oke. "I don't think anybody," she continued, "could be naughty in
this garden."

Apollo kicked his legs in a somewhat impatient manner.

"I feel dreadfully hungry, Iris," he said. "Suppose we go to the house
now and have some supper."

"Who is that coming down the walk?" said Iris.

It was dusk by this time, and in the little summer-house all was dark;
but Iris, as she spoke, sprang to her feet, and the next moment found
herself clasped in Fortune's motherly arms.

"My darling!" said the woman. "Why, it drives me near mad to see you
again. And now, what in the world is up with the two of you, and where
are the others? There's an elderly gentleman--a clergyman--in the
house, and he said I was to look for you here, and that you were going
to spend the night. What does it mean, Iris? Oh, my dear! I can't see
your face, for it is too dark; but you are very light. Why, you are no
weight at all, my honey."

"I expect I'm rather worn out," replied Iris, in her old-fashioned
tone. "You know, Fortune, when mother went away she told me to be a
mother to the others, and--oh, Fortune, Fortune! I have failed, I have
failed."

Iris' little arms were clasped tightly round her old nurse's neck; her
face was hidden against her bosom; her heavy sobs came thick and fast.

"Why, my poor dear, you are exactly like a feather," said Fortune; "it
aint to be expected that a young thing like you could be a mother. But
what's gone wrong, dearie? what's gone wrong?"

"They are lost. That's what has gone wrong," said Iris. "Orion and
Diana are lost, Fortune."

"Sakes alive, child! stand up and speak proper," said Fortune. "Your
little brother and sister lost! Impossible; you are joking me, Iris,
and that aint fair, seeing I was with you since you drew the breath
of life."

"Do you think I could joke upon such a subject?" said Iris. "You say I
am like a feather--that is because I have all wasted away from--from
fretting, from--from misery. Yes, Fortune, they are lost, and I wish I
were dead. I feel it here so dreadfully." The child pressed both her
hands against her heart. "I have not been a mother," she continued.
"Oh, Fortune! what is to be done?"

"You jest sit down on my lap and stop talking nonsense," said Fortune.
"Why, you are trembling like an aspen. You jest rest yourself a bit
alongside o' me. Now then, Master Apollo, tell me the whole truth,
from beginning to end. The two children lost? Now, I don't believe it,
and that's