"You poor little innocents, what is to become of you all?" said Miss
Stevenson.

She entered the summer-house as she spoke, sank down on the nearest
chair, and burst into tears. The four children surrounded her. They
none of them felt inclined to cry at that moment. Orion, after staring
at her for some little time, gave her a sharp little tap on her arm.

"What are you crying about?" he said. "Don't you think you are rather
stupid?"

"You poor innocents!" said Miss Stevenson.

"Please don't call us that," said Diana; "that is our name for the
worms. Worms can't see, you know, and they are not to blame for being
only worms, and sometimes they get trodden on; and Iris thought we
might call them innocents, and we have always done so since she gave
us leave; but we would rather not be called by _quite_ the same name."

Miss Stevenson hastily dried her eyes.

"You certainly are the most extraordinary little creatures," she said.
"Don't you feel anything?"

"It would be horrid selfish to be sorry," said Diana "Iris says that
mother is awfully happy now."

Miss Stevenson stared at the children as if they were bewitched.