The dye dried very quickly, and the children looked as like two gypsies as possible when they surveyed one another.

“Now, I’m going to fetch the clothes,” said Aunt Sarah.

She left the room, returning in a very few moments with a pretty spangled suit of knickerbockers, which she put on Orion, and which quite enchanted him.

“If you are a good boy,” she continued, “you won’t dislike the life with us.  I wonder if you are fond of horses?”

“Horses!” said Orion, his eyes sparkling.  “Rather!”

“Well, Uncle Ben will teach you to ride, and to jump, and to do all kinds of things.  Now, just stand back, and let me dress little missy, for Ben is waiting to begin the rehearsal.  Missy, you let me put on your dress.”

Diana was only too willing to be attired in a flimsy skirt of white tarlatan, which stuck out from her little figure; she also wore wings on her shoulders, and her black hair was rendered gay with bows of crimson ribbon.  She felt quite excited and pleased with herself.

“I spects I look awfu’ pwetty,” she said.  “I’d like to see my own self in a looking-glass.  Has you got a looking-glass in your pocket, Aunt Sawah?”

“Yes, dear; a small one.”

Aunt Sarah whipped her hand into a deep pocket and took out a glass.  Diana surveyed herself critically in its depths.

“I like my dwess,” she said, “but I don’t like this howid bwown stuff on my face.”

“Never mind, dear; bear it for the present.  When we get down to the southwest of England it shall all be taken off; but up here Uncle Ben thinks it best for you both to have it on.”

“Why?” asked Diana.

Aunt Sarah was puzzled for a moment.

“’Cos it’s wholesome,” she said at last.

“And isn’t it wholesome in the southwest of England?” asked Diana.

Aunt Sarah was puzzled how to reply.  Diana, who was gazing at her very intently, burst into a clear, childish laugh.

“Do you know you is a humbug?” she said.  “You know perfect well why you is using that.  You want to hide us, that’s why.  What a silly old Aunt Sawah you is!”

Before Aunt Sarah could make a suitable reply, the loud voice of Uncle Ben was heard in the distance.

“Come, Sarah,” he called, “bring those kids along.  I can’t be kept waiting another minute.”

“Now then, dears,” said Aunt Sarah, “I’ll take you to the circus.”

“The circus!” cried Diana.  “Is we going to a circus?  I love ’em!”

“Well, my dear, you are not only going to see a circus, but you are going soon to be part of a circus.  Uncle Ben owns one; it’s a sort of traveling circus.  He takes it about with him from one part of the country to another.  You’ll be part of the circus in the future, little miss.”

“And may I wide horses?” asked Diana.

“Surely, my dear, and perhaps other animals as well.  Oh, never fear! you’ll be taught all kinds of queer things.  You’ll have quite a nice time if you keep on the buttered side of Uncle Ben.”