dimensions was dragging him into a dark cavern, where he could never
again behold the daylight. At last, in great perturbation, he opened
his dazed eyes. The sight he saw seemed at first to be a continuation
of his dream, but after a moment or two he discovered that the person
who had become possessed of his chest was a small boy of the name of
Orion, that a little black-eyed girl called Diana had comfortably
ensconced herself on his knees, and that Iris and Apollo were seated
one at each side of his pillow. The four children had all climbed up
on to the big bedstead, and were gazing attentively at him.

"He is opening his eyes," said Orion, "he'll be all right after a
minute or two. Don't hurry up, father; we can wait."

"We can wait quite well, father," said Diana; "and it's very comf'able
on your knees; they is so flat."

"We are awfully sorry to disturb you, father," said Iris.

"But we can't help it, because it's most solemnly important," said
Apollo.

"So it seems," remarked Mr. Delaney, when he could at last find a
voice. "You have all subjected me to a terrible dream. I am really
glad that I have awakened and find that the hobgoblins, and gnomes,
and brownies are no less little people than my own four children. But
why am I to be disturbed at such a very early hour?"

"If you like, father," said Diana, "we'll pull up all the blinds; then
the hot, blazin' sun will come in, and you'll see that it's not early
at all; it's late."