第8章
Butwhenshecameclosetowherehestood，henolongerdoubtedshewashuman——forhehadcaughtsightofhersunnyhair，andherclearblueeyes，andtheloveliestfaceandformthathehadeverseen。
Allatonceshebegansinginglikeanightingale，anddancingtoherownmusic，withhereyeseverturnedtowardsthemoon。
Shepassedclosetowherehestood，dancingonbytheedgeofthetreesandawayinagreatcircletowardstheotherside，untilhecouldseebutaspotofwhiteintheyellowishgreenofthemoonlitgrass。
Butwhenhefeareditwouldvanishquite，thespotgrew，andbecameafigureoncemore。Sheapproachedhimagain，singinganddancing，andwavingherarmsoverherhead，untilshehadcompletedthecircle。
Justoppositehistreeshestood，ceasedhersong，droppedherarms，andbrokeoutintoalongclearlaugh，musicalasabrook。Then，asiftired，shethrewherselfonthegrass，andlaygazingatthemoon。
Theprincewasalmostafraidtobreathelestheshouldstartleher，andsheshouldvanishfromhissight。Astoventuringnearher，thatnevercameintohishead。
Shehadlainforalonghourorlonger，whentheprincebeganagaintodoubtconcerningher。Perhapsshewasbutavisionofhisownfancy。
Orwassheaspiritofthewood，afterall？Ifso，hetoowouldhauntthewood，gladtohavelostkingdomandeverythingforthehopeofbeingnearher。Hewouldbuildhimahutintheforest，andtherehewouldliveforthepurechanceofseeingheragain。
Uponnightslikethisatleastshewouldcomeoutandbaskinthemoonlight，andmakehissoulblessed。Butwhilehethusdreamedshesprangtoherfeet，turnedherfacefulltothemoon，andbegansingingasshewoulddrawherdownfromtheskybythepowerofherentrancingvoice。Shelookedmorebeautifulthanever。
Againshebegandancingtoherownmusic，anddancedawayintothedistance。Oncemoreshereturnedinasimilarmanner;
butalthoughhewaswatchingaseagerlyasbefore，whatwithfatigueandwhatwithgazing，hefellfastasleepbeforeshecamenearhim。
Whenheawokeitwasbroaddaylight，andtheprincesswasnowhere。
Hecouldnotleavetheplace。Whatifsheshouldcomethenextnight！
Hewouldgladlyendureaday’shungertoseeheryetagain:
hewouldbucklehisbeltquitetight。Hewalkedroundthegladetoseeifhecoulddiscoveranyprintsofherfeet。Butthegrasswassoshort，andherstepshadbeensolight，thatshehadnotleftasingletracebehindher。Hewalkedhalf-wayroundthewoodwithoutseeinganythingtoaccountforherpresence。Thenhespiedalovelylittlehouse，withthatchedroofandloweaves，surroundedbyanexquisitegarden，withdovesandpeacockswalkinginit。Ofcoursethismustbewherethegraciousladywholovedthemoonlightlived。Forgettinghisappearance，hewalkedtowardsthedoor，determinedtomakeinquiries，butashepassedalittlepondfullofgoldandsilverfishes，hecaughtsightofhimselfandturnedtofindthedoortothekitchen。Thereheknocked，andaskedforapieceofbread。Thegood-naturedcookbroughthimin，andgavehimanexcellentbreakfast，whichtheprincefoundnothingtheworseforbeingservedinthekitchen。Whileheate，hetalkedwithhisentertainer，andlearnedthatthiswasthefavouriteretreatofthePrincessDaylight。Buthelearnednothingmore，bothbecausehewasafraidofseeminginquisitive，andbecausethecookdidnotchoosetobeheardtalkingabouthermistresstoapeasantladwhohadbeggedforhisbreakfast。
Asherosetotakehisleave，itoccurredtohimthathemightnotbesofarfromtheoldwoman’scottageashehadthought，andheaskedthecookwhethersheknewanythingofsuchaplace，describingitaswellashecould。Shesaidsheknewitwellenough，addingwithasmile——
“It’sthereyou’regoing，isit？”
“Yes，ifit’snotfaroff。”
“It’snotmorethanthreemiles。Butmindwhatyouareabout，youknow。”
“Whydoyousaythat？”
“Ifyou’reafteranymischief，she’llmakeyourepentit。”
“Thebestthingthatcouldhappenunderthecircumstances。”
remarkedtheprince。
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？”askedthecook。
“Why，itstandstoreason。”answeredtheprince“thatifyouwishtodoanythingwrong，thebestthingforyouistobemadetorepentofit。”
“Isee。”saidthecook。“Well，Ithinkyoumayventure。
She’sagoodoldsoul。”
“Whichwaydoesitliefromhere？”askedtheprince。
Shegavehimfullinstructions;andheleftherwithmanythanks。
Beingnowrefreshed，however，theprincedidnotgobacktothecottagethatday:heremainedintheforest，amusinghimselfasbesthecould，butwaitinganxiouslyforthenight，inthehopethattheprincesswouldagainappear。Norwashedisappointed，for，directlythemoonrose，hespiedaglimmeringshapefaracrosstheglade。
Asitdrewnearer，hesawitwassheindeed——notdressedinwhiteasbefore:inapalebluelikethesky，shelookedlovelierstill。
Hethoughtitwasthatthebluesuitedheryetbetterthanthewhite;
hedidnotknowthatshewasreallymorebeautifulbecausethemoonwasnearerthefull。Infactthenextnightwasfullmoon，andtheprincesswouldthenbeatthezenithofherloveliness。
Theprincefearedforsometimethatshewasnotcomingnearhishiding-placethatnight;butthecirclesinherdanceeverwidenedasthemoonrose，untilatlasttheyembracedthewholeglade，andshecamestillclosertothetreeswherehewashidingthanshehadcomethenightbefore。Hewasentrancedwithherloveliness，foritwasindeedamarvellousthing。Allnightlonghewatchedher，butdarednotgonearher。Hewouldhavebeenashamedofwatchinghertoo，hadhenotbecomealmostincapableofthinkingofanythingbuthowbeautifulshewas。Hewatchedthewholenightlong，andsawthatasthemoonwentdownsheretreatedinsmallerandsmallercircles，untilatlasthecouldseehernomore。
Wearyashewas，hesetoutfortheoldwoman’scottage，wherehearrivedjustintimeforherbreakfast，whichshesharedwithhim。
Hethenwenttobed，andsleptformanyhours。Whenheawokethesunwasdown，andhedepartedingreatanxietylestheshouldloseaglimpseofthelovelyvision。But，whetheritwasbythemachinationsoftheswamp-fairy，ormerelythatitisonethingtogoandanothertoreturnbythesameroad，helosthisway。
Ishallnotattempttodescribehismiserywhenthemoonrose，andhesawnothingbuttrees，trees，trees。
Shewashighintheheavensbeforehereachedtheglade。
Thenindeedhistroublesvanished，fortherewastheprincesscomingdancingtowardshim，inadressthatshonelikegold，andwithshoesthatglimmeredthroughthegrasslikefireflies。
Shewasofcoursestillmorebeautifulthanbefore。Likeanembodiedsunbeamshepassedhim，anddancedawayintothedistance。
Beforeshereturnedinhercircle，thecloudshadbeguntogatheraboutthemoon。Thewindrose，thetreesmoaned，andtheirlighterbranchesleanedallonewaybeforeit。Theprincefearedthattheprincesswouldgoin，andheshouldseehernomorethatnight。
Butshecamedancingonmorejubilantthanever，hergoldendressandhersunnyhairstreamingoutupontheblast，wavingherarmstowardsthemoon，andintheexuberanceofherdelightorderingthecloudsawayfromoffherface。Theprincecouldhardlybelieveshewasnotacreatureoftheelements，afterall。
Bythetimeshehadcompletedanothercircle，thecloudshadgathereddeep，andthereweregrowlingsofdistantthunder。
Justasshepassedthetreewherehestood，aflashoflightningblindedhimforamoment，andwhenhesawagain，tohishorror，theprincesslayontheground。Hedartedtoher，thinkingshehadbeenstruck;butwhensheheardhimcoming，shewasonherfeetinamoment。
“Whatdoyouwant？”sheasked。
“Ibegyourpardon。Ithought——thelightning“saidtheprince，hesitating。
“There’snothingthematter。”saidtheprincess，wavinghimoffratherhaughtily。
Thepoorprinceturnedandwalkedtowardsthewood。
“Comeback。”saidDaylight:“Ilikeyou。Youdowhatyouaretold。
Areyougood？”
“NotsogoodasIshouldliketobe。”saidtheprince。
“Thengoandgrowbetter。”saidtheprincess。
Againthedisappointedprinceturnedandwent。
“Comeback。”saidtheprincess。
Heobeyed，andstoodbeforeherwaiting。
“Canyoutellmewhatthesunislike？”sheasked。
“No。”heanswered。“Butwhere’sthegoodofaskingwhatyouknow？”
“ButIdon’tknow。”sherejoined。
“Why，everybodyknows。”
“That’stheverything:I’mnoteverybody。I’veneverseenthesun。”
“Thenyoucan’tknowwhatit’sliketillyoudoseeit。”
“Ithinkyoumustbeaprince。”saidtheprincess。
“DoIlooklikeone？”saidtheprince。
“Ican’tquitesaythat。”
“Thenwhydoyouthinkso？”
“Becauseyoubothdowhatyouaretoldandspeakthetruth——
Isthesunsoverybright？”
“Asbrightasthelightning。”
“Butitdoesn’tgooutlikethat，doesit？”
“Oh，no。Itshineslikethemoon，risesandsetslikethemoon，ismuchthesameshapeasthemoon，onlysobrightthatyoucan’tlookatitforamoment。”
“ButIwouldlookatit。”saidtheprincess。
“Butyoucouldn’t。”saidtheprince。
“ButIcould。”saidtheprincess。
“Whydon’tyou，then？”
“BecauseIcan’t。”
“Whycan’tyou？”
“BecauseIcan’twake。AndInevershallwakeuntil——“
Hereshehidherfaceinherhands，turnedaway，andwalkedintheslowest，stateliestmannertowardsthehouse。Theprinceventuredtofollowheratalittledistance，butsheturnedandmadearepellentgesture，which，likeatruegentleman-prince，heobeyedatonce。
Hewaitedalongtime，butasshedidnotcomenearhimagain，andasthenighthadnowcleared，hesetoffatlastfortheoldwoman’scottage。
Itwaslongpastmidnightwhenhereachedit，but，tohissurprise，theoldwomanwasparingpotatoesatthedoor。Fairiesarefondofdoingoddthings。Indeed，howevertheymaydissemble，thenightisalwaystheirday。Andsoitiswithallwhohavefairybloodinthem。
“Why，whatareyoudoingthere，thistimeofthenight，mother？”
saidtheprince;forthatwasthekindwayinwhichanyyoungmaninhiscountrywouldaddressawomanwhowasmucholderthanhimself。
“Gettingyoursupperready，myson。”sheanswered。
“Oh，Idon’twantanysupper。”saidtheprince。
“Ah！you’veseenDaylight。”saidshe。
“I’veseenaprincesswhoneversawit。”saidtheprince。
“Doyoulikeher？”askedthefairy。
“Oh！don’tI？”saidtheprince。“Morethanyouwouldbelieve，mother。”
“Afairycanbelieveanythingthateverwasorevercouldbe。”
saidtheoldwoman。
“Thenareyouafairy？”askedtheprince。
“Yes。”saidshe。
“Thenwhatdoyoudoforthingsnottobelieve？”askedtheprince。
“There’splentyofthem——everythingthatneverwasnorevercouldbe。”
“Plenty，Igrantyou。”saidtheprince。“Butdoyoubelievetherecouldbeaprincesswhoneversawthedaylight？Doyoubelievethatnow？”
Thistheprincesaid，notthathedoubtedtheprincess，butthathewantedthefairytotellhimmore。
Shewastoooldafairy，however，tobecaughtsoeasily。
“Ofallpeople，fairiesmustnottellsecrets。Besides，she’saprincess。”
“Well，I’lltellyouasecret。I’maprince。”
“Iknowthat。”
“Howdoyouknowit？”
“Bythecurlofthethirdeyelashonyourlefteyelid。”
“Whichcornerdoyoucountfrom？”
“That’sasecret。”
“Anothersecret？Well，atleast，ifIamaprince，therecanbenoharmintellingmeaboutaprincess。”
“It’sjusttheprincesIcan’ttell。”
“Thereain’tanymoreofthem——arethere？”saidtheprince。
“What！youdon’tthinkyou’retheonlyprinceintheworld，doyou？”
“Oh，dear，no！notatall。ButIknowthere’sonetoomanyjustatpresent，excepttheprincess——“
“Yes，yes，that’sit。”saidthefairy。
“What’sit？”askedtheprince。
Buthecouldgetnothingmoreoutofthefairy，andhadtogotobedunanswered，whichwassomethingofatrial。
Nowwickedfairieswillnotbeboundbythelawwhichthegoodfairiesobey，andthisalwaysseemstogivethebadtheadvantageoverthegood，fortheyusemeanstogaintheirendswhichtheotherswillnot。
Butitisallofnoconsequence，forwhattheydoneversucceeds;nay，intheenditbringsabouttheverythingtheyaretryingtoprevent。
Soyouseethatsomehow，foralltheircleverness，wickedfairiesaredreadfullystupid，for，althoughfromthebeginningoftheworldtheyhavereallyhelpedinsteadofthwartingthegoodfairies，notoneofthemisabitwiserforit。Shewilltrythebadthingjustastheyalldidbeforeher;andsucceedsnobetterofcourse。
Theprincehadsofarstolenamarchupontheswamp-fairythatshedidnotknowhewasintheneighbourhooduntilafterhehadseentheprincessthosethreetimes。Whensheknewit，sheconsoledherselfbythinkingthattheprincessmustbefartooproudandtoomodestforanyyoungmantoventureeventospeaktoherbeforehehadseenhersixtimesatleast。Buttherewasevenlessdangerthanthewickedfairythought;for，howevermuchtheprincessmightdesiretobesetfree，shewasdreadfullyafraidofthewrongprince。Now，however，thefairywasgoingtodoallshecould。
Shesocontriveditbyherdeceitfulspells，thatthenextnighttheprincecouldnotbyanyendeavourfindhiswaytotheglade。
Itwouldtakemetoolongtotellhertricks。Theywouldbeamusingtous，whoknowthattheycouldnotdoanyharm，buttheyweresomethingotherthanamusingtothepoorprince。
Hewanderedabouttheforesttilldaylight，andthenfellfastasleep。
Thesamethingoccurredforsevenfollowingdays，duringwhichneithercouldhefindthegoodfairy’scottage。Afterthethirdquarterofthemoon，however，thebadfairythoughtshemightbeateaseabouttheaffairforafortnightatleast，fortherewasnochanceoftheprincewishingtokisstheprincessduringthatperiod。
Sothefirstdayofthefourthquarterhedidfindthecottage，andthenextdayhefoundtheglade。Fornearlyanotherweekhehauntedit。
Buttheprincessnevercame。Ihavelittledoubtshewasonthefartheredgeofitsomepartofeverynight，butatthisperiodshealwaysworeblack，and，therebeinglittleornolight，theprinceneversawher。Norwouldhehaveknownherifhehadseenher。
Howcouldhehavetakentheworndecrepitcreatureshewasnow，forthegloriousPrincessDaylight？
Atlast，onenightwhentherewasnomoonatall，heventurednearthehouse。Thereheheardvoicestalking，althoughitwaspastmidnight;
forherwomenwereinconsiderableuneasiness，becausetheonewhoseturnitwastowatchherhadfallenasleep，andhadnotseenwhichwayshewent，andthiswasanightwhenshewouldprobablywanderveryfar，describingacirclewhichdidnottouchtheopengladeatall，butstretchedawayfromthebackofthehouse，deepintothatsideoftheforest——apartofwhichtheprinceknewnothing。
Whenheunderstoodfromwhattheysaidthatshehaddisappeared，andthatshemusthavegonesomewhereinthesaiddirection，heplungedatonceintothewoodtoseeifhecouldfindher。
Forhoursheroamedwithnothingtoguidehimbutthevaguenotionofacirclewhichononesideborderedonthehouse，forsomuchhadhepickedupfromthetalkhehadoverheard。
Itwasgettingtowardsthedawn，butasyettherewasnostreakoflightinthesky，whenhecametoagreatbirch-tree，andsatdownwearyatthefootofit。Whilehesat——verymiserable，youmaybesure——
fulloffearfortheprincess，andwonderinghowherattendantscouldtakeitsoquietly，hebethoughthimselfthatitwouldnotbeabadplantolightafire，which，ifshewereanywherenear，wouldattracther。Thishemanagedwithatinder-box，whichthegoodfairyhadgivenhim。Itwasjustbeginningtoblazeup，whenheheardamoan，whichseemedtocomefromtheothersideofthetree。Hesprungtohisfeet，buthisheartthrobbedsothathehadtoleanforamomentagainstthetreebeforehecouldmove。
Whenhegotround，therelayahumanforminalittledarkheapontheearth。Therewaslightenoughfromhisfiretoshowthatitwasnottheprincess。Helifteditinhisarms，hardlyheavierthanachild，andcarriedittotheflame。Thecountenancewasthatofanoldwoman，butithadafearfullystrangelook。
Ablackhoodconcealedherhair，andhereyeswereclosed。
Helaidherdownascomfortablyashecould，chafedherhands，putalittlecordialfromabottle，alsothegiftofthefairy，intohermouth;tookoffhiscoatandwrappeditabouther，andinshortdidthebesthecould。Inalittlewhilesheopenedhereyesandlookedathim——sopitifully！Thetearsroseandflowedfromhergreywrinkledcheeks，butshesaidneveraword。
Sheclosedhereyesagain，butthetearskeptonflowing，andherwholeappearancewassoutterlypitifulthattheprincewasnearcryingtoo。Hebeggedhertotellhimwhatwasthematter，promisingtodoallhecouldtohelpher;butstillshedidnotspeak。
Hethoughtshewasdying，andtookherinhisarmsagaintocarryhertotheprincess’shouse，wherehethoughtthegood-naturedcookmightheabletodosomethingforher。Whenheliftedher，thetearsflowedyetfaster，andshegavesuchasadmoanthatitwenttohisveryheart。
“Mother，mother！“hesaid。“Poormother！“andkissedheronthewitheredlips。
Shestarted;andwhateyestheywerethatopeneduponhim！
Buthedidnotseethem，foritwasstillverydark，andhehadenoughtodotomakehiswaythroughthetreestowardsthehouse。
Justasheapproachedthedoor，feelingmoretiredthanhecouldhaveimaginedpossible——shewassuchalittlethinoldthing——
shebegantomove，andbecamesorestlessthat，unabletocarryheramomentlonger，hethoughttolayheronthegrass。Butshestooduprightonherfeet。Herhoodhaddropped，andherhairfellabouther。
Thefirstgleamofthemorningwascaughtonherface:thatfacewasbrightasthenever-agingDawn，andhereyeswerelovelyastheskyofdarkestblue。Theprincerecoiledinovermasteringwonder。
ItwasDaylightherselfwhomhehadbroughtfromtheforest！
Hefellatherfeet，nordaredtolookupuntilshelaidherhanduponhishead。Herosethen。
“YoukissedmewhenIwasanoldwoman:there！IkissyouwhenI
amayoungprincess。”murmuredDaylight——“Isthatthesuncoming？”
CHAPTERXXIX
RUBY
THEchildrenweredelightedwiththestory，andmademanyamusingremarksuponit。Mr。Raymondpromisedtosearchhisbrainforanother，andwhenhehadfoundonetobringittothem。DiamondhavingtakenleaveofNanny，andpromisedtogoandseeheragainsoon，wentawaywithhim。
NowMr。RaymondhadbeenturningoverinhismindwhathecoulddobothforDiamondandforNanny。HehadthereforemadesomeacquaintancewithDiamond’sfather，andhadbeengreatlypleasedwithhim。
Buthehadcometotheresolution，beforehedidanythingsogoodashewouldliketodoforthem，toputthemalltoacertaintest。
Soastheywalkedawaytogether，hebegantotalkwithDiamondasfollows:——
“Nannymustleavethehospitalsoon，Diamond。”
“I’mgladofthat，sir。”
“Why？Don’tyouthinkit’saniceplace？”
“Yes，very。Butit’sbettertobewellanddoingsomething，youknow，evenifit’snotquitesocomfortable。”
“Buttheycan’tkeepNannysolongastheywouldlike。Theycan’tkeephertillshe’squitestrong。Therearealwayssomanysickchildrentheywanttotakeinandmakebetter。Andthequestionis，Whatwillshedowhentheysendheroutagain？”
“That’sjustwhatIcan’ttell，thoughI’vebeenthinkingofitoverandover，sir。Hercrossingwastakenlongago，andIcouldn’tbeartoseeNannyfightingforit，especiallywithsuchapoorfellowashastakenit。He’squitelame，sir。”
“Shedoesn’tlookmuchlikefighting，now，doesshe，Diamond？”
“No，sir。Shelookstoolikeanangel。Angelsdon’tfight——
dothey，sir？”
“Nottogetthingsforthemselves，atleast。”saidMr。Raymond。
“Besides。”addedDiamond，“Idon’tquiteseethatshewouldhaveanybetterrighttothecrossingthantheboywhohasgotit。
Nobodygaveittoher;sheonlytookit。Andnowhehastakenit。”
“Ifsheweretosweepacrossing——soonatleast——aftertheillnessshehashad，shewouldbelaidupagaintheveryfirstwetday。”
saidMr。Raymond。
“Andthere’shardlyanymoneytobegotexceptonthewetdays。”
remarkedDiamondreflectively。“Istherenothingelseshecoulddo，sir？”
“Notwithoutbeingtaught，I’mafraid。”
“Well，couldn’tsomebodyteachhersomething？”
“Couldn’tyouteachher，Diamond？”
“Idon’tknowanythingmyself，sir。Icouldteachhertodressthe，baby;butnobodywouldgiveheranythingfordoingthingslikethat:
theyaresoeasy。Therewouldn’tbemuchgoodinteachinghertodriveacab，forwherewouldshegetthecabtodrive？
Thereain’tfathersandoldDiamondseverywhere。AtleastpoorNannycan’tfindanyofthem，Idoubt。”
“Perhapsifsheweretaughttobeniceandclean，andonlyspeakgentlewords“
“Mothercouldteachherthat。”interruptedDiamond。
“Andtodressbabies，andfeedthem，andtakecareofthem。”
Mr。Raymondproceeded，“shemightgetaplaceasanursesomewhere，youknow。Peopledogivemoneyforthat。”
“ThenI’llaskmother。”saidDiamond。
“Butyou’llhavetogiveherherfoodthen;andyourfather，notbeingstrong，hasenoughtodoalreadywithoutthat。”
“Buthere’sme。”saidDiamond:“Ihelphimoutwithit。Whenhe’stiredofdriving，upIget。Itdon’tmakeanydifferencetooldDiamond。
Idon’tmeanhelikesmeaswellasmyfather——ofcoursehecan’t，youknow——nobodycould;buthedoeshisdutyallthesame。
It’sgottobedone，youknow，sir;andDiamond’sagoodhorse——
isn’the，sir？”
“FromyourdescriptionIshouldsaycertainly;butIhavenotthepleasureofhisacquaintancemyself。”
“Don’tyouthinkhewillgotoheaven，sir？”
“ThatIdon’tknowanythingabout。”saidMr。Raymond。“IconfessIshouldbegladtothinkso。”headded，smilingthoughtfully。
“I’msurehe’llgettothebackofthenorthwind，anyhow。”
saidDiamondtohimself;buthehadlearnedtobeverycarefulofsayingsuchthingsaloud。
“Isn’titrathertoomuchforhimtogointhecaballdayandeveryday？”resumedMr。Raymond。
“Sofathersays，whenhefeelshisribsofamorning。Butthenhesaystheoldhorsedoeatwell，andthemomenthe’shadhissupper，downhegoes，andnevergetsuptillhe’scalled;and，forthelegsofhim，fathersaysthatmakesnoendofadiffer。Somehorses，sir！theywon’tliedownallnightlong，butgotosleepontheirfourpins，likeahaystack，fathersays。Ithinkit’sverystupidofthem，andsodoesoldDiamond。ButthenIsupposetheydon’tknowbetter，andsotheycan’thelpit。Wemustn’tbetooharduponthem，fathersays。”
“Yourfathermustbeagoodman，Diamond。”DiamondlookedupinMr。Raymond’sface，wonderingwhathecouldmean。
“Isaidyourfathermustbeagoodman，Diamond。”
“Ofcourse。”saidDiamond。“Howcouldhedriveacabifhewasn’t？”
“Therearesomemenwhodrivecabswhoarenotverygood。”
objectedMr。Raymond。
Diamondrememberedthedrunkencabman，andsawthathisfriendwasright。
“Ah，but。”hereturned，“hemustbe，youknow，withsuchahorseasoldDiamond。”
“Thatdoesmakeadifference。”saidMr。Raymond。“Butitisquiteenoughthatheisagoodmanwithoutourtryingtoaccountforit。
Now，ifyoulike，IwillgiveyouaproofthatIthinkhimagoodman。
IamgoingawayontheContinentforawhile——forthreemonths，Ibelieve——andIamgoingtoletmyhousetoagentlemanwhodoesnotwanttheuseofmybrougham。Myhorseisnearlyasold，Ifancy，asyourDiamond，butIdon’twanttopartwithhim，andIdon’twanthimtobeidle;fornobody，asyousay，oughttobeidle;
butneitherdoIwanthimtobeworkedveryhard。Now，ithascomeintomyheadthatperhapsyourfatherwouldtakechargeofhim，andworkhimundercertainconditions。”
“Myfatherwilldowhat’sright。”saidDiamond。“I’msureofthat。”
“Well，soIthink。Willyouaskhimwhenhecomeshometocallandhavealittlechatwithme——to-day，sometime？”
“Hemusthavehisdinnerfirst。”saidDiamond。“No，he’sgothisdinnerwithhimto-day。Itmustbeafterhe’shadhistea。”
“Ofcourse，ofcourse。Anytimewilldo。Ishallbeathomeallday。”
“Verywell，sir。Iwilltellhim。Youmaybesurehewillcome。
Myfatherthinksyouaverykindgentleman，andIknowheisright，forIknowyourveryownself，sir。”
Mr。Raymondsmiled，andastheyhadnowreachedhisdoor，theyparted，andDiamondwenthome。Assoonashisfatherenteredthehouse，DiamondgavehimMr。Raymond’smessage，andrecountedtheconversationthathadprecededit。Hisfathersaidlittle，buttookthought-saucetohisbreadandbutter，andassoonashehadfinishedhismeal，rose，saying:
“Iwillgotoyourfrienddirectly，Diamond。Itwouldbeagrandthingtogetalittlemoremoney。Wedowantit。”DiamondaccompaniedhisfathertoMr。Raymond’sdoor，andtherelefthim。
HewasshownatonceintoMr。Raymond’sstudy，wherehegazedwithsomewonderatthemultitudeofbooksonthewalls，andthoughtwhatalearnedmanMr。Raymondmustbe。
PresentlyMr。Raymondentered，andaftersayingmuchthesameabouthisoldhorse，madethefollowingdistinctproposal——
onenotover-advantageoustoDiamond’sfather，butforwhichhehadreasons——namely，thatJosephshouldhavetheuseofMr。Raymond’shorsewhilehewasaway，onconditionthatheneverworkedhimmorethansixhoursaday，andfedhimwell，andthat，besides，heshouldtakeNannyhomeassoonasshewasabletoleavethehospital，andprovideforherasoneofhisownchildren，neitherbetternorworse——solong，thatis，ashehadthehorse。
Diamond’sfathercouldnothelpthinkingitaprettyclosebargain。
Heshouldhaveboththegirlandthehorsetofeed，andonlysixhours’
workoutofthehorse。
“Itwillsaveyourownhorse。”saidMr。Raymond。
“Thatistrue。”answeredJoseph;“butallIcangetbymyownhorseisonlyenoughtokeepus，andifIsavehimandfeedyourhorseandthegirl——don’tyousee，sir？”
“Well，youcangohomeandthinkaboutit，andletmeknowbytheendoftheweek。Iaminnohurrybeforethen。”
SoJosephwenthomeandrecountedtheproposaltohiswife，addingthathedidnotthinktherewasmuchadvantagetobegotoutofit。
“Notmuchthatway，husband。”saidDiamond’smother;“buttherewouldbeanadvantage，andwhatmatterwhogetsit！“
“Idon’tseeit。”answeredherhusband。“Mr。Raymondisagentlemanofproperty，andIdon’tdiscoveranymuchgoodinhelpinghimtosavealittlemore。Hewon’teasilygetonetomakesuchabargain，andI
don’tmeanheshallgetme。Itwouldbealossratherthanagain——
Idothink——atleastifItooklessworkoutofourownhorse。”
“OnehourwouldmakeadifferencetooldDiamond。Butthat’snotthemainpoint。Youmustthinkwhatanadvantageitwouldbetothepoorgirlthathasn’tahometogoto！“
“SheisoneofDiamond’sfriends。”thoughthisfather。
“Icouldbekindtoher，youknow。”themotherwenton，“andteachherhousework，andhowtohandleababy;and，besides，shewouldhelpme，andIshouldbethestrongerforit，andabletodoanoddbitofcharingnowandthen，whenIgotthechance。”
“Iwon’thearofthat。”saidherhusband。“Havethegirlbyallmeans。
I’mashamedIdidnotthinkofbothsidesofthethingatonce。
Iwonderifthehorseisagreateater。Tobesure，ifIgaveDiamondtwohours’additionalrest，itwouldbeallthebetterfortheoldbonesofhim，andtherewouldbefourhoursextraoutoftheotherhorse。
ThatwouldgiveDiamondsomethingtodoeveryday。HecoulddriveoldDiamondafterdinner，andIcouldtaketheotherhorseoutforsixhoursaftertea，orinthemorning，asIfoundbest。Itmightpayforthekeepofbothofthem，——thatis，ifIhadgoodluck。
IshouldliketoobligeMr。Raymond，thoughheberatherhard，forhehasbeenverykindtoourDiamond，wife。Hasn’thenow？”
“Hehasindeed，Joseph。”saidhiswife，andtheretheconversationended。
Diamond’sfatherwenttheverynextdaytoMr。Raymond，andacceptedhisproposal;sothattheweekafterhavinggotanotherstallinthesamestable，hehadtwohorsesinsteadofone。Oddlyenough，thenameofthenewhorsewasRuby，forhewasaveryredchestnut。
Diamond’snamecamefromawhitelozengeonhisforehead。
YoungDiamondsaidtheywererichnow，withsuchabigdiamondandsuchabigruby。
CHAPTERXXX
NANNY’SDREAM
NANNYwasnotfittobemovedforsometimeyet，andDiamondwenttoseeherasoftenashecould。Butbeingmoreregularlyengagednow，seeinghewentouteverydayforafewhourswitholdDiamond，andhadhisbabytomind，andoneofthehorsestoattendto，hecouldnotgosooftenashewouldhaveliked。
Oneevening，ashesatbyherbedside，shesaidtohim:
“I’vehadsuchabeautifuldream，Diamond！Ishouldliketotellityou。”
“Oh！do。”saidDiamond;“Iamsofondofdreams！“
“Shemusthavebeentothebackofthenorthwind。”hesaidtohimself。
“Itwasaveryfoolishdream，youknow。Butsomehowitwassopleasant！
Whatagoodthingitisthatyoubelievethedreamallthetimeyouareinit！“
MyreadersmustnotsupposethatpoorNannywasabletosaywhatshemeantsowellasIputitdownhere。Shehadneverbeentoschool，andhadheardverylittleelsethanvulgarspeechuntilshecametothehospital。ButIhavebeentoschool，andalthoughthatcouldnevermakemeabletodreamsowellasNanny，ithasmademeabletotellherdreambetterthanshecouldherself。
AndIamthemoredesirousofdoingthisforherthatIhavealreadydonethebestIcouldforDiamond’sdream，anditwouldbeashametogivetheboyalltheadvantage。
“IwilltellyouallIknowaboutit。”saidNanny。“Thedaybeforeyesterday，aladycametoseeus——averybeautifullady，andverybeautifullydressed。Iheardthematronsaytoherthatitwasverykindofhertocomeinblueandgold;andsheansweredthatsheknewwedidn’tlikedullcolours。Shehadsuchalovelyshawlon，justlikerednessdippedinmilk，andallworkedoverwithflowersofthesamecolour。Itdidn’tshinemuch，itwassilk，butitkeptintheshine。Whenshecametomybedside，shesatdown，justwhereyouaresitting，Diamond，andlaidherhandonthecounterpane。
Iwassittingup，withmytablebeforemereadyformytea。Herhandlookedsoprettyinitsblueglove，thatIwastemptedtostrokeit。
Ithoughtshewouldn’tbeangry，foreverybodythatcomestothehospitaliskind。It’sonlyinthestreetstheyain’tkind。
Butshedrewherhandaway，andIalmostcried，forIthoughtI
hadbeenrude。Insteadofthat，however，itwasonlythatshedidn’tlikegivingmeherglovetostroke，forshedrewitoff，andthenlaidherhandwhereitwasbefore。Iwasn’tsure，butI
venturedtoputoutmyuglyhand。”
“Yourhandain’tugly，Nanny。”saidDiamond;butNannywenton——
“AndIstrokeditagain，andthenshestrokedmine，——thinkofthat！
Andtherewasaringonherfinger，andIlookeddowntoseewhatitwaslike。Andshedrewitoff，andputitupononeofmyfingers。
Itwasaredstone，andshetoldmetheycalleditaruby。”
“Oh，thatisfunny！“saidDiamond。“OurnewhorseiscalledRuby。
We’vegotanotherhorse——aredone——suchabeauty！“
ButNannywentonwithherstory。
“Ilookedattherubyallthetimetheladywastalkingtome，——
itwassobeautiful！AndasshetalkedIkeptseeingdeeperanddeeperintothestone。Atlastsherosetogoaway，andIbegantopulltheringoffmyfinger;andwhatdoyouthinkshesaid？——“Wearitallnight，ifyoulike。Onlyyoumusttakecareofit。
Ican’tgiveityou，forsomeonegaveittome;butyoumaykeepittillto-morrow。”Wasn’titkindofher？Icouldhardlytakemytea，Iwassodelightedtohearit;andIdothinkitwastheringthatsetmedreaming;for，afterIhadtakenmytea，Ileanedback，halflyingandhalfsitting，andlookedattheringonmyfinger。
BydegreesIbegantodream。Theringgrewlargerandlarger，untilatlastIfoundthatIwasnotlookingataredstone，butataredsunset，whichshoneinattheendofalongstreetnearwhereGrannielives。IwasdressedinragsasIusedtobe，andIhadgreatholesinmyshoes，atwhichthenastymudcamethroughtomyfeet。Ididn’tusetominditbefore，butnowIthoughtithorrid。Andtherewasthegreatredsunset，withstreaksofgreenandgoldbetween，standinglookingatme。Whycouldn’tIliveinthesunsetinsteadofinthatdirt？Whywasitsofarawayalways？
Whydiditnevercomeintoourwretchedstreet？Itfadedaway，asthesunsetsalwaysdo，andatlastwentoutaltogether。
Thenacoldwindbegantoblow，andflutterallmyragsabout——“
“ThatwasNorthWindherself。”saidDiamond。
“Eh？”saidNanny，andwentonwithherstory。
“Iturnedmybacktoit，andwanderedaway。IdidnotknowwhereI
wasgoing，onlyitwaswarmertogothatway。Idon’tthinkitwasanorthwind，forIfoundmyselfinthewestendatlast。
Butitdoesn’tmatterinadreamwhichwinditwas。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。“IbelieveNorthWindcangetintoourdreams——yes，andblowinthem。Sometimesshehasblownmeoutofadreamaltogether。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Diamond。”saidNanny。
“Nevermind。”answeredDiamond。“Twopeoplecan’talwaysunderstandeachother。They’dbothbeatthebackofthenorthwinddirectly，andwhatwouldbecomeoftheotherplaceswithoutthem？”
“Youdotalksooddly！“saidNanny。“Isometimesthinktheymusthavebeenrightaboutyou。”
“Whatdidtheysayaboutme？”askedDiamond。
“TheycalledyouGod’sbaby。”
“Howkindofthem！ButIknewthat。”
“Didyouknowwhatitmeant，though？Itmeantthatyouwerenotrightinthehead。”
“Ifeelallright。”saidDiamond，puttingbothhandstohishead，asifithadbeenaglobehecouldtakeoffandsetonagain。
“Well，aslongasyouarepleasedIampleased。”saidNanny。
“Thankyou，Nanny。Dogoonwithyourstory。IthinkIlikedreamsevenbetterthanfairytales。Buttheymustbeniceones，likeyours，youknow。”
“Well，Iwenton，keepingmybacktothewind，untilIcametoafinestreetonthetopofahill。HowithappenedIdon’tknow，butthefrontdoorofoneofthehouseswasopen，andnotonlythefrontdoor，butthebackdooraswell，sothatIcouldseerightthroughthehouse——
andwhatdoyouthinkIsaw？Agardenplacewithgreengrass，andthemoonshininguponit！Thinkofthat！Therewasnomooninthestreet，butthroughthehousetherewasthemoon。Ilookedandtherewasnobodynear:Iwouldnotdoanyharm，andthegrasswassomuchnicerthanthemud！ButIcouldn’tthinkofgoingonthegrasswithsuchdirtyshoes:Ikickedthemoffinthegutter，andraninonmybarefeet，upthesteps，andthroughthehouse，andontothegrass;andthemomentIcameintothemoonlight，Ibegantofeelbetter。”
“That’swhyNorthWindblewyouthere。”saidDiamond。
“ItcameofMr。Raymond’sstoryaboutPrincessDaylight。”returnedNanny。
“Well，IlaydownuponthegrassinthemoonlightwithoutthinkinghowIwastogetoutagain。Somehowthemoonsuitedmeexactly。
Therewasnotabreathofthenorthwindyoutalkabout;itwasquitegone。”
“Youdidn’twantheranymore，justthen。Shenevergoeswhereshe’snotwanted。”saidDiamond。“Butsheblewyouintothemoonlight，anyhow。”
“Well，wewon’tdisputeaboutit。”saidNanny:“you’vegotatileloose，youknow。”
“SupposeIhave。”returnedDiamond，“don’tyouseeitmayletinthemoonlight，orthesunlightforthatmatter？”
“Perhapsyes，perhapsno。”saidNanny。
“Andyou’vegotyourdreams，too，Nanny。”
“Yes，butIknowthey’redreams。”
“SodoI。ButIknowbesidestheyaresomethingmoreaswell。”
“Oh！doyou？”rejoinedNanny。“Idon’t。”
“Allright。”saidDiamond。“Perhapsyouwillsomeday。”
“PerhapsIwon’t。”saidNanny。
Diamondheldhispeace，andNannyresumedherstory。
“Ilayalongtime，andthemoonlightgotinateverytearinmyclothes，andmademefeelsohappy——“
“There，Itellyou！“saidDiamond。
“Whatdoyoutellme？”returnedNanny。
“NorthWind——“
“Itwasthemoonlight，Itellyou。”persistedNanny，andagainDiamondheldhispeace。
“AllatonceIfeltthatthemoonwasnotshiningsostrong。
Ilookedup，andtherewasacloud，allcrapeyandfluffy，tryingtodrownthebeautifulcreature。Butthemoonwassoround，justlikeawholeplate，thatthecloudcouldn’tsticktoher。
Sheshookitoff，andsaidthereandshoneoutclearerandbrighterthanever。Butupcameathickercloud，——and“Youshan’t。”
saidthemoon;and“Iwill。”saidthecloud，——butitcouldn’t:outshonethemoon，quitelaughingatitsimpudence。Iknewherways，forI’vealwaysbeenusedtowatchher。She’stheonlythingworthlookingatinourstreetatnight。”
“Don’tcallityourstreet。”saidDiamond。“You’renotgoingbacktoit。You’recomingtous，youknow。”
“That’stoogoodtobetrue。”saidNanny。
“Thereareveryfewthingsgoodenoughtobetrue。”saidDiamond;
“butIhopethisis。Toogoodtobetrueitcan’tbe。Isn’ttruegood？andisn’tgoodgood？Andhow，then，cananythingbetoogoodtobetrue？That’slikeoldSal——tosaythat。”
“Don’tabuseGrannie，Diamond。She’sahorridoldthing，sheandherginbottle;butshe’llrepentsomeday，andthenyou’llbegladnottohavesaidanythingagainsther。”
“Why？”saidDiamond。
“Becauseyou’llbesorryforher。”
“Iamsorryforhernow。”
“Verywell。That’sright。She’llbesorrytoo。Andthere’llbeanendofit。”
“Allright。Youcometous。”saidDiamond。
“WherewasI？”saidNanny。
“Tellingmehowthemoonservedtheclouds。”
“Yes。Butitwouldn’tdo，allofit。Upcamethecloudsandtheclouds，andtheycamefasterandfaster，untilthemoonwascoveredup。
Youcouldn’texpecthertothrowoffahundredofthematonce——
couldyou？”
“Certainlynot。”saidDiamond。
“Soitgrewverydark;andadogbegantoyelpinthehouse。Ilookedandsawthatthedoortothegardenwasshut。Presentlyitwasopened——
nottoletmeout，buttoletthedogin——yelpingandbounding。
Ithoughtifhecaughtsightofme，Iwasinforabitingfirst，andthepoliceafter。SoIjumpedup，andranforalittlesummer-houseinthecornerofthegarden。Thedogcameafterme，butIshutthedoorinhisface。Itwaswellithadadoor——
wasn’tit？”
“Youdreamedofthedoorbecauseyouwantedit。”saidDiamond。
“No，Ididn’t;itcameofitself。Itwasthere，inthetruedream。”
“There——I’vecaughtyou！“saidDiamond。“IknewyoubelievedinthedreamasmuchasIdo。”
“Oh，well，ifyouwilllaytrapsforabody！“saidNanny。
“Anyhow，Iwassafeinsidethesummer-house。Andwhatdoyouthink？——
Therewasthemoonbeginningtoshineagain——butonlythroughoneofthepanes——andthatonewasjustthecolouroftheruby。
Wasn’titfunny？”
“No，notabitfunny。”saidDiamond。
“Ifyouwillbecontrary！“saidNanny。
“No，no。”saidDiamond;“IonlymeantthatwastheverypaneI
shouldhaveexpectedhertoshinethrough。”
“Oh，verywell！“returnedNanny。
WhatDiamondmeant，Idonotpretendtosay。Hehadcuriousnotionsaboutthings。
“Andnow。”saidNanny，“Ididn’tknowwhattodo，forthedogkeptbarkingatthedoor，andIcouldn’tgetout。ButthemoonwassobeautifulthatIcouldn’tkeepfromlookingatitthroughtheredpane。
AndasIlookeditgotlargerandlargertillitfilledthewholepaneandoutgrewit，sothatIcouldseeitthroughtheotherpanes;
anditgrewtillitfilledthemtooandthewholewindow，sothatthesummer-housewasnearlyasbrightasday。
“Thedogstoppedbarking，andIheardagentletappingatthedoor，likethewindblowingalittlebranchagainstit。”
“Justlikeher。”saidDiamond，whothoughteverythingstrangeandbeautifulmustbedonebyNorthWind。
“SoIturnedfromthewindowandopenedthedoor;andwhatdoyouthinkIsaw？”
“Abeautifullady。”saidDiamond。
“No——themoonitself，asbigasalittlehouse，andasroundasaball，shininglikeyellowsilver。Itstoodonthegrass——
downontheverygrass:Icouldseenothingelseforthebrightnessofit:AndasIstaredandwondered，adooropenedinthesideofit，neartheground，andacuriouslittleoldman，withacrookedthingoverhisshoulder，lookedout，andsaid:
’Comealong，Nanny;myladywantsyou。We’recometofetchyou。”
Iwasn’tabitfrightened。Iwentuptothebeautifulbrightthing，andtheoldmanhelddownhishand，andItookholdofit，andgaveajump，andhegavemealift，andIwasinsidethemoon。
Andwhatdoyouthinkitwaslike？Itwassuchaprettylittlehouse，withbluewindowsandwhitecurtains！Atoneofthewindowssatabeautifullady，withherheadleaningonherhand，lookingout。
Sheseemedrathersad，andIwassorryforher，andstoodstaringather。
“`Youdidn’tthinkIhadsuchabeautifulmistressasthat！’
saidthequeerlittleman。`No，indeed！’Ianswered:`whowouldhavethoughtit？’`Ah！whoindeed？Butyouseeyoudon’tknoweverything。’
Thelittlemanclosedthedoor，andbegantopullataropewhichhungbehinditwithaweightattheend。Afterhehadpulledawhile，hesaid——`There，thatwilldo;we’reallrightnow。’Thenhetookmebythehandandopenedalittletrapinthefloor，andledmedowntwoorthreesteps，andIsawlikeagreatholebelowme。
`Don’tbefrightened，’saidthetittleman。`It’snotahole。
It’sonlyawindow。Putyourfacedownandlookthrough。’Ididashetoldme，andtherewasthegardenandthesummer-house，faraway，lyingatthebottomofthemoonlight。`There！’saidthelittleman;
`we’vebroughtyouoff！Doyouseethelittledogbarkingatusdownthereinthegarden？’ItoldhimIcouldn’tseeanythingsofar。`Canyouseeanythingsosmallandsofaroff？’Isaid。
`Blessyou，child！’saidthelittleman;`IcouldpickupaneedleoutofthegrassifIhadonlyalongenougharm。There’sonelyingbythedoorofthesummer-housenow。’Ilookedathiseyes。
Theywereverysmall，butsobrightthatIthinkhesawbythelightthatwentoutofthem。Thenhetookmeup，andupagainbyalittlestairinacorneroftheroom，andthroughanothertrapdoor，andtherewasonegreatroundwindowaboveus，andIsawtheblueskyandtheclouds，andsuchlotsofstars，allsobigandshiningashardasevertheycould！“
“Thelittlegirl-angelshadbeenpolishingthem。”saidDiamond。
“Whatnonsenseyoudotalk！“saidNanny。
“Butmynonsenseisjustasgoodasyours，Nanny。Whenyouhavedone，I’lltellyoumydream。Thestarsareinit——notthemoon，though。
Shewasawaysomewhere。Perhapsshewasgonetofetchyouthen。
Idon’tthinkthat，though，formydreamwaslongeragothanyours。
Shemighthavebeentofetchsomeoneelse，though;forwecan’tfancyit’sonlyusthatgetsuchfinethingsdoneforthem。
Butdotellmewhatcamenext。”
Perhapsoneofmychild-readersmayrememberwhetherthemooncamedowntofetchhimorherthesamenightthatDiamondhadhisdream。
Icannottell，ofcourse。Iknowshedidnotcometofetchme，thoughIdidthinkIcouldmakeherfollowmewhenIwasaboy——
notaverytinyoneeither。
“Thelittlemantookmeallroundthehouse，andmademelookoutofeverywindow。Oh，itwasbeautiful！Therewewere，allupintheair，insuchanice，cleanlittlehouse！`Yourworkwillbetokeepthewindowsbright，’saidthelittleman。
`Youwon’tfinditverydifficult，forthereain’tmuchdustuphere。
Only，thefrostsettlesonthemsometimes，andthedropsofrainleavemarksonthem。’`Icaneasilycleantheminside，’Isaid;
`buthowamItogetthefrostandrainofftheoutsideofthem？’
`Oh！’hesaid，`it’squiteeasy。Thereareladdersallabout。
You’veonlygottogooutatthedoor，andclimbabout。Thereareagreatmanywindowsyouhaven’tseenyet，andsomeofthemlookintoplacesyoudon’tknowanythingabout。Iusedtocleanthemmyself，butI’mgettingratherold，yousee。Ain’tInow？’`Ican’ttell，’
Ianswered。`YouseeIneversawyouwhenyouwereyounger。’
`Neversawthemaninthemoon？’saidhe。`Notverynear，’
Ianswered，`nottotellhowyoungorhowoldhelooked。Ihaveseenthebundleofsticksonhisback。’ForJimhadpointedthatouttome。Jimwasveryfondoflookingatthemaninthemoon。
PoorJim！Iwonderhehasn’tbeentoseeme。I’mafraidhe’silltoo。”
“I’lltrytofindout。”saidDiamond，“andletyouknow。”
“Thankyou。”saidNanny。“YouandJimoughttobefriends。”
“Butwhatdidthemaninthemoonsay，whenyoutoldhimyouhadseenhimwiththebundleofsticksonhisback？”
“Helaughed。ButIthoughthelookedoffendedtoo。Hislittlenoseturnedupsharper，andhedrewthecornersofhismouthdownfromthetipsofhisearsintohisneck。Buthedidn’tlookcross，youknow。”
“Didn’thesayanything？”
“Oh，yes！Hesaid:`That’sallnonsense。Whatyousawwasmybundleofdusters。Iwasgoingtocleanthewindows。Ittakesagoodmany，youknow。Really，whattheydosayoftheirsuperiorsdownthere！’
`It’sonlybecausetheydon’tknowbetter，’Iventuredtosay。
`Ofcourse，ofcourse，’saidthelittleman。`Nobodyeverdoesknowbetter。Well，Iforgivethem，andthatsetsitallright，Ihope。’`It’sverygoodofyou，’Isaid。`No！’saidhe，`it’snotintheleastgoodofme。Icouldn’tbecomfortableotherwise。’