last night and took me by surprise. I have been very lonely lately,
and you know, you poor little mites, you cannot be left to the care of
Fortune. She is a very good soul, but you want more than her to look
after you, and then Miss Stevenson--I never did think her up to much."

"Father," said Apollo, "you have no right to abuse our spiritual
pastors and masters."

Notwithstanding his heathenish name, it will be seen by this remark
that some of his time was occupied learning the church catechism.

"I stand corrected, my son," said Mr. Delaney, "or, rather, at the
present moment, I lie corrected. Well, children, the truth must
out--Aunt Jane took me by surprise. She promises she will look after
you and be a mother to you."

"We don't want no other mother, now that our own mother is gone,
except Iris," said Apollo. "We won't have Aunt Jane for a mother."

"She is a howid old thing, and I hate aunts," said Diana.

"Well, children, I am very sorry for you, but it is too late to do
anything now. The whole thing is arranged. I hope you will try to be
good, and also to be happy with Aunt Jane. You won't find her half bad
when you get to know her better, and of course I won't be very long
away, and when I come back again--"

"Please don't say any more, father," interrupted Iris. She slipped off
the bed and stood very pale and still, looking at her father with eyes
which, notwithstanding all her efforts, were full of reproach.