A Little Mother to the Others

dren all found themselves there soon after four o'clock on this lovely summer afternoon. They c

as lax as she was particular on other occasions. This afternoon she took a novel out of her pock

erself alone. For a time she was contented to lie stretched out flat on the grass playing soldiers, and watching the tricks of a snow-white rabbit who ra

it's Simpson's turn to be punished-it'll do them heaps of good. First time I's only going to punish 'em, I isn't going to kill 'em down

a tree which was lying on the ground. Having discovered this treasure, she sat down contentedly and began to pull off the leaves and to strip the bark. When she had got the long, supple

d she was not allowed to keep a knife of her own. Both bow and arrow must be a secret, for if anyone saw her wi

tle crooked, but what do that matter? I could shoot my arrow now and pwick the twees, if only I could get one made. Oh, here's a darlin' litt

r coal-black e

ven seed her smile a minute back, and I should not be a bit s'prised if she didn't hate Aunt Jane too. I know what I'll do; I'll just go and ask her-there is nothing in al

sigh as she did so. But Miss Ramsay was intent on her book, and did not take the least notice of Diana's deep-drawn breath. The little girl fidg

the lady. "You are much too ho

to touch you 'cos you wouldn't look up. I

was reading was not specially interesting, and she could not help being am

irl, and what i

solemnly into her face, "that you and

ear child, what do you

"I's not often wrong. I wead your thoughts-I think that you

ness, "what does the child mean?

t you?-that's the

n't," said

big black eyes filled with tears; the tears rolled d

little creature?" said Miss Ramsay. "W

dis'pointed,"

I don't hate

so smart like, and order you to be k'ick this morning, and I thought, 'Miss Wamsay don't like that, and c

all this is very wro

g wrong quite out of sight. "I hate her, and I want to punish her. You ought to hate her, 'cos she to

y life," said Miss Ramsay. "Mrs. Dolman did warn me to be prepared for m

ver hear of Diana what lived long, long ago?-the beautiful, bwave la

heathen goddess?"

oh, I did think-that if you hated Aunt Jane you would help me to make the arrow. Here's the stick, and if you have a knife in your pocket you can just sharpen it, and it will make the most perfect arrow in all the world. I'll love you then. I'll help you always. I'll do my lessons if you ask me,

ntinued, without waiting for Diana's reply, "to have a knife in my pocket, and I don't mind sharpeni

would be the use of 'em, if they wasn't? They

hat do you want this spe

illed my spiders and beetles, and Aunt Jane Dolman is a poky old thing and she shut me up in a punishment woom. Now

s that she slowly rose from her seat and stare

n years of age. I have seen good children and naughty children, and clever children, and stupid children, but I have never met anyon

a wicked little girl. I thought p'w'aps you w

a had turned abruptly and flown, as if on the

ination to go after the child, but her book was interesting, and her seat under the overhanging elm extremely comfortable. And this was a holiday,

pect I shall have a good deal of work breaking in that interesting little quartette, for, after all, if my salary is to be raised, I ma

e leaves, and soon got into a most interesting part of the volume. Lost in the sorro

ng rapidly away by hers

ble 'bout anyone like her, but I must get that arrow made. The bo

reat delight, she saw Ap

u is!" sh

want with me?

n't it beautiful? Aren't I j

bow all by yourse

hy shou

's awfull

t was beautiful. Can you stwaight

ou a better bow than

make it very sharp? Will you make it awfu' sharp? The kind that would pwick deep, yo

Ann, Lucy, and Mary; he had been thrown for the last hour completely on his own resources. The sight, therefore, of Diana, with her flushed face and bright eyes and

expect me to do this sort of thing often. I shall most likely be v

llows?" as

get with boys, you can't ex

fellows this afternoon, 'cos you is useful to me. Just si

and hands by his side. She raised herself on her elbows and fixed her bright black

d, "isn't you g

ut what do you want t

y enemies

ly this is, Di. You hav

tter. I won't talk to

ollo; "you must tell me

wn between your bwows. I don't like it; you's go

you of old, you monkey. You are up to misch

ed at him

nt Jane?" she sai

that I do," r

thing in the nursery-S

at I do," repli

mies of yours, isn't

at I go as far as th

always fussing you and getting you to wash your face and hands, and if

said Apollo. "Where is the use

things," said Diana. "I want to ha

laughing, "that you wish to shoot Aunt

o have 'em shotted down dead. Why not? Mother, who is up in the heaven

. "But now, look here," he added, "I am older than you, and I know that what you are t

ed she could master, Aunt Jane, Simpson, and Miss Ramsay, but she

me. "Would not you like a bow and arrow just all your own

should have one; does it not, Di? But of course I would never do any misc

w and arrow for your ver

shouldn't, but you'

hould I make pwomises about your bow and arrows

ded in shooting a rabbit; he would certainly have a try. Accordingly, he rose and climbed into the lower branches of an elm tree, and cut down a long, smooth young bough, and

ow," said the

tick suitable for his purpose. He sat down again and began whittling away. Very soon a fairly sharp arrow was the result. "Of course it ought to be tipped

ious it all is! Don't you feel j

ad. "Oh, Di, how hot it is in the wood! What would

be they won't want to keep us if-" But

and arrows to think of Diana's remarks.

ely poor efforts. "Now, twy again. Think that you has lived lo

but where it ought to. Diana clapped and laughed and shoute

ave a teeny tu

wed her how to place the arrow, and she made one or tw

least little pwick. Now, I want to shoot stwaight at that oak t

at my hand, if you like." He walked abou

rew crimson in the face, but the