"And we are _not_ to have lessons, Stevie," said Orion; "that's
settled, isn't it?"

"Oh, my dear little child! I was not thinking of your lessons. It is
your terrible--your terrible loss that fills my mind; that and your
want of understanding. Iris, you are ten years old; I am surprised at
you."

Iris stood, looking very grave and silent, a step or two away.

"Please, Miss Stevenson," she said, after a long pause, "don't try to
understand us, for I am afraid it would be of no use. Mother talked to
me yesterday, and I know quite what to do. Mother asked me to be a
mother to the others, so I have no time to cry, nor to think of myself
at all. If you will give us a holiday to-day, will you please go away
and let us stay together, for I think I can manage the others if I am
all alone with them?"

Miss Stevenson rose hastily.

"I thought you would all have been overwhelmed," she said. "I thought
if ever children loved their mother you four did. Oh! how stunned I
feel! Yes, I will certainly go--I don't profess to understand any of
you."




CHAPTER III.