第7章
CHAPTERXXV
DIAMOND’SDREAM
“THERE，baby！“saidDiamond;“I’msohappythatIcanonlysingnonsense。Oh，father，thinkifyouhadbeenapoorman，andhadn’thadacabandoldDiamond！WhatshouldIhavedone？”
“Idon’tknowindeedwhatyoucouldhavedone。”saidhisfatherfromthebed。
“Weshouldhaveallstarved，mypreciousDiamond。”saidhismother，whoseprideinherboywasevengreaterthanherjoyintheshillings。
Bothofthemtogethermadeherheartache，forpleasurecandothataswellaspain。
“Ohno！weshouldn’t。”saidDiamond。“IcouldhavetakenNanny’scrossingtillshecameback;andthenthemoney，insteadofgoingforOldSal’sgin，wouldhavegoneforfather’sbeef-tea。IwonderwhatNannywilldowhenshegetswellagain。Somebodyelsewillbesuretohavetakenthecrossingbythattime。Iwonderifshewillfightforit，andwhetherIshallhavetohelpher。
Iwon’tbothermyheadaboutthat。Timeenoughyet！Heydiddle！
heydiddle！heydiddlediddle！IwonderwhetherMr。RaymondwouldtakemetoseeNanny。Heydiddle！heydiddle！heydiddlediddle！
Thebabyandfiddle！O，mother，I’msuchasilly！ButIcan’thelpit。
IwishIcouldthinkofsomethingelse，butthere’snothingwillcomeintomyheadbutheydiddlediddle！thecatandthefiddle！
Iwonderwhattheangelsdo——whenthey’reextrahappy，youknow——
whenthey’vebeendrivingcabsalldayandtakinghomethemoneytotheirmothers。Doyouthinktheyeversingnonsense，mother？”
“Idaresaythey’vegottheirownsortofit。”answeredhismother，“elsetheywouldn’tbelikeotherpeople。”Shewasthinkingmoreofhertwenty-oneshillingsandsixpence，andofthenicedinnershewouldgetforhersickhusbandnextday，thanoftheangelsandtheirnonsense，whenshesaidit。ButDiamondfoundheranswerallright。
“Yes，tobesure。”hereplied。“Theywouldn’tbelikeotherpeopleiftheyhadn’ttheirnonsensesometimes。Butitmustbeveryprettynonsense，andnotlikethatsillyheydiddlediddle！thecatandthefiddle！IwishIcouldgetitoutofmyhead。Iwonderwhattheangels’nonsenseislike。Nonsenseisaverygoodthing，ain’tit，mother？——alittleofitnowandthen;moreofitforbaby，andnotsomuchforgrownpeoplelikecabmenandtheirmothers？
It’slikethepepperandsaltthatgoesinthesoup——that’sit——
isn’tit，mother？There’sbabyfastasleep！Oh，whatanonsensebabyitis——tosleepsomuch！ShallIputhimdown，mother？”
Diamondchatteredaway。Whatroseinhishappylittleheartranoutofhismouth，anddidhisfatherandmothergood。Whenhewenttobed，whichhedidearly，beingmoretired，asyoumaysuppose，thanusual，hewasstillthinkingwhatthenonsensecouldbelikewhichtheangelssangwhentheyweretoohappytosingsense。
Butbeforecomingtoanyconclusionhefellfastasleep。Andnowonder，foritmustbeacknowledgedadifficultquestion。
ThatnighthehadaverycuriousdreamwhichIthinkmyreaderswouldliketohavetoldthem。Theywould，atleast，iftheyareasfondofnicedreamsasIam，anddon’thaveenoughofthemoftheirown。
Hedreamedthathewasrunningaboutinthetwilightintheoldgarden。
HethoughthewaswaitingforNorthWind，butshedidnotcome。
Sohewouldrundowntothebackgate，andseeifshewerethere。
Heranandran。Itwasagoodlonggardenoutofhisdream，butinhisdreamithadgrownsolongandspreadoutsowidethatthegatehewantedwasnowhere。Heranandran，butinsteadofcomingtothegatefoundhimselfinabeautifulcountry，notlikeanycountryhehadeverbeeninbefore。Therewerenotreesofanysize;
nothingbiggerinfactthanhawthorns，whichwerefullofmay-blossom。
Theplaceinwhichtheygrewwaswildanddry，mostlycoveredwithgrass，buthavingpatchesofheath。Itextendedoneverysideasfarashecouldsee。Butalthoughitwassowild，yetwhereverinanordinaryheathyoumighthaveexpectedfurzebushes，orholly，orbroom，theregrewroses——wildandrare——allkinds。Oneveryside，farandnear，roseswereglowing。Theretoowasthegum-cistus，whoseflowersfalleverynightandcomeagainthenextmorning，lilacsandsyringasandlaburnums，andmanyshrubsbesides，ofwhichhedidnotknowthenames;buttheroseswereeverywhere。
Hewanderedonandon，wonderingwhenitwouldcometoanend。
Itwasofnousegoingback，fortherewasnohousetobeseenanywhere。
Buthewasnotfrightened，foryouknowDiamondwasusedtothingsthatwereratheroutoftheway。Hethrewhimselfdownunderarose-bush，andfellasleep。
Hewoke，notoutofhisdream，butintoit，thinkingheheardachild’svoice，calling“Diamond，Diamond！“Hejumpedup，butallwasstillabouthim。Therose-busheswerepouringouttheirodoursinclouds。
Hecouldseethescentlikemistsofthesamecolourastherose，issuinglikeaslowfountainandspreadingintheairtillitjoinedthethinrosyvapourwhichhungoverallthewilderness。
Butagaincamethevoicecallinghim，anditseemedtocomefromoverhishead。Helookedup，butsawonlythedeepblueskyfullofstars——morebrilliant，however，thanhehadseenthembefore;
andbothskyandstarslookednearertotheearth。
Whilehegazedup，againheheardthecry。Atthesamemomenthesawoneofthebiggeststarsoverhisheadgiveakindoftwinkleandjump，asifitwentoutandcameinagain。Hethrewhimselfonhisback，andfixedhiseyesuponit。Norhadhegazedlongbeforeitwentout，leavingsomethinglikeascarintheblue。
Butashewentongazinghesawafacewherethestarhadbeen——
amerryface，withbrighteyes。TheeyesappearednotonlytoseeDiamond，buttoknowthatDiamondhadcaughtsightofthem，forthefacewithdrewthesamemoment。Againcamethevoice，calling“Diamond，Diamond;“andinjumpedthestartoitsplace。
Diamondcalledasloudashecould，rightupintothesky:
“Here’sDiamond，downbelowyou。Whatdoyouwanthimtodo？”
Thenextinstantmanyofthestarsroundaboutthatonewentout，andmanyvoicesshoutedfromthesky，——
“Comeup;comeup。We’resojolly！Diamond！Diamond！“
Thiswasfollowedbyapealofthemerriest，kindliestlaughter，andallthestarsjumpedintotheirplacesagain。
“HowamItocomeup？”shoutedDiamond。
“Goroundtherose-bush。It’sgotitsfootinit。”saidthefirstvoice。
Diamondgotupatonce，andwalkedtotheothersideoftherose-bush。
Therehefoundwhatseemedtheveryoppositeofwhathewanted——
astairdownintotheearth。Itwasofturfandmoss。Itdidnotseemtopromisewellforgettingintothesky，butDiamondhadlearnedtolookthroughthelookofthings。Thevoicemusthavemeantthathewastogodownthisstair;anddownthisstairDiamondwent，withoutwaitingtothinkmoreaboutit。
Itwassuchanicestair，socoolandsoft——allthesidesaswellasthestepsgrownwithmossandgrassandferns！DownanddownDiamondwent——alongway，untilatlastheheardthegurglingandsplashingofalittlestream;norhadhegonemuchfartherbeforehemetit——yes，metitcomingupthestairstomeethim，runningupjustasnaturallyasifithadbeendoingtheotherthing。
NeitherwasDiamondintheleastsurprisedtoseeitpitchingitselffromonesteptoanotherasitclimbedtowardshim:heneverthoughtitwasodd——andnomoreitwas，there。Itwouldhavebeenoddhere。Itmadeamerrytuneasitcame，anditsvoicewaslikethelaughterhehadheardfromthesky。Thisappearedpromising;
andhewenton，downanddownthestair，andupandupthestream，tillatlasthecamewhereithurriedoutfromunderastone，andthestairstoppedaltogether。Andasthestreambubbledup，thestoneshookandswayedwithitsforce;andDiamondthoughthewouldtrytoliftit。Lightlyitrosetohishand，forcedupbythestreamfrombelow;and，bywhatwouldhaveseemedanunaccountableperversionofthingshadhebeenawake，threatenedtocometumblinguponhishead。Butheavoidedit，andwhenitfell，gotuponit。
Henowsawthattheopeningthroughwhichthewatercamepouringinwasoverhishead，andwiththehelpofthestonehescrambledoutbyit，andfoundhimselfonthesideofagrassyhillwhichroundedawayfromhimineverydirection，anddownwhichcamethebrookwhichvanishedinthehole。Butscarcelyhadhenoticedsomuchasthisbeforeamerryshoutingandlaughterburstuponhim，andanumberofnakedlittleboyscamerunning，everyoneeagertogettohimfirst。Attheshouldersofeachflutteredtwolittlewings，whichwereofnouseforflying，astheyweremerebuds;onlybeingmadeforittheycouldnothelpflutteringasiftheywereflying。
Justastheforemostofthetroopreachedhim，oneortwoofthemfell，andtherestwithshoutsoflaughtercametumblingoverthemtilltheyheapedupamoundofstrugglingmerriment。
Oneafteranothertheyextricatedthemselves，andeachashegotfreethrewhisarmsroundDiamondandkissedhim。Diamond’sheartwasreadytomeltwithinhimfromcleardelight。Whentheyhadallembracedhim，——
“Nowletushavesomefun。”criedone，andwithashouttheyallscamperedhitherandthither，andplayedthewildestgambolsonthegrassyslopes。
TheykeptconstantlycomingbacktoDiamond，however，asthecentreoftheirenjoyment，rejoicingoverhimasiftheyhadfoundalostplaymate。
Therewasawindonthehillsidewhichblewliketheveryembodimentoflivinggladness。ItblewintoDiamond’sheart，andmadehimsohappythathewasforcedtositdownandcry。
“Nowlet’sgoanddigforstars。”saidonewhoseemedtobethecaptainofthetroop。
Theyallscurriedaway，butsoonreturned，oneafteranother，eachwithapickaxeonhisshoulderandaspadeinhishand。
Assoonastheyweregathered，thecaptainledtheminastraightlinetoanotherpartofthehill。Diamondroseandfollowed。
“Hereiswherewebeginourlessonforto-night。”hesaid。
“Scatteranddig。”
Therewasnomorefun。Eachwentbyhimself，walkingslowlywithbentshouldersandhiseyesfixedontheground。Everynowandthenonewouldstop，kneeldown，andlookintently，feelingwithhishandsandpartingthegrass。Onewouldgetupandwalkonagain，anotherspringtohisfeet，catcheagerlyathispickaxeandstrikeitintothegroundonceandagain，thenthrowitaside，snatchuphisspade，andcommencediggingattheloosenedearth。
Nowonewouldsorrowfullyshoveltheearthintotheholeagain，trampleitdownwithhislittlebarewhitefeet，andwalkon。
Butanotherwouldgiveajoyfulshout，andaftermuchtuggingandlooseningwoulddrawfromtheholealumpasbigashishead，ornobiggerthanhisfist;whentheundersideofitwouldpoursuchablazeofgoldenorbluishlightintoDiamond’seyesthathewasquitedazzled。Goldandbluewerethecommonercolours:
thejubilationwasgreateroverredorgreenorpurple。Andeverytimeastarwasdugupallthelittleangelsdroppedtheirtoolsandcrowdedaboutit，shoutinganddancingandflutteringtheirwing-buds。
Whentheyhadexamineditwell，theywouldkneeldownoneaftertheotherandpeepthroughthehole;buttheyalwaysstoodbacktogiveDiamondthefirstlook。Allthatdiamondcouldreport，however，was，thatthroughthestar-holeshesawagreatmanythingsandplacesandpeopleheknewquitewell，onlysomehowtheyweredifferent——
therewassomethingmarvellousaboutthem——hecouldnottellwhat。
Everytimeherosefromlookingthroughastar-hole，hefeltasifhisheartwouldbreakfor，joy;andhesaidthatifhehadnotcried，hedidnotknowwhatwouldhavebecomeofhim。
Assoonasallhadlooked，thestarwascarefullyfittedinagain，alittlemouldwasstrewnoverit，andtherestoftheheapleftasasignthatthestarhadbeendiscovered。
Atlengthonedugupasmallstarofamostlovelycolour——acolourDiamondhadneverseenbefore。Themomenttheangelsawwhatitwas，insteadofshowingitabout，hehandedittooneofhisneighbours，andseatedhimselfontheedgeofthehole，saying:
“Thiswilldoforme。Good-bye。I’moff。”
Theycrowdedabouthim，huggingandkissinghim;thenstoodbackwithasolemnstillness，theirwingslyingclosetotheirshoulders。
Thelittlefellowlookedroundonthemoncewithasmile，andthenshothimselfheadlongthroughthestar-hole。Diamond，asprivileged，threwhimselfonthegroundtopeepafterhim，buthesawnothing。
“It’snouse。”saidthecaptain。“Ineversawanythingmoreofonethatwentthatway。”
“Hiswingscan’tbemuchuse。”saidDiamond，concernedandfearful，yetcomfortedbythecalmlooksoftherest。
“That’strue。”saidthecaptain。“He’slostthembythistime。
Theyalldothatgothatway。Youhaven’tgotany，yousee。”
“No。”saidDiamond。“Ineverdidhaveany。”
“Oh！didn’tyou？”saidthecaptain。
“Somepeoplesay。”headded，afterapause，“thattheycomeagain。
Idon’tknow。I’veneverfoundthecolourIcareaboutmyself。
IsupposeIshallsomeday。”
Thentheylookedagainatthestar，putitcarefullyintoitshole，dancedarounditandoverit——butsolemnly，andcalleditbythenameofthefinder。
“Willyouknowitagain？”askedDiamond。
“Oh，yes。Weneverforgetastarthat’sbeenmadeadoorof。”
Thentheywentonwiththeirsearchinganddigging。
Diamondhavingneitherpickaxenorspade，hadthemoretimetothink。
“Idon’tseeanylittlegirls。”hesaidatlast。
Thecaptainstoppedhisshovelling，leanedonhisspade，rubbedhisforeheadthoughtfullywithhislefthand——thelittleangelswereallleft-handed——repeatedthewords“littlegirls。”andthen，asifathoughthadstruckhim，resumedhiswork，saying——
“IthinkIknowwhatyoumean。I’veneverseenanyofthem，ofcourse;
butIsupposethat’sthesortyoumean。I’mtold——butmindIdon’tsayitisso，forIdon’tknow——thatwhenwefallasleep，atroopofangelsverylikeourselves，onlyquitedifferent，goesroundtoallthestarswehavediscovered，anddiscoversthemafterus。
Isupposewithourshovellingandhandlingwespoilthemabit;
andIdaresaythecloudsthatcomeupfrombelowmakethemsmokyanddullsometimes。Theysay——mind，Isaytheysay——theseotherangelstakethemoutonebyone，andpasseachroundaswedo，andbreatheoverit，andrubitwiththeirwhitehands，whicharesofterthanours，becausetheydon’tdoanypick-and-spadework，andsmileatit，andputitinagain:andthatiswhatkeepsthemfromgrowingdark。”
“Howjolly！“thoughtDiamond。“Ishouldliketoseethemattheirworktoo——Whendoyougotosleep？”heaskedthecaptain。
“Whenwegrowsleepy。”answeredthecaptain。“Theydosay——butmindIsaytheysay——thatitiswhenthoseothers——whatdoyoucallthem？
Idon’tknowifthatistheirname;Iamonlyguessingthatmaybethesortyoumean——whentheyareontheirroundsandcomenearanytroopofuswefallasleep。Theyliveonthewestsideofthehill。
Noneofushaveeverbeentothetopofityet。”
Evenashespoke，hedroppedhisspade。Hetumbleddownbesideit，andlayfastasleep。Oneaftertheothereachofthetroopdroppedhispickaxeorshovelfromhislistlesshands，andlayfastasleepbyhiswork。
“Ah！“thoughtDiamondtohimself，withdelight，“nowthegirl-angelsarecoming，andI，notbeinganangel，shallnotfallasleepliketherest，andIshallseethegirl-angels。”
Butthesamemomenthefelthimselfgrowingsleepy。Hestruggledhardwiththeinvadingpower。Heputuphisfingerstohiseyelidsandpulledthemopen。Butitwasofnouse。Hethoughthesawaglimmerofpalerosylightfarupthegreenhill，andceasedtoknow。
Whenheawoke，alltheangelswerestartingupwideawaketoo。
Heexpectedtoseethemlifttheirtools，butno，thetimeforplayhadcome。Theylookedhappierthanever，andeachbegantosingwherehestood。Hehadnotheardthemsingbefore。
“Now。”hethought，“Ishallknowwhatkindofnonsensetheangelssingwhentheyaremerry。Theydon’tdrivecabs，Isee，buttheydigforstars，andtheyworkhardenoughtobemerryafterit。”
Andhedidhearsomeoftheangels’nonsense;forifitwasallsensetothem，ithadonlyjustasmuchsensetoDiamondasmadegoodnonsenseofit。Hetriedhardtosetitdowninhismind，listeningascloselyashecould，nowtoone，nowtoanother，andnowtoalltogether。Butwhiletheywereyetsinginghebegan，tohisdismay，tofindthathewascomingawake——fasterandfaster。
Andashecameawake，hefoundthat，forallthegoodnessofhismemory，verseafterverseoftheangels’nonsensevanishedfromit。
Healwaysthoughthecouldkeepthelast，butasthenextbeganhelosttheonebeforeit，andatlengthawoke，strugglingtokeepholdofthelastverseofall。Hefeltasiftheefforttokeepfromforgettingthatoneverseofthevanishingsongnearlykilledhim。
Andyetbythetimehewaswideawakehecouldnotbesureofthateven。
Itwassomethinglikethis:
WhitehandsofwhitenessWashthestars’faces，Tillglitter，glitter，glit，goestheirbrightnessDowntopoorplaces。
This，however，wassonearsensethathethoughtitcouldnotbereallywhattheydidsing。
CHAPTERXXVI
DIAMONDTAKESAFARETHEWRONGWAYRIGHT
THEnextmorningDiamondwasupalmostasearlyasbefore。Hehadnothingtofearfromhismothernow，andmadenosecretofwhathewasabout。
Bythetimehereachedthestable，severalofthemenwerethere。
Theyaskedhimagoodmanyquestionsastohisluckthedaybefore，andhetoldthemalltheywantedtoknow。Butwhenheproceededtoharnesstheoldhorse，theypushedhimasidewithroughkindness，calledhimababy，andbegantodoitallforhim。SoDiamondraninandhadanothermouthfulofteaandbreadandbutter;
andalthoughhehadneverbeensotiredashewasthenightbefore，hestartedquitefreshthismorning。Itwasacloudyday，andthewindblewhardfromthenorth——sohardsometimesthat，perchedontheboxwithjusthistoestouchingtheground，Diamondwishedthathehadsomekindofstraptofastenhimselfdownwithlestheshouldbeblownaway。Buthedidnotreallymindit。
Hisheadwasfullofthedreamhehaddreamed;butitdidnotmakehimneglecthiswork，forhisworkwasnottodigstarsbuttodriveoldDiamondandpickupfares。Therearenotmanypeoplewhocanthinkaboutbeautifulthingsanddocommonworkatthesametime。
Butthentherearenotmanypeoplewhohavebeentothebackofthenorthwind。
Therewasnotmuchbusinessdoing。AndDiamondfeltrathercold，notwithstandinghismotherhadherselfputonhiscomforterandhelpedhimwithhisgreatcoat。Buthewastoowellawareofhisdignitytogetinsidehiscabassomedo。Acabmanoughttobeabovemindingtheweather——atleastsoDiamondthought。
Atlengthhewascalledtoaneighbouringhouse，whereayoungwomanwithaheavyboxhadtobetakentoWappingforacoast-steamer。
Hedidnotfinditatallpleasant，sofareastandsoneartheriver;
fortheroughswereingreatforce。However，therebeingnoblock，noteveninNightingaleLane，hereachedtheentranceofthewharf，andsetdownhispassengerwithoutannoyance。Butasheturnedtogoback，someidlers，notcontentwithchaffinghim，showedamindtothefaretheyoungwomanhadgivenhim。Theywerejustpullinghimoffthebox，andDiamondwasshoutingforthepolice，whenapale-facedman，inveryshabbyclothes，butwiththelookofagentlemansomewhereabouthim，cameup，andmakinggooduseofhisstick，drovethemoff。
“Now，mylittleman。”hesaid，“getonwhileyoucan。Don’tloseanytime。Thisisnotaplaceforyou。”
ButDiamondwasnotinthehabitofthinkingonlyofhimself。
Hesawthathisnewfriendlookedweary，ifnotill，andverypoor。
“Won’tyoujumpin，sir？”hesaid。“Iwilltakeyouwhereveryoulike。”
“Thankyou，myman;butIhavenomoney;soIcan’t。”
“Oh！Idon’twantanymoney。Ishallbemuchhappierifyouwillgetin。YouhavesavedmeallIhad。Ioweyoualift，sir。”
“Whichwayareyougoing？”
“ToCharingCross;butIdon’tmindwhereIgo。”
“Well，Iamverytired。IfyouwilltakemetoCharingCross，Ishallbegreatlyobligedtoyou。IhavewalkedfromGravesend，andhadhardlyapennylefttogetthroughthetunnel。”
Sosaying，heopenedthedoorandgotin，andDiamonddroveaway。
Butashedrove，hecouldnothelpfancyinghehadseenthegentleman——
forDiamondknewhewasagentleman——before。Doallhecould，however，hecouldnotrecallwhereorwhen。Meantimehisfare，ifwemaycallhimsuch，seeinghewastopaynothing，whomthereliefofbeingcarriedhadmadelessandlessinclinedtocarryhimself，hadbeenturningoverthingsinhismind，and，astheypassedtheMint，calledtoDiamond，whostoppedthehorse，gotdownandwenttothewindow。
“Ifyoudidn’tmindtakingmetoChiswick，Ishouldbeabletopayyouwhenwegotthere。It’salongway，butyoushallhavethewholefarefromtheDocks——andsomethingover。”
“Verywell，sir“saidDiamond。“Ishallbemosthappy。”
Hewasjustclamberingupagain，whenthegentlemanputhisheadoutofthewindowandsaid——
“It’sTheWilderness——Mr。Coleman’splace;butI’lldirectyouwhenwecomeintotheneighbourhood。”
ItflasheduponDiamondwhohewas。Buthegotuponhisboxtoarrangehisthoughtsbeforemakinganyreply。
ThegentlemanwasMr。Evans，towhomMissColemanwastohavebeenmarried，andDiamondhadseenhimseveraltimeswithherinthegarden。
IhavesaidthathehadnotbehavedverywelltoMissColeman。
Hehadputofftheirmarriagemorethanonceinacowardlyfashion，merelybecausehewasashamedtomarryuponasmallincome，andliveinahumbleway。Whenamanthinksofwhatpeoplewillsayinsuchacase，hemaylove，buthisloveisbutapooraffair。
Mr。Colemantookhimintothefirmasajuniorpartner，anditwasinameasurethroughhisinfluencethatheentereduponthosespeculationswhichruinedhim。Sohislovehadnotbeenablessing。
TheshipwhichNorthWindhadsunkwastheirlastventure，andMr。Evanshadgoneoutwithitinthehopeofturningitscargotothebestadvantage。Hewasoneofthesingleboat-loadwhichmanagedtoreachadesertisland，andhehadgonethroughagreatmanyhardshipsandsufferingssincethen。Buthewasnotpastbeingtaught，andhistroubleshaddonehimnoendofgood，fortheyhadmadehimdoubthimself，andbegintothink，sothathehadcometoseethathehadbeenfoolishaswellaswicked。
For，ifhehadhadMissColemanwithhiminthedesertisland，tobuildherahut，andhuntforherfood，andmakeclothesforher，hewouldhavethoughthimselfthemostfortunateofmen;andwhenhewasathome，hewouldnotmarrytillhecouldaffordaman-servant。
Beforehegothomeagain，hehadevenbeguntounderstandthatnomancanmakehastetoberichwithoutgoingagainstthewillofGod，inwhichcaseitistheonefrightfulthingtobesuccessful。
Sohehadcomebackamorehumbleman，andlongingtoaskMissColemantoforgivehim。Buthehadnoideawhatruinhadfallenuponthem，forhehadnevermadehimselfthoroughlyacquaintedwiththefirm’saffairs。Fewspeculativepeopledoknowtheirownaffairs。
Henceheneverdoubtedheshouldfindmattersmuchasheleftthem，andexpectedtoseethemallatTheWildernessasbefore。ButifhehadnotfalleninwithDiamond，hewouldnothavethoughtofgoingtherefirst。
WhatwasDiamondtodo？HehadheardhisfatherandmotherdropsomeremarksconcerningMr。Evanswhichmadehimdoubtfulofhim。
Heunderstoodthathehadnotbeensoconsiderateashemighthavebeen。
Sohewentratherslowlytillheshouldmakeuphismind。Itwas，ofcourse，ofnousetodriveMr。EvanstoChiswick。Butifheshouldtellhimwhathadbefallenthem，andwheretheylivednow，hemightputoffgoingtoseethem，andhewascertainthatMissColeman，atleast，mustwantverymuchtoseeMr。Evans。Hewasprettysurealsothatthebestthinginanycasewastobringthemtogether，andletthemsetmattersrightforthemselves。
Themomenthecametothisconclusion，hechangedhiscoursefromwestwardtonorthward，andwentstraightforMr。Coleman’spoorlittlehouseinHoxton。Mr。Evanswastootiredandtoomuchoccupiedwithhisthoughtstotaketheleastnoticeofthestreetstheypassedthrough，andhadnosuspicion，therefore，ofthechangeofdirection。
Bythistimethewindhadincreasedalmosttoahurricane，andastheyhadoftentoheadit，itwasnojokeforeitheroftheDiamonds。
Thedistance，however，wasnotgreat。BeforetheyreachedthestreetwhereMr。Colemanliveditblewsotremendously，thatwhenMissColeman，whowasgoingoutalittleway，openedthedoor，itdashedagainstthewallwithsuchabang，thatshewasafraidtoventure，andwentinagain。Infiveminutesafter，Diamonddrewupatthedoor。
Assoonashehadenteredthestreet，however，thewindblewrightbehindthem，andwhenhepulledup，oldDiamondhadsomuchadotostopthecabagainstit，thatthebreechingbroke。
YoungDiamondjumpedoffhisbox，knockedloudlyatthedoor，thenturnedtothecabandsaid——beforeMr。Evanshadquitebeguntothinksomethingmustbeamiss:
“Please，sir，myharnesshasgivenaway。Wouldyoumindsteppinginhereforafewminutes？They’refriendsofmine。I’lltakeyouwhereyoulikeafterI’vegotitmended。Ishan’tbemanyminutes，butyoucan’tstandinthiswind。”
Halfstupidwithfatigueandwantoffood，Mr。Evansyieldedtotheboy’ssuggestion，andwalkedinatthedoorwhichthemaidheldwithdifficultyagainstthewind。ShetookMr。Evansforavisitor，asindeedhewas，andshowedhimintotheroomontheground-floor。Diamond，whohadfollowedintothehall，whisperedtoherassheclosedthedoor——
“TellMissColeman。It’sMissColemanhewantstosee。”
“Idon’tknow“saidthemaid。“Hedon’tlookmuchlikeagentleman。”
“Heis，though;andIknowhim，andsodoesMissColeman。”
ThemaidcouldnotbutrememberDiamond，havingseenhimwhenheandhisfatherbroughttheladieshome。Soshebelievedhim，andwenttodowhathetoldher。
WhatpassedinthelittleparlourwhenMissColemancamedowndoesnotbelongtomystory，whichisallaboutDiamond。
IfhehadknownthatMissColemanthoughtMr。Evanswasdead，perhapshewouldhavemanageddifferently。Therewasacryandarunningtoandfrointhehouse，andthenallwasquietagain。
AlmostassoonasMr。Evanswentin，thewindbegantocease，andwasnowstill。Diamondfoundthatbymakingthebreechingjustalittletighterthanwasquitecomfortablefortheoldhorsehecoulddoverywellforthepresent;and，thinkingitbettertolethimhavehisbaginthisquietplace，hesatontheboxtilltheoldhorseshouldhaveeatenhisdinner。
InalittlewhileMr。Evanscameout，andaskedhimtocomein。
Diamondobeyed，andtohisdelightMissColemanputherarmsroundhimandkissedhim，andtherewaspaymentforhim！Nottomentionthefivepreciousshillingsshegavehim，whichhecouldnotrefusebecausehismotherwantedthemsomuchathomeforhisfather。
Heleftthemnearlyashappyastheywerethemselves。
Therestofthedayhedidbetter，and，althoughhehadnotsomuchtotakehomeasthedaybefore，yetonthewholetheresultwassatisfactory。Andwhatastoryhehadtotellhisfatherandmotherabouthisadventures，andhowhehaddone，andwhatwastheresult！Theyaskedhimsuchamultitudeofquestions！someofwhichhecouldanswer，andsomeofwhichhecouldnotanswer;
andhisfatherseemedeversomuchbetterfromfindingthathisboywasalreadynotonlyusefultohisfamilybutusefultootherpeople，andquitetakinghisplaceasamanwhojudgedwhatwaswise，anddidworkworthdoing。
ForafortnightDiamondwentondrivinghiscab，andkeepinghisfamily。
HehadbeguntobeknownaboutsomepartsofLondon，andpeoplewouldprefertakinghiscabbecausetheylikedwhattheyheardofhim。
OnegentlemanwholivednearthemewsengagedhimtocarryhimtotheCityeverymorningatacertainhour;andDiamondwaspunctualasclockwork——thoughtoeffectthatrequiredagooddealofcare，forhisfather’swatchwasnotmuchtobedependedon，andhadtobewatcheditselfbytheclockofSt。George’schurch。
Betweenthetwo，however，hedidmakeasuccessofit。
Afterthatfortnight，hisfatherwasabletogooutagain。
ThenDiamondwenttomakeinquiriesaboutNanny，andthisledtosomethingelse。
CHAPTERXXVII
THECHILDREN’SHOSPITAL
THEfirstdayhisfatherresumedhiswork，Diamondwentwithhimasusual。Intheafternoon，however，hisfather，havingtakenafaretotheneighbourhood，wenthome，andDiamonddrovethecabtherestoftheday。ItwashardforoldDiamondtodoallthework，buttheycouldnotaffordtohaveanotherhorse。
Theycontrivedtosavehimasmuchaspossible，andfedhimwell，andhedidbravely。
ThenextmorninghisfatherwassomuchstrongerthatDiamondthoughthemightgoandaskMr。RaymondtotakehimtoseeNanny。
Hefoundhimathome。Hisservanthadgrownfriendlybythistime，andshowedhiminwithoutanycross-questioning。Mr。Raymondreceivedhimwithhisusualkindness，consentedatonce，andwalkedwithhimtotheHospital，whichwascloseathand。Itwasacomfortableold-fashionedhouse，builtinthereignofQueenAnne，andinherday，nodoubt，inhabitedbyrichandfashionablepeople:nowitwasahomeforpoorsickchildren，whowerecarefullytendedforlove’ssake。
ThereareregionsinLondonwhereahospitalineveryotherstreetmightbefullofsuchchildren，whosefathersandmothersaredead，orunabletotakecareofthem。
WhenDiamondfollowedMr。Raymondintotheroomwherethosechildrenwhohadgotovertheworstoftheirillnessandweregrowingbetterlay，hesawanumberoflittleironbedsteads，withtheirheadstothewalls，andineveryoneofthemachild，whosefacewasastoryinitself。
Insome，healthhadbeguntoappearinatingeuponthecheeks，andadoubtfulbrightnessintheeyes，justasoutofthecolddrearywinterthespringcomesinblushingbudsandbrightcrocuses。
Inothersthereweremoreofthesignsofwinterleft。Theirfacesremindedyouofsnowandkeencuttingwinds，morethanofsunshineandsoftbreezesandbutterflies;buteveninthemthesignsofsufferingtoldthatthesufferingwasless，andthatifthespring-timehadbutarrived，ithadyetarrived。
Diamondlookedallround，butcouldseenoNanny。HeturnedtoMr。Raymondwithaquestioninhiseyes。
“Well？”saidMr。Raymond。
“Nanny’snothere。”saidDiamond。
“Oh，yes，sheis。”
“Idon’tseeher。”
“Ido，though。Theresheis。”
HepointedtoabedrightinfrontofwhereDiamondwasstanding。
“That’snotNanny。”hesaid。
“ItisNanny。Ihaveseenhermanytimessinceyouhave。
Illnessmakesagreatdifference。”
“Why，thatgirlmusthavebeentothebackofthenorthwind！“
thoughtDiamond，buthesaidnothing，onlystared;andashestared，somethingoftheoldNannybegantodawnthroughthefaceofthenewNanny。TheoldNanny，thoughagoodgirl，andafriendlygirl，hadbeenrough，bluntinherspeech，anddirtyinherperson。
Herfacewouldalwayshaveremindedonewhohadalreadybeentothebackofthenorthwindofsomethinghehadseeninthebestofcompany，butithadbeencoarsenotwithstanding，partlyfromtheweather，partlyfromherlivingamongstlowpeople，andpartlyfromhavingtodefendherself:nowitwassosweet，andgentle，andrefined，thatshemighthavehadaladyandgentlemanforafatherandmother。
AndDiamondcouldnothelpthinkingofwordswhichhehadheardinthechurchthedaybefore:“Surelyitisgoodtobeafflicted;“
orsomethinglikethat。NorthWind，somehoworother，musthavehadtodowithher！Shehadgrownfromaroughgirlintoagentlemaiden。
Mr。Raymond，however，wasnotsurprised，forhewasusedtoseesuchlovelychanges——somethinglikethechangewhichpassesuponthecrawling，many-footedcreature，whenitturnssickandill，andrevivesabutterfly，withtwowingsinsteadofmanyfeet。
Insteadofherhavingtotakecareofherself，kindhandsministeredtoher，makinghercomfortableandsweetandclean，soothingherachinghead，andgivinghercoolingdrinkwhenshewasthirsty;
andkindeyes，thestarsofthekingdomofheaven，hadshoneuponher;
sothat，whatwiththefireofthefeverandthedewoftenderness，thatwhichwascoarseinherhadmeltedaway，andherwholefacehadgrownsorefinedandsweetthatDiamonddidnotknowher。Butashegazed，thebestoftheoldface，allthetrueandgoodpartofit，thatwhichwasNannyherself，dawneduponhim，likethemooncomingoutofacloud，untilatlength，insteadofonlybelievingMr。Raymondthatthiswasshe，hesawforhimselfthatitwasNannyindeed——
verywornbutgrownbeautiful。
Hewentuptoher。Shesmiled。Hehadheardherlaugh，buthadneverseenhersmilebefore。
“Nanny，doyouknowme？”saidDiamond。
Sheonlysmiledagain，asifthequestionwasamusing。
Shewasnotlikelytoforgethim;foralthoughshedidnotyetknowitwashewhohadgotherthere，shehaddreamedofhimoften，andhadtalkedmuchabouthimwhendelirious。Norwasitmuchwonder，forhewastheonlyboyexceptJoewhohadevershownherkindness。
MeantimeMr。Raymondwasgoingfrombedtobed，talkingtothelittlepeople。Everyoneknewhim，andeveryonewaseagertohavealook，andasmile，andakindwordfromhim。
DiamondsatdownonastoolattheheadofNanny’sbed。Shelaidherhandinhis。Nooneelseofheroldacquaintancehadbeennearher。
Suddenlyalittlevoicecalledaloud——
“Won’tMr。Raymondtellusastory？”
“Oh，yes，pleasedo！pleasedo！“criedseverallittlevoiceswhichalsowerestrongerthantherest。ForMr。Raymondwasinthehabitoftellingthemastorywhenhewenttoseethem，andtheyenjoyeditfarmorethantheothernicethingswhichthedoctorpermittedhimtogivethem。
“Verywell。”saidMr。Raymond，“Iwill。Whatsortofastoryshallitbe？”
“Atruestory。”saidonelittlegirl。
“Afairytale。”saidalittleboy。
“Well。”saidMr。Raymond，“Isuppose，asthereisadifference，Imaychoose。Ican’tthinkofanytruestoryjustatthismoment，soIwilltellyouasortofafairyone。”
“Oh，jolly！“exclaimedthelittleboywhohadcalledoutforafairytale。
“ItcameintomyheadthismorningasIgotoutofbed。”
continuedMr。Raymond;“andifitturnsoutprettywell，Iwillwriteitdown，andgetsomebodytoprintitforme，andthenyoushallreaditwhenyoulike。”
“Thennobodyeverhearditbefore？”askedoneolderchild。
“No，nobody。”
“Oh！“exclaimedseveral，thinkingitverygrandtohavethefirsttelling;
andIdaresaytheremightbeapeculiarfreshnessaboutit，becauseeverythingwouldbenearlyasnewtothestory-tellerhimselfastothelisteners。
Somewereonlysittingupandsomewerelyingdown，sotherecouldnotbethesamebusygathering，bustling，andshiftingtoandfrowithwhichchildrengenerallypreparethemselvestohearastory;
buttheirfaces，andtheturningoftheirheads，andmanyfeebleexclamationsofexpectedpleasure，showedthatallsuchpreparationsweremakingwithinthem。
Mr。Raymondstoodinthemiddleoftheroom，thathemightturnfromsidetoside，andgiveeachashareofseeinghim。DiamondkepthisplacebyNanny’sside，withherhandinhis。IdonotknowhowmuchofMr。Raymond’sstorythesmallerchildrenunderstood;
indeed，Idon’tquiteknowhowmuchtherewasinittobeunderstood，forinsuchastoryeveryonehasjusttotakewhathecanget。
Buttheyalllistenedwithapparentsatisfaction，andcertainlywithgreatattention。Mr。Raymondwroteitdownafterwards，andhereitis——somewhatalterednodoubt，foragoodstory-tellertriestomakehisstoriesbettereverytimehetellsthem。
IcannotmyselfhelpthinkingthathewassomewhatindebtedforthisonetotheoldstoryofTheSleepingBeauty。
CHAPTERXXVIII
LITTLEDAYLIGHT
NOHOUSEofanypretensiontobecalledapalaceisintheleastworthyofthename，exceptithasawoodnearit——verynearit——
andthenearerthebetter。Notallroundit——Idon’tmeanthat，forapalaceoughttobeopentothesunandwind，andstandhighandbrave，withweathercocksglitteringandflagsflying;
butononesideofeverypalacetheremustbeawood。AndtherewasaverygrandwoodindeedbesidethepalaceofthekingwhowasgoingtobeDaylight’sfather;suchagrandwood，thatnobodyyethadevergottotheotherendofit。Nearthehouseitwaskeptverytrimandnice，anditwasfreeofbrushwoodforalongwayin;
butbydegreesitgotwild，anditgrewwilder，andwilder，andwilder，untilsomesaidwildbeastsatlastdidwhattheylikedinit。
Thekingandhiscourtiersoftenhunted，however，andthiskeptthewildbeastsfarawayfromthepalace。
Oneglorioussummermorning，whenthewindandsunwereouttogether，whenthevaneswereflashingandtheflagsfrolickingagainstthebluesky，littleDaylightmadeherappearancefromsomewhere——
nobodycouldtellwhere——abeautifulbaby，withsuchbrighteyesthatshemighthavecomefromthesun，onlybyandbysheshowedsuchlivelywaysthatshemightequallywellhavecomeoutofthewind。
Therewasgreatjubilationinthepalace，forthiswasthefirstbabythequeenhadhad，andthereisasmuchhappinessoveranewbabyinapalaceasinacottage。
Butthereisonedisadvantageoflivingnearawood:youdonotknowquitewhoyourneighboursmaybe。Everybodyknewtherewereinitseveralfairies，livingwithinafewmilesofthepalace，whoalwayshadhadsomethingtodowitheachnewbabythatcame;forfairieslivesomuchlongerthanwe，thattheycanhavebusinesswithagoodmanygenerationsofhumanmortals。Thecurioushousestheylivedinwerewellknownalso，——one，ahollowoak;another，abirch-tree，thoughnobodycouldeverfindhowthatfairymadeahouseofit;another，ahutofgrowingtreesintertwined，andpatchedupwithturfandmoss。
Buttherewasanotherfairywhohadlatelycometotheplace，andnobodyevenknewshewasafairyexcepttheotherfairies。
Awickedoldthingshewas，alwaysconcealingherpower，andbeingasdisagreeableasshecould，inordertotemptpeopletogiveheroffence，thatshemighthavethepleasureoftakingvengeanceuponthem。Thepeopleaboutthoughtshewasawitch，andthosewhoknewherbysightwerecarefultoavoidoffendingher。
Shelivedinamudhouse，inaswampypartoftheforest。
Inallhistorywefindthatfairiesgivetheirremarkablegiftstoprinceorprincess，oranychildofsufficientimportanceintheireyes，alwaysatthechristening。Nowthiswecanunderstand，becauseitisanancientcustomamongsthumanbeingsaswell;
anditisnothardtoexplainwhywickedfairiesshouldchoosethesametimetodounkindthings;butitisdifficulttounderstandhowtheyshouldbeabletodothem，foryouwouldfancyallwickedcreatureswouldbepowerlessonsuchanoccasion。ButIneverknewofanyinterferenceonthepartofthewickedfairythatdidnotturnoutagoodthingintheend。Whatagoodthing，forinstance，itwasthatoneprincessshouldsleepforahundredyears！Wasshenotsavedfromalltheplagueofyoungmenwhowerenotworthyofher？
Anddidshenotcomeawakeexactlyattherightmomentwhentherightprincekissedher？Formypart，Icannothelpwishingagoodmanygirlswouldsleeptilljustthesamefateovertookthem。
Itwouldbehappierforthem，andmoreagreeabletotheirfriends。
Ofcoursealltheknownfairieswereinvitedtothechristening。
Butthekingandqueenneverthoughtofinvitinganoldwitch。
Forthepowerofthefairiestheyhavebynature;whereasawitchgetsherpowerbywickedness。Theotherfairies，however，knowingthedangerthusrun，providedaswellastheycouldagainstaccidentsfromherquarter。Buttheycouldneitherrenderherpowerless，norcouldtheyarrangetheirgiftsinreferencetohersbeforehand，fortheycouldnottellwhatthosemightbe。
Ofcoursetheoldhagwastherewithoutbeingasked。Nottobeaskedwasjustwhatshewanted，thatshemighthaveasortofreasonfordoingwhatshewishedtodo。Forsomehoweventhewickedestofcreatureslikesapretextfordoingthewrongthing。
Fivefairieshadoneaftertheothergiventhechildsuchgiftsaseachcountedbest，andthefifthhadjuststeppedbacktoherplaceinthesurroundingsplendourofladiesandgentlemen，when，mumblingalaughbetweenhertoothlessgums，thewickedfairyhobbledoutintothemiddleofthecircle，andatthemomentwhenthearchbishopwashandingthebabytotheladyattheheadofthenurserydepartmentofstateaffairs，addressedhimthus，givingabiteortwotoeverywordbeforeshecouldpartwithit:
“PleaseyourGrace，I’mverydeaf:wouldyourGracemindrepeatingtheprincess’sname？”
“Withpleasure，mygoodwoman。”saidthearchbishop，stoopingtoshoutinherear:“theinfant’snameislittleDaylight。”
“Andlittledaylightitshallbe。”criedthefairy，inthetoneofadryaxle，“andlittlegoodshallanyofhergiftsdoher。
ForIbestowuponherthegiftofsleepingalldaylong，whethershewillornot。Ha，ha！He，he！Hi，hi！“
Thenoutstartedthesixthfairy，who，ofcourse，theothershadarrangedshouldcomeafterthewickedone，inordertoundoasmuchasshemight。
“Ifshesleepallday。”shesaid，mournfully，“sheshall，atleast，wakeallnight。”
“Aniceprospectforhermotherandme！“thoughtthepoorking;
fortheylovedherfartoomuchtogiveheruptonurses，especiallyatnight，asmostkingsandqueensdo——andaresorryforitafterwards。
“YouspokebeforeIhaddone。”saidthewickedfairy。“That’sagainstthelaw。Itgivesmeanotherchance。”
“Ibegyourpardon。”saidtheotherfairies，alltogether。
“Shedid。Ihadn’tdonelaughing。”saidthecrone。“IhadonlygottoHi，hi！andIhadtogothroughHo，ho！andHu，hu！SoIdecreethatifshewakesallnightsheshallwaxandwanewithitsmistress，themoon。AndwhatthatmaymeanIhopeherroyalparentswilllivetosee。Ho，ho！Hu，hu！“
Butoutsteppedanotherfairy，fortheyhadbeenwiseenoughtokeeptwoinreserve，becauseeveryfairyknewthetrickofone。
“Until。”saidtheseventhfairy，“aprincecomeswhoshallkissherwithoutknowingit。”
Thewickedfairymadeahorridnoiselikeanangrycat，andhobbledaway。
Shecouldnotpretendthatshehadnotfinishedherspeechthistime，forshehadlaughedHo，ho！andHu，hu！
“Idon’tknowwhatthatmeans。”saidthepoorkingtotheseventhfairy。
“Don’tbeafraid。Themeaningwillcomewiththethingitself。”
saidshe。
Theassemblybrokeup，miserableenough——thequeen，atleast，preparedforagoodmanysleeplessnights，andtheladyattheheadofthenurserydepartmentanythingbutcomfortableintheprospectbeforeher，forofcoursethequeencouldnotdoitall。Asfortheking，hemadeuphismind，withwhatcouragehecouldsummon，tomeetthedemandsofthecase，butwonderedwhetherhecouldwithanyproprietyrequiretheFirstLordoftheTreasurytotakeashareintheburdenlaiduponhim。
Iwillnotattempttodescribewhattheyhadtogothroughforsometime。
Butatlastthehouseholdsettledintoaregularsystem——averyirregularoneinsomerespects。ForatcertainseasonsthepalacerangallnightwithburstsoflaughterfromlittleDaylight，whosehearttheoldfairy’scursecouldnotreach;shewasDaylightstill，onlyalittleinthewrongplace，forshealwaysdroppedasleepatthefirsthintofdawnintheeast。Buthermerrimentwasofshortduration。
Whenthemoonwasatthefull，shewasingloriousspirits，andasbeautifulasitwaspossibleforachildofheragetobe。
Butasthemoonwaned，shefaded，untilatlastshewaswanandwitheredlikethepoorest，sickliestchildyoumightcomeuponinthestreetsofagreatcityinthearmsofahomelessmother。
Thenthenightwasquietastheday，forthelittlecreaturelayinhergorgeouscradlenightanddaywithhardlyamotion，andindeedatlastwithoutevenamoan，likeonedead。Atfirsttheyoftenthoughtshewasdead，butatlasttheygotusedtoit，andonlyconsultedthealmanactofindthemomentwhenshewouldbegintorevive，which，ofcourse，waswiththefirstappearanceofthesilverthreadofthecrescentmoon。Thenshewouldmoveherlips，andtheywouldgiveheralittlenourishment;andshewouldgrowbetterandbetterandbetter，untilforafewdaysshewassplendidlywell。
Whenwell，shewasalwaysmerriestoutinthemoonlight;butevenwhennearherworst，sheseemedbetterwhen，inwarmsummernights，theycarriedhercradleoutintothelightofthewaningmoon。
Theninhersleepshewouldsmilethefaintest，mostpitifulsmile。
Foralongtimeveryfewpeopleeversawherawake。Asshegrewoldershebecamesuchafavourite，however，thataboutthepalacetherewerealwayssomewhowouldcontrivetokeepawakeatnight，inordertobenearher。Butshesoonbegantotakeeverychanceofgettingawayfromhernursesandenjoyinghermoonlightalone。
Andthusthingswentonuntilshewasnearlyseventeenyearsofage。
Herfatherandmotherhadbythattimegotsousedtotheoddstateofthingsthattheyhadceasedtowonderatthem。AlltheirarrangementshadreferencetothestateofthePrincessDaylight，anditisamazinghowthingscontrivetoaccommodatethemselves。
Buthowanyprincewasevertofindanddeliverher，appearedinconceivable。
Asshegrewoldershehadgrownmoreandmorebeautiful，withthesunniesthairandtheloveliesteyesofheavenlyblue，brilliantandprofoundastheskyofaJuneday。Butsomuchmorepainfulandsadwasthechangeasherbadtimecameon。Themorebeautifulshewasinthefullmoon，themorewitheredandworndidshebecomeasthemoonwaned。Atthetimeatwhichmystoryhasnowarrived，shelooked，whenthemoonwassmallorgone，likeanoldwomanexhaustedwithsuffering。Thiswasthemorepainfulthatherappearancewasunnatural;forherhairandeyesdidnotchange。
Herwanfacewasbothdrawnandwrinkled，andhadaneagerhungrylook。
Herskinnyhandsmovedasifwishing，butunable，tolayholdofsomething。Hershoulderswerebentforward，herchestwentin，andshestoopedasifshewereeightyyearsold。Atlastshehadtobeputtobed，andthereawaittheflowofthetideoflife。
Butshegrewtodislikebeingseen，stillmorebeingtouchedbyanyhands，duringthisseason。Onelovelysummerevening，whenthemoonlayallbutgoneuponthevergeofthehorizon，shevanishedfromherattendants，anditwasonlyaftersearchingforheralongtimeingreatterror，thattheyfoundherfastasleepintheforest，atthefootofasilverbirch，andcarriedherhome。
Alittlewayfromthepalacetherewasagreatopenglade，coveredwiththegreenestandsoftestgrass。Thiswasherfavouritehaunt;
forherethefullmoonshonefreeandglorious，whilethroughavistainthetreesshecouldgenerallyseemoreorlessofthedyingmoonasitcrossedtheopening。Hereshehadalittlerustichousebuiltforher，andhereshemostlyresided。Noneofthecourtmightgotherewithoutleave，andherownattendantshadlearnedbythistimenottobeofficiousinwaitinguponher，sothatshewasverymuchatliberty。WhetherthegoodfairieshadanythingtodowithitornotIcannottell，butatlastshegotintothewayofretreatingfurtherintothewoodeverynightasthemoonwaned，sothatsometimestheyhadgreattroubleinfindingher;butasshewasalwaysveryangryifshediscoveredtheywerewatchingher，theyscarcelydaredtodoso。Atlengthonenighttheythoughttheyhadlostheraltogether。Itwasmorningbeforetheyfoundher。
Feebleasshewas，shehadwanderedintoathicketalongwayfromtheglade，andthereshelay——fastasleep，ofcourse。
Althoughthefameofherbeautyandsweetnesshadgoneabroad，yetaseverybodyknewshewasunderabadspell，nokingintheneighbourhoodhadanydesiretohaveherforadaughter-in-law。
Therewereseriousobjectionstosucharelation。
Aboutthistimeinaneighbouringkingdom，inconsequenceofthewickednessofthenobles，aninsurrectiontookplaceuponthedeathoftheoldking，thegreaterpartofthenobilitywasmassacred，andtheyoungprincewascompelledtofleeforhislife，disguisedlikeapeasant。Forsometime，untilhegotoutofthecountry，hesufferedmuchfromhungerandfatigue;butwhenhegotintothatruledbytheprincess’sfather，andhadnolongeranyfearofbeingrecognised，hefaredbetter，forthepeoplewerekind。
Hedidnotabandonhisdisguise，however。Onetolerablereasonwasthathehadnootherclothestoputon，andanotherthathehadverylittlemoney，anddidnotknowwheretogetanymore。
Therewasnogoodintellingeverybodyhemetthathewasaprince，forhefeltthataprinceoughttobeabletogetonlikeotherpeople，elsehisrankonlymadeafoolofhim。Hehadreadofprincessettingoutuponadventure;andherehewasoutinsimilarcase，onlywithouthavinghadachoiceinthematter。Hewouldgoon，andseewhatwouldcomeofit。
Foradayortwohehadbeenwalkingthroughthepalace-wood，andhadhadnexttonothingtoeat，whenhecameuponthestrangestlittlehouse，inhabitedbyaverynice，tidy，motherlyoldwoman。
Thiswasoneofthegoodfairies。Themomentshesawhimsheknewquitewellwhohewasandwhatwasgoingtocomeofit;butshewasnotatlibertytointerferewiththeorderlymarchofevents。Shereceivedhimwiththekindnessshewouldhaveshowntoanyothertraveller，andgavehimbreadandmilk，whichhethoughtthemostdeliciousfoodhehadevertasted，wonderingthattheydidnothaveitfordinneratthepalacesometimes。Theoldwomanpressedhimtostayallnight。
Whenheawokehewasamazedtofindhowwellandstronghefelt。
Shewouldnottakeanyofthemoneyheoffered，butbeggedhim，ifhefoundoccasionofcontinuingintheneighbourhood，toreturnandoccupythesamequarters。
“Thankyoumuch，goodmother。”answeredtheprince;“butthereislittlechanceofthat。ThesoonerIgetoutofthiswoodthebetter。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidthefairy。
“Whatdoyoumean？”askedtheprince。
“Why，howshouldIknow？”returnedshe。
“Ican’ttell。”saidtheprince。
“Verywell。”saidthefairy。
“Howstrangelyyoutalk！“saidtheprince。
“DoI？”saidthefairy。
“Yes，youdo。”saidtheprince。
“Verywell。”saidthefairy。
Theprincewasnotusedtobespokentointhisfashion，sohefeltalittleangry，andturnedandwalkedaway。Butthisdidnotoffendthefairy。Shestoodatthedoorofherlittlehouselookingafterhimtillthetreeshidhimquite。Thenshesaid“Atlast！“
andwentin。
Theprincewanderedandwandered，andgotnowhere。Thesunsankandsankandwentoutofsight，andheseemednonearertheendofthewoodthanever。Hesatdownonafallentree，ateabitofbreadtheoldwomanhadgivenhim，andwaitedforthemoon;
for，althoughhewasnotmuchofanastronomer，heknewthemoonwouldrisesometime，becauseshehadrisenthenightbefore。
Upshecame，slowandslow，butofagoodsize，prettynearlyroundindeed;whereupon，greatlyrefreshedwithhispieceofbread，hegotupandwent——heknewnotwhither。
Afterwalkingaconsiderabledistance，hethoughthewascomingtotheoutsideoftheforest;butwhenhereachedwhathethoughtthelastofit，hefoundhimselfonlyupontheedgeofagreatopenspaceinit，coveredwithgrass。Themoonshoneverybright，andhethoughthehadneverseenamorelovelyspot。Stillitlookeddrearybecauseofitsloneliness，forhecouldnotseethehouseattheotherside。Hesatdown，wearyagain，andgazedintotheglade。
Hehadnotseensomuchroomforseveraldays。
Allatoncehespiedsomethinginthemiddleofthegrass。
Whatcoulditbe？Itmoved;itcamenearer。Wasitahumancreature，glidingacross——agirldressedinwhite，gleaminginthemoonshine？
Shecamenearerandnearer。Hecreptbehindatreeandwatched，wondering。Itmustbesomestrangebeingofthewood——anymphwhomthemoonlightandthewarmduskyairhadenticedfromhertree。