"Please let me stay here," said Iris. "I do not really want any supper, and I know how to manage her. She has gone through a great deal."
"Well, miss, do you dare?"
"Oh, I dare anything! I am quite positive certain Aunt Jane won't mind when I tell her my own self what I have done."
"I will tell mamma; she shan't mind," said little Ann suddenly.
Iris looked up at her and smiled—Ann smiled back at her. The hearts of the two little cousins were knit together in real love from that moment.
The gong sounded again downstairs, and this time in a distinctly angry manner. The three Dolman girls and the two Delaney boys had to hurry off as fast as they could, and then Iris undressed Diana and put her into her snug little white bed.
"I is drefful unhappy, Iris," said Diana, as she laid her head on her pillow.
"But you won't be in the morning, Diana. You'll feel brave and strong and bright in the morning, just like the dear name mother gave you."
"Oh, p'ease, p'ease, will you see that the spiders and beetles has somethin' to eat? They is so far from home, poor darlin's, and they has come a drefful long journey, and they may be deaded in the morning if nothing's not done for 'em. P'ease see to 'em; won't you, Iris?"
"Yes," replied Iris.