Little Diana slept on and on, and the sun was beginning to send faint rays of light into the eastern sky, when at last she opened her eyes. "Where is I?" she said with a gasp. "With me, my little dear; you are as safe as child can be," said Mother Rodesia. "Don't you stir, my love; you are just as good as you was in your little bed. See, let me lay this rug over you." She threw a piece of heavy tarpaulin, lined with cloth, over the child as she spoke. Diana yawned in a comfortable manner. "Isn't we at Wectory yet?" she asked. "No, dear; the pony went lame, and we had to stop for a good bit on the road; but if you like to go to sleep again, you'll be there when next you wake." "I isn't s'eepy any longer," said Diana, sitting bolt upright in the cart. "Oh, what a funny dwess I has on. Where is my nice b'ack dwess, and my pinafore, and my shoes and socks?" "Well, dear," said Mother Rodesia, "you were so dead asleep, and the pony got that lame we couldn't stir hand nor foot, so I thought it best to put a little nightdress on you." "But what a funny one," said Diana, gazing with curious admiration at the stout, sack-like garment. "It's the best poor Mother Rodesia has, my dear. I'm awful poor, you know." "Is you?" asked Diana. "Yes, dear." "And does you mind?" asked Diana. "Yes, dear; 'cos when people are poor they can't get bread to eat, and then they can't get nice clothes like you, little missy. You are a very rich little gal; aint you, little dear?" "My faver's awfu' rich," said Diana. "We used to live in a most beaut'ful house, and we had a beaut'ful garding to play in. We had animals there--lots and lots. Woman, is you fond of animals--mices and that sort?" "Love--I just adores 'em." "Then you _is_ a nice sort," answered Diana. She left her place by Orion and crept up close to the woman. "May I sit on your lap?" she said. Mother Rodesia made a place for her at once. "Put your arm wound me, p'ease; I is still a teeny bit s'eepy." "You lay your head against my breast, little love, and you'll go off into a beautiful sleep, and I'll keep you nice and warm, for hot as the days are, it's chilly in the mornin's." "When my faver comes home I'll ask him to give you lots of money, Mother 'Odesia," said Diana. She closed her eyes as she spoke, and in another moment was once again slumbering peacefully. When little Diana next opened her eyes all was completely changed. She was no longer in the funny cart with the straw. Her nightdress was still on her, it is true, and there were neither shoes nor stockings on her bare feet; but she and Orion found themselves in a dirty room with a nasty smell. Both children looked at one another, and both felt cold and frightened. The broad daylight was lighting up the room, and Diana could perceive that there was scarcely any furniture in it. Her bow was also gone, and her arrow no longer hung round her neck. She clutched a firm hold of Orion's hand.