assed the entrance to the summer-house, and Diana flew
after it, chasing it with a loud shout and a gay, hearty fit of
laughter.

Apollo came back with the stray cat, whose name was "Trust," in his
arms.

"She looks miserable, poor thing," he said. "I don't believe she has
had anything to eat to-day. She must have her breakfast, as usual;
must she not, Iris?"

"Yes; we must feed all the pets," said Iris, making a great effort to
brighten up. "Let us go regularly to work, all of us. Apollo, will you
take the birds? You may as well clean out their cages--they are sure
to want it. I will collect flies for the green frogs, and Orion, you
may pick mulberry leaves for the silk-worms."

For the next hour the children were busily employed. No one missed
them in the house. The house was full of shade, but the garden,
although mother had left it forever, was quite bright; the sun shone
as brilliantly as it did every other day; a great many fresh flowers
had come out; there was a very sweet smell from the opening roses, and
in especial the Scotch roses, white and red, made a waft of delicious
perfume as the children ran up and down.

"I'm awfully hungry," said Diana suddenly.

"But we won't go into the house for lunch to-day," said Iris. "Let us
have a fruit lunch--I think mother would like us to have a fruit lunch
just for to-day. Please, Apollo, go into the other garden and pick
some of the ripest strawberries. There were a great many ripe
yesterday, and there are sure to be more to-day. Bring a big leaf
full, and we can eat them in the summer-house."

Apollo ran off at once. He brought back a good large leaf of
strawberries, and Iris divided them into four portions. Diana and
Orion, seated on their little chairs, ate theirs with much gusto, and
just as happily as if mother had not gone away; but as to Iris,
notwithstanding her brave words and her determination not to think of
herself, the strawberries tasted like wood in her mouth. There was
also a great lump in her throat, and a feeling of depression was
making itself felt more and more, moment by moment.

Apollo sat down beside his sister, and glanced from time to time into
her face.

"I cannot think why I don't _really_ care for the strawberries
to-day," he said suddenly. "I--" His lips trembled. "Iris," he said,
gazing harder than ever at his sister, "you have got such a queer look
on your face.

"Don't notice it, please, Apollo," answered Iris.

"I wish you