第10章

WhatMr。Raymondthought，Idarehardlyattempttoputdownhere。

Butonepartofitwas，thatthehighestwisdommusteverappearfollytothosewhodonotpossessit。

“Ithinkhewouldcomethough——afterdark，youknow。”Diamondcontinued。

“Hedoeswellatshiningboots。People’skindtolameboys，youknow，sir。Butafterdark，thereain’tsomuchdoing。”

DiamondsucceededinbringingJimtoMr。Raymond，andtheconsequencewasthatheresolvedtogivetheboyachance。HeprovidednewclothesforbothhimandNanny;anduponacertainday，Josephtookhiswifeandthreechildren，andNannyandJim，bytraintoacertainstationinthecountyofKent，wheretheyfoundacartwaitingtocarrythemandtheirluggagetoTheMound，whichwasthenameofMr。Raymond’snewresidence。Iwillnotdescribethevariedfeelingsofthepartyastheywent，orwhentheyarrived。AllIwillsayis，thatDiamond，whoismyonlycare，wasfullofquietdelight——agladnesstoodeeptotalkabout。

Josephreturnedtotownthesamenight，andthenextmorningdroveRubyandDiamonddown，withthecarriagebehindthem，andMr。Raymondandaladyinthecarriage。ForMr。Raymondwasanoldbachelornolonger:hewasbringinghiswifewithhimtoliveatTheMound。

ThemomentNannysawher，sherecognisedherastheladywhohadlenthertheruby-ring。ThatringhadbeengivenherbyMr。Raymond。

Theweatherwasveryhot，andthewoodsveryshadowy。Therewerenotagreatmanywildflowers，foritwasgettingwelltowardsautumn，andthemostofthewildflowersriseearlytobebeforetheleaves，becauseiftheydidnot，theywouldnevergetaglimpseofthesunforthem。Sotheyhavetheirfunover，andarereadytogotobedagainbythetimethetreesaredressed。Buttherewasplentyoftheloveliestgrassanddaisiesaboutthehouse，andDiamond’schiefpleasureseemedtobetolieamongstthem，andbreathethepureair。

Butallthetime，hewasdreamingofthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind，andtryingtorecallthesongstheriverusedtosing。

Forthiswasmorelikebeingatthebackofthenorthwindthananythinghehadknownsinceheleftit。Sometimeshewouldhavehislittlebrother，sometimeshislittlesister，andsometimesbothoftheminthegrasswithhim，andthenhefeltjustlikeacatwithherfirstkittens，hesaid，onlyhecouldn’tpurr——

allhecoulddowastosing。

Thesewereverydifferenttimesfromthosewhenheusedtodrivethecab，butyoumustnotsupposethatDiamondwasidle。

Hedidnotdosomuchforhismothernow，becauseNannyoccupiedhisformerplace;buthehelpedhisfatherstill，bothinthestableandtheharness-room，andgenerallywentwithhimontheboxthathemightlearntodriveapair，andbereadytoopenthecarriage-door。

Mr。Raymondadvisedhisfathertogivehimplentyofliberty。

“Aboylikethat。”hesaid，“oughtnottobepushed。”

Josephassentedheartily，smilingtohimselfattheideaofpushingDiamond。Afterdoingeverythingthatfelltohisshare，theboyhadawealthoftimeathisdisposal。Andahappy，sometimesamerrytimeitwas。Onlyfortwomonthsorso，heneithersawnorheardanythingofNorthWind。

CHAPTERXXXV

IMAKEDIAMOND’SACQUAINTANCE

MR。RAYMOND’ShousewascalledTheMound，becauseitstooduponalittlesteepknoll，sosmoothandsymmetricalthatitshoweditselfatoncetobeartificial。Ithad，beyonddoubt，beenbuiltforQueenElizabethasahuntingtower——aplace，namely，fromthetopofwhichyoucouldseethecountryformilesonallsides，andsobeabletofollowwithyoureyestheflyingdeerandthepursuinghoundsandhorsemen。Themoundhadbeencastuptogiveagoodbasement-advantageovertheneighbouringheightsandwoods。

Therewasagreatquarry-holenotfaroff，brim-fullofwater，fromwhich，asthecurrentlegendstated，thematerialsformingtheheartofthemound——akindofstoneunfitforbuilding——

hadbeendug。Thehouseitselfwasofbrick，andtheysaidthefoundationswerefirstlaidinthenaturallevel，andthenthestonesandearthofthemoundwereheapedaboutandbetweenthem，sothatitsgreatheightshouldbewellbuttressed。

Josephandhiswifelivedinalittlecottageashortwayfromthehouse。

Itwasarealcottage，witharoofofthickthatch，which，inJuneandJuly，thewindsprinkledwiththeredandwhitepetalsitshookfromtheloosetopmostspraysoftherose-treesclimbingthewalls。

AtfirstDiamondhadanestunderthisthatch——aprettylittleroomwithwhitemuslincurtains，butafterwardsMr。andMrs。Raymondwantedtohavehimforapageinthehouse，andhisfatherandmotherwerequitepleasedtohavehimemployedwithouthisleavingthem。

Sohewasdressedinasuitofblue，fromwhichhispalefaceandfairhaircameoutliketheloveliestblossom，andtookuphisabodeinthehouse。

“Wouldyoubeafraidtosleepalone，Diamond？”askedhismistress。

“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，ma’am。”saidDiamond。“IneverwasafraidofanythingthatIcanrecollect——notmuch，atleast。”

“There’salittleroomatthetopofthehouse——allalone。”

shereturned;“perhapsyouwouldnotmindsleepingthere？”

“Icansleepanywhere，andIlikebesttobehighup。ShouldI

beabletoseeout？”

“Iwillshowyoutheplace。”sheanswered;andtakinghimbythehand，sheledhimupanduptheoval-windingstairinoneofthetwotowers。

Nearthetoptheyenteredatinylittleroom，withtwowindowsfromwhichyoucouldseeoverthewholecountry。Diamondclappedhishandswithdelight。

“Youwouldlikethisroom，then，Diamond？”saidhismistress。

“It’sthegrandestroominthehouse。”heanswered。“Ishallbenearthestars，andyetnotfarfromthetopsofthetrees。

That’sjustwhatIlike。”

Idaresayhethought，also，thatitwouldbeaniceplaceforNorthWindtocallatinpassing;buthesaidnothingofthatsort。

Belowhimspreadalakeofgreenleaves，withglimpsesofgrasshereandthereatthebottomofit。Ashelookeddown，hesawasquirrelappearsuddenly，andassuddenlyvanishamongstthetopmostbranches。

“Aha！littlesquirrel。”hecried，“mynestisbuilthigherthanyours。”

“Youcanbeupherewithyourbooksasmuchasyoulike。”

saidhismistress。“Iwillhavealittlebellhungatthedoor，whichIcanringwhenIwantyou。Half-waydownthestairisthedrawing-room。”

SoDiamondwasinstalledaspage，andhisnewroomgotreadyforhim。

ItwasverysoonafterthisthatIcametoknowDiamond。

IwasthenatutorinafamilywhoseestateadjoinedthelittlepropertybelongingtoTheMound。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。RaymondinLondonsometimebefore，andwaswalkingupthedrivetowardsthehousetocalluponhimonefinewarmevening，whenIsawDiamondforthefirsttime。Hewassittingatthefootofagreatbeech-tree，afewyardsfromtheroad，withabookonhisknees。Hedidnotseeme。Iwalkedupbehindthetree，andpeepingoverhisshoulder，sawthathewasreadingafairy-book。

“Whatareyoureading？”Isaid，andspokesuddenly，withthehopeofseeingastartledlittlefacelookroundatme。Diamondturnedhisheadasquietlyasifhewereonlyobeyinghismother’svoice，andthecalmnessofhisfacerebukedmyunkinddesireandmademeashamedofit。

“IamreadingthestoryoftheLittleLadyandtheGoblinPrince。”

saidDiamond。

“IamsorryIdon’tknowthestory。”Ireturned。“Whoisitby？”

“Mr。Raymondmadeit。”

“Isheyouruncle？”Iaskedataguess。

“No。He’smymaster。”

“Whatdoyoudoforhim？”Iaskedrespectfully。

“Anythinghewishesmetodo。”heanswered。“Iambusyforhimnow。

Hegavemethisstorytoread。Hewantsmyopinionuponit。”

“Don’tyoufinditratherhardtomakeupyourmind？”

“Ohdearno！AnystoryalwaystellsmeitselfwhatI’mtothinkaboutit。Mr。Raymonddoesn’twantmetosaywhetheritisacleverstoryornot，butwhetherIlikeit，andwhyIlikeit。

Inevercantellwhattheycallcleverfromwhattheycallsilly，butIalwaysknowwhetherIlikeastoryornot。”

“Andcanyoualwaystellwhyyoulikeitornot？”

“No。VeryoftenIcan’tatall。SometimesIcan。Ialwaysknow，butIcan’talwaystellwhy。Mr。Raymondwritesthestories，andthentriesthemonme。Motherdoesthesamewhenshemakesjam。

She’smadesuchalotofjamsincewecamehere！Andshealwaysmakesmetasteittoseeifit’lldo。MotherknowsbythefaceImakewhetheritwillornot。”

AtthismomentIcaughtsightoftwomorechildrenapproaching。

Onewasahandsomegirl，theotherapale-faced，awkward-lookingboy，wholimpedmuchononeleg。Iwithdrewalittle，toseewhatwouldfollow，fortheyseemedinsomeconsternation。Afterafewhurriedwords，theywentofftogether，andIpursuedmywaytothehouse，whereIwasaskindlyreceivedbyMr。andMrs。RaymondasIcouldhavedesired。FromthemIlearnedsomethingofDiamond，andwasinconsequencethemoregladtofindhim，whenIreturned，seatedinthesameplaceasbefore。

“Whatdidtheboyandgirlwantwithyou，Diamond？”Iasked。

“Theyhadseenacreaturethatfrightenedthem。”

“Andtheycametotellyouaboutit？”

“Theycouldn’tgetwateroutofthewellforit。Sotheywantedmetogowiththem。”

“They’rebothbiggerthanyou。”

“Yes，buttheywerefrightenedatit。”

“Andweren’tyoufrightenedatit？”

“No。”

“Why？”

“BecauseI’msilly。I’mneverfrightenedatthings。”

Icouldnothelpthinkingoftheoldmeaningofthewordsilly。

“Andwhatwasit？”Iasked。

“Ithinkitwasakindofanangel——averylittleone。Ithadalongbodyandgreatwings，whichitdroveaboutitsofastthattheygrewathincloudallroundit。Itflewbackwardsandforwardsoverthewell，orhungrightinthemiddle，makingamistofitswings，asifitsbusinesswastotakecareofthewater。”

“Andwhatdidyoudotodriveitaway？”

“Ididn’tdriveitaway。Iknew，whateverthecreaturewas，thewellwastogetwateroutof。SoItookthejug，dippeditin，anddrewthewater。”

“Andwhatdidthecreaturedo？”

“Flewabout。”

“Anditdidn’thurtyou？”

“No。Whyshouldit？Iwasn’tdoinganythingwrong。”

“Whatdidyourcompanionssaythen？”

“Theysaid——`Thankyou，Diamond。Whatadearsillyyouare！’“

“Andweren’tyouangrywiththem？”

“No！WhyshouldI？Ishouldlikeiftheywouldplaywithmealittle;

buttheyalwayslikebettertogoawaytogetherwhentheirworkisover。Theyneverheedme。Idon’tminditmuch，though。

Theothercreaturesarefriendly。Theydon’trunawayfromme。

Onlythey’reallsobusywiththeirownwork，theydon’tmindmemuch。”

“Doyoufeellonely，then？”

“Oh，no！Whennobodymindsme，Igetintomynest，andlookup。

Andthentheskydoesmindme，andthinksaboutme。”

“Whereisyournest？”

Herose，saying，“Iwillshowyou。”andledmetotheothersideofthetree。

Therehungalittlerope-ladderfromoneofthelowerboughs。

Theboyclimbeduptheladderandgotuponthebough。Thenheclimbedfartherintotheleafybranches，andwentoutofsight。

Afteralittlewhile，Iheardhisvoicecomingdownoutofthetree。

“Iaminmynestnow。”saidthevoice。

“Ican’tseeyou。”Ireturned。

“Ican’tseeyoueither，butIcanseethefirststarpeepingoutofthesky。Ishouldliketogetupintothesky。Don’tyouthinkIshall，someday？”

“Yes，Ido。Tellmewhatmoreyouseeupthere。”

“Idon’tseeanythingmore，exceptafewleaves，andthebigskyoverme。Itgoesswingingabout。Theearthisallbehindmyback。

Therecomesanotherstar！Thewindislikekissesfromabiglady。

WhenIgetuphereIfeelasifIwereinNorthWind’sarms。”

ThiswasthefirstIheardofNorthWind。

Thewholewaysandlookofthechild，sofullofquietwisdom，yetsoreadytoacceptthejudgmentofothersinhisowndispraise，tookholdofmyheart，andIfeltmyselfwonderfullydrawntowardshim。

Itseemedtome，somehow，asiflittleDiamondpossessedthesecretoflife，andwashimselfwhathewassoreadytothinkthelowestlivingthing——anangelofGodwithsomethingspecialtosayordo。

Agushofreverencecameoverme，andwithasinglegoodnight，Iturnedandlefthiminhisnest。

Isawhimoftenafterthis，andgainedsomuchofhisconfidencethathetoldmeallIhavetoldyou。Icannotpretendtoaccountforit。Ileavethatforeachphilosophicalreadertodoafterhisownfashion。TheeasiestwayisthatofNannyandJim，whosaidoftentoeachotherthatDiamondhadatileloose。

ButMr。Raymondwasmuchofmyopinionconcerningtheboy;

whileMrs。Raymondconfessedthatsheoftenrangherbelljusttohaveoncemorethepleasureofseeingthelovelystillnessoftheboy’sface，withthoseblueeyeswhichseemedrathermadeforotherpeopletolookintothanforhimselftolookoutof。

ItwasplainertoothersthantohimselfthathefeltthedesertionofNannyandJim。Theyappearedtoregardhimasameretoy，exceptwhentheyfoundhecouldministertothescrupleofusinghim——

generallywithsuccess。Theywere，however，well-behavedtoawonderfuldegree;whileIhavelittledoubtthatmuchoftheirgoodbehaviourwasowingtotheunconsciousinfluenceoftheboytheycalledGod’sbaby。

OneverystrangethingisthatIcouldneverfindoutwherehegotsomeofhismanysongs。Attimestheywouldbebutbubblesblownoutofanurseryrhyme，aswasthefollowing，whichIheardhimsingoneeveningtohislittleDulcimer。

Therewereaboutascoreofsheepfeedinginapaddocknearhim，theirwhitewooldyedapaleroseinthelightofthesettingsun。

Thoseinthelongshadowsfromthetreesweredeadwhite;

thoseinthesunlightwerehalfglorifiedwithpalerose。

LittleBoPeep，shelosthersheep，Anddidn’tknowwheretofindthem;

Theywereovertheheightandoutofsight，Trailingtheirtailsbehindthem。

LittleBoPeepwokeoutofhersleep，Jump’dupandsetouttofindthem:

“Thesillythings，they’vegotnowings，Andthey’velefttheirtrailsbehindthem:

“They’vetakentheirtails，butthey’velefttheirtrails，AndsoIshallfollowandfindthem;“

Forwhereveratailhaddraggedatrail，Thelonggrassgrewbehindthem。

Andday’seyesandbutter-cups，cow’slipsandcrow’sfeetWereglitteringinthesun。

Shethrewdownherbook，andcaughtuphercrook，Andafterhersheepdidrun。

Sheran，andsheran，andeverassheran，Thegrassgrewhigherandhigher;

TilloverthehillthesunbeganTosetinaflameoffire。

Sheranonstill——upthegrassyhill，Andthegrassgrewhigherandhigher;

Whenshereacheditscrown，thesunwasdown，Andhadleftatrailoffire。

Thesheepandtheirtailsweregone，allgone——

Andnomoretrailbehindthem！

Yes，yes！theywerethere——long-tailedandfair，But，alas！shecouldnotfindthem。

Purpleandgold，androsyandblue，Withtheirtailsallwhitebehindthem，Hersheeptheydidruninthetrailofthesun;

Shesawthem，butcouldnotfindthem。

Afterthesun，likecloudstheydidrun，Butsheknewtheywerehersheep:

Shesatdowntocry，andlookupatthesky，Butshecriedherselfasleep。

Andasshesleptthedewfellfast，Andthewindblewfromthesky;

Andstrangethingstookplacethatshuntheday’sface，Becausetheyaresweetandshy。

Nibble，nibble，crop！sheheardasshewoke:

AhundredlittlelambsDidpluckandeatthegrasssosweetThatgrewinthetrailsoftheirdams。

LittleBoPeepcaughtuphercrook，Andwipedthetearsthatdidblindher。

Andnibble，nibblecrop！withoutastop！

Thelambscameeatingbehindher。

Home，homeshecame，bothtiredandlame，Withthreetimesasmanysheep。

Inamonthormore，they’llbeasbigasbefore，Andthenshe’lllaughinhersleep。

Butwhatwouldyousay，ifonefineday，Whenthey’vegottheirbushiesttails，Theirgrownupgameshouldbejustthesame，Andshehavetofollowtheirtrails？

Neverweep，BoPeep，thoughyouloseyoursheep，Anddonotknowwheretofindthem;

’Tisafterthesunthemothershaverun，Andtherearetheirlambsbehindthem。

Iconfessagaintohavingtouchedupalittle，butitlosesfarmoreinDiamond’ssweetvoicesingingitthanitgainsbyarhymehereandthere。

SomeofthemwereoutofbooksMr。Raymondhadgivenhim。

Thesehealwaysknew，butabouttheothershecouldseldomtell。

Sometimeshewouldsay，“Imadethatone。”butgenerallyhewouldsay，“Idon’tknow;Ifounditsomewhere;“or“Igotitatthebackofthenorthwind。”

OneeveningIfoundhimsittingonthegrassyslopeunderthehouse，withhisDulcimerinhisarmsandhislittlebrotherrollingonthegrassbesidethem。Hewaschantinginhisusualway，morelikethesoundofabrookthananythingelseIcanthinkof。

WhenIwentuptothemheceasedhischant。

“Dogoon，Diamond。Don’tmindme。”Isaid。

Hebeganagainatonce。Whilehesang，NannyandJimsatalittlewayoff，onehemmingapocket-handkerchief，andtheotherreadingastorytoher，buttheyneverheededDiamond。ThisisasnearwhathesangasIcanrecollect，orreproducerather。

WhatwouldyouseeifItookyouupTomylittlenestintheair？

YouwouldseetheskylikeaclearbluecupTurnedupsidedownwardsthere。

WhatwouldyoudoifItookyouthereTomylittlenestinthetree？

Mychildwithcrieswouldtroubletheair，Togetwhatshecouldbutsee。

WhatwouldyougetinthetopofthetreeForallyourcryingandgrief？

Notastarwouldyouclutchofallyousee——

Youcouldonlygatheraleaf。

Butwhenyouhadlostyourgreedygrief，Contenttoseefromafar，Youwouldfindinyourhandawitheringleaf，Inyourheartashiningstar。

AsDiamondwentonsinging，itgrewverydark，andjustasheceasedtherecameagreatflashoflightning，thatblindedusallforamoment。Dulcimercrowedwithpleasure;butwhentheroarofthundercameafterit，thelittlebrothergavealoudcryofterror。NannyandJimcamerunninguptous，palewithfear。

Diamond’sface，too，waspalerthanusual，butwithdelight。

Someofthegloryseemedtohaveclungtoit，andremainedshining。

“You’renotfrightened——areyou，Diamond？”Isaid。

“No。WhyshouldIbe？”heansweredwithhisusualquestion，lookingupinmyfacewithcalmshiningeyes。

“Heain’tgotsensetobefrightened。”saidNanny，goinguptohimandgivinghimapityinghug。

“Perhapsthere’smoresenseinnotbeingfrightened，Nanny。”Ireturned。

“Doyouthinkthelightningcandoasitlikes？”

“Itmightkillyou。”saidJim。

“Oh，no，itmightn’t！“saidDiamond。

Ashespoketherecameanothergreatflash，andatearingcrack。

“There’satreestruck！“Isaid;andwhenwelookedround，aftertheblindingoftheflashhadleftoureyes，wesawahugeboughofthebeech-treeinwhichwasDiamond’snesthangingtothegroundlikethebrokenwingofabird。

“There！“criedNanny;“Itoldyouso。Ifyouhadbeenupthereyouseewhatwouldhavehappened，youlittlesilly！“

“No，Idon’t。”saidDiamond，andbegantosingtoDulcimer。

AllIcouldhearofthesong，fortheotherchildrenweregoingonwiththeirchatter，was——

Theclockstruckone，Andthemousecamedown。

Dickery，dickery，dock！

Thentherecameablastofwind，andtherainfollowedinstraight-pouringlines，asifoutofawatering-pot。DiamondjumpedupwithhislittleDulcimerinhisarms，andNannycaughtupthelittleboy，andtheyranforthecottage。

Jimvanishedwithadoubleshuffle，andIwentintothehouse。

WhenIcameoutagaintoreturnhome，thecloudsweregone，andtheeveningskyglimmeredthroughthetrees，blue，andpale-greentowardsthewest，Iturnedmystepsalittleasidetolookatthestrickenbeech。Isawtheboughtornfromthestem，andthatwasallthetwilightwouldallowmetosee。WhileIstoodgazing，downfromtheskycameasoundofsinging，butthevoicewasneitheroflarknorofnightingale:itwassweeterthaneither:

itwasthevoiceofDiamond，upinhisairynest:——

Thelightningandthunder，Theygoandtheycome;

ButthestarsandthestillnessArealwaysathome。

Andthenthevoiceceased。

“Good-night，Diamond。”Isaid。

“Good-night，sir。”answeredDiamond。

AsIwalkedawaypondering，Isawthegreatblacktopofthebeechswayingaboutagainsttheskyinanupperwind，andheardthemurmurasofmanydimhalf-articulatevoicesfillingthesolitudearoundDiamond’snest。

CHAPTERXXXVI

DIAMONDQUESTIONSNORTHWIND

MYREADERSwillnotwonderthat，afterthis，IdidmyverybesttogainthefriendshipofDiamond。NordidIfindthisatalldifficult，thechildwassoreadytotrust。Upononesubjectalonewashereticent——thestoryofhisrelationswithNorthWind。

Ifancyhecouldnotquitemakeuphismindwhattothinkofthem。

Atalleventsitwassomelittletimebeforehetrustedmewiththis，onlythenhetoldmeeverything。IfIcouldnotregarditallinexactlythesamelightashedid，Iwas，whileguiltlessoftheleastpretence，fullysympathetic，andhewassatisfiedwithoutdemandingofmeanytheoryofdifficultpointsinvolved。

Ilethimseeplainlyenough，thatwhatevermightbetheexplanationofthemarvellousexperience，Iwouldhavegivenmuchforasimilaronemyself。

Onaneveningsoonafterthethunderstorm，inalatetwilight，withahalf-moonhighintheheavens，IcameuponDiamondintheactofclimbingbyhislittleladderintothebeech-tree。

“Whatareyoualwaysgoinguptherefor，Diamond？”IheardNannyask，ratherrudely，Ithought。

“Sometimesforonething，sometimesforanother，Nanny。”

answeredDiamond，lookingskywardsasheclimbed。

“You’llbreakyournecksomeday。”shesaid。

“I’mgoinguptolookatthemoonto-night。”headded，withoutheedingherremark。

“You’llseethemoonjustaswelldownhere。”shereturned。

“Idon’tthinkso。”

“You’llbenonearertoherupthere。”

“Oh，yes！Ishall。Imustbenearerher，youknow。IwishI

coulddreamasprettydreamsaboutherasyoucan，Nanny。”

“Yousilly！youneverhavedoneaboutthatdream。Ineverdreamedbutthatone，anditwasnonsenseenough，I’msure。”

“Itwasn’tnonsense。Itwasabeautifuldream——andafunnyonetoo，bothinone。”

“Butwhat’sthegoodoftalkingaboutitthatway，whenyouknowitwasonlyadream？Dreamsain’ttrue。”

“Thatonewastrue，Nanny。Youknowitwas。Didn’tyoucometogrieffordoingwhatyouweretoldnottodo？Andisn’tthattrue？”

“Ican’tgetanysenseintohim。”exclaimedNanny，withanexpressionofmilddespair。“Doyoureallybelieve，Diamond，thatthere’sahouseinthemoon，withabeautifulladyandacrookedoldmananddustersinit？”

“Ifthereisn’t，there’ssomethingbetter。”heanswered，andvanishedintheleavesoverourheads。

Iwentintothehouse，whereIvisitedoftenintheevenings。

WhenIcameout，therewasalittlewindblowing，verypleasantaftertheheatoftheday，foralthoughitwaslatesummernow，itwasstillhot。Thetree-topswereswingingaboutinit。

Itookmywaypastthebeech，andcalleduptoseeifDiamondwerestillinhisnestinitsrockinghead。

“Areyouthere，Diamond？”Isaid。

“Yes，sir。”camehisclearvoiceinreply。

“Isn’titgrowingtoodarkforyoutogetdownsafely？”

“Oh，no，sir——ifItaketimetoit。Iknowmywaysowell，andneverletgowithonehandtillI’veagoodholdwiththeother。”

“Dobecareful。”Iinsisted——foolishly，seeingtheboywasascarefulashecouldbealready。

“I’mcoming。”hereturned。“I’vegotallthemoonIwantto-night。”

Iheardarustlingandarustlingdrawingnearerandnearer。

Threeorfourminuteselapsed，andheappearedatlengthcreepingdownhislittleladder。Itookhiminmyarms，andsethimontheground。

“Thankyou，sir。”hesaid。“That’sthenorthwindblowing，isn’tit，sir？”

“Ican’ttell。”Ianswered。“Itfeelscoolandkind，andIthinkitmaybe。ButIcouldn’tbesureexceptitwerestronger，foragentlewindmightturnanywayamongstthetrunksofthetrees。”

“IshallknowwhenIgetuptomyownroom。”saidDiamond。

“IthinkIhearmymistress’sbell。Good-night，sir。”

Herantothehouse，andIwenthome。

Hismistresshadrungforhimonlytosendhimtobed，forshewasverycarefuloverhimandIdaresaythoughthewasnotlookingwell。

Whenhereachedhisownroom，heopenedbothhiswindows，oneofwhichlookedtothenorthandtheothertotheeast，tofindhowthewindblew。Itblewrightinatthenorthernwindow。

Diamondwasveryglad，forhethoughtperhapsNorthWindherselfwouldcomenow:arealnorthwindhadneverblownallthetimesinceheleftLondon。But，asshealwayscameofherself，andneverwhenhewaslookingforher，andindeedalmostneverwhenhewasthinkingofher，heshuttheeastwindow，andwenttobed。

Perhapssomeofmyreadersmaywonderthathecouldgotosleepwithsuchanexpectation;and，indeed，ifIhadnotknownhim，Ishouldhavewonderedatitmyself;butitwasoneofhispeculiarities，andseemednothingstrangeinhim。Hewassofullofquietnessthathecouldgotosleepalmostanytime，ifheonlycomposedhimselfandletthesleepcome。Thistimehewentfastasleepasusual。

Buthewokeinthedimbluenight。Themoonhadvanished。

Hethoughtheheardaknockingathisdoor。“Somebodywantsme。”

hesaidtohimself，andjumpingoutofbed，rantoopenit。

Buttherewasnoonethere。Hecloseditagain，and，thenoisestillcontinuing，foundthatanotherdoorintheroomwasrattling。

Itbelongedtoacloset，hethought，buthehadneverbeenabletoopenit。Thewindblowinginatthewindowmustbeshakingit。

Hewouldgoandseeifitwasso。

Thedoornowopenedquiteeasily，buttohissurprise，insteadofaclosethefoundalongnarrowroom。Themoon，whichwassinkinginthewest，shoneinatanopenwindowatthefurtherend。

Theroomwaslowwithacovedceiling，andoccupiedthewholetopofthehouse，immediatelyundertheroof。Itwasquiteempty。

Theyellowlightofthehalf-moonstreamedoverthedarkfloor。

Hewassodelightedatthediscoveryofthestrange，desolate，moonlitplaceclosetohisownsnuglittleroom，thathebegantodanceandskipaboutthefloor。Thewindcameinthroughthedoorhehadleftopen，andblewabouthimashedanced，andhekeptturningtowardsitthatitmightblowinhisface。

Hekeptpicturingtohimselfthemanyplaces，lovelyanddesolate，thehill-sidesandfarm-yardsandtree-topsandmeadows，overwhichithadblownonitswaytoTheMound。Andashedanced，hegrewmoreandmoredelightedwiththemotionandthewind;

hisfeetgrewstronger，andhisbodylighter，untilatlengthitseemedasifhewereborneupontheair，andcouldalmostfly。

Sostrongdidhisfeelingbecome，thatatlasthebegantodoubtwhetherhewasnotinoneofthosepreciousdreamshehadsooftenhad，inwhichhefloatedaboutontheairatwill。

Butsomethingmadehimlookup，andtohisunspeakabledelight，hefoundhisupliftedhandslyinginthoseofNorthWind，whowasdancingwithhim，roundandroundthelongbareroom，herhairnowfallingtothefloor，nowfillingthearchedceiling，hereyesshiningonhimlikethinkingstars，andthesweetestofgrandsmilesplayingbreezilyaboutherbeautifulmouth。Shewas，assooftenbefore，oftheheightofarathertalllady。Shedidnotstoopinordertodancewithhim，butheldhishandshighinhers。

Whenhesawher，hegaveonespring，andhisarmswereaboutherneck，andherarmsholdinghimtoherbosom。Thesamemomentshesweptwithhimthroughtheopenwindowinatwhichthemoonwasshining，madeacircuitlikeabirdabouttoalight，andsettledwithhiminhisnestonthetopofthegreatbeech-tree。Theresheplacedhimonherlapandbegantohushhimasifhewereherownbaby，andDiamondwassoentirelyhappythathedidnotcaretospeakaword。Atlength，however，hefoundthathewasgoingtosleep，andthatwouldbetolosesomuch，that，pleasantasitwas，hecouldnotconsent。

“Please，dearNorthWind。”hesaid，“IamsohappythatI’mafraidit’sadream。HowamItoknowthatit’snotadream？”

“Whatdoesitmatter？”returnedNorthWind。

“Ishould，cry“saidDiamond。

“Butwhyshouldyoucry？Thedream，ifitisadream，isapleasantone——

isitnot？”

“That’sjustwhyIwantittobetrue。”

“HaveyouforgottenwhatyousaidtoNannyaboutherdream？”

“It’snotforthedreamitself——Imean，it’snotforthepleasureofit。”answeredDiamond，“forIhavethat，whetheritbeadreamornot;it’sforyou，NorthWind;Ican’tbeartofinditadream，becausethenIshouldloseyou。Youwouldbenobodythen，andI

couldnotbearthat。Youain’tadream，areyou，dearNorthWind？

DosayNo，elseIshallcry，andcomeawake，andyou’llbegoneforever。

Idaren’tdreamaboutyouonceagainifyouain’tanybody。”

“I’meithernotadream，orthere’ssomethingbetterthat’snotadream，Diamond。”saidNorthWind，inarathersorrowfultone，hethought。

“Butit’snotsomethingbetter——it’syouIwant，NorthWind。”

hepersisted，alreadybeginningtocryalittle。

Shemadenoanswer，butrosewithhiminherarmsandsailedawayoverthetree-topstilltheycametoameadow，whereaflockofsheepwasfeeding。

“DoyourememberwhatthesongyouweresingingaweekagosaysaboutBo-Peep——howshelosthersheep，butgottwiceasmanylambs？”

askedNorthWind，sittingdownonthegrass，andplacinghiminherlapasbefore。

“Ohyes，Ido，wellenough。”answeredDiamond;“butIneverjustquitelikedthatrhyme。”

“Whynot，child？”

“Becauseitseemstosayone’sasgoodasanother，ortwonewonesarebetterthanonethat’slost。I’vebeenthinkingaboutitagreatdeal，anditseemstomethatalthoughanyonesixpenceisasgoodasanyothersixpence，nottwentylambswoulddoinsteadofonesheepwhosefaceyouknew。Somehow，whenonceyou’velookedintoanybody’seyes，rightdeepdownintothem，Imean，nobodywilldoforthatoneanymore。Nobody，eversobeautifulorsogood，willmakeupforthatonegoingoutofsight。

Soyousee，NorthWind，Ican’thelpbeingfrightenedtothinkthatperhapsIamonlydreaming，andyouarenowhereatall。

Dotellmethatyouaremyown，real，beautifulNorthWind。”

Againsherose，andshotherselfintotheair，asifuneasybecauseshecouldnotanswerhim;andDiamondlayquietinherarms，waitingforwhatshewouldsay。Hetriedtoseeupintoherface，forhewasdreadfullyafraidshewasnotansweringhimbecauseshecouldnotsaythatshewasnotadream;butshehadletherhairfallalloverherfacesothathecouldnotseeit。Thisfrightenedhimstillmore。

“Dospeak，NorthWind。”hesaidatlast。

“IneverspeakwhenIhavenothingtosay。”shereplied。

“ThenIdothinkyoumustbearealNorthWind，andnodream。”

saidDiamond。

“ButI’mlookingforsomethingtosayallthetime。”

“ButIdon’twantyoutosaywhat’shardtofind。Ifyouweretosayonewordtocomfortmethatwasn’ttrue，thenIshouldknowyoumustbeadream，foragreatbeautifulladylikeyoucouldnevertellalie。”

“Butshemightn’tknowhowtosaywhatshehadtosay，sothatalittleboylikeyouwouldunderstandit。”saidNorthWind。

“Here，letusgetdownagain，andIwilltrytotellyouwhatIthink。

Youmusn’tsupposeIamabletoanswerallyourquestions，though。

ThereareagreatmanythingsIdon’tunderstandmorethanyoudo。”

Shedescendedonagrassyhillock，inthemidstofawildfurzycommon。

Therewasarabbit-warrenunderneath，andsomeoftherabbitscameoutoftheirholes，inthemoonlight，lookingverysoberandwise，justlikepatriarchsstandingintheirtent-doors，andlookingaboutthembeforegoingtobed。WhentheysawNorthWind，insteadofturningroundandvanishingagainwithathumpoftheirheels，theycanteredslowlyuptoherandsnuffledallaboutherwiththeirlongupperlips，whichmovedeverywayatonce。

Thatwastheirwayofkissingher;and，asshetalkedtoDiamond，shewouldeverynowandthenstrokedowntheirfurrybacks，orliftandplaywiththeirlongears。Theywould，Diamondthought，haveleapeduponherlap，butthathewastherealready。

“Ithink。”saidshe，aftertheyhadbeensittingsilentforawhile，“thatifIwereonlyadream，youwouldnothavebeenabletolovemeso。Youlovemewhenyouarenotwithme，don’tyou？”

“IndeedIdo。”answeredDiamond，strokingherhand。“Isee！Isee！

HowcouldIbeabletoloveyouasIdoifyouweren’tthereatall，youknow？Besides，Icouldn’tbeabletodreamanythinghalfsobeautifulalloutofmyownhead;orifIdid，Icouldn’tloveafancyofmyownlikethat，couldI？”

“Ithinknot。Youmighthavelovedmeinadream，dreamily，andforgottenmewhenyouwoke，Idaresay，butnotlovedmelikearealbeingasyouloveme。Eventhen，Idon’tthinkyoucoulddreamanythingthathadn’tsomethingreallikeitsomewhere。Butyou’veseenmeinmanyshapes，Diamond:yourememberIwasawolfonce——don’tyou？”

“Ohyes——agoodwolfthatfrightenedanaughtydrunkennurse。”

“Well，supposeIweretoturnugly，wouldyouratherIweren’tadreamthen？”

“Yes;forIshouldknowthatyouwerebeautifulinsideallthesame。

Youwouldloveme，andIshouldloveyouallthesame。Ishouldn’tlikeyoutolookugly，youknow。ButIshouldn’tbelieveitabit。”

“Notifyousawit？”

“No，notifIsawiteversoplain。”

“There’smyDiamond！IwilltellyouallIknowaboutitthen。

Idon’tthinkIamjustwhatyoufancymetobe。Ihavetoshapemyselfvariouswaystovariouspeople。Buttheheartofmeistrue。

Peoplecallmebydreadfulnames，andthinktheyknowallaboutme。

Buttheydon’t。SometimestheycallmeBadFortune，sometimesEvilChance，sometimesRuin;andtheyhaveanothernameformewhichtheythinkthemostdreadfulofall。”

“Whatisthat？”askedDiamond，smilingupinherface。

“Iwon’ttellyouthatname。Doyourememberhavingtogothroughmetogetintothecountryatmyback？”

“Ohyes，Ido。Howcoldyouwere，NorthWind！andsowhite，allbutyourlovelyeyes！Myheartgrewlikealumpofice，andthenIforgotforawhile。”

“Youwereverynearknowingwhattheycallmethen。Wouldyoubeafraidofmeifyouhadtogothroughmeagain？”

“No。WhyshouldI？IndeedIshouldbegladenough，ifitwasonlytogetanotherpeepofthecountryatyourback。”

“You’veneverseenityet。”

“Haven’tI，NorthWind？Oh！I’msosorry！IthoughtIhad。

WhatdidIseethen？”

“Onlyapictureofit。Therealcountryatmyrealbackiseversomuchmorebeautifulthanthat。Youshallseeitoneday——

perhapsbeforeverylong。”

“Dotheysingsongsthere？”

“Don’tyourememberthedreamyouhadaboutthelittleboysthatdugforthestars？”

“Yes，thatIdo。Ithoughtyoumusthavehadsomethingtodowiththatdream，itwassobeautiful。”

“Yes;Igaveyouthatdream。”

“Oh！thankyou。DidyougiveNannyherdreamtoo——aboutthemoonandthebees？”

“Yes。Iwastheladythatsatatthewindowofthemoon。”

“Oh，thankyou。Iwasalmostsureyouhadsomethingtodowiththattoo。

AnddidyoutellMr。RaymondthestoryaboutthePrincessDaylight？”

“IbelieveIhadsomethingtodowithit。Atalleventshethoughtaboutitonenightwhenhecouldn’tsleep。ButIwanttoaskyouwhetheryourememberthesongtheboy-angelssanginthatdreamofyours。”

“No。Icouldn’tkeepit，dowhatIwould，andIdidtry。”

“Thatwasmyfault。”

“Howcouldthatbe，NorthWind？”

“BecauseIdidn’tknowitproperlymyself，andsoIcouldn’tteachittoyou。Icouldonlymakearoughguessatsomethinglikewhatitwouldbe，andsoIwasn’tabletomakeyoudreamithardenoughtorememberit。NorwouldIhavedonesoifIcould，foritwasnotcorrect。Imadeyoudreampicturesofit，though。Butyouwillheartheverysongitselfwhenyoudogettothebackof——“

“MyowndearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，finishingthesentenceforher，andkissingthearmthatheldhimleaningagainsther。

“Andnowwe’vesettledallthis——forthetime，atleast。”

saidNorthWind。

“ButIcan’tfeelquitesureyet。”saidDiamond。

“Youmustwaitawhileforthat。Meantimeyoumaybehopeful，andcontentnottobequitesure。Comenow，Iwilltakeyouhomeagain，foritwon’tdototireyoutoomuch。”

“Oh，no，no。I’mnottheleasttired。”pleadedDiamond。

“Itisbetter，though。”

“Verywell;ifyouwishit。”yieldedDiamondwithasigh。

“Youareadeargood，boy“saidNorthWind。“Iwillcomeforyouagainto-morrownightandtakeyououtforalongertime。Weshallmakealittlejourneytogether，infact。Weshallstartearlier。

andasthemoonwillbe，later，weshallhavealittlemoonlightalltheway。”

Sherose，andsweptoverthemeadowandthetrees。InafewmomentstheMoundappearedbelowthem。Shesankalittle，andfloatedinatthewindowofDiamond’sroom。Thereshelaidhimonhisbed，coveredhimover，andinamomenthewaslaptinadreamlesssleep。

CHAPTERXXXVII

ONCEMORE

THEnextnightDiamondwasseatedbyhisopenwindow，withhisheadonhishand，rathertired，butsoeagerlywaitingforthepromisedvisitthathewasafraidhecouldnotsleep。Buthestartedsuddenly，andfoundthathehadbeenalreadyasleep。Herose，andlookingoutofthewindowsawsomethingwhiteagainsthisbeech-tree。ItwasNorthWind。Shewasholdingbyonehandtoatopbranch。

Herhairandhergarmentswentfloatingawaybehindheroverthetree，whosetopwasswayingaboutwhiletheotherswerestill。

“Areyouready，Diamond？”sheasked。

“Yes。”answeredDiamond，“quiteready。”

Inamomentshewasatthewindow，andherarmscameinandtookhim。

Shesailedawaysoswiftlythathecouldatfirstmarknothingbutthespeedwithwhichthecloudsaboveandthedimearthbelowwentrushingpast。Butsoonhebegantoseethattheskywasverylovely，withmottledcloudsallaboutthemoon，onwhichshethrewfaintcolourslikethoseofmother-of-pearl，oranopal。Thenightwaswarm，andinthelady’sarmshedidnotfeelthewindwhichdownbelowwasmakingwavesintheripecorn，andripplesontheriversandlakes。

Atlengththeydescendedonthesideofanopenearthyhill，justwhere，frombeneathastone，aspringcamebubblingout。

“Iamgoingtotakeyoualongthislittlebrook。”saidNorthWind。

“Iamnotwantedforanythingelseto-night，soIcangiveyouatreat。”

ShestoopedoverthestreamandholdingDiamonddownclosetothesurfaceofit，glidedalonglevelwithitsflowasitrandownthehill。AndthesongofthebrookcameupintoDiamond’sears，andgrewandgrewandchangedwitheveryturn。ItseemedtoDiamondtobesingingthestoryofitslifetohim。Andsoitwas。

Itbeganwithamusicaltinklewhichchangedtoababbleandthentoagentlerushing。Sometimesitssongwouldalmostcease，andthenbreakoutagain，tinkle，babble，andrush，allatonce。Atthebottomofthehilltheycametoasmallriver，intowhichthebrookflowedwithamuffledbutmerrysound。Alongthesurfaceoftheriver，darklyclearbelowtheminthemoonlight，theyfloated;now，whereitwidenedoutintoalittlelake，theywouldhoverforamomentoverabedofwater-lilies，andwatchthemswingabout，foldedinsleep，asthewateronwhichtheyleanedswayedinthepresenceofNorthWind;

andnowtheywouldwatchthefishesasleepamongtheirrootsbelow。

SometimesshewouldholdDiamondoveradeephollowcurvingintothebank，thathemightlookfarintothecoolstillness。

Sometimesshewouldleavetheriverandsweepacrossaclover-field。

Thebeeswereallathome，andthecloverwasasleep。Thenshewouldreturnandfollowtheriver。Itgrewwiderandwiderasitwent。

Nowthearmiesofwheatandofoatswouldhangoveritsrushfromtheoppositebanks;nowthewillowswoulddiplowbranchesinitsstillwaters;andnowitwouldleadthemthroughstatelytreesandgrassybanksintoalovelygarden，wheretherosesandlilieswereasleep，thetenderflowersquitefoldedup，andonlyafewwide-awakeandsendingouttheirlifeinsweet，strongodours。Widerandwidergrewthestream，untiltheycameuponboatslyingalongitsbanks，whichrockedalittleintheflutterofNorthWind’sgarments。Thencamehousesonthebanks，eachstandinginalovelylawn，withgrandtrees;andinpartstheriverwassohighthatsomeofthegrassandtherootsofsomeofthetreeswereunderwater，andDiamond，astheyglidedthroughbetweenthestems，couldseethegrassatthebottomofthewater。

Thentheywouldleavetheriverandfloataboutandoverthehouses，oneafteranother——beautifulrichhouses，which，likefinetrees，hadtakencenturiestogrow。Therewasscarcelyalighttobeseen，andnotamovementtobeheard:allthepeopleinthemlayfastasleep。

“Whatalotofdreamstheymustbedreaming！“saidDiamond。

“Yes。”returnedNorthWind。“Theycan’tsurelybealllies——

canthey？”

“Ishouldthinkitdependsalittleonwhodreamsthem。”

suggestedDiamond。

“Yes。”saidNorthWind。“Thepeoplewhothinklies，anddolies，areverylikelytodreamlies。Butthepeoplewholovewhatistruewillsurelynowandthendreamtruethings。Butthensomethingdependsonwhetherthedreamsarehome-grown，orwhethertheseedofthemisblownoversomebodyelse’sgarden-wall。Ah！there’ssomeoneawakeinthishouse！“

Theywerefloatingpastawindowinwhichalightwasburning。

Diamondheardamoan，andlookedupanxiouslyinNorthWind’sface。

“It’salady。”saidNorthWind。“Shecan’tsleepforpain。”

“Couldn’tyoudosomethingforher？”saidDiamond。

“No，Ican’t。Butyoucould。”

“WhatcouldIdo？”

“Singalittlesongtoher。”

“Shewouldn’thearme。”

“Iwilltakeyouin，andthenshewillhearyou。”

“Butthatwouldberude，wouldn’tit？Youcangowhereyouplease，ofcourse，butIshouldhavenobusinessinherroom。”

“Youmaytrustme，Diamond。Ishalltakeasgoodcareoftheladyasofyou。Thewindowisopen。Come。”

Byashadedlamp，aladywasseatedinawhitewrapper，tryingtoread，butmoaningeveryminute。NorthWindfloatedbehindherchair，setDiamonddown，andtoldhimtosingsomething。

Hewasalittlefrightened，buthethoughtawhile，andthensang:——

Thesunisgonedown，Andthemoon’sinthesky;

Butthesunwillcomeup，Andthemoonbelaidby。

TheflowerisasleepButitisnotdead;

Whenthemorningshines，Itwillliftitshead。

Whenwintercomes，Itwilldie——no，no;

ItwillonlyhideFromthefrostandthesnow。

Sureisthesummer，Sureisthesun;

ThenightandthewinterAreshadowsthatrun。

Theladyneverliftedhereyesfromherbook，orherheadfromherhand。

AssoonasDiamondhadfinished，NorthWindliftedhimandcarriedhimaway。

“Didn’ttheladyhearme？”askedDiamondwhentheywereoncemorefloatingdowntheriver。

“Oh，yes，sheheardyou。”answeredNorthWind。

“Wasshefrightenedthen？”

“Oh，no。”

“Whydidn’tshelooktoseewhoitwas？”

“Shedidn’tknowyouwerethere。”

“Howcouldshehearmethen？”

“Shedidn’thearyouwithherears。”

“Whatdidshehearmewith？”

“Withherheart。”

“Wheredidshethinkthewordscamefrom？”

“Shethoughttheycameoutofthebookshewasreading。Shewillsearchallthroughitto-morrowtofindthem，andwon’tbeabletounderstanditatall。”

“Oh，whatfun！“saidDiamond。“Whatwillshedo？”

“Icantellyouwhatshewon’tdo:she’llneverforgetthemeaningofthem;andshe’llneverbeabletorememberthewordsofthem。”

“IfsheseestheminMr。Raymond’sbook，itwillpuzzleher，won’tit？”

“Yes，thatitwill。Shewillneverbeabletounderstandit。”

“Untilshegetstothebackofthenorthwind。”suggestedDiamond。

“Untilshegetstothebackofthenorthwind。”assentedthelady。

“Oh！“criedDiamond，“Iknownowwhereweare。Oh！doletmegointotheoldgarden，andintomother’sroom，andDiamond’sstall。

Iwonderiftheholeisatthebackofmybedstill。Ishouldliketostaytherealltherestofthenight。Itwon’ttakeyoulongtogethomefromhere，willit，NorthWind？”

“No。”sheanswered;“youshallstayaslongasyoulike。”

“Oh，howjolly。”criedDiamond，asNorthWindsailedoverthehousewithhim，andsethimdownonthelawnattheback。

Diamondranaboutthelawnforalittlewhileinthemoonlight。

Hefoundpartofitcutupintoflower-beds，andthelittlesummer-housewiththecolouredglassandthegreatelm-treegone。

Hedidnotlikethis，andranintothestable。Therewerenohorsesthereatall。Heranupstairs。Theroomswereempty。

Theonlythingleftthathecaredaboutwastheholeinthewallwherehislittlebedhadstood;andthatwasnotenoughtomakehimwishtostop。Herandownthestairagain，andoutuponthelawn。

Therehethrewhimselfdownandbegantocry。Itwasallsodrearyandlost！

“IthoughtIlikedtheplacesomuch。”saidDiamondtohimself，“butIfindIdon’tcareaboutit。Isupposeit’sonlythepeopleinitthatmakeyoulikeaplace，andwhenthey’regone，it’sdead，andyoudon’tcareabitaboutit。NorthWindtoldmeImightstopaslongasIliked，andI’vestoppedlongeralready。NorthWind！“

hecriedaloud，turninghisfacetowardsthesky。

Themoonwasunderacloud，andallwaslookingdullanddismal。

Astarshotfromthesky，andfellinthegrassbesidehim。

Themomentitlighted，therestoodNorthWind。

“Oh！“criedDiamond，joyfully，“wereyoutheshootingstar？”

“Yes，mychild。”

“Didyouhearmecallyouthen？”

“Yes。”

“Sohighupasthat？”

“Yes;Iheardyouquitewell。”

“Dotakemehome。”

“Haveyouhadenoughofyouroldhomealready？”

“Yes，morethanenough。Itisn’tahomeatallnow。”

“Ithoughtthatwouldbeit。”saidNorthWind。“Everything，dreamingandall，hasgotasoulinit，orelseit’sworthnothing，andwedon’tcareabitaboutit。Someofourthoughtsareworthnothing，becausethey’vegotnosoulinthem。Thebrainputsthemintothemind，notthemindintothebrain。”

“Buthowcanyouknowaboutthat，NorthWind？Youhaven’tgotabody。”

“IfIhadn’tyouwouldn’tknowanythingaboutme。Nocreaturecanknowanotherwithoutthehelpofabody。ButIdon’tcaretotalkaboutthat。Itistimeforyoutogohome。”

Sosaying，NorthWindliftedDiamondandborehimaway。

CHAPTERXXXVIII

ATTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND

IDIDnotseeDiamondforaweekorsoafterthis，andthenhetoldmewhatIhavenowtoldyou。IshouldhavebeenastonishedathisbeingableeventoreportsuchconversationsashesaidhehadhadwithNorthWind，hadInotknownalreadythatsomechildrenareprofoundinmetaphysics。

Butafearcrossesme，lest，bytellingsomuchaboutmyfriend，Ishouldleadpeopletomistakehimforoneofthoseconsequential，priggishlittlemonsters，whoarealwaystryingtosaycleverthings，andlookingtoseewhetherpeopleappreciatethem。Whenachildlikethatdies，insteadofhavingasillybookwrittenabouthim，heshouldbestuffedlikeoneofthoseawfulbig-headedfishesyouseeinmuseums。ButDiamondnevertroubledhisheadaboutwhatpeoplethoughtofhim。Heneversetupforknowingbetterthanothers。

Thewisestthingshesaidcameoutwhenhewantedonetohelphimwithsomedifficultyhewasin。HewasnotevenoffendedwithNannyandJimforcallinghimasilly。Hesupposedtherewassomethinginit，thoughhecouldnotquiteunderstandwhat。

Isuspecthoweverthattheothernametheygavehim，God’sBaby，hadsomeshareinreconcilinghimtoit。

Happilyforme，IwasasmuchinterestedinmetaphysicsasDiamondhimself，andtherefore，whileherecountedhisconversationswithNorthWind，Ididnotfindmyselfatallinastrangesea，althoughcertainlyIcouldnotalwaysfeelthebottom，beingindeedconvincedthatthebottomwasmilesaway。

“Coulditbealldreaming，doyouthink，sir？”heaskedanxiously。

“Idaren’tsay，Diamond。”Ianswered。“Butatleastthereisonethingyoumaybesureof，thatthereisastillbetterlovethanthatofthewonderfulbeingyoucallNorthWind。Evenifshebeadream，thedreamofsuchabeautifulcreaturecouldnotcometoyoubychance。”

“Yes，Iknow。”returnedDiamond;“Iknow。”

Thenhewassilent，but，Iconfess，appearedmorethoughtfulthansatisfied。

ThenexttimeIsawhim，helookedpalerthanusual。

“Haveyouseenyourfriendagain？”Iaskedhim。

“Yes。”heanswered，solemnly。

“Didshetakeyououtwithher？”

“No。Shedidnotspeaktome。Iwokeallatonce，asIgenerallydowhenIamgoingtoseeher，andthereshewasagainstthedoorintothebigroom，sittingjustasIsawhersitonherowndoorstep，aswhiteassnow，andhereyesasblueastheheartofaniceberg。

Shelookedatme，butnevermovedorspoke。”

“Weren’tyouafraid？”Iasked。

“No。WhyshouldIhavebeen？”heanswered。“Ionlyfeltalittlecold。”

“Didshestaylong？”

“Idon’tknow。Ifellasleepagain。IthinkIhavebeenrathercoldeversincethough。”headdedwithasmile。

Ididnotquitelikethis，butIsaidnothing。

Fourdaysafter，IcalledagainattheMound。Themaidwhoopenedthedoorlookedgrave，butIsuspectednothing。WhenIreachedthedrawing-room，IsawMrs。Raymondhadbeencrying。

“Haven’tyouheard？”shesaid，seeingmyquestioninglooks。

“I’veheardnothing。”Ianswered。

“ThismorningwefoundourdearlittleDiamondlyingonthefloorofthebigattic-room，justoutsidehisowndoor——fastasleep，aswethought。Butwhenwetookhimup，wedidnotthinkhewasasleep。

Wesawthat——“

Herethekind-heartedladybrokeoutcryingafresh。

“MayIgoandseehim？”Iasked。

“Yes。”shesobbed。“Youknowyourwaytothetopofthetower。”

Iwalkedupthewindingstair，andenteredhisroom。Alovelyfigure，aswhiteandalmostasclearasalabaster，waslyingonthebed。

Isawatoncehowitwas。Theythoughthewasdead。Iknewthathehadgonetothebackofthenorthwind。

End