"Yes; very much indeed," answered Iris.

"I call ships stupid," said Diana. "I don't see no use in 'em. Now, do
let us hurry back. Poor Rub-a-Dub will be so lonely."

"It's you who is silly now," said Orion. "You know Rub-a-Dub can't
feel; don't you, Di?"

"I know nothing 'bout it," said Diana. "I want to hurry back to get
his beautiful public funeral weady. Now, look here, 'Rion; will you go
into the house to steal the cotton wool, or shall I?"

"What is that I hear?" said a voice which seemed to come from right
over the children's heads.

They all looked up in alarm, to see Aunt Jane Dolman and their father
standing close by. Mr. Delaney wore an amused, and Aunt Jane a scared
expression.

"What were you saying, little girl?" she continued, taking Diana by
her arm and giving her a slight shake; "that you wished to _steal_
something?"

"Yes; some cotton wool," said Diana; "it's most 'portant; it's for a
public funeral."

Mrs. Dolman turned her round black eyes on her brother. Horror was
expressed in each movement of her face.

"My dear Jane," he said, _sotto voce_, "there are several things which