, away from the house and the garden--the garden where
mother used to be, and the house where the angel came to fetch mother
away--and we are to live with her. She spoke, father, as if it was
settled; but it is not true, is it? Tell us, father, that it is not
true."

"My poor little children!" said the father. His own ruddy and sunburnt
face turned absolutely pale; there was a look in his eyes which Diana
could not in the least understand, nor could Orion, and which even
Apollo only slightly fathomed; but one glance told Iris the truth.

"When I am away you are to be a mother to the others," seemed at that
moment to echo her mother's own voice in her ear. She gulped down a
great sob in her throat, and stretching herself by her father's side
she put one soft arm round his neck.

"Never mind if it is _really_ settled," she said. "I will try hard to
bear it."

"You are about the bravest little darling in the world," said Mr.
Delaney.

"What are you talking about, Iris?" cried Apollo, clutching his sister
by her long hair as she spoke. "You say that you will try and bear it,
and that father is not to mind? But father must mind. If I go to Aunt
Jane Dolman's, why--why, it will kill me." And the most beautiful of
all the heathen gods cast such a glance of scorn at his parent at that
moment that Mr. Delaney absolutely quailed.

"For goodness' sake, Apollo, don't eat me up," he said. "The fact is
this, children; I may as well have the whole thing out. Aunt Jane came
last night and took me by surprise. I have been very lonely lately,
and you know, you poor little mites, you cannot be left to the care of
Fortune. She is a very good soul, but you want more than her to look
after you, and then Miss Stevenson--I never did think her up to much."

"Father," said Apollo, "you have no right to abuse our spiritual
pastors and masters."

Notwithstanding his heathenish name, it will be seen by this remark
that some of his time was occupied learning the church catechism.

"I stand corrected, my son," said Mr. Delaney, "or, rather, at the
present moment, I lie corrected. Well, children, the truth must
out--Aunt Jane took me by surprise. She promises she will look after
you and be a mother to you."

"We don't want no other mother, now that our own mother is gone,
except Iris," said Apollo. "We won't have Aunt Jane for a mother."

"She is a howid old thing, and I hate aunts," said Diana.

"Well, children, I am very sorry for you