“Well, dear,” said Mother Rodesia, “you were so dead asleep, and the pony got that lame we couldn’t stir hand nor foot, so I thought it best to put a little nightdress on you.”

“But what a funny one,” said Diana, gazing with curious admiration at the stout, sack-like garment.

“It’s the best poor Mother Rodesia has, my dear.  I’m awful poor, you know.”

“Is you?” asked Diana.

“Yes, dear.”

“And does you mind?” asked Diana.

“Yes, dear; ’cos when people are poor they can’t get bread to eat, and then they can’t get nice clothes like you, little missy.  You are a very rich little gal; aint you, little dear?”

“My faver’s awfu’ rich,” said Diana.  “We used to live in a most beaut’ful house, and we had a beaut’ful garding to play in.  We had animals there—­lots and lots.  Woman, is you fond of animals—­mices and that sort?”

“Love—­I just adores ’em.”

“Then you is a nice sort,” answered Diana.  She left her place by Orion and crept up close to the woman.

“May I sit on your lap?” she said.

Mother Rodesia made a place for her at once.

“Put your arm wound me, p’ease; I is still a teeny bit s’eepy.”

“You lay your head against my breast, little love, and you’ll go off into a beautiful sleep, and I’ll keep you nice and warm, for hot as the days are, it’s chilly in the mornin’s.”

“When my faver comes home I’ll ask him to give you lots of money, Mother ’Odesia,” said Diana.

She closed her eyes as she spoke, and in another moment was once again slumbering peacefully.

When little Diana next opened her eyes all was completely changed.  She was no longer in the funny cart with the straw.  Her nightdress was still on her, it is true, and there were neither shoes nor stockings on her bare feet; but she and Orion found themselves in a dirty room with a nasty smell.  Both children looked at one another, and both felt cold and frightened.  The broad daylight was lighting up the room, and Diana could perceive that there was scarcely any furniture in it.  Her bow was also gone, and her arrow no longer hung round her neck.  She clutched a firm hold of Orion’s hand.

“Don’t you be afeared, Orion,” she said.  “Don’t you forget you is a big giant.  Don’t you forget you has got your belt and your sword.”

“But I haven’t, that’s just it,” replied Orion.  “Diana, I aren’t a giant, and I’m awfu’ frightened.”

“Where can us be?” said Diana.  “What a keer room!  But there’s one good comfort; there isn’t no aunts anywheres ’bout.”

“I can’t remember nothing,” said Orion.  “Why aren’t we in bed?  It’s too early to get up.  How have we got into this horrid little room?”

“I don’t know more nor you,” said Diana, “only I do know that we has got to be bwave.  Don’t you forget, Orion, that mother gived you your name, and that you is a giant, whether you likes it or not.  Don’t you forget that, and I won’t forget that I is Diana, and that mother gived me my name too, and that I is the bwavest huntwess in all the world.”