"They ain't nowheres else, then," answered her factotum.
"Josh, you don't strip the cows clean."
"Who doos, then?" said Josh, grinning. "If 'tain't me, I don' know who 'tis. That 'ere red heifer is losin' on her milk, though, Mis' Starlin'. She had ought to be fed sun'thin'."
"Well, feed her, then," cried the mistress. "You know enough for that.
You must keep up the milk this month, Josh; the grass is first-rate."
Diana escaped away.
A while later the family was assembled at breakfast.
"Where's the child?" inquired Mrs. Starling.
"I believe she is out in the garden, mother."
"She oughtn't to be out before she has had her breakfast. 'Tain't good for her."
"O, she has had her breakfast," said Diana. This was nothing new. Diana as well as her husband was glad to keep the little one from Mrs. Starling's table, where, unless they wanted her to be fed on pork and pickles and the like, it was difficult to have a harmonious meal. It was often difficult at any rate!