第4章

CHAPTERX

ATTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND

IHAVEnowcometothemostdifficultpartofmystory。Andwhy？

BecauseIdonotknowenoughaboutit。AndwhyshouldInotknowasmuchaboutthispartasaboutanyotherpart？ForofcourseIcouldknownothingaboutthestoryexceptDiamondhadtoldit;

andwhyshouldnotDiamondtellaboutthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind，aswellasabouthisadventuresingettingthere？

Because，whenhecameback，hehadforgottenagreatdeal，andwhathedidrememberwasveryhardtotell。Thingstherearesodifferentfromthingshere！Thepeopletheredonotspeakthesamelanguageforonething。Indeed，Diamondinsistedthattheretheydonotspeakatall。Idonotthinkhewasright，butitmaywellhaveappearedsotoDiamond。Thefactis，wehavedifferentreportsoftheplacefromthemosttrustworthypeople。

Thereforeweareboundtobelievethatitappearssomewhatdifferenttodifferentpeople。All，however，agreeinageneralwayaboutit。

Iwilltellyousomethingofwhattwoverydifferentpeoplehavereported，bothofwhomknewmoreaboutit，Ibelieve，thanHerodotus。

Oneofthemspeaksfromhisownexperience，forhevisitedthecountry;

theotherfromthetestimonyofayoungpeasantgirlwhocamebackfromitforamonth’svisittoherfriends。TheformerwasagreatItalianofnoblefamily，whodiedmorethanfivehundredyearsago;

thelatteraScotchshepherdwhodiednotfortyyearsago。

TheItalian，then，informsusthathehadtoenterthatcountrythroughafiresohotthathewouldhavethrownhimselfintoboilingglasstocoolhimself。ThiswasnotDiamond’sexperience，butthenDurante——thatwasthenameoftheItalian，anditmeansLasting，forhisbookswilllastaslongasthereareenoughmenintheworldworthyofhavingthem——Durantewasanelderlyman，andDiamondwasalittleboy，andsotheirexperiencemustbealittledifferent。

Thepeasantgirl，ontheotherhand，fellfastasleepinawood，andwokeinthesamecountry。

Indescribingit，Durantesaysthatthegroundeverywheresmeltsweetly，andthatagentle，even-temperedwind，whichneverblewfasterorslower，breathedinhisfaceashewent，makingalltheleavespointoneway，notsoastodisturbthebirdsinthetopsofthetrees，but，onthecontrary，soundingabasstotheirsong。

Hedescribesalsoalittleriverwhichwassofullthatitslittlewaves，asithurriedalong，bentthegrass，fullofredandyellowflowers，throughwhichitflowed。Hesaysthatthepureststreamintheworldbesidethisonewouldlookasifitweremixedwithsomethingthatdidnotbelongtoit，evenalthoughitwasflowingeverinthebrownshadowofthetrees，andneithersunnormooncouldshineuponit。

HeseemstoimplythatitisalwaysthemonthofMayinthatcountry。

Itwouldbeoutofplacetodescribeherethewonderfulsightshesaw，forthemusicofthemisinanotherkeyfromthatofthisstory，andIshallthereforeonlyaddfromtheaccountofthistraveller，thatthepeopletherearesofreeandsojustandsohealthy，thateveryoneofthemhasacrownlikeakingandamitrelikeapriest。

Thepeasantgirl——Kilmenywashername——couldnotreportsuchgrandthingsasDurante，for，astheshepherdsays，tellingherstoryasItellDiamond’s——

“Kilmenyhadbeensheknewnotwhere，AndKilmenyhadseenwhatshecouldnotdeclare;

Kilmenyhadbeenwherethecocknevercrew，Wheretherainneverfell，andthewindneverblew。

Butitseemedastheharpoftheskyhadrung，Andtheairsofheavenplayedroundhertongue，Whenshespokeofthelovelyformsshehadseen，Andalandwheresinhadneverbeen;

Alandofloveandalandoflight，Withoutensun，ormoon，ornight;

Wheretheriverswayedalivingstream，Andthelightapureandcloudlessbeam:

Thelandofvisionitwouldseem，Andstillaneverlastingdream。”

Thelasttwolinesaretheshepherd’sownremark，andamatterofopinion。Butitisclear，Ithink，thatKilmenymusthavedescribedthesamecountryasDurantesaw，though，nothavinghisexperience，shecouldneitherunderstandnordescribeitsowell。

NowImustgiveyousuchfragmentsofrecollectionasDiamondwasabletobringbackwithhim。

Whenhecametohimselfafterhefell，hefoundhimselfatthebackofthenorthwind。NorthWindherselfwasnowheretobeseen。

Neitherwasthereavestigeofsnoworoficewithinsight。

Thesuntoohadvanished;butthatwasnomatter，fortherewasplentyofacertainstillraylesslight。Whereitcamefromheneverfoundout;buthethoughtitbelongedtothecountryitself。

Sometimeshethoughtitcameoutoftheflowers，whichwereverybright，buthadnostrongcolour。Hesaidtheriver——forallagreethatthereisariverthere——flowednotonlythrough，butovergrass:itschannel，insteadofbeingrock，stones，pebbles，sand，oranythingelse，wasofpuremeadowgrass，notoverlong。Heinsistedthatifitdidnotsingtunesinpeople’sears，itsungtunesintheirheads，inproofofwhichImaymentionthat，inthetroubleswhichfollowed，Diamondwasoftenheardsinging;andwhenaskedwhathewassinging，wouldanswer，“Oneofthetunestheriveratthebackofthenorthwindsung。”AndImayaswellsayatoncethatDiamondnevertoldthesethingstoanyonebut——no，Ihadbetternotsaywhoitwas;

butwhoeveritwastoldme，andIthoughtitwouldbewelltowritethemformychild-readers。

Hecouldnotsayhewasveryhappythere，forhehadneitherhisfathernormotherwithhim，buthefeltsostillandquietandpatientandcontented，that，asfarasthemerefeelingwent，itwassomethingbetterthanmerehappiness。Nothingwentwrongatthebackofthenorthwind。Neitherwasanythingquiteright，hethought。Onlyeverythingwasgoingtoberightsomeday。

HisaccountdisagreedwiththatofDurante，andagreedwiththatofKilmeny，inthis，thatheprotestedtherewasnowindthereatall。

Ifancyhemissedit。Atalleventswecouldnotdowithoutwind。

Italldependsonhowbigourlungsarewhetherthewindistoostrongforusornot。

Whenthepersonhetoldaboutitaskedhimwhetherhesawanybodyheknewthere，heanswered，“Onlyalittlegirlbelongingtothegardener，whothoughthehadlosther，butwasquitemistaken，forthereshewassafeenough，andwastocomebacksomeday，asIcameback，iftheywouldonlywait。”

“Didyoutalktoher，Diamond？”

“No。Nobodytalksthere。Theyonlylookateachother，andunderstandeverything。”

“Isitcoldthere？”

“No。”

“Isithot？”

“No。”

“Whatisitthen？”

“Youneverthinkaboutsuchthingsthere。”

“Whataqueerplaceitmustbe！“

“It’saverygoodplace。”

“Doyouwanttogobackagain？”

“No;Idon’tthinkIhaveleftit;Ifeelithere，somewhere。”

“Didthepeopletherelookpleased？”

“Yes——quitepleased，onlyalittlesad。”

“Thentheydidn’tlookglad？”

“Theylookedasiftheywerewaitingtobegladdersomeday。”

ThiswashowDiamondusedtoanswerquestionsaboutthatcountry。

AndnowIwilltakeupthestoryagain，andtellyouhowhegotbacktothiscountry。

CHAPTERXI

HOWDIAMONDGOTHOMEAGAIN

WHENoneatthebackofthenorthwindwantedtoknowhowthingsweregoingwithanyoneheloved，hehadtogotoacertaintree，climbthestem，andsitdowninthebranches。Inafewminutes，ifhekeptverystill，hewouldseesomethingatleastofwhatwasgoingonwiththepeopleheloved。

OnedaywhenDiamondwassittinginthistree，hebegantolongverymuchtogethomeagain，andnowonder，forhesawhismothercrying。

Durantesaysthatthepeopletheremayalwaysfollowtheirwishes，becausetheyneverwishbutwhatisgood。Diamond’swishwastogethome，andhewouldfainfollowhiswish。

Buthowwashetosetaboutit？IfhecouldonlyseeNorthWind！

Butthemomenthehadgottoherback，shewasgonealtogetherfromhissight。Hehadneverseenherback。Shemightbesittingonherdoorstepstill，lookingsouthwards，andwaiting，whiteandthinandblue-eyed，untilshewaswanted。Orshemighthaveagainbecomeamightycreature，withpowertodothatwhichwasdemandedofher，andgonefarawayuponmanymissions。Shemustbesomewhere，however。

Hecouldnotgohomewithouther，andthereforehemustfindher。

Shecouldneverhaveintendedtoleavehimalwaysawayfromhismother。

Iftherehadbeenanydangerofthat，shewouldhavetoldhim，andgivenhimhischoiceaboutgoing。ForNorthWindwasrighthonest。

HowtofindNorthWind，therefore，occupiedallhisthoughts。

Inhisanxietyabouthismother，heusedtoclimbthetreeeveryday，andsitinitsbranches。Howevermanyofthedwellerstheredidso，theyneverincommodedoneanother;forthemomentonegotintothetree，hebecameinvisibletoeveryoneelse;anditwassuchawide-spreadingtreethattherewasroomforeveryoneofthepeopleofthecountryinit，withouttheleastinterferencewitheachother。Sometimes，ongettingdown，twoofthemwouldmeetattheroot，andthentheywouldsmiletoeachothermoresweetlythanatanyothertime，asmuchastosay，“Ah，you’vebeenuptheretoo！“

Onedayhewassittingononeoftheouterbranchesofthetree，lookingsouthwardsafterhishome。Farawaywasablueshiningsea，dottedwithgleamingandsparklingspecksofwhite。Thoseweretheicebergs。Nearerhesawagreatrangeofsnow-cappedmountains，anddownbelowhimthelovelymeadow-grassofthecountry，withthestreamflowingandflowingthroughit，awaytowardsthesea。

Ashelookedhebegantowonder，forthewholecountrylaybeneathhimlikeamap，andthatwhichwasnearhimlookedjustassmallasthatwhichheknewtobemilesaway。Theridgeoficewhichencircleditappearedbutafewyardsoff，andnolargerthantherowofpebbleswithwhichachildwillmarkouttheboundariesofthekingdomhehasappropriatedonthesea-shore。HethoughthecoulddistinguishthevapouryformofNorthWind，seatedashehadlefther，ontheotherside。Hastilyhedescendedthetree，andtohisamazementfoundthatthemapormodelofthecountrystilllayathisfeet。

Hestoodinit。Withonestridehehadcrossedtheriver;

withanotherhehadreachedtheridgeofice;withthethirdhesteppedoveritspeaks，andsankwearilydownatNorthWind’sknees。

Forthereshesatonherdoorstep。Thepeaksofthegreatridgeoficewereasloftyaseverbehindher，andthecountryatherbackhadvanishedfromDiamond’sview。

NorthWindwasasstillasDiamondhadlefther。Herpalefacewaswhiteasthesnow，andhermotionlesseyeswereasblueasthecavernsintheice。ButtheinstantDiamondtouchedher，herfacebegantochangelikethatofonewakingfromsleep。

Lightbegantoglimmerfromtheblueofhereyes。

Amomentmore，andshelaidherhandonDiamond’shead，andbeganplayingwithhishair。Diamondtookholdofherhand，andlaidhisfacetoit。Shegavealittlestart。

“Howveryaliveyouare，child！“shemurmured。“Comenearertome。”

Bythehelpofthestonesallaroundheclamberedupbesideher，andlaidhimselfagainstherbosom。Shegaveagreatsigh，slowlyliftedherarms，andslowlyfoldedthemabouthim，untilsheclaspedhimclose。Yetamoment，andsherousedherself，andcamequiteawake;andthecoldofherbosom，whichhadpiercedDiamond’sbones，vanished。

“HaveyoubeensittinghereeversinceIwentthroughyou，dearNorthWind？”askedDiamond，strokingherhand。

“Yes。”sheanswered，lookingathimwithheroldkindness。

“Ain’tyouverytired？”

“No;I’veoftenhadtositlonger。Doyouknowhowlongyouhavebeen？”

“Oh！yearsandyears。”answeredDiamond。

“Youhavejustbeensevendays。”returnedNorthWind。

“IthoughtIhadbeenahundredyears！“exclaimedDiamond。

“Yes，Idaresay。”repliedNorthWind。“You’vebeenawayfromheresevendays;buthowlongyoumayhavebeeninthereisquiteanotherthing。Behindmybackandbeforemyfacethingsaresodifferent！Theydon’tgoatallbythesamerule。”

“I’mveryglad。”saidDiamond，afterthinkingawhile。

“Why？”askedNorthWind。

“BecauseI’vebeensuchalongtimethere，andsuchalittlewhileawayfrommother。Why，shewon’tbeexpectingmehomefromSandwichyet！“

“No。Butwemustn’ttalkanylonger。I’vegotmyordersnow，andwemustbeoffinafewminutes。”

NextmomentDiamondfoundhimselfsittingaloneontherock。

NorthWindhadvanished。Acreaturelikeagreathumble-beeorcockchaferflewpasthisface;butitcouldbeneither，fortherewerenoinsectsamongsttheice。Itpassedhimagainandagain，flyingincirclesaroundhim，andheconcludedthatitmustbeNorthWindherself，nobiggerthanTomThumbwhenhismotherputhiminthenutshelllinedwithflannel。Butshewasnolongervapouryandthin。Shewassolid，althoughtiny。Amomentmore，andsheperchedonhisshoulder。

“Comealong，Diamond。”shesaidinhisear，inthesmallestandhighestoftreblevoices;“itistimeweweresettingoutforSandwich。”

Diamondcouldjustseeher，byturninghisheadtowardshisshoulderasfarashecould，butonlywithoneeye，forhisnosecamebetweenherandtheother。

“Won’tyoutakemeinyourarmsandcarryme？”hesaidinawhisper，forheknewshedidnotlikealoudvoicewhenshewassmall。

“Ah！youungratefulboy。”returnedNorthWind，smiling“howdareyoumakegameofme？Yes，Iwillcarryyou，butyoushallwalkabitforyourimpertinencefirst。Comealong。”

Shejumpedfromhisshoulder，butwhenDiamondlookedforherupontheground，hecouldseenothingbutalittlespiderwithlonglegsthatmadeitswayovertheicetowardsthesouth。Itranveryfastindeedforaspider，butDiamondranalongwaybeforeit，andthenwaitedforit。Itwasupwithhimsoonerthanhehadexpected，however，andithadgrownagooddeal。Andthespidergrewandgrewandwentfasterandfaster，tillallatonceDiamonddiscoveredthatitwasnotaspider，butaweasel;andawayglidedtheweasel，andawaywentDiamondafterit，andittookalltheruntherewasinhimtokeepupwiththeweasel。Andtheweaselgrew，andgrew，andgrew，tillallatonceDiamondsawthattheweaselwasnotaweaselbutacat。Andawaywentthecat，andDiamondafterit。

Andwhenhehadrunhalfamile，hefoundthecatwaitingforhim，sittingupandwashingherfacenottolosetime。Andawaywentthecatagain，andDiamondafterit。Butthenexttimehecameupwiththecat，thecatwasnotacat，butahunting-leopard。

Andthehunting-leopardgrewtoajaguar，allcoveredwithspotslikeeyes。AndthejaguargrewtoaBengaltiger。AndatnoneofthemwasDiamondafraid，forhehadbeenatNorthWind’sback，andhecouldbeafraidofhernolongerwhatevershedidorgrew。

Andthetigerflewoverthesnowinastraightlineforthesouth，growinglessandlesstoDiamond’seyestillitwasonlyablackspeckuponthewhiteness;andthenitvanishedaltogether。

AndnowDiamondfeltthathewouldrathernotrunanyfarther，andthattheicehadgotveryrough。Besides，hewasneartheprecipicesthatboundedthesea，soheslackenedhispacetoawalk，sayingaloudtohimself:

“WhenNorthWindhaspunishedmeenoughformakinggameofher，shewillcomebacktome;Iknowshewill，forIcan’tgomuchfartherwithouther。”

“Youdearboy！Itwasonlyinfun。HereIam！“saidNorthWind’svoicebehindhim。

Diamondturned，andsawherashelikedbesttoseeher，standingbesidehim，atalllady。

“Where’sthetiger？”heasked，forheknewallthecreaturesfromapicturebookthatMissColemanhadgivenhim。“But，ofcourse。”

headded，“youwerethetiger。Iwaspuzzledandforgot。Isawitsuchalongwayoffbeforeme，andthereyouwerebehindme。

It’ssoodd，youknow。”

“Itmustlookveryoddtoyou，Diamond:Iseethat。Butitisnomoreoddtomethantobreakanoldpineintwo。”

“Well，that’soddenough。”remarkedDiamond。

“Soitis！Iforgot。Well，noneofthesethingsareoddertomethanitistoyoutoeatbreadandbutter。”

“Well，that’soddtoo，whenIthinkofit。”persistedDiamond。

“Ishouldjustlikeasliceofbreadandbutter！I’mafraidtosayhowlongitis——howlongitseemstome，thatis——sinceIhadanythingtoeat。”

“Comethen。”saidNorthWind，stoopingandholdingoutherarms。

“Youshallhavesomebreadandbutterverysoon。Iamgladtofindyouwantsome。”

Diamondhelduphisarmstomeethers，andwassafeuponherbosom。

NorthWindboundedintotheair。Hertressesbegantoliftandriseandspreadandstreamandflowandflutter;andwitharoarfromherhairandanansweringroarfromoneofthegreatglaciersbesidethem，whoseslowtorrenttumbledtwoorthreeicebergsatonceintothewavesattheirfeet，NorthWindandDiamondwentflyingsouthwards。

CHAPTERXII

WHOMETDIAMONDATSANDWICH

AsTHEYflew，sofasttheywentthattheseaslidawayfromunderthemlikeagreatwebofshotsilk，blueshotwithgrey，andgreenshotwithpurple。Theywentsofastthatthestarsthemselvesappearedtosailawaypastthemoverhead，“likegoldenboats。”

onablueseaturnedupsidedown。AndtheywentsofastthatDiamondhimselfwenttheotherwayasfast——ImeanhewentfastasleepinNorthWind’sarms。

Whenhewoke，afacewasbendingoverhim;butitwasnotNorthWind’s;

itwashismother’s。Heputouthisarmstoher，andsheclaspedhimtoherbosomandburstoutcrying。Diamondkissedheragainandagaintomakeherstop。Perhapskissingisthebestthingforcrying，butitwillnotalwaysstopit。

“Whatisthematter，mother？”hesaid。

“Oh，Diamond，mydarling！youhavebeensoill！“shesobbed。

“No，motherdear。I’veonlybeenatthebackofthenorthwind。”

returnedDiamond。

“Ithoughtyouweredead。”saidhismother。

Butthatmomentthedoctorcamein。

“Oh！there！“saidthedoctorwithgentlecheerfulness;“we’rebetterto-day，Isee。”

Thenhedrewthemotheraside，andtoldhernottotalktoDiamond，ortomindwhathemightsay;forhemustbekeptasquietaspossible。

AndindeedDiamondwasnotmuchinclinedtotalk，forhefeltverystrangeandweak，whichwaslittlewonder，seeingthatallthetimehehadbeenawayhehadonlysuckedafewlumpsofice，andtherecouldnotbemuchnourishmentinthem。

Nowwhileheislyingthere，gettingstrongagainwithchickenbrothandothernicethings，Iwilltellmyreaderswhathadbeentakingplaceathishome，fortheyoughttobetoldit。

TheymayhaveforgottenthatMissColemanwasinaverypoorstateofhealth。Nowtherewerethreereasonsforthis。

Inthefirstplace，herlungswerenotstrong。Inthesecondplace，therewasagentlemansomewherewhohadnotbehavedverywelltoher。

Inthethirdplace，shehadnotanythingparticulartodo。

Thesethreenotstogetherareenoughtomakealadyveryillindeed。

Ofcourseshecouldnothelpthefirstcause;butiftheothertwocauseshadnotexisted，thatwouldhavebeenoflittleconsequence;

shewouldonlyhavetobealittlecareful。Thesecondshecouldnothelpquite;butifshehadhadanythingtodo，andhaddoneitwell，itwouldhavebeenverydifficultforanymantobehavebadlytoher。

Andforthisthirdcauseofherillness，ifshehadhadanythingtodothatwasworthdoing，shemighthavebornehisbadbehavioursothateventhatwouldnothavemadeherill。Itisnotalwayseasy，Iconfess，tofindsomethingtodothatisworthdoing，butthemostdifficultthingsareconstantlybeingdone，andshemighthavefoundsomethingifshehadtried。Herfaultlayinthis，thatshehadnottried。But，tobesure，herfatherandmotherweretoblamethattheyhadneversethergoing。Onlythenagain，nobodyhadtoldherfatherandmotherthattheyoughttosethergoinginthatdirection。Soasnoneofthemwouldfinditoutofthemselves，NorthWindhadtoteachthem。

WeknowthatNorthWindwasverybusythatnightonwhichsheleftDiamondinthecathedral。ShehadinasensebeenblowingthroughandthroughtheColemans’housethewholeofthenight。

First，MissColeman’smaidhadleftachinkofhermistress’swindowopen，thinkingshehadshutit，andNorthWindhadwoundafewofherhairsroundthelady’sthroat。Shewasconsiderablyworsethenextmorning。Again，theshipwhichNorthWindhadsunkthatverynightbelongedtoMr。Coleman。NorwillmyreadersunderstandwhataheavylossthiswastohimuntilIhaveinformedthemthathehadbeengettingpoorerandpoorerforsometime。

Hewasnotsosuccessfulinhisspeculationsashehadbeen，forhespeculatedagreatdealmorethanwasright，anditwastimeheshouldbepulledup。Itisahardthingforarichmantogrowpoor;

butitisanawfulthingforhimtogrowdishonest，andsomekindsofspeculationleadamandeepintodishonestybeforehethinkswhatheisabout。Povertywillnotmakeamanworthless——hemaybeworthagreatdealmorewhenheispoorthanhewaswhenhewasrich;

butdishonestygoesveryfarindeedtomakeamanofnovalue——

athingtobethrownoutinthedust-holeofthecreation，likeabitofabrokenbasin，oradirtyrag。SoNorthWindhadtolookafterMr。Coleman，andtrytomakeanhonestmanofhim。

Soshesanktheshipwhichwashislastventure，andhewaswhathimselfandhiswifeandtheworldcalledruined。

Norwasthisallyet。ForonboardthatvesselMissColeman’sloverwasapassenger;andwhenthenewscamethatthevesselhadgonedown，andthatallonboardhadperished，wemaybesureshedidnotthinkthelossoftheirfinehouseandgardenandfurniturethegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。

Ofcourse，thetroubledidnotendwithMr。Colemanandhisfamily。

Nobodycansufferalone。Whenthecauseofsufferingismostdeeplyhiddenintheheart，andnobodyknowsanythingaboutitbutthemanhimself，hemustbeagreatandagoodmanindeed，suchasfewofushaveknown，ifthepaininsidehimdoesnotmakehimbehavesoastocauseallabouthimtobemoreorlessuncomfortable。

Butwhenamanbringsmoney-troublesonhimselfbymakinghastetoberich，thenmostofthepeoplehehastodowithmustsufferinthesamewaywithhimself。Theelm-treewhichNorthWindblewdownthatverynight，asifsmallandgreattrialsweretobegatheredinoneheap，crushedMissColeman’sprettysummer-house:

justsothefallofMr。Colemancrushedthelittlefamilythatlivedoverhiscoach-houseandstable。BeforeDiamondwaswellenoughtobetakenhome，therewasnohomeforhimtogoto。

Mr。Coleman——orhiscreditors，forIdonotknowtheparticulars——

hadsoldhouse，carriage，horses，furniture，andeverything。

HeandhiswifeanddaughterandMrs。CrumphadgonetoliveinasmallhouseinHoxton，wherehewouldbeunknown，andwhencehecouldwalktohisplaceofbusinessintheCity。

Forhewasnotanoldman，andhopedyettoretrievehisfortunes。

Letushopethathelivedtoretrievehishonesty，thetailofwhichhadslippedthroughhisfingerstotheverylastjoint，ifnotbeyondit。

Ofcourse，Diamond’sfatherhadnothingtodoforatime，butitwasnotsohardforhimtohavenothingtodoasitwasforMissColeman。

Hewrotetohiswifethat，ifhersisterwouldkeephertheretillhegotaplace，itwouldbebetterforthem，andhewouldbegreatlyobligedtoher。Meantime，thegentlemanwhohadboughtthehousehadallowedhisfurnituretoremainwhereitwasforalittlewhile。

Diamond’sauntwasquitewillingtokeepthemaslongasshecould。

AndindeedDiamondwasnotyetwellenoughtobemovedwithsafety。

Whenhehadrecoveredsofarastobeabletogoout，onedayhismothergothersister’shusband，whohadalittlepony-cart，tocarrythemdowntothesea-shore，andleavethemthereforafewhours。

HehadsomebusinesstodofurtheronatRamsgate，andwouldpickthemupashereturned。Awhiffofthesea-airwoulddothembothgood，shesaid，andshethoughtbesidesshecouldbesttellDiamondwhathadhappenedifshehadhimquitetoherself。

CHAPTERXIII

THESEASIDE

DIAMONDandhismothersatdownupontheedgeoftheroughgrassthatborderedthesand。Thesunwasjustfarenoughpastitshighestnottoshineintheireyeswhentheylookedeastward。

Asweetlittlewindblewontheirleftside，andcomfortedthemotherwithoutlettingherknowwhatitwasthatcomfortedher。

Awaybeforethemstretchedthesparklingwatersoftheocean，everywaveofwhichflashedoutitsowndelightbackinthefaceofthegreatsun，whichlookeddownfromthestillnessofitsbluehousewithglorioussilentfaceuponitsflashingchildren。

Oneachhandtheshoreroundedoutwards，formingalittlebay。

Therewerenowhitecliffshere，asfurthernorthandsouth，andtheplacewasratherdreary，buttheskygotatthemsomuchthebetter。

Notahouse，notacreaturewaswithinsight。Drysandwasabouttheirfeet，andunderthemthinwirygrass，thatjustmanagedtogrowoutofthepoverty-strickenshore。

“Ohdear！“saidDiamond’smother，withadeepsigh，“it’sasadworld！“

“Isit？”saidDiamond。“Ididn’tknow。”

“Howshouldyouknow，child？You’vebeentoowelltakencareof，Itrust。”

“Ohyes，Ihave。”returnedDiamond。“I’msorry！Ithoughtyouweretakencareoftoo。Ithoughtmyfathertookcareofyou。

Iwillaskhimaboutit。Ithinkhemusthaveforgotten。”

“Dearboy！“saidhismother。“yourfather’sthebestmanintheworld。”

“SoIthought！“returnedDiamondwithtriumph。“Iwassureofit！——Well，doesn’thetakeverygoodcareofyou？”

“Yes，yes，hedoes。”answeredhismother，burstingintotears。

“Butwho’stotakecareofhim？Andhowishetotakecareofusifhe’sgotnothingtoeathimself？”

“Ohdear！“saidDiamondwithagasp;“hasn’thegotanythingtoeat？Oh！Imustgohometohim。”

“No，no，child。He’snotcometothatyet。Butwhat’stobecomeofus，Idon’tknow。”

“Areyouveryhungry，mother？There’sthebasket。Ithoughtyouputsomethingtoeatinit。”

“Oyoudarlingstupid！Ididn’tsayIwashungry。”returnedhismother，smilingthroughhertears。

“ThenIdon’tunderstandyouatall。”saidDiamond。“Dotellmewhat’sthematter。”

“Therearepeopleintheworldwhohavenothingtoeat，Diamond。”

“ThenIsupposetheydon’tstopinitanylonger。They——they——

whatyoucall——die——don’tthey？”

“Yes，theydo。Howwouldyoulikethat？”

“Idon’tknow。Inevertried。ButIsupposetheygowheretheygetsomethingtoeat。”

“Likeenoughtheydon’twantit。”saidhismother，petulantly。

“That’sallrightthen。”saidDiamond，thinkingIdaresaymorethanhechosetoputinwords。

“Isitthough？Poorboy！howlittleyouknowaboutthings！

Mr。Coleman’slostallhismoney，andyourfatherhasnothingtodo，andweshallhavenothingtoeatbyandby。”

“Areyousure，mother？”

“Sureofwhat？”

“Surethatweshallhavenothingtoeat。”

“No，thankHeaven！I’mnotsureofit。Ihopenot。”

“ThenIcan’tunderstandit，mother。There’sapieceofgingerbreadinthebasket，Iknow。”

“Oyoulittlebird！Youhavenomoresensethanasparrowthatpickswhatitwants，andneverthinksofthewinterandthefrostand，thesnow。”

“Ah——yes——Isee。Butthebirdsgetthroughthewinter，don’tthey？”

“Someofthemfalldeadontheground。”

“Theymustdiesometime。Theywouldn’tliketobebirdsalways。

Wouldyou，mother？”

“Whatachilditis！“thoughthismother，butshesaidnothing。

“Oh！nowIremember。”Diamondwenton。“FathertoldmethatdayIwenttoEppingForestwithhim，thattherose-bushes，andthemay-bushes，andtheholly-busheswerethebird’sbarns，fortherewerethehips，andthehaws，andtheholly-berries，allreadyforthewinter。”

“Yes;that’sallverytrue。Soyouseethebirdsareprovidedfor。

Buttherearenosuchbarnsforyouandme，Diamond。”

“Ain’tthere？”

“No。We’vegottoworkforourbread。”

“Thenlet’sgoandwork。”saidDiamond，gettingup。

“It’snouse。We’venotgotanythingtodo。”

“Thenlet’swait。”

“Thenweshallstarve。”

“No。There’sthebasket。Doyouknow，mother，IthinkIshallcallthatbasketthebarn。”

“It’snotaverybigone。Andwhenit’sempty——wherearewethen？”

“Atauntie’scupboard。”returnedDiamondpromptly。

“Butwecan’teatauntie’sthingsallupandleavehertostarve。”

“No，no。We’llgobacktofatherbeforethat。He’llhavefoundacupboardsomewherebythattime。”

“Howdoyouknowthat？”

“Idon’tknowit。ButIhaven’tgotevenacupboard，andI’vealwayshadplentytoeat。I’veheardyousayIhadtoomuch，sometimes。”

“ButItellyouthat’sbecauseI’vehadacupboardforyou，child。”

“Andwhenyourswasempty，auntieopenedhers。”

“Butthatcan’tgoon。”

“Howdoyouknow？Ithinktheremustbeabigcupboardsomewhere，outofwhichthelittlecupboardsarefilled，youknow，mother。”

“Well，IwishIcouldfindthedoorofthatcupboard。”saidhismother。

Butthesamemomentshestopped，andwassilentforagoodwhile。

IcannottellwhetherDiamondknewwhatshewasthinking，butI

thinkIknow。Shehadheardsomethingatchurchthedaybefore，whichcamebackuponher——somethinglikethis，thatshehadn’ttoeatfortomorrowaswellasforto-day;andthatwhatwasnotwantedcouldn’tbemissed。So，insteadofsayinganythingmore，shestretchedoutherhandforthebasket，andsheandDiamondhadtheirdinner。

AndDiamonddidenjoyit。Forthedriveandthefreshairhadmadehimquitehungry;andhedidnot，likehismother，troublehimselfaboutwhattheyshoulddineoffthatdayweek。Thefactwashehadlivedsolongwithoutanyfoodatallatthebackofthenorthwind，thatheknewquitewellthatfoodwasnotessentialtoexistence;

thatinfact，undercertaincircumstances，peoplecouldlivewithoutitwellenough。

Hismotherdidnotspeakmuchduringtheirdinner。Afteritwasovershehelpedhimtowalkaboutalittle，buthewasnotableformuchandsoongottired。Hedidnotgetfretful，though。

Hewastoogladofhavingthesunandthewindagain，tofretbecausehecouldnotrunabout。Helaydownonthedrysand，andhismothercoveredhimwithashawl。Shethensatbyhisside，andtookabitofworkfromherpocket。ButDiamondfeltrathersleepy，andturnedonhissideandgazedsleepilyoverthesand。

Afewyardsoffhesawsomethingfluttering。

“Whatisthat，mother？”hesaid。

“Onlyabitofpaper。”sheanswered。

“Itfluttersmorethanabitofpaperwould，Ithink。”saidDiamond。

“I’llgoandseeifyoulike。”saidhismother。“Myeyesarenoneofthebest。”

Sosheroseandwentandfoundthattheywerebothright，foritwasalittlebook，partlyburiedinthesand。Butseveralofitsleaveswereclearofthesand，andthesethewindkeptblowingaboutinaveryflutterfulmanner。ShetookitupandbroughtittoDiamond。

“Whatisit，mother？”heasked。

“Somenurseryrhymes，Ithink。”sheanswered。

“I’mtoosleepy。”saidDiamond。“Doreadsomeofthemtome。”

“Yes，Iwill。”shesaid，andbeganone——“Butthisissuchnonsense！“

shesaidagain。“Iwilltrytofindabetterone。”

Sheturnedtheleavessearching，butthreetimes，withsuddenpuffs，thewindblewtheleavesrustlingbacktothesameverses。

“Doreadthatone。”saidDiamond，whoseemedtobeofthesamemindasthewind。“Itsoundedverynice。Iamsureitisagoodone。”

Sohismotherthoughtitmightamusehim，thoughshecouldn’tfindanysenseinit。Sheneverthoughthemightunderstandit，althoughshecouldnot。

NowIdonotexactlyknowwhatthemotherread，butthisiswhatDiamondheard，orthoughtafterwardsthathehadheard。

Hewas，however，asIhavesaid，verysleepy。Andwhenhethoughtheunderstoodtheverseshemayhavebeenonlydreamingbetterones。

Thisishowtheywent——

Iknowariverwhosewatersrunasleeprunruneversingingintheshallowsdumbinthehollowssleepingsodeepandalltheswallowsthatdiptheirfeathersinthehollowsorintheshallowsarethemerriestswallowsofallfortheneststheybakewiththeclaytheycakewiththewatertheyshakefromtheirwingsthatrakethewateroutoftheshallowsorthehollowswillholdtogetherinanyweatherandsotheswallowsarethemerriestfellowsandhavethemerriestchildrenandarebuiltsonarrowliketheheadofanarrowtocuttheairandgojustwherethenicestwaterisflowingandthenicestdustisblowingforeachsonarrowlikeheadofanarrowisonlyabarrowtocarrythemudhemakesfromthenicestwaterflowingandthenicestdustthatisblowingtobuildhisnestforherhelovesbestwiththenicestcakeswhichthesunshinebakesallfortheirmerrychildrenallsocallowwithbeaksthatfollowgapingandhollowwiderandwideraftertheirfatheroraftertheirmotherthefood-providerwhobringsthemaspiderorawormthepoorhiderdownintheearthsothere’snodearthfortheirbeaksasyellowasthebuttercupsgrowingbesidetheflowingofthesingingriveralwaysandevergrowingandblowingforfastasthesheepawakeorasleepcropthemandcropthemtheycannotstopthembutuptheycreepandontheygoblowingandsowiththedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisestheygrowandtheyblowandtheyspreadouttheircrownandtheypraisethesunandwhenhegoesdowntheirpraisingisdoneandtheyfolduptheircrownandtheysleepeveryonetillovertheplainhe’sshiningamainandthey’reatitagainpraisingandpraisingsuchlowsongsraisingthatnoonehearsthembutthesunwhorearsthemandthesheepthatbitethemarethequietestsheepawakeorasleepwiththemerriestbleatandthelittlelambsarethemerriestlambstheyforgettoeatforthefrolicintheirfeetandthelambsandtheirdamsarethewhitestsheepwiththewoolliestwoolandthelongestwoolandthetrailingesttailsandtheyshinelikesnowinthegrassesthatgrowbythesingingriverthatsingsforeverandthesheepandthelambsaremerryforeverbecausetheriversingsandtheydrinkitandthelambsandtheirdamsarequietandwhitebecauseoftheirdietforwhattheybiteisbuttercupsyellowanddaisieswhiteandgrassasgreenastherivercanmakeitwithwindasmellowtokissitandshakeitasneverwasseenbuthereinthehollowsbesidetheriverwherealltheswallowsaremerriestoffellowsfortheneststheymakewiththeclaytheycakeinthesunshinebaketilltheyarelikeboneasdryinthewindasamarblestonesofirmtheybindthegrassintheclaythatdriesinthewindthesweetestwindthatblowsbytheriverflowingforeverbutneveryoufindwhencecomesthewindthatblowsonthehollowsandovertheshallowswherediptheswallowsaliveitblowsthelifeasitgoesawakeorasleepintotheriverthatsingsasitflowsandthelifeitblowsintothesheepawakeorasleepwiththewoolliestwoolandthetrailingesttailsanditneverfailsgentleandcooltowavethewoolandtotossthegrassasthelambsandthesheepoveritpassandtugandbitewiththeirteethsowhiteandthenwiththesweepoftheirtrailingtailssmoothitagainanditgrowsamainandamainitgrowsandthewindasitblowstossestheswallowsoverthehollowsanddownontheshallowstilleveryfeatherdothshakeandquiverandalltheirfeathersgoalltogetherblowingthelifeandthejoysorifeintotheswallowsthatskimtheshallowsandhavetheyellowestchildrenforthewindthatblowsisthelifeoftheriverflowingforeverthatwashesthegrassesstillasitpassesandfeedsthedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisesandbuttercupsbonnysogoldenandsunnywithbutterandhoneythatwhitenthesheepawakeorasleepthatnibbleandbiteandgrowwhiterthanwhiteandmerryandquietonthesweetdietfedbytheriverandtossedforeverbythewindthattossestheswallowthatcrossesovertheshallowsdippinghiswingstogatherthewaterandbakethecakethatthewindshallmakeashardasaboneasdryasastoneit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindandallintheriverthatflowsforeverandallinthegrassesandthewhitedaisiesandthemerrysheepawakeorasleepandthehappyswallowsskimmingtheshallowsandit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindHereDiamondbecameawarethathismotherhadstoppedreading。

“Whydon’tyougoon，motherdear？”heasked。

“It’ssuchnonsense！“saidhismother。“Ibelieveitwouldgoonforever。”

“That’sjustwhatitdid。”saidDiamond。

“Whatdid？”sheasked。

“Why，theriver。That’salmosttheverytuneitusedtosing。”

Hismotherwasfrightened，forshethoughtthefeverwascomingonagain。Soshedidnotcontradicthim。

“Whomadethatpoem？”askedDiamond。

“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered。“Somesillywomanforherchildren，Isuppose——andthenthoughtitgoodenoughtoprint。”

“Shemusthavebeenatthebackofthenorthwindsometimeorother，anyhow。”saidDiamond。“Shecouldn’thavegotaholdofitanywhereelse。That’sjusthowitwent。”Andhebegantochantbitsofithereandthere;buthismothersaidnothingforfearofmakinghim，worse;andshewasverygladindeedwhenshesawherbrother-in-lawjoggingalonginhislittlecart。TheyliftedDiamondin，andgotupthemselves，andawaytheywent，“homeagain，homeagain，homeagain。”asDiamondsang。Buthesoongrewquiet，andbeforetheyreachedSandwichhewasfastasleepanddreamingofthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind。

CHAPTERXIV

OLDDIAMOND

AFTERthisDiamondrecoveredsofast，thatinafewdayshewasquiteabletogohomeassoonashisfatherhadaplaceforthemtogo。

Nowhisfatherhavingsavedalittlemoney，andfindingthatnosituationoffereditself，hadbeenthinkingoveranewplan。

Astrangeoccurrenceitwaswhichturnedhisthoughtsinthatdirection。

HehadafriendintheBloomsburyregion，wholivedbylettingoutcabsandhorsestothecabmen。Thisman，happeningtomeethimonedayashewasreturningfromanunsuccessfulapplication，saidtohim:

“Whydon’tyousetupforyourselfnow——inthecabline，Imean？”

“Ihaven’tenoughforthat。”answeredDiamond’sfather。

“Youmusthavesavedagoodishbit，Ishouldthink。JustcomehomewithmenowandlookatahorseIcanletyouhavecheap。Iboughthimonlyafewweeksago，thinkinghe’ddoforaHansom，butIwaswrong。

He’sgotboneenoughforawaggon，butawaggonain’taHansom。

Heain’tgotgoenoughforaHansom。YouseepartiesastakesHansomswantstogolikethewind，andheain’tgotwindenough，forheain’tsoyoungasheoncewas。Butforafour-wheelerastakesfamiliesandtheirluggages，he’stheveryhorse。

He’dcarryasmallhouseanyday。Iboughthimcheap，andI’llsellhimcheap。”

“Oh，Idon’twanthim。”saidDiamond’sfather。“Abodymusthavetimetothinkoveranaffairofsomuchimportance。Andthere’sthecabtoo。Thatwouldcometoadealofmoney。”

“Icouldfityouthere，Idaresay。”saidhisfriend。“Butcomeandlookattheanimal，anyhow。”

“SinceIlostmyownoldpair，aswasMr。Coleman’s。”

saidDiamond’sfather，turningtoaccompanythecab-master，“Iain’talmostgotthehearttolookahorseintheface。

It’sathousandpitiestopartmanandhorse。”

“Soitis。”returnedhisfriendsympathetically。

Butwhatwastheex-coachman’sdelight，when，ongoingintothestablewherehisfriendledhim，hefoundthehorsehewantedhimtobuywasnootherthanhisownoldDiamond，grownverythinandbonyandlong-legged，asifthey，hadbeendoingwhattheycouldtofithimforHansomwork！

“Heain’taHansomhorse。”saidDiamond’sfatherindignantly。

“Well，you’reright。Heain’thandsome，buthe’sagoodun“

saidhisowner。

“Whosaysheain’thandsome？He’soneofthehandsomesthorsesagentleman’scoachmaneverdruv。”saidDiamond’sfather;

remarkingtohimselfunderhisbreath——“thoughIsaysitasshouldn’t“——

forhedidnotfeelinclinedallatoncetoconfessthathisownoldhorsecouldhavesunksolow。

“Well。”saidhisfriend，“allIsayis——There’saanimalforyou，asstrongasachurch;an’llgolikeatrain，leastwaysaparly。”

headded，correctinghimself。

Butthecoachmanhadalumpinhisthroatandtearsinhiseyes。

Fortheoldhorse，hearinghisvoice，hadturnedhislongneck，andwhenhisoldfriendwentuptohimandlaidhishandonhisside，hewhinniedforjoy，andlaidhisbigheadonhismaster’sbreast。

Thissettledthematter。Thecoachman’sarmswereroundthehorse’sneckinamoment，andhefairlybrokedownandcried。

Thecab-masterhadneverbeensofondofahorsehimselfastohughimlikethat，buthesawinamomenthowitwas。Andhemusthavebeenagood-heartedfellow，forIneverheardofsuchanideacomingintotheheadofanyothermanwithahorsetosell:

insteadofputtingsomethingontothepricebecausehewasnowprettysureofsellinghim，heactuallytookapoundoffwhathehadmeanttoaskforhim，sayingtohimselfitwasashametopartoldfriends。

Diamond’sfather，assoonashecametohimself，turnedandaskedhowmuchhewantedforthehorse。

“Iseeyou’reoldfriends。”saidtheowner。

“It’smyownoldDiamond。Ilikedhimfarthebestofthepair，thoughtheotherwasgood。Youain’tgothimtoo，haveyou？”

“No;nothinginthestabletomatchhimthere。”

“Ibelieveyou。”saidthecoachman。“Butyou’llbewantingalongpriceforhim，Iknow。”

“No，notsomuch。Iboughthimcheap，andasIsay，heain’tformywork。”

TheendofitwasthatDiamond’sfatherboughtoldDiamondagain，alongwithafour-wheeledcab。Andasthereweresomeroomstobehadoverthestable，hetookthem，wrotetohiswifetocomehome，andsetupasacabman。

CHAPTERXV

THEMEWS

ITWASlateintheafternoonwhenDiamondandhismotherandthebabyreachedLondon。IwassofullofDiamondthatIforgottotellyouababyhadarrivedinthemeantime。Hisfatherwaswaitingforthemwithhisowncab，buttheyhadnottoldDiamondwhothehorsewas;

forhisfatherwantedtoenjoythepleasureofhissurprisewhenhefounditout。Hegotinwithhismotherwithoutlookingatthehorse，andhisfatherhavingputupDiamond’scarpet-bagandhismother’slittletrunk，gotupontheboxhimselfanddroveoff;andDiamondwasquiteproudofridinghomeinhisfather’sowncarriage。

Butwhenhegottothemews，hecouldnothelpbeingalittledismayedatfirst;andifhehadneverbeentothebackofthenorthwind，Iamafraidhewouldhavecriedalittle。Butinsteadofthat，hesaidtohimselfitwasafinethingalltheoldfurniturewasthere。

Andinsteadofhelpinghismothertobemiserableatthechange，hebegantofindoutalltheadvantagesoftheplace;foreveryplacehassomeadvantages，andtheyarealwaysbetterworthknowingthanthedisadvantages。Certainlytheweatherwasdepressing，forathick，dull，persistentrainwasfallingbythetimetheyreachedhome。Buthappilytheweatherisverychangeable;

andbesides，therewasagoodfireburningintheroom，whichtheirneighbourwiththedrunkenhusbandhadattendedtoforthem;andthetea-thingswereputout，andthekettlewasboilingonthefire。

Andwithagoodfire，andteaandbreadandbutter，thingscannotbesaidtobemiserable。

Diamond’sfatherandmotherwere，notwithstanding，rathermiserable，andDiamondbegantofeelakindofdarknessbeginningtospreadoverhisownmind。Butthesamemomenthesaidtohimself，“Thiswillneverdo。Ican’tgiveintothis。I’vebeentothebackofthenorthwind。Thingsgorightthere，andsoImusttrytogetthingstogorighthere。I’vegottofightthemiserablethings。

Theyshan’tmakememiserableifIcanhelpit。”Idonotmeanthathethoughttheseverywords。Theyareperhapstoogrown-upforhimtohavethought，buttheyrepresentthekindofthingthatwasinhisheartandhishead。Andwhenheartandheadgotogether，nothingcanstandbeforethem。

“Whatnicebreadandbutterthisis！“saidDiamond。

“I’mgladyoulikeit，mydear“saidhisfather。“Iboughtthebuttermyselfatthelittleshoproundthecorner。”

“It’sverynice，thankyou，father。Oh，there’sbabywaking！

I’lltakehim。”

“Sitstill，Diamond。”saidhismother。“Goonwithyourbreadandbutter。You’renotstrongenoughtolifthimyet。”

Soshetookthebabyherself，andsethimonherknee。ThenDiamondbegantoamusehim，andwentontillthelittlefellowwasshriekingwithlaughter。Forthebaby’sworldwashismother’sarms;

andthedrizzlingrain，andthedrearymews，andevenhisfather’stroubledfacecouldnottouchhim。Whatcaredbabyforthelossofahundredsituations？Yetneitherfathernormotherthoughthimhard-heartedbecausehecrowedandlaughedinthemiddleoftheirtroubles。Onthecontrary，hiscrowingandlaughingwereinfectious。Hislittleheartwassofullofmerrimentthatitcouldnotholditall，anditranoverintotheirs。Fatherandmotherbegantolaughtoo，andDiamondlaughedtillhehadafitofcoughingwhichfrightenedhismother，andmadethemallstop。

Hisfathertookthebaby，andhismotherputhimtobed。

Butitwasindeedachangetothemall，notonlyfromSandwich，butfromtheiroldplace，insteadofthegreatriverwherethehugebargeswiththeirmightybrownandyellowsailswenttackingfromsidetosidelikelittlepleasure-skiffs，andwherethelongthinboatsshotpastwitheightandsometimestwelverowers，theirwindowsnowlookedoutuponadirtypavedyard。AndtherewasnogardenmoreforDiamondtorunintowhenhepleased，withgayflowersabouthisfeet，andsolemnsun-filledtreesoverhishead。

NeitherwasthereawoodenwallatthebackofhisbedwithaholeinitforNorthWindtocomeinatwhensheliked。Indeed，therewassuchahighwall，andthereweresomanyhousesaboutthemews，thatNorthWindseldomgotintotheplaceatall，exceptwhensomethingmustbedone，andshehadagrandcleaningoutlikeotherhousewives;

whilethepartitionattheheadofDiamond’snewbedonlydivideditfromtheroomoccupiedbyacabmanwhodranktoomuchbeer，andcamehomechieflytoquarrelwithhiswifeandpinchhischildren。

ItwasdreadfultoDiamondtohearthescoldingandthecrying。

Butitcouldnotmakehimmiserable，becausehehadbeenatthebackofthenorthwind。

IfmyreaderfindithardtobelievethatDiamondshouldbesogood，hemustrememberthathehadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。

Ifheneverknewaboysogood，didheeverknowaboythathadbeentothebackofthenorthwind？ItwasnotintheleaststrangeofDiamondtobehaveashedid;onthecontrary，itwasthoroughlysensibleofhim。

Weshallseehowhegoton。

CHAPTERXVI

DIAMONDMAKESABEGINNING

THEwindblewloud，butDiamondsleptadeepsleep，andneverheardit。

MyownimpressionisthateverytimewhenDiamondsleptwellandrememberednothingaboutitinthemorning，hehadbeenallthatnightatthebackofthenorthwind。Iamalmostsurethatwashowhewokesorefreshed，andfeltsoquietandhopefulalltheday。

Indeedhesaidthismuch，thoughnottome——thatalwayswhenhewokefromsuchasleeptherewasasomethinginhismind，hecouldnottellwhat——couldnottellwhetheritwasthelastfar-offsoundsoftheriverdyingawayinthedistance，orsomeofthewordsoftheendlesssonghismotherhadreadtohimonthesea-shore。

Sometimeshethoughtitmusthavebeenthetwitteringoftheswallows——

overtheshallows，you，know;butitmayhavebeenthechirpingofthedingysparrowspickinguptheirbreakfastintheyard——

howcanItell？Idon’tknowwhatIknow，IonlyknowwhatIthink;

andtotellthetruth，Iammorefortheswallowsthanthesparrows。

Whenheknewhewascomingawake，hewouldsometimestryhardtokeepholdofthewordsofwhatseemedanewsong，onehehadnotheardbefore——asonginwhichthewordsandthemusicsomehowappearedtobeallone;butevenwhenhethoughthehadgotthemwellfixedinhismind，everashecameawaker——ashewouldsay——

onelinefadedawayoutofit，andthenanother，andthenanother，tillatlasttherewasnothingleftbutsomelovelypictureofwaterorgrassordaisies，orsomethingelseverycommon，butwithallthecommonnesspolishedoffit，andthelovelysoulofit，whichpeoplesoseldomsee，and，alas！yetseldomerbelievein，shiningout。

Butafterthathewouldsingtheoddest，loveliestlittlesongstothebaby——ofhisownmaking，hismothersaid;butDiamondsaidhedidnotmakethem;theyweremadesomewhereinsidehim，andheknewnothingaboutthemtilltheywerecomingout。

Whenhewokethatfirstmorninghegotupatonce，sayingtohimself，“I’vebeenilllongenough，andhavegivenagreatdealoftrouble;

Imusttryandbeofusenow，andhelpmymother。”Whenhewentintoherroomhefoundherlightingthefire，andhisfatherjustgettingoutofbed。Theyhadonlytheoneroom，besidesthelittleone，notmuchmorethanacloset，inwhichDiamondslept。Hebeganatoncetosetthingstorights，butthebabywakingup，hetookhim，andnursedhimtillhismotherhadgotthebreakfastready。

Shewaslookinggloomy，andhisfatherwassilent;andindeedexceptDiamondhaddoneallhepossiblycouldtokeepoutthemiserythatwastryingtogetinatdoorsandwindows，hetoowouldhavegrownmiserable，andthentheywouldhavebeenallmiserabletogether。

Buttotrytomakeotherscomfortableistheonlywaytogetrightcomfortableourselves，andthatcomespartlyofnotbeingabletothinksomuchaboutourselveswhenwearehelpingotherpeople。