with regard to stella and lionel , mary beth was notoriously indulgent and allowed them to have their friends over for days or weeks on end she sent them to europe with tutors and governesses when she herself was too busy to go , and she gave them birthday parties of legendary size and extravagance , to which countless mayfair cousins were invited she was equally generous to her daughter belle , her adopted daughter nancy , and to millie dear , her niece , all of whom continued to live at first street after mary beth 's death , though they were the recipients of large trust funds which granted them indisputable financial independence .