the gods; and you, Apollo, after the bravest and the most beautiful
boy that was supposed ever to live; and Diana, too, was called after a
great Greek goddess; and Orion after the most lovely star in all the
world. Oh, surely we four little children ought to try to be great,
and good, and brave, if we are ever to meet our mother again!"

"Well, it is all very puzzling," said Apollo, "and I can't understand
things the way you can, Iris, and I have an awful ache in my throat. I
am hungry, and yet I am not hungry. I love strawberries as a rule, but
I hate them to-day. If only father would come and talk to us it would
not be quite so bad; but Fortune said we were not to go to him, that
he was shut up in his study, and that he was very unhappy. She said
that he felt it all dreadfully about mother."

"Iris," said Diana's voice at that moment, "we are not surely to have
any lessons to-day?"

She had come to the door of the summer-house, and was looking in.

"Lessons?" said Iris. She put up her hand to her forehead in a dazed
manner.

"Yes; do be quick and say. Miss Stevenson is coming down the garden
path. I do think that on the very day when mother has gone away it
would be hard if we were to have lessons; and if what you say is true,
Iris, and mother is happy, why, it does not seem fair; does it? We
ought to have a whole holiday to-day, ought we not? Just as if it was
a birthday, you know."

"I think so too," said Orion, with a shout. "I don't think we need be