, but it is too late to do
anything now. The whole thing is arranged. I hope you will try to be
good, and also to be happy with Aunt Jane. You won't find her half bad
when you get to know her better, and of course I won't be very long
away, and when I come back again--"

"Please don't say any more, father," interrupted Iris. She slipped off
the bed and stood very pale and still, looking at her father with eyes
which, notwithstanding all her efforts, were full of reproach.

"Come, children," she said to the others, "let poor father have his
sleep out. It is quite early, father, and--and we understand now."

"Do say you are not angry with me, you dear little kids. I would not
hurt you for the whole world."

"Of course we are not angry, father," said Iris. She bent slowly
forward and kissed her father on his forehead. "Go to sleep, father;
we are sorry we woke you so early."

"Yes, father, go to s'eep," echoed Diana. "I underland all 'bout it.
You won't have no hobgoblins now to dweam about, for I has got off
your knees. They was lovely and flat, and I didn't mind sitting on
them one bit."

"All the same, Diana, I am obliged to you for getting off," said Mr.
Delaney, "for I was beginning to get quite a terrible cramp, to say
nothing of my sensations at having this giant Orion planting himself
on my chest. I will have a long talk with you all, darlings, in the
course of the day, and I do hope you won't be very unhappy with your
Aunt Jane Dolman."

"We'll be mis'ble, but it can't be helped," said Diana. "I never did
like aunts, and I'm never going to, what's more. Come 'long now,
sildrens. It's a gweat nuisance getting up so early, particular when
father can't help hisself. Can you, father? Go to s'eep now, father.
Come 'long this minute, back to bed, sildrens."

Diana looked really worthy of her distinguished name as she strode
down the passage and returned to the night-nursery. She and Orion
slipped into their respective little cots and lay down without waking
either Fortune or Susan, who slept in beds at the opposite side of the
room. Iris and Apollo also returned to their beds, and presently
Apollo dropped asleep, for, though he had an alarming temper, his fits
of passion never lasted long. But Iris did not close her bright brown
eyes again that morning. She lay awake, full of troubled
thoughts--thoughts far too old for her tender years.

It was one of Fortune's fads never on any occasion to awaken a
sleeping