“Please，NorthWind。”hesaid，“whatisthatnoise？”
　　FromhighoverhisheadcamethevoiceofNorthWind，answeringhim，gently——
　　“Thenoiseofmybesom。Iamtheoldwomanthatsweepsthecobwebsfromthe，sky;onlyI’mbusywiththefloornow。”
　　“Whatmakesthehouseslookasiftheywererunningaway？”
　　“Iamsweepingsofastoverthem。”
　　“But，please，NorthWind，IknewLondonwasverybig，butIdidn’tknowitwassobigasthis。Itseemsasifweshouldnevergetawayfromit。”
　　“Wearegoingroundandround，elseweshouldhaveleftitlongago。”
　　“Isthisthewayyousweep，NorthWind？”
　　“Yes;Igoroundandroundwithmygreatbesom。”
　　“Please，wouldyoumindgoingalittleslower，forIwanttoseethestreets？”
　　“Youwon’tseemuchnow。”
　　“Why？”
　　“BecauseIhavenearlysweptallthepeoplehome。”
　　“Oh！Iforgot。”saidDiamond，andwasquietafterthat，forhedidnotwanttobetroublesome。
　　Butshedroppedalittletowardstheroofsofthehouses，andDiamondcouldseedownintothestreets。Therewereveryfewpeopleabout，though。Thelampsflickeredandflaredagain，butnobodyseemedtowantthem。
　　SuddenlyDiamondespiedalittlegirlcomingalongastreet。Shewasdreadfullyblownbythewind，andabroomshewastrailingbehindherwasverytroublesome。Itseemedasifthewindhadaspiteather——
　　itkeptworryingherlikeawildbeast，andtearingatherrags。
　　Shewassolonelythere！
　　“Oh！please，NorthWind。”hecried，“won’tyouhelpthatlittlegirl？”
　　“No，Diamond;Imustn’tleavemywork。”
　　“Butwhyshouldn’tyoubekindtoher？”
　　“Iamkindtoher。Iamsweepingthewickedsmellsaway。”
　　“Butyou’rekindertome，dearNorthWind。Whyshouldn’tyoubeaskindtoherasyouaretome？”
　　“Therearereasons，Diamond。Everybodycan’tbedonetoallthesame。
　　Everybodyisnotreadyforthesamething。”
　　“ButIdon’tseewhyIshouldbekinderusedthanshe。”
　　“Doyouthinknothing’stobedonebutwhatyoucansee，Diamond，yousilly！It’sallright。Ofcourseyoucanhelpherifyoulike。
　　You’vegotnothingparticulartodoatthismoment;Ihave。”
　　“Oh！doletmehelpher，then。Butyouwon’tbeabletowait，perhaps？”
　　“No，Ican’twait;youmustdoityourself。And，mind，thewindwillgetaholdofyou，too。”
　　“Don’tyouwantmetohelpher，NorthWind？”
　　“Notwithouthavingsomeideawhatwillhappen。Ifyoubreakdownandcry，thatwon’tbemuchofahelptoher，anditwillmakeagooseoflittleDiamond。”
　　“Iwanttogo。”saidDiamond。“Onlythere’sjustonething——
　　howamItogethome？”
　　“Ifyou’reanxiousaboutthat，perhapsyouhadbettergowithme。
　　Iamboundtotakeyouhomeagain，ifyoudo。”
　　“There！“criedDiamond，whowasstilllookingafterthelittlegirl。
　　“I’msurethewindwillblowherover，andperhapskillher。
　　Doletmego。”
　　Theyhadbeensweepingmoreslowlyalongthelineofthestreet。
　　Therewasalullintheroaring。
　　“Well，thoughIcannotpromisetotakeyouhome。”saidNorthWind，asshesanknearerandnearertothetopsofthehouses，“Icanpromiseyouitwillbeallrightintheend。Youwillgethomesomehow。
　　Haveyoumadeupyourmindwhattodo？”
　　“Yes;tohelpthelittlegirl。”saidDiamondfirmly。
　　ThesamemomentNorthWinddroptintothestreetandstood，onlyatalllady，butwithherhairflyingupoverthehousetops。
　　Sheputherhandstoherback，tookDiamond，andsethimdowninthestreet。Thesamemomenthewascaughtinthefiercecoilsoftheblast，andallbutblownaway。NorthWindsteppedbackastep，andatoncetoweredinstaturetotheheightofthehouses。
　　Achimney-potclashedatDiamond’sfeet。Heturnedinterror，butitwastolookforthelittlegirl，andwhenheturnedagaintheladyhadvanished，andthewindwasroaringalongthestreetasifithadbeenthebedofaninvisibletorrent。Thelittlegirlwasscuddingbeforetheblast，herhairflyingtoo，andbehindhershedraggedherbroom。Herlittlelegsweregoingasfastasevertheycouldtokeepherfromfalling。Diamondcreptintotheshelterofadoorway，thinkingtostopher;butshepassedhimlikeabird，cryinggentlyandpitifully。
　　“Stop！stop！littlegirl。”shoutedDiamond，startinginpursuit。
　　“Ican’t。”wailedthegirl，“thewindwon’tleavegoofme。”
　　Diamondcouldrunfasterthanshe，andhehadnobroom。Inafewmomentshehadcaughtherbythefrock，butittoreinhishand，andawaywentthelittlegirl。Sohehadtorunagain，andthistimeheransofastthathegotbeforeher，andturningroundcaughtherinhisarms，whendowntheywentbothtogether，whichmadethelittlegirllaughinthemidstofhercrying。
　　“Whereareyougoing？”askedDiamond，rubbingtheelbowthathadstuckfarthestout。Thearmitbelongedtowastwinedroundalamp-postashestoodbetweenthelittlegirlandthewind。
　　“Home。”shesaid，gaspingforbreath。
　　“ThenIwillgowithyou。”saidDiamond。
　　Andthentheyweresilentforawhile，forthewindblewworsethanever，andtheyhadbothtoholdontothelamp-post。
　　“Whereisyourcrossing？”askedthegirlatlength。
　　“Idon’tsweep。”answeredDiamond。
　　“Whatdoyoudo，then？”askedshe。“Youain’tbigenoughformostthings。”
　　“Idon’tknowwhatIdodo。”answeredhe，feelingratherashamed。
　　“Nothing，Isuppose。Myfather’sMr。Coleman’scoachman。”
　　“Haveyouafather？”shesaid，staringathimasifaboywithafatherwasanaturalcuriosity。
　　“Yes。Haven’tyou？”returnedDiamond。
　　“No;normotherneither。OldSal’sallI’vegot。”Andshebegantocryagain。
　　“Iwouldn’tgotoherifshewasn’tgoodtome。”saidDiamond。
　　“Butyoumustgosomewheres。”
　　“Moveon。”saidthevoiceofapolicemanbehindthem。
　　“Itoldyouso。”saidthegirl。“Youmustgosomewheres。
　　They’realwaysatit。”
　　“ButoldSaldoesn’tbeatyou，doesshe？”
　　“Iwishshewould。”
　　“Whatdoyoumean？”askedDiamond，quitebewildered。
　　“Shewouldifshewasmymother。Butshewouldn’tlieabeda-cuddlin’
　　ofheruglyoldbones，andlaughtohearmecryingatthedoor。”
　　“Youdon’tmeanshewon’tletyouinto-night？”
　　“It’llbeagoodchanceifshedoes。”
　　“Whyareyououtsolate，then？”askedDiamond。
　　“Mycrossing’salongwayoffattheWestEnd，andIhadbeenindulgin’
　　indoor-stepsandmewses。”
　　“We’dbetterhaveatryanyhow。”saidDiamond。“Comealong。”
　　AshespokeDiamondthoughthecaughtaglimpseofNorthWindturningacornerinfrontofthem;andwhentheyturnedthecornertoo，theyfounditquietthere，buthesawnothingofthelady。
　　“Nowyouleadme。”hesaid，takingherhand，“andI’lltakecareofyou。”
　　Thegirlwithdrewherhand，butonlytodryhereyeswithherfrock，fortheotherhadenoughtodowithherbroom。Sheputitinhisagain，andledhim，turningafterturning，untiltheystoppedatacellar-doorinaverydirtylane。Theresheknocked。
　　“Ishouldn’tliketolivehere。”saidDiamond。
　　“Oh，yes，youwould，ifyouhadnowhereelsetogoto。”
　　answeredthegirl。“Ionlywishwemaygetin。”
　　“Idon’twanttogoin。”saidDiamond。
　　“Wheredoyoumeantogo，then？”
　　“Hometomyhome。”
　　“Where’sthat？”
　　“Idon’texactlyknow。”
　　“Thenyou’reworseoffthanIam。”
　　“Ohno，forNorthWind——“beganDiamond，andstopped，hehardlyknewwhy。
　　“What？”saidthegirl，assheheldhereartothedoorlistening。
　　ButDiamonddidnotreply。NeitherdidoldSal。
　　“Itoldyouso。”saidthegirl。“Sheiswideawakehearkening。
　　Butwedon’tgetin。”
　　“Whatwillyoudo，then？”askedDiamond。
　　“Moveon。”sheanswered。
　　“Where？”
　　“Oh，anywheres。Blessyou，I’musedtoit。”
　　“Hadn’tyoubettercomehomewithme，then？”
　　“That’sagoodjoke，whenyoudon’tknowwhereitis。Comeon。”
　　“Butwhere？”
　　“Oh，nowheresinparticular。Comeon。”
　　Diamondobeyed。Thewindhadnowfallenconsiderably。Theywanderedonandon，turninginthisdirectionandthat，withoutanyreasonforonewaymorethananother，untiltheyhadgotoutofthethickofthehousesintoawastekindofplace。Bythistimetheywerebothverytired。Diamondfeltagooddealinclinedtocry，andthoughthehadbeenverysillytogetdownfromthebackofNorthWind;
　　notthathewouldhavemindeditifhehaddonethegirlanygood;
　　buthethoughthehadbeenofnousetoher。Hewasmistakenthere，forshewasfarhappierforhavingDiamondwithherthanifshehadbeenwanderingaboutalone。Shedidnotseemsotiredashewas。
　　“Doletusrestabit。”saidDiamond。
　　“Let’ssee。”sheanswered。“There’ssomethinglikearailwaythere。
　　Perhapsthere’sanopenarch。”
　　Theywenttowardsitandfoundone，and，betterstill，therewasanemptybarrellyingunderthearch。
　　“Hallo！hereweare！“saidthegirl。“Abarrel’sthejolliestbedgoing——onthetramp，Imean。We’llhavefortywinks，andthengoonagain。”
　　Shecreptin，andDiamondcreptinbesideher。Theyputtheirarmsroundeachother，andwhenhebegantogrowwarm，Diamond’scouragebegantocomeback。
　　“Thisisjolly！“hesaid。“I’msoglad！“
　　“Idon’tthinksomuchofit。”saidthegirl。“I’musedtoit，Isuppose。ButIcan’tthinkhowakidlikeyoucomestobeoutallalonethistimeo’night。”
　　Shecalledhimakid，butshewasnotreallyamontholderthanhewas;
　　onlyshehadhadtoworkforherbread，andthatsosoonmakespeopleolder。
　　“ButIshouldn’thavebeenoutsolateifIhadn’tgotdowntohelpyou。”saidDiamond。“NorthWindisgonehomelongago。”
　　“Ithinkyoumustha’gotouto’oneo’themHidgetAsylms。”
　　saidthegirl。“YousaidsomethingaboutthenorthwindaforethatIcouldn’tgettherightsof。”
　　Sonow，forthesakeofhischaracter，Diamondhadtotellherthewholestory。
　　Shedidnotbelieveawordofit。Shesaidhewasn’tsuchaflatastobelieveallthatbosh。Butasshespoketherecameagreatblastofwindthroughthearch，andsetthebarrelrolling。Sotheymadehastetogetoutofit，fortheyhadnonotionofbeingrolledoverandoverasiftheyhadbeenpackedtightandwouldn’thurt，likeabarrelofherrings。
　　“Ithoughtweshouldhavehadasleep。”saidDiamond;“butIcan’tsayI’mverysleepyafterall。Come，let’sgoonagain。”
　　Theywanderedonandon，sometimessittingonadoor-step，butalwaysturningintolanesorfieldswhentheyhadachance。
　　Theyfoundthemselvesatlastonarisinggroundthatslopedrathersteeplyontheotherside。Itwasawastekindofspotbelow，boundedbyanirregularwall，withafewdoorsinit。Outsidelaybrokenthingsingeneral，fromgardenrollerstoflower-potsandwine-bottles。Butthemomenttheyreachedthebrowoftherisingground，agustofwindseizedthemandblewthemdownhillasfastastheycouldrun。NorcouldDiamondstopbeforehewentbangagainstoneofthedoorsinthewall。Tohisdismayitburstopen。Whentheycametothemselvestheypeepedin。Itwasthebackdoorofagarden。
　　“Ah，ah！“criedDiamond，afterstaringforafewmoments，“Ithoughtso！
　　NorthWindtakesnobodyin！HereIaminmaster’sgarden！
　　Itellyouwhat，littlegirl，youjustboreaholeinoldSal’swall，andputyourmouthtoit，andsay，“Please，NorthWind，mayn’tIgooutwithyou？”andthenyou’llseewhat’llcome。”
　　“IdaresayIshall。ButI’moutinthewindtoooftenalreadytowantmoreofit。”
　　“IsaidwiththeNorthWind，notinit。”
　　“It’sallone。”
　　“It’snotallone。”
　　“Itisallone。”
　　“ButIknowbest。”
　　“AndIknowbetter。I’llboxyourears。”saidthegirl。
　　Diamondgotveryangry。Butherememberedthatevenifshedidboxhisears，hemusn’tboxhersagain，forshewasagirl，andallthatboysmustdo，ifgirlsarerude，istogoawayandleavethem。
　　Sohewentinatthedoor。
　　“Good-bye，mister“saidthegirl。
　　ThisbroughtDiamondtohissenses。
　　“I’msorryIwascross。”hesaid。“Comein，andmymotherwillgiveyousomebreakfast。”
　　“No，thankyou。Imustbeofftomycrossing。It’smorningnow。”
　　“I’mverysorryforyou。”saidDiamond。
　　“Well，itisalifetobetiredof——whatwitholdSal，andsomanyholesinmyshoes。”
　　“Iwonderyou’resogood。Ishouldkillmyself。”
　　“Oh，no，youwouldn’t！WhenIthinkofit，Ialwayswanttoseewhat’scomingnext，andsoIalwayswaittillnextisover。Well！Isupposethere’ssomebodyhappysomewheres。Butitain’tinthemcarriages。
　　Ohmy！howtheydolooksometimes——fittobiteyourheadoff！Good-bye！“
　　Sheranupthehillanddisappearedbehindit。ThenDiamondshutthedoorashebestcould，andranthroughthekitchen-gardentothestable。Andwasn’thegladtogetintohisownblessedbedagain！
　　CHAPTERV
　　THESUMMER-HOUSE
　　DIAMONDsaidnothingtohismotherabouthisadventures。HehadhalfanotionthatNorthWindwasafriendofhismother，andthat，ifshedidnotknowallaboutit，atleastshedidnotmindhisgoinganywherewiththeladyofthewind。Atthesametimehedoubtedwhetherhemightnotappeartobetellingstoriesifhetoldall，especiallyashecouldhardlybelieveithimselfwhenhethoughtaboutitinthemiddleoftheday，althoughwhenthetwilightwasoncehalf-wayontonighthehadnodoubtaboutit，atleastforthefirstfewdaysafterhehadbeenwithher。Thegirlthatsweptthecrossinghadcertainlyrefusedtobelievehim。Besides，hefeltsurethatNorthWindwouldtellhimifheoughttospeak。
　　Itwassometimebeforehesawtheladyofthewindagain。
　　IndeednothingremarkabletookplaceinDiamond’shistoryuntilthefollowingweek。Thiswaswhathappenedthen。Diamondthehorsewantednewshoes，andDiamond’sfathertookhimoutofthestable，andwasjustgettingonhisbacktoridehimtotheforge，whenhesawhislittleboystandingbythepump，andlookingathimwistfully。
　　Thenthecoachmantookhisfootoutofthestirrup，lefthisholdofthemaneandbridle，cameacrosstohisboy，liftedhimup，andsettinghimonthehorse’sback，toldhimtosituplikeaman。
　　HethenledawaybothDiamondstogether。
　　Theboyatopfeltnotalittletremulousasthegreatmusclesthatliftedthelegsofthehorseknottedandrelaxedagainsthislegs，andhecoweredtowardsthewithers，graspingwithhishandsthebitofmanewornshortbythecollar;butwhenhisfatherlookedbackathim，sayingoncemore，“Situp，Diamond。”heletthemanegoandsatup，notwithstandingthatthehorse，thinking，Isuppose，thathismasterhadsaidtohim，“Comeup，Diamond。”steppedoutfaster。
　　ForboththeDiamondswerejustgrandlyobedient。AndDiamondsoonfoundthat，ashewasobedienttohisfather，sothehorsewasobedienttohim。Forhehadnotriddenfarbeforehefoundcouragetoreachforwardandcatchholdofthebridle，andwhenhisfather，whosehandwasuponit，felttheboypullittowardshim，helookedupandsmiled，and，wellpleased，letgohishold，andleftDiamondtoguideDiamond;andtheboysoonfoundthathecoulddosoperfectly。
　　Itwasagrandthingtobeabletoguideagreatbeastlikethat。
　　Andanotherdiscoveryhemadewasthat，inordertoguidethehorse，hehadinameasuretoobeythehorsefirst。Ifhedidnotyieldhisbodytothemotionsofthehorse’sbody，hecouldnotguidehim;
　　hemustfalloff。
　　Theblacksmithlivedatsomedistance，deeperintoLondon。
　　Astheycrossedtheangleofasquare，Diamond，whowasnowquitecomfortableonhislivingthrone，wasglancingthiswayandthatinagentlepride，whenhesawagirlsweepingacrossingscuddinglybeforealady。Theladywashisfather’smistress，Mrs。Coleman，andthelittlegirlwassheforwhosesakehehadgotoffNorthWind’sback。HedrewDiamond’sbridleineageranxietytoseewhetherheroutstretchedhandwouldgatherapennyfromMrs。Coleman。
　　Butshehadgivenoneatthelastcrossing，andthehandreturnedonlytograspitsbroom。Diamondcouldnotbearit。Hehadapennyinhispocket，agiftofthesameladythedaybefore，andhetumbledoffhishorsetogiveittothegirl。Hetumbledoff，Isay，forhedidtumblewhenhereachedtheground。Buthegotupinaninstant，andran，searchinghispocketasheran。Shemadehimaprettycourtesywhenheofferedhistreasure，butwithabewilderedstare。
　　Shethoughtfirst:“ThenhewasonthebackoftheNorthWindafterall！“but，lookingupatthesoundofthehorse’sfeetonthepavedcrossing，shechangedheridea，sayingtoherself，“NorthWindishisfather’shorse！That’sthesecretofit！
　　Whycouldn’thesayso？”Andshehadamindtorefusethepenny。
　　Buthissmileputitallright，andshenotonlytookhispennybutputitinhermouthwitha“Thankyou，mister。Didtheywollopyouthen？”
　　“Ohno！“answeredDiamond。“Theyneverwollopsme。”
　　“Lor！“saidthelittlegirl，andwasspeechless。
　　Meantimehisfather，lookingup，andseeingthehorse’sbackbare，sufferedapangofawfuldread，butthenextmomentcatchingsightofhim，tookhimupandputhimon，saying——
　　“Don’tgetoffagain，Diamond。Thehorsemighthaveputhisfootonyou。”
　　“No，father。”answeredtheboy，androdeoninmajesticsafety。
　　Thesummerdrewnear，warmandsplendid。MissColemanwasalittlebetterinhealth，andsatagooddealinthegarden。OnedayshesawDiamondpeepingthroughtheshrubbery，andcalledhim。
　　Hetalkedtohersofranklythatsheoftensentforhimafterthat，andbydegreesitcameaboutthathehadleavetoruninthegardenashepleased。Henevertouchedanyoftheflowersorblossoms，forhewasnotlikesomeboyswhocannotenjoyathingwithoutpullingittopieces，andsopreventingeveryonefromenjoyingitafterthem。
　　Aweekevenmakessuchalongtimeinachild’slife，thatDiamondhadbegunoncemoretofeelasifNorthWindwereadreamofsomefar-offyear。
　　Onehotevening，hehadbeensittingwiththeyoungmistress，astheycalledher，inalittlesummer-houseatthebottomofthelawn——awonderfulthingforbeauty，theboythought，foralittlewindowinthesideofitwasmadeofcolouredglass。
　　Itgrewdusky，andtheladybegantofeelchill，andwentin，leavingtheboyinthesummer-house。Hesattheregazingoutatabedoftulips，which，althoughtheyhadclosedforthenight，couldnotgoquiteasleepforthewindthatkeptwavingthemabout。
　　Allatoncehesawagreatbumble-beeflyoutofoneofthetulips。
　　“There！thatissomethingdone。”saidavoice——agentle，merry，childishvoice，butsotiny。“Atlastitwas。Ithoughthewouldhavehadtostaythereallnight，poorfellow！Idid。”
　　Diamondcouldnottellwhetherthevoicewasnearorfaraway，itwassosmallandyetsoclear。Hehadneverseenafairy，buthehadheardofsuch，andhebegantolookallaboutforone。
　　Andtherewasthetiniestcreatureslidingdownthestemofthetulip！
　　“Areyouthefairythatherdsthebees？”heasked，goingoutofthesummer-house，anddownonhiskneesonthegreenshoreofthetulip-bed。
　　“I’mnotafairy。”answeredthelittlecreature。
　　“Howdoyouknowthat？”
　　“Itwouldbecomeyoubettertoaskhowyouaretoknowit。”
　　“You’vejusttoldme。”
　　“Yes。Butwhat’stheuseofknowingathingonlybecauseyou’retoldit？”
　　“Well，howamItoknowyouarenotafairy？Youdolookverylikeone。”
　　“Inthefirstplace，fairiesaremuchbiggerthanyouseeme。”
　　“Oh！“saidDiamondreflectively;“Ithoughttheywereverylittle。”
　　“ButtheymightbetremendouslybiggerthanIam，andyetnotverybig。Why，IcouldbesixtimesthesizeIam，andnotbeveryhuge。Besides，afairycan’tgrowbigandlittleatwill，thoughthenursery-talesdosayso:theydon’tknowbetter。
　　YoustupidDiamond！haveyouneverseenmebefore？”
　　And，asshespoke，amoanofwindbentthetulipsalmosttotheground，andthecreaturelaidherhandonDiamond’sshoulder。
　　InamomentheknewthatitwasNorthWind。
　　“Iamverystupid。”hesaid;“butIneversawyousosmallbefore，notevenwhenyouwerenursingtheprimrose。”
　　“Mustyouseemeeverysizethatcanbemeasuredbeforeyouknowme，Diamond？”
　　“ButhowcouldIthinkitwasyoutakingcareofagreatstupidbumble-bee？”
　　“Themorestupidhewasthemoreneedhehadtobetakencareof。
　　Whatwithsuckinghoneyandtryingtoopenthedoor，hewasnearlydated;
　　andwhenitopenedinthemorningtoletthesunseethetulip’sheart，whatwouldthesunhavethoughttofindsuchastupidthinglyingthere——
　　withwingstoo？”
　　“Buthowdoyouhavetimetolookafterbees？”
　　“Idon’tlookafterbees。Ihadthisonetolookafter。
　　Itwashardwork，though。”
　　“Hardwork！Why，youcouldblowachimneydown，or——oraboy’scapoff。”saidDiamond。
　　“Bothareeasierthantoblowatulipopen。ButIscarcelyknowthedifferencebetweenhardandeasy。IamalwaysableforwhatI
　　havetodo。WhenIseemywork，Ijustrushatit——anditisdone。
　　ButImustn’tchatter。Ihavegottosinkashipto-night。”
　　“Sinkaship！What！withmeninit？”
　　“Yes，andwomentoo。”
　　“Howdreadful！Iwishyouwouldn’ttalkso。”
　　“Itisratherdreadful。Butitismywork。Imustdoit。”
　　“Ihopeyouwon’taskmetogowithyou。”
　　“No，Iwon’taskyou。Butyoumustcomeforallthat。”
　　“Iwon’tthen。”
　　“Won’tyou？”AndNorthWindgrewatalllady，andlookedhimintheeyes，andDiamondsaid——
　　“Pleasetakeme。Youcannotbecruel。”
　　“No;IcouldnotbecruelifIwould。Icandonothingcruel，althoughIoftendowhatlookslikecrueltothosewhodonotknowwhatIreallyamdoing。ThepeopletheysayIdrown，Ionlycarryawayto——to——to——well，thebackoftheNorthWind——thatiswhattheyusedtocallitlongago，onlyIneversawtheplace。”
　　“Howcanyoucarrythemthereifyouneversawit？”
　　“Iknowtheway。”
　　“Buthowisityouneversawit？”
　　“Becauseitisbehindme。”
　　“Butyoucanlookround。”
　　“Notfarenoughtoseemyownback。No;Ialwayslookbeforeme。
　　Infact，IgrowquiteblindanddeafwhenItrytoseemyback。
　　Ionlymindmywork。”
　　“Buthowdoesitbeyourwork？”
　　“Ah，thatIcan’ttellyou。Ionlyknowitis，becausewhenIdoitIfeelallright，andwhenIdon’tIfeelallwrong。EastWindsays——
　　onlyonedoesnotexactlyknowhowmuchtobelieveofwhatshesays，forsheisverynaughtysometimes——shesaysitisallmanagedbyababy;butwhethersheisgoodornaughtywhenshesaysthat，Idon’tknow。Ijuststicktomywork。Itisallonetometoletabeeoutofatulip，ortosweepthecobwebsfromthesky。
　　Youwouldliketogowithmeto-night？”
　　“Idon’twanttoseeashipsunk。”
　　“ButsupposeIhadtotakeyou？”
　　“Why，then，ofcourseImustgo。”
　　“There’sagoodDiamond——IthinkIhadbetterbegrowingabit。
　　Onlyyoumustgotobedfirst。Ican’ttakeyoutillyou’reinbed。
　　That’sthelawaboutthechildren。SoIhadbettergoanddosomethingelsefirst。”
　　“Verywell，NorthWind。”saidDiamond。“Whatareyougoingtodofirst，ifyouplease？”
　　“IthinkImaytellyou。Jumpuponthetopofthewall，there。”
　　“Ican’t。”
　　“Ah！andIcan’thelpyou——youhaven’tbeentobedyet，yousee。
　　Comeouttotheroadwithme，justinfrontofthecoach-house，andI
　　willshowyou。”
　　NorthWindgrewverysmallindeed，sosmallthatshecouldnothaveblownthedustoffadustymiller，astheScotchchildrencallayellowauricula。Diamondcouldnotevenseethebladesofgrassmoveassheflittedalongbyhisfoot。Theyleftthelawn，wentoutbythewicketinthe-coach-housegates，andthencrossedtheroadtothelowwallthatseparateditfromtheriver。
　　“Youcangetuponthiswall，Diamond。”saidNorthWind。
　　“Yes;butmymotherhasforbiddenme。”
　　“Thendon’t。”saidNorthWind。
　　“ButIcanseeover。”saidDiamond。
　　“Ah！tobesure。Ican’t。”
　　Sosaying，NorthWindgavealittlebound，andstoodonthetopofthewall。Shewasjustabouttheheightadragon-flywouldbe，ifitstoodonend。
　　“Youdarling！“saidDiamond，seeingwhatalovelylittletoy-womanshewas。
　　“Don’tbeimpertinent，MasterDiamond。”saidNorthWind。
　　“Ifthere’sonethingmakesmemoreangrythananother，itisthewayyouhumansjudgethingsbytheirsize。IamquiteasrespectablenowasIshallbesixhoursafterthis，whenItakeanEastIndiamanbytheroyals，twistherround，andpushherunder。
　　Youhavenorighttoaddressmeinsuchafashion。”
　　Butasshespoke，thetinyfaceworethesmileofagreat，grandwoman。
　　ShewasonlyhavingherownbeautifulfunoutofDiamond，andtruewoman’sfunneverhurts。
　　“Butlookthere！“sheresumed。“Doyouseeaboatwithonemaninit——
　　agreenandwhiteboat？”
　　“Yes;quitewell。”
　　“That’sapoet。”
　　“Ithoughtyousaiditwasabo-at。”
　　“Stupidpet！Don’tyouknowwhatapoetis？”
　　“Why，athingtosailonthewaterin。”
　　“Well，perhapsyou’renotsofarwrong。Somepoetsdocarrypeopleoverthesea。ButIhavenobusinesstotalksomuch。
　　Themanisapoet。”
　　“Theboatisaboat。”saidDiamond。
　　“Can’tyouspell？”askedNorthWind。
　　“Notverywell。”
　　“SoIsee。Apoetisnotabo-at，asyoucallit。Apoetisamanwhoisgladofsomething，andtriestomakeotherpeoplegladofittoo。”
　　“Ah！nowIknow。Likethemaninthesweety-shop。”
　　“Notvery。ButIseeitisnouse。Iwasn’tsenttotellyou，andsoIcan’ttellyou。Imustbeoff。Onlyfirstjustlookattheman。”
　　“He’snotmuchofarower“saidDiamond——“paddlingfirstwithonefinandthenwiththeother。”
　　“Nowlookhere！“saidNorthWind。
　　Andsheflashedlikeadragon-flyacrossthewater，whosesurfacerippledandpuckeredasshepassed。Thenextmomentthemanintheboatglancedabouthim，andbenttohisoars。Theboatflewovertheripplingwater。Manandboatandriverwereawake。
　　Thesameinstantalmost，NorthWindperchedagainupontheriverwall。
　　“Howdidyoudothat？”askedDiamond。
　　“Iblewinhisface。”answeredNorthWind。“Idon’tseehowthatcoulddoit。”saidDiamond。“Idaresaynot。Andthereforeyouwillsayyoudon’tbelieveitcould。”
　　“No，no，dearNorthWind。Iknowyoutoowellnottobelieveyou。”
　　“Well，Iblewinhisface，andthatwokehimup。”
　　“Butwhatwasthegoodofit？”
　　“Why！don’tyousee？Lookathim——howheispulling。Iblewthemistoutofhim。”
　　“Howwasthat？”
　　“ThatisjustwhatIcannottellyou。”
　　“Butyoudidit。”
　　“Yes。Ihavetodotenthousandthingswithoutbeingabletotellhow。”
　　“Idon’tlikethat。”saidDiamond。
　　Hewasstaringaftertheboat。Hearingnoanswer，helookeddowntothewall。
　　NorthWindwasgone。Awayacrosstheriverwentalongripple——
　　whatsailorscallacat’spaw。Themanintheboatwasputtingupasail。Themoonwascomingtoherselfontheedgeofagreatcloud，andthesailbegantoshinewhite。Diamondrubbedhiseyes，andwonderedwhatitwasallabout。Thingsseemedgoingonaroundhim，andalltounderstandeachother，buthecouldmakenothingofit。
　　Soheputhishandsinhispockets，andwentintohavehistea。
　　Thenightwasveryhot，forthewindhadfallenagain。
　　“Youdon’tseemverywellto-night，Diamond。”saidhismother。
　　“Iamquitewell，mother。”returnedDiamond，whowasonlypuzzled。
　　“Ithinkyouhadbettergotobed。”sheadded。
　　“Verywell，mother。”heanswered。
　　Hestoppedforonemomenttolookoutofthewindow。Abovethemoonthecloudsweregoingdifferentways。Somehoworotherthistroubledhim，but，notwithstanding，hewassoonfastasleep。
　　Hewokeinthemiddleofthenightandthedarkness。Aterriblenoisewasrumblingoverhead，liketherollingbeatofgreatdrumsechoingthroughabrazenvault。Theroofoftheloftinwhichhelayhadnoceiling;onlythetileswerebetweenhimandthesky。
　　Forawhilehecouldnotcomequiteawake，forthenoisekeptbeatinghimdown，sothathisheartwastroubledandflutteredpainfully。
　　Asecondpealofthunderburstoverhishead，andalmostchokedhimwithfear。Nordidherecoveruntilthegreatblastthatfollowed，havingtornsometilesofftheroof，sentaspoutofwinddownintohisbedandoverhisface，whichbroughthimwideawake，andgavehimbackhiscourage。Thesamemomentheheardamightyyetmusicalvoicecallinghim。
　　“Comeup，Diamond。”itsaid。“It’sallready。I’mwaitingforyou。”
　　Helookedoutofthebed，andsawagigantic，powerful，butmostlovelyarm——withahandwhosefingerswerenothingthelessladylikethattheycouldhavestrangledaboa-constrictor，orchokedatigressoffitsprey——stretcheddownthroughabigholeintheroof。
　　Withoutamoment’shesitationhereachedouthistinyone，andlaiditinthegrandpalmbeforehim。
　　CHAPTERVI
　　OUTINTHESTORM
　　THEhandfeltitswayuphisarm，and，graspingitgentlyandstronglyabovetheelbow，liftedDiamondfromthebed。Themomenthewasthroughtheholeintheroof，allthewindsofheavenseemedtolayholduponhim，andbuffethimhitherandthither。
　　Hishairblewoneway，hisnight-gownanother，hislegsthreatenedtofloatfromunderhim，andhisheadtogrowdizzywiththeswiftnessoftheinvisibleassailant。Cowering，heclungwiththeotherhandtothehugehandwhichheldhisarm，andfearinvadedhisheart。
　　“Oh，NorthWind！“hemurmured，butthewordsvanishedfromhislipsashehadseenthesoap-bubblesthatbursttoosoonvanishfromthemouthofhispipe。Thewindcaughtthem，andtheywerenowhere。
　　Theycouldn’tgetoutatall，butweretornawayandstrangled。
　　AndyetNorthWindheardthem，andinheransweritseemedtoDiamondthatjustbecauseshewassobigandcouldnothelpit，andjustbecauseherearandhermouthmustseemtohimsodreadfullyfaraway，shespoketohimmoretenderlyandgraciouslythaneverbefore。
　　Hervoicewaslikethebassofadeeporgan，withoutthegroaninit;
　　likethemostdelicateofviolintoneswithoutthewailinit;
　　likethemostgloriousoftrumpet-ejaculationswithoutthedefianceinit;likethesoundoffallingwaterwithouttheclatterandclashinit:itwaslikeallofthemandneitherofthem——allofthemwithouttheirfaults，eachofthemwithoutitspeculiarity:
　　afterall，itwasmorelikehismother’svoicethananythingelseintheworld。
　　“Diamond，dear。”shesaid，“beaman。Whatisfearfultoyouisnottheleastfearfultome。”
　　“Butitcan’thurtyou。”murmuredDiamond，“foryou’reit。”
　　“ThenifI’mit，andhaveyouinmyarms，howcanithurtyou？”
　　“Ohyes！Isee。”whisperedDiamond。“Butitlookssodreadful，anditpushesmeaboutso。”
　　“Yes，itdoes，mydear。Thatiswhatitwassentfor。”
　　Atthesamemoment，apealofthunderwhichshookDiamond’sheartagainstthesidesofhisbosomhurtledoutoftheheavens:
　　Icannotsayoutofthesky，fortherewasnosky。Diamondhadnotseenthelightning，forhehadbeenintentonfindingthefaceofNorthWind。Everymomentthefoldsofhergarmentwouldsweepacrosshiseyesandblindhim，butbetween，hecouldjustpersuadehimselfthathesawgreatgloriesofwoman’seyeslookingdownthroughriftsinthemountainouscloudsoverhishead。
　　Hetrembledsoatthethunder，thathiskneesfailedhim，andhesunkdownatNorthWind’sfeet，andclaspedherroundthecolumnofherankle。
　　Sheinstantlystooped，liftedhimfromtheroof——up——upintoherbosom，andheldhimthere，saying，asiftoaninconsolablechild——
　　“Diamond，dear，thiswillneverdo。”
　　“Ohyes，itwill。”answeredDiamond。“Iamallrightnow——
　　quitecomfortable，Iassureyou，dearNorthWind。Ifyouwillonlyletmestayhere，Ishallbeallrightindeed。”
　　“Butyouwillfeelthewindhere，Diamond。”
　　“Idon’tmindthatabit，solongasIfeelyourarmsthroughit。”
　　answeredDiamond，nestlingclosertohergrandbosom。
　　“Braveboy！“returnedNorthWind，pressinghimcloser。
　　“No。”saidDiamond，“Idon’tseethat。It’snotcourageatall，solongasIfeelyouthere。”
　　“Buthadn’tyoubettergetintomyhair？Thenyouwouldnotfeelthewind;youwillhere。”
　　“Ah，but，dearNorthWind，youdon’tknowhowniceitistofeelyourarmsaboutme。Itisathousandtimesbettertohavethemandthewindtogether，thantohaveonlyyourhairandthebackofyourneckandnowindatall。”
　　“Butitissurelymorecomfortablethere？”
　　“Well，perhaps;butIbegintothinktherearebetterthingsthanbeingcomfortable。”
　　“Yes，indeedthereare。Well，Iwillkeepyouinfrontofme。
　　Youwillfeelthewind，butnottoomuch。Ishallonlywantonearmtotakecareofyou;theotherwillbequiteenoughtosinktheship。”
　　“Oh，dearNorthWind！howcanyoutalkso？”
　　“Mydearboy，Inevertalk;IalwaysmeanwhatIsay。”
　　“Thenyoudomeantosinktheshipwiththeotherhand？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“It’snotlikeyou。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthat？”
　　“Quiteeasily。Hereyouaretakingcareofapoorlittleboywithonearm，andthereyouaresinkingashipwiththeother。
　　Itcan’tbelikeyou。”
　　“Ah！butwhichisme？Ican’tbetwomes，youknow。”
　　“No。Nobodycanbetwomes。”
　　“Well，whichmeisme？”
　　“NowImustthink。Therelookstobetwo。”
　　“Yes。That’stheverypoint——Youcan’tbeknowingthethingyoudon’tknow，canyou？”
　　“No。”
　　“Whichmedoyouknow？”
　　“Thekindest，goodest，bestmeintheworld。”answeredDiamond，clingingtoNorthWind。
　　“WhyamIgoodtoyou？”
　　“Idon’tknow。”
　　“Haveyoueverdoneanythingforme？”
　　“No。”
　　“ThenImustbegoodtoyoubecauseIchoosetobegoodtoyou。”
　　“Yes。”
　　“WhyshouldIchoose？”
　　“Because——because——becauseyoulike。”
　　“WhyshouldIliketobegoodtoyou？”
　　“Idon’tknow，exceptitbebecauseit’sgoodtobegoodtome。”
　　“That’sjustit;IamgoodtoyoubecauseIliketobegood。”
　　“Thenwhyshouldn’tyoubegoodtootherpeopleaswellastome？”
　　“That’sjustwhatIdon’tknow。Whyshouldn’tI？”
　　“Idon’tknoweither。Thenwhyshouldn’tyou？”
　　“BecauseIam。”
　　“Thereitisagain。”saidDiamond。“Idon’tseethatyouare。
　　Itlooksquitetheotherthing。”
　　“Well，butlistentome，Diamond。Youknowtheoneme，yousay，andthatisgood。”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Doyouknowtheothermeaswell？”
　　“No。Ican’t。Ishouldn’tliketo。”
　　“Thereitis。Youdon’tknowtheotherme。Youaresureofoneofthem？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Andyouaresuretherecan’tbetwomes？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Thenthemeyoudon’tknowmustbethesameasthemeyoudoknow，——
　　elsetherewouldbetwomes？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Thentheothermeyoudon’tknowmustbeaskindasthemeyoudoknow？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Besides，Itellyouthatitisso，onlyitdoesn’tlooklikeit。
　　ThatIconfessfreely。Haveyouanythingmoretoobject？”
　　“No，no，dearNorthWind;Iamquitesatisfied。”
　　“ThenIwilltellyousomethingyoumightobject。Youmightsaythatthemeyouknowisliketheotherme，andthatIamcruelallthrough。”
　　“Iknowthatcan’tbe，becauseyouaresokind。”
　　“Butthatkindnessmightbeonlyapretenceforthesakeofbeingmorecruelafterwards。”
　　Diamondclungtohertighterthanever，crying——
　　“No，no，dearNorthWind;Ican’tbelievethat。Idon’tbelieveit。
　　Iwon’tbelieveit。Thatwouldkillme。Iloveyou，andyoumustloveme，elsehowdidIcometoloveyou？Howcouldyouknowhowtoputonsuchabeautifulfaceifyoudidnotlovemeandtherest？No。Youmaysinkasmanyshipsasyoulike，andIwon’tsayanotherword。Ican’tsayIshallliketoseeit，youknow。”
　　“That’squiteanotherthing。”saidNorthWind;andasshespokeshegaveonespringfromtheroofofthehay-loft，andrushedupintotheclouds，withDiamondonherleftarmclosetoherheart。
　　Andasifthecloudsknewshehadcome，theyburstintoafreshjubilationofthunderouslight。Forafewmoments，Diamondseemedtobeborneupthroughthedepthsofanoceanofdazzlingflame;
　　thenext，thewindswerewrithingaroundhimlikeastormofserpents。
　　Fortheywereinthemidstofthecloudsandmists，andtheyofcoursetooktheshapesofthewind，eddyingandwreathingandwhirlingandshootinganddashingaboutlikegreyandblackwater，sothatitwasasifthewinditselfhadtakenshape，andhesawthegreyandblackwindtossingandravingmostmadlyallabouthim。
　　Nowitblindedhimbysmitinghimupontheeyes;nowitdeafenedhimbybellowinginhisears;forevenwhenthethundercameheknewnowthatitwasthebillowsofthegreatoceanoftheairdashingagainsteachotherintheirhastetofillthehollowscoopedoutbythelightning;nowittookhisbreathquiteawaybysuckingitfromhisbodywiththespeedofitsrush。Buthedidnotmindit。Heonlygaspedfirstandthenlaughed，forthearmofNorthWindwasabouthim，andhewasleaningagainstherbosom。
　　Itisquiteimpossibleformetodescribewhathesaw。Didyoueverwatchagreatwaveshootintoawindingpassageamongstrocks？
　　Ifyoueverdid，youwouldseethatthewaterrushedeverywayatonce，someofiteventurningbackandopposingtherest;
　　greaterconfusionyoumightseenowhereexceptinacrowdoffrightenedpeople。Well，thewindwaslikethat，exceptthatitwentmuchfaster，andthereforewasmuchwilder，andtwistedandshotandcurledanddodgedandclashedandravedtentimesmoremadlythananythingelseincreationexcepthumanpassions。
　　Diamondsawthethreadsofthelady’shairstreakingitall。
　　Inpartsindeedhecouldnottellwhichwashairandwhichwasblackstormandvapour。Itseemedsometimesthatallthegreatbillowsofmist-muddywindwerewovenoutofthecrossinglinesofNorthWind’sinfinitehair，sweepinginendlessintertwistings。
　　AndDiamondfeltasthewindseizedonhishair，whichhismotherkeptratherlong，asifhetoowasapartofthestorm，andsomeofitslifewentoutfromhim。ButsoshelteredwashebyNorthWind’sarmandbosomthatonlyattimes，inthefierceronslaughtofsomecurl-billowededdy，didherecogniseforamomenthowwildwasthestorminwhichhewascarried，nestlinginitsverycoreandformativecentre。
　　ItseemedtoDiamondlikewisethattheyweremotionlessinthiscentre，andthatalltheconfusionandfightingwentonaroundthem。
　　Flashafterflashilluminatedthefiercechaos，revealinginvariedyellowandblueandgreyandduskyredthevapourouscontention;
　　pealafterpealofthundertoretheinfinitewaste;butitseemedtoDiamondthatNorthWindandheweremotionless，allbutthehair。
　　Itwasnotso。Theyweresweepingwiththespeedofthewinditselftowardsthesea。