"If I really thought mother could see, and if I really thought—" began the little boy.
"Yes, yes, she can see!" said Iris, going on her knees and clasping both the little fellow's hands in one of hers. "She can see, she does know, and she wants her own brave giant to be a giant to the end. Now, here is the enemy; open your mouth, conquer it at one gulp."
"Well, to be sure," whispered Simpson.
Orion, however, did not glance at Simpson. He gazed solemnly round the room as if he really saw someone; then he fixed his brown eyes on his sister's face, then he opened his mouth very wide. She instantly took the cup and held it to the little lips. Orion drained off the nauseous draught and lay back, panting, on his pillow.
"It was a big thing to conquer. I am a fine giant," he said, when he returned the empty cup to Iris.
"Yes, you are a splendid old chap," she replied.
At that moment Mrs. Dolman and Miss Ramsay entered the room.
"Has Orion taken his medicine?" said Mrs. Dolman. "Iris, my dear, what are you doing here?"
"I am very sorry, Aunt Jane," replied Iris, "but I had to come. He would never have taken his medicine but for me. I had to remind him—"
"To remind him of his duty. He certainly wanted to be reminded. So he has taken the medicine. I am glad of that; but all the same, Iris, you did very wrong to leave the schoolroom."