s to pwick our enemies and p'w'aps kill
'em."

"But look here, Diana, what do you want this special bow and arrow
for?"

"I want to have Aunt Jane Dolman and Simpson shotted. I'll tell you
why I want 'em both to be shotted--'cos Simpson killed my spiders and
beetles, and Aunt Jane Dolman is a poky old thing and she shut me up
in a punishment woom. Now wouldn't you like to help me--and then we'll
both have deaded our enemies, and we'll be as happy as the day is
long."

Miss Ramsay was so astounded at Diana's remarks that she slowly rose
from her seat and stared for nearly half a minute at the little girl.

"Well," she said at last, "I have seen in my lifetime all sorts of
children. I have taught little girls and boys since I was eighteen
years of age. I have seen good children and naughty children, and
clever children, and stupid children, but I have never met anyone like
you, little Diana Delaney. Do you really know what you are saying? Do
you know that you are a very, very wicked little girl?"

"Are I?" said Diana. "Well, then, I like being a wicked little girl. I
thought p'w'aps you would help me; but it don't matter, not one bit."

Before Miss Ramsay could say another word Diana had turned abruptly
and flown, as if on the wings of the wind, right down through the
wood.

The governess watched the little figure disappearing between the oaks
and elms until at last it quite vanished from view. She felt a
momentary inclination to go after the child, but her book was
interesting, and her seat under the overhanging elm extremely
comfortable. And this was a holiday, and she worked hard enough, poor
thing, on working days. And, after all, Diana was nothing but a silly
little child, and didn't mean half she said.

"It would be folly to take the least notice of her remarks," thought
the governess. "I'll just go on treating her like the others. I expect
I shall have a good deal of work breaking in that interesting little
quartette, for, after all, if my salary is to be raised, I may as well
stay at the Rectory as anywhere else. The house is comfortable, and I
have got used to Mrs. Dolman's queer ways by this time."

Accordingly Miss Ramsay reseated herself, and again took up her novel.
She turned the leaves, and soon got into a most interesting part of
the volume. Lost in the sorrows of her hero and heroine, she forgot
all about Diana Delaney and her bow and arrow.

Meanwhile, Diana, walking rapidly away by herself,