"Strawberries and cream, and milk and cake, plenty and plenty," said the woman. "And what do you say to delicious soup and honey, p'r'aps? Oh, come along, my little loves; I'll give you something fine to eat."
"Do let's go," said Orion; "my tumtum's so empty it feels like a big hole."
"I know," said the woman, in a very sympathetic voice. "I have had it myself like that at times. It's sort of painful when it's like that; aint it?"
"Yes," answered Orion. He went up to his sister, and took her hand. "Come along, Di," he said. "Do let this nice woman give us our supper."
"You may be sure I won't give it," said the woman, "unless both you little children ask me in a very perlite voice. You must say, 'Please, Mother Rodesia.'"
"I can't say that keer sort of name," said Diana.
"Well, then, call me mother without anything else. They often does that at home—often and often. All the little kids is desp'ate fond of me. I dote so on little children. My heart runs over with love to 'em."
"You would not let a little girl be beated?" said Diana.
"Be beaten?" replied the woman. "No, that I wouldn't; it would be downright cruel."
"I was beated to-day," said Diana; "it was an enemy did it, and I'm going to have her shotted."