What does the author indicate in this sentence?

they steer their father's yacht, walk the lord knows how many miles, and don't care a cent about rain, besides doing a host of other things that would shock our ladies to death; and yet in the parlor are the most elegant looking women, in their satin shoes and diamonds, i ever saw…
a. lord hardwicke’s daughters were very health-conscious women.
b. lord hardwicke’s daughters were self-contained and independent women.
c. lord hardwicke’s daughters were both feminine and physically active.
d. lord hardwicke’s daughters were haughty women who disliked going outdoors.