. Who knows how deep their feelings run?