CHAPTERVII
　　THECATHEDRAL
　　IMUSTnotgoondescribingwhatcannotbedescribed，fornothingismorewearisome。
　　Beforetheyreachedthesea，DiamondfeltNorthWind’shairjustbeginningtofallabouthim。
　　“Isthestormover，NorthWind？”hecalledout。
　　“No，Diamond。Iamonlywaitingamomenttosetyoudown。
　　Youwouldnotliketoseetheshipsunk，andIamgoingtogiveyouaplacetostopintillIcomebackforyou。”
　　“Oh！thankyou。”saidDiamond。“Ishallbesorrytoleaveyou，NorthWind，butIwouldrathernotseetheshipgodown。AndI’mafraidthepoorpeoplewillcry，andIshouldhearthem。Oh，dear！“
　　“Thereareagoodmanypassengersonboard;andtotellthetruth，Diamond，Idon’tcareaboutyourhearingthecryyouspeakof。
　　Iamafraidyouwouldnotgetitoutofyourlittleheadagainforalongtime。”
　　“Buthowcanyoubearitthen，NorthWind？ForIamsureyouarekind。
　　Ishallneverdoubtthatagain。”
　　“IwilltellyouhowIamabletobearit，Diamond:Iamalwayshearing，througheverynoise，throughallthenoiseIammakingmyselfeven，thesoundofafar-offsong。Idonotexactlyknowwhereitis，orwhatitmeans;andIdon’thearmuchofit，onlytheodourofitsmusic，asitwere，flittingacrossthegreatbillowsoftheoceanoutsidethisairinwhichImakesuchastorm;butwhatIdohearisquiteenoughtomakemeabletobearthecryfromthedrowningship。
　　Soitwouldyouifyoucouldhearit。”
　　“No，itwouldn’t。”returnedDiamond，stoutly。“Fortheywouldn’thearthemusicofthefar-awaysong;andiftheydid，itwouldn’tdothemanygood。YouseeyouandIarenotgoingtobedrowned，andsowemightenjoyit。”
　　“Butyouhaveneverheardthepsalm，andyoudon’tknowwhatitislike。Somehow，Ican’tsayhow，ittellsmethatallisright;
　　thatitiscomingtoswallowupallcries。”
　　“Butthatwon’tdothemanygood——thepeople，Imean。”persistedDiamond。
　　“Itmust。Itmust。”saidNorthWind，hurriedly。“Itwouldn’tbethesongitseemstobeifitdidnotswallowupalltheirfearandpaintoo，andsetthemsingingitthemselveswiththerest。
　　Iamsureitwill。Anddoyouknow，eversinceIknewIhadhair，thatis，eversinceitbegantogooutandaway，thatsonghasbeencomingnearerandnearer。OnlyImustsayitwassomethousandyearsbeforeIheardit。”
　　“Buthowcanyousayitwascomingnearerwhenyoudidnothearit？”
　　askeddoubtinglittleDiamond。
　　“SinceIbegantohearit，Iknowitisgrowinglouder，thereforeI
　　judgeitwascomingnearerandneareruntilIdidhearitfirst。
　　I’mnotsoveryold，youknow——afewthousandyearsonly——andIwasquiteababywhenIheardthenoisefirst，butIknewitmustcomefromthevoicesofpeopleeversomucholderandwiserthanIwas。
　　Ican’tsingatall，exceptnowandthen，andIcannevertellwhatmysongisgoingtobe;IonlyknowwhatitisafterIhavesungit——
　　Butthiswillneverdo。Willyoustophere？”
　　“Ican’tseeanywheretostop。”saidDiamond。“Yourhairisalldownlikeadarkness，andIcan’tseethroughitifIknockmyeyesintoiteversomuch。”
　　“Look，then。”saidNorthWind;and，withonesweepofhergreatwhitearm，shesweptyardsdeepofdarknesslikeagreatcurtainfrombeforethefaceoftheboy。
　　Andlo！itwasabluenight，litupwithstars。Whereitdidnotshinewithstarsitshimmeredwiththemilkofthestars，exceptwhere，justoppositetoDiamond’sface，thegreytowersofacathedralblottedouteachitsownshapeofskyandstars。
　　“Oh！what’sthat？”criedDiamond，struckwithakindofterror，forhehadneverseenacathedral，anditrosebeforehimwithanawfulrealityinthemidstofthewidespaces，conqueringemptinesswithgrandeur。
　　“Averygoodplaceforyoutowaitin。”saidNorthWind。“Butweshallgoin，andyoushalljudgeforyourself。”
　　Therewasanopendoorinthemiddleofoneofthetowers，leadingoutupontheroof，andthroughittheypassed。ThenNorthWindsetDiamondonhisfeet，andhefoundhimselfatthetopofastonestair，whichwenttwistingawaydownintothedarknessforonlyalittlelightcameinatthedoor。Itwasenough，however，toallowDiamondtoseethatNorthWindstoodbesidehim。Helookeduptofindherface，andsawthatshewasnolongerabeautifulgiantess，butthetallgraciousladyhelikedbesttosee。Shetookhishand，and，givinghimthebroadpartofthespiralstairtowalkon，ledhimdownagoodway;then，openinganotherlittledoor，ledhimoutuponanarrowgallerythatranallroundthecentralpartofthechurch，ontheledgesofthewindowsoftheclerestory，andthroughopeningsinthepartsofthewallthatdividedthewindowsfromeachother。
　　Itwasverynarrow，andexceptwhentheywerepassingthroughthewall，Diamondsawnothingtokeephimfromfallingintothechurch。
　　Itlaybelowhimlikeagreatsilentgulfhollowedinstone，andheheldhisbreathforfearashelookeddown。
　　“Whatareyoutremblingfor，littleDiamond？”saidthelady，asshewalkedgentlyalong，withherhandheldoutbehindherleadinghim，fortherewasnotbreadthenoughforthemtowalksidebyside。
　　“Iamafraidoffallingdownthere。”answeredDiamond。“Itissodeepdown。”
　　“Yes，rather。”answeredNorthWind;“butyouwereahundredtimeshigherafewminutesago。”
　　“Ah，yes，butsomebody’sarmwasaboutmethen。”saidDiamond，puttinghislittlemouthtothebeautifulcoldhandthathadaholdofhis。
　　“Whatadearlittlewarmmouthyou’vegot！“saidNorthWind。
　　“Itisapityyoushouldtalknonsensewithit。Don’tyouknowI
　　haveaholdofyou？”
　　“Yes;butI’mwalkingonmyownlegs，andtheymightslip。
　　Ican’ttrustmyselfsowellasyourarms。”
　　“ButIhaveaholdofyou，Itellyou，foolishchild。”
　　“Yes，butsomehowIcan’tfeelcomfortable。”
　　“Ifyouweretofall，andmyholdofyouweretogiveway，Ishouldbedownafteryouinalessmomentthanalady’swatchcantick，andcatchyoulongbeforeyouhadreachedtheground。”
　　“Idon’tlikeitthough。”saidDiamond。
　　“Oh！oh！oh！“hescreamedthenextmoment，bentdoublewithterror，forNorthWindhadletgoherholdofhishand，andhadvanished，leavinghimstandingasifrootedtothegallery。
　　Sheleftthewords，“Comeafterme。”soundinginhisears。
　　Butmovehedarednot。Inamomentmorehewouldfromveryterrorhavefallenintothechurch，butsuddenlytherecameagentlebreathofcoolwinduponhisface，anditkeptblowinguponhiminlittlepuffs，andateverypuffDiamondfelthisfaintnessgoingaway，andhisfearwithit。Couragewasrevivinginhislittleheart，andstillthecoolwaftsofthesoftwindbreatheduponhim，andthesoftwindwassomightyandstrongwithinitsgentleness，thatinaminutemoreDiamondwasmarchingalongthenarrowledgeasfearlessforthetimeasNorthWindherself。
　　Hewalkedonandon，withthewindowsallinarowononesideofhim，andthegreatemptynaveofthechurchechoingtoeveryoneofhisbravestridesontheother，untilatlasthecametoalittleopendoor，fromwhichabroaderstairledhimdownanddownanddown，tillatlastallatoncehefoundhimselfinthearmsofNorthWind，whoheldhimclosetoher，andkissedhimontheforehead。
　　Diamondnestledtoher，andmurmuredintoherbosom，——“Whydidyouleaveme，dearNorthWind？”
　　“BecauseIwantedyoutowalkalone。”sheanswered。
　　“Butitissomuchnicerhere！“saidDiamond。
　　“Idaresay;butIcouldn’tholdalittlecowardtomyheart。
　　Itwouldmakemesocold！“
　　“ButIwasn’tbraveofmyself。”saidDiamond，whommyolderreaderswillhavealreadydiscoveredtobeatruechildinthis，thathewasgiventometaphysics。“Itwasthewindthatblewinmyfacethatmademebrave。Wasn’titnow，NorthWind？”
　　“Yes:Iknowthat。Youhadtobetaughtwhatcouragewas。
　　Andyoucouldn’tknowwhatitwaswithoutfeelingit:thereforeitwasgivenyou。Butdon’tyoufeelasifyouwouldtrytobebraveyourselfnexttime？”
　　“Yes，Ido。Buttryingisnotmuch。”
　　“Yes，itis——averygreatdeal，foritisabeginning。Andabeginningisthegreatestthingofall。Totrytobebraveistobebrave。
　　Thecowardwhotriestobebraveisbeforethemanwhoisbravebecauseheismadeso，andneverhadtotry。”
　　“Howkindyouare，NorthWind！“
　　“Iamonlyjust。Allkindnessisbutjustice。Weoweit。”
　　“Idon’tquiteunderstandthat。”
　　“Nevermind;youwillsomeday。Thereisnohurryaboutunderstandingitnow。”
　　“Whoblewthewindonmethatmademebrave？”
　　“Idid。”
　　“Ididn’tseeyou。”
　　“Thereforeyoucanbelieveme。”
　　“Yes，yes;ofcourse。Buthowwasitthatsuchalittlebreathcouldbesostrong？”
　　“ThatIdon’tknow。”
　　“Butyoumadeitstrong？”
　　“No:Ionlyblewit。Iknewitwouldmakeyoustrong，justasitdidthemanintheboat，youremember。ButhowmybreathhasthatpowerIcannottell。ItwasputintoitwhenIwasmade。
　　ThatisallIknow。ButreallyImustbegoingaboutmywork。”
　　“Ah！thepoorship！Iwishyouwouldstophere，andletthepoorshipgo。”
　　“ThatIdarenotdo。WillyoustopheretillIcomeback？”
　　“Yes。Youwon’tbelong？”
　　“NotlongerthanIcanhelp。Trustme，youshallgethomebeforethemorning。”
　　InamomentNorthWindwasgone，andthenextDiamondheardamoaningaboutthechurch，whichgrewandgrewtoaroaring。
　　Thestormwasupagain，andheknewthatNorthWind’shairwasflying。
　　Thechurchwasdark。Onlyalittlelightcamethroughthewindows，whichwerealmostallofthatpreciousoldstainedglasswhichissomuchlovelierthanthenew。ButDiamondcouldnotseehowbeautifultheywere，fortherewasnotenoughoflightinthestarstoshowthecoloursofthem。Hecouldonlyjustdistinguishthemfromthewalls，Helookedup，butcouldnotseethegalleryalongwhichhehadpassed。Hecouldonlytellwhereitwasfarupbythefaintglimmerofthewindowsoftheclerestory，whosesillsmadepartofit。Thechurchgrewverylonelyabouthim，andhebegantofeellikeachildwhosemotherhasforsakenit。
　　Onlyheknewthattobeleftaloneisnotalwaystobeforsaken。
　　Hebegantofeelhiswayabouttheplace，andforawhilewentwanderingupanddown。Hislittlefootstepswakedlittleansweringechoesinthegreathouse。Itwasn’ttoobigtomindhim。
　　Itwasasifthechurchknewhewasthere，andmeanttomakeitselfhishouse。Soitwentongivingbackananswertoeverystep，untilatlengthDiamondthoughtheshouldliketosaysomethingoutloud，andseewhatthechurchwouldanswer。Buthefoundhewasafraidtospeak。Hecouldnotutterawordforfearoftheloneliness。
　　Perhapsitwasaswellthathedidnot，forthesoundofaspokenwordwouldhavemadehimfeeltheplaceyetmoredesertedandempty。
　　Buthethoughthecouldsing。Hewasfondofsinging，andathomeheusedtosing，totunesofhisown，allthenurseryrhymesheknew。
　　Sohebegantotry`Heydiddlediddle’，butitwouldn’tdo。
　　Thenhetried`LittleBoyBlue’，butitwasnobetter。Neitherwould`SingaSongofSixpence’singitselfatall。Thenhetried`PooroldCockytoo’，buthewouldn’tdo。Theyallsoundedsosilly！
　　andhehadneverthoughtthemsillybefore。Sohewasquiet，andlistenedtotheechoesthatcameoutofthedarkcornersinanswertohisfootsteps。
　　Atlasthegaveagreatsigh，andsaid，“I’msotired。”Buthedidnothearthegentleechothatansweredfromfarawayoverhishead，foratthesamemomenthecameagainstthelowestofafewstepsthatstretchedacrossthechurch，andfelldownandhurthisarm。
　　Hecriedalittlefirst，andthencrawledupthestepsonhishandsandknees。Atthetophecametoalittlebitofcarpet，onwhichhelaydown;andtherehelaystaringatthedullwindowthatrosenearlyahundredfeetabovehishead。
　　Nowthiswastheeasternwindowofthechurch，andthemoonwasatthatmomentjustontheedgeofthehorizon。Thenext，shewaspeepingoverit。Andlo！withthemoon，St。JohnandSt。Paul，andtherestofthem，begantodawninthewindowintheirlovelygarments。
　　Diamonddidnotknowthatthewonder-workingmoonwasbehind，andhethoughtallthelightwascomingoutofthewindowitself，andthatthegoodoldmenwereappearingtohelphim，growingoutofthenightandthedarkness，becausehehadhurthisarm，andwasverytiredandlonely，andNorthWindwassolongincoming。
　　Sohelayandlookedatthembackwardsoverhishead，wonderingwhentheywouldcomedownorwhattheywoulddonext。Theywereverydim，forthemoonlightwasnotstrongenoughforthecolours，andhehadenoughtodowithhiseyestryingtomakeouttheirshapes。
　　Sohiseyesgrewtired，andmoreandmoretired，andhiseyelidsgrewsoheavythattheywouldkeeptumblingdownoverhiseyes。
　　Hekeptliftingthemandliftingthem，buteverytimetheywereheavierthanthelast。Itwasnouse:theyweretoomuchforhim。
　　Sometimesbeforehehadgotthemhalfup，downtheywereagain;
　　andatlengthhegaveitupquite，andthemomenthegaveitup，hewasfastasleep。
　　CHAPTERVIII
　　THEEASTWINDOW
　　THATDiamondhadfallenfastasleepisveryevidentfromthestrangethingshenowfanciedastakingplace。Forhethoughtheheardasoundasofwhisperingupinthegreatwindow。Hetriedtoopenhiseyes，buthecouldnot。Andthewhisperingwentonandgrewlouderandlouder，untilhecouldheareverywordthatwassaid。
　　HethoughtitwastheApostlestalkingabouthim。Buthecouldnotopenhiseyes。
　　“Andhowcomeshetobelyingthere，St。Peter？”saidone。
　　“IthinkIsawhimawhileagoupinthegallery，undertheNicodemuswindow。Perhapshehasfallendown。
　　“Whatdoyouthink，St。Matthew？”
　　“Idon’tthinkhecouldhavecrepthereafterfallingfromsuchaheight。Hemusthavebeenkilled。”
　　“Whatarewetodowithhim？Wecan’tleavehimlyingthere。
　　Andwecouldnotmakehimcomfortableuphereinthewindow:
　　it’srathercrowdedalready。Whatdoyousay，St。Thomas？”
　　“Let’sgodownandlookathim。”
　　Therecamearustling，andachinking，forsometime，andthentherewasasilence，andDiamondfeltsomehowthatalltheApostleswerestandingroundhimandlookingdownonhim。Andstillhecouldnotopenhiseyes。
　　“Whatisthematterwithhim，St。Luke？”askedone。
　　“There’snothingthematterwithhim。”answeredSt。Luke，whomusthavejoinedthecompanyoftheApostlesfromthenextwindow，onewouldthink。“He’sinasoundsleep。”
　　“Ihaveit。”criedanother。“ThisisoneofNorthWind’stricks。
　　Shehascaughthimupanddroppedhimatourdoor，likeawitheredleaforafoundlingbaby。Idon’tunderstandthatwoman’sconduct，Imustsay。Asifwehadn’tenoughtodowithourmoney，withoutgoingtakingcareofotherpeople’schildren！That’snotwhatourforefathersbuiltcathedralsfor。”
　　NowDiamondcouldnotbeartohearsuchthingsagainstNorthWind，who，heknew，neverplayedanybodyatrick。Shewasfartoobusywithherownworkforthat。Hestruggledhardtoopenhiseyes，butwithoutsuccess。
　　“Sheshouldconsiderthatachurchisnotaplaceforpranks，nottomentionthatweliveinit。”saidanother。
　　“Itcertainlyisdisrespectfulofher。Butshealwaysisdisrespectful。
　　Whatrighthasshetobangatourwindowsasshehasbeendoingthewholeofthisnight？Idaresaythereisglassbrokensomewhere。
　　Iknowmybluerobeisinadreadfulmesswiththerainfirstandthedustafter。Itwillcostmeshillingstocleanit。”
　　ThenDiamondknewthattheycouldnotbeApostles，talkinglikethis。
　　Theycouldonlybethesextonsandvergersandsuch-like，whogotupatnight，andputontherobesofdeansandbishops，andcalledeachothergrandnames，asthefoolishservantshehadheardhisfathertellofcallthemselveslordsandladies，aftertheirmastersandmistresses。AndhewassoangryattheirdaringtoabuseNorthWind，thathejumpedup，crying——“NorthWindknowsbestwhatsheisabout。
　　Shehasagoodrighttoblowthecobwebsfromyourwindows，forshewassenttodoit。Shesweepsthemawayfromgranderplaces，Icantellyou，forI’vebeenwithheratit。”
　　Thiswaswhathebegantosay，butashespokehiseyescamewideopen，andbehold，therewereneitherApostlesnorvergersthere——
　　notevenawindowwiththeeffigiesofholymeninit，butadarkheapofhayallabouthim，andthelittlepanesintheroofofhisloftglimmeringblueinthelightofthemorning。OldDiamondwascomingawakedownbelowinthestable。Inamomentmorehewasonhisfeet，andshakinghimselfsothatyoungDiamond’sbedtrembledunderhim。
　　“He’sgrandatshakinghimself。”saidDiamond。“IwishIcouldshakemyselflikethat。ButthenIcanwashmyself，andhecan’t。
　　WhatfunitwouldbetoseeOldDiamondwashinghisfacewithhishoofsandironshoes！Wouldn’titbeapicture？”
　　Sosaying，hegotupanddressedhimself。Thenhewentoutintothegarden。Theremusthavebeenatremendouswindinthenight，foralthoughallwasquietnow，therelaythelittlesummer-housecrushedtotheground，andoveritthegreatelm-tree，whichthewindhadbrokenacross，beingmuchdecayedinthemiddle。
　　Diamondalmostcriedtoseethewildernessofgreenleaves，whichusedtobesofarupintheblueair，tossingaboutinthebreeze，andlikingitbestwhenthewindblewitmost，nowlyingsoneartheground，andwithoutanyhopeofevergettingupintothedeepairagain。
　　“Iwonderhowoldthetreeis！“thoughtDiamond。“Itmusttakealongtimetogetsoneartheskyasthatpoortreewas。”
　　“Yes，indeed。”saidavoicebesidehim，forDiamondhadspokenthelastwordsaloud。
　　Diamondstarted，andlookingaroundsawaclergyman，abrotherofMrs。Coleman，whohappenedtobevisitingher。Hewasagreatscholar，andwasinthehabitofrisingearly。
　　“Whoareyou，myman？”headded。
　　“LittleDiamond。”answeredtheboy。
　　“Oh！Ihaveheardofyou。Howdoyoucometobeupsoearly？”
　　“BecausetheshamApostlestalkedsuchnonsense，theywakedmeup。”
　　Theclergymanstared。Diamondsawthathehadbetterhaveheldhistongue，forhecouldnotexplainthings。
　　“Youmusthavebeendreaming，mylittleman。”saidhe。“Dear！dear！“
　　hewenton，lookingatthetree，“therehasbeenterribleworkhere。
　　Thisisthenorthwind’sdoing。Whatapity！Iwishwelivedatthebackofit，I’msure。”
　　“Whereisthatsir？”askedDiamond。
　　“AwayintheHyperboreanregions。”answeredtheclergyman，smiling。
　　“Ineverheardoftheplace。”returnedDiamond。
　　“Idaresaynot。”answeredtheclergyman;“butifthistreehadbeentherenow，itwouldnothavebeenblowndown，forthereisnowindthere。”
　　“But，please，sir，ifithadbeenthere。”saidDiamond，“weshouldnothavehadtobesorryforit。”
　　“Certainlynot。”
　　“Thenweshouldn’thavehadtobegladforit，either。”
　　“You’requiteright，myboy。”saidtheclergyman，lookingathimverykindly，asheturnedawaytothehouse，withhiseyesbenttowardstheearth。ButDiamondthoughtwithinhimself，“IwillaskNorthWindnexttimeIseehertotakemetothatcountry。
　　Ithinkshedidspeakaboutitoncebefore。”
　　CHAPTERIX
　　HOWDIAMONDGOTTOTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND
　　WHENDiamondwenthometobreakfast，hefoundhisfatherandmotheralreadyseatedatthetable。Theywerebothbusywiththeirbreadandbutter，andDiamondsathimselfdowninhisusualplace。
　　Hismotherlookedupathim，and，afterwatchinghimforamoment，said:
　　“Idon’tthinktheboyislookingwell，husband。”
　　“Don’tyou？Well，Idon’tknow。Ithinkhelooksprettybobbish。
　　Howdoyoufeelyourself，Diamond，myboy？”
　　“Quitewell，thankyou，father;atleast，IthinkI’vegotalittleheadache。”
　　“There！Itoldyou。”saidhisfatherandmotherbothatonce。
　　“Thechild’sverypoorly“addedhismother。
　　“Thechild’squitewell。”addedhisfather。
　　Andthentheybothlaughed。
　　“Yousee。”saidhismother，“I’vehadaletterfrommysisteratSandwich。”
　　“Sleepyoldhole！“saidhisfather。
　　“Don’tabusetheplace;there’sgoodpeopleinit。”saidhismother。
　　“Right，oldlady。”returnedhisfather;“onlyIdon’tbelievetherearemorethantwopairofcarriage-horsesinthewholeblessedplace。”
　　“Well，peoplecangettoheavenwithoutcarriages——orcoachmeneither，husband。NotthatIshouldliketogowithoutmycoachman，youknow。Butabouttheboy？”
　　“Whatboy？”
　　“Thatboy，there，staringatyouwithhisgoggle-eyes。”
　　“HaveIgotgoggle-eyes，mother？”askedDiamond，alittledismayed。
　　“Nottoogoggle。”saidhismother，whowasquiteproudofherboy’seyes，onlydidnotwanttomakehimvain。
　　“Nottoogoggle;onlyyouneednotstareso。”
　　“Well，whatabouthim？”saidhisfather。
　　“ItoldyouIhadgotaletter。”
　　“Yes，fromyoursister;notfromDiamond。”
　　“La，husband！you’vegotoutofbedthewronglegfirstthismorning，Idobelieve。”
　　“Ialwaysgetoutwithbothatonce。”saidhisfather，laughing。
　　“Well，listenthen。Hisauntwantstheboytogodownandseeher。”
　　“Andthat’swhyyouwanttomakeoutthatheain’tlookingwell。”
　　“Nomoreheis。Ithinkhehadbettergo。”
　　“Well，Idon’tcare，ifyoucanfindthemoney。”saidhisfather。
　　“I’llmanagethat。”saidhismother;andsoitwasagreedthatDiamondshouldgotoSandwich。
　　IwillnotdescribethepreparationsDiamondmade。Youwouldhavethoughthehadbeengoingonathreemonths’voyage。NorwillI
　　describethejourney，forourbusinessisnowattheplace。
　　Hewasmetatthestationbyhisaunt，acheerfulmiddle-agedwoman，andconveyedinsafetytothesleepyoldtown，ashisfathercalledit。
　　Andnowonderthatitwassleepy，foritwasnearlydeadofoldage。
　　Diamondwentaboutstaringwithhisbeautifulgoggle-eyes，atthequaintoldstreets，andtheshops，andthehouses。
　　Everythinglookedverystrange，indeed;forherewasatownabandonedbyitsnurse，thesea，likeanoldoysterleftontheshoretillitgapedforweariness。ItusedtobeoneofthefivechiefseaportsinEngland，butitbegantoholditselftoohigh，andtheconsequencewastheseagrewlessandlessintimatewithit，graduallydrewback，andkeptmoretoitself，tillatlengthitleftithighanddry:Sandwichwasaseaportnomore;theseawentonwithitsowntide-businessalongwayoff，andforgotit。
　　Ofcourseitwenttosleep，andhadnomoretodowithships。
　　That’swhatcomestocitiesandnations，andboysandgirls，whosay，“Icandowithoutyourhelp。I’menoughformyself。”
　　Diamondsoonmadegreatfriendswithanoldwomanwhokeptatoyshop，forhismotherhadgivenhimtwopenceforpocket-moneybeforeheleft，andhehadgoneintohershoptospendit，andshegottalkingtohim。Shelookedveryfunny，becauseshehadnotgotanyteeth，butDiamondlikedher，andwentoftentohershop，althoughhehadnothingtospendthereafterthetwopencewasgone。
　　Oneafternoonhehadbeenwanderingratherwearilyaboutthestreetsforsometime。Itwasahotday，andhefelttired。
　　Ashepassedthetoyshop，hesteppedin。
　　“PleasemayIsitdownforaminuteonthisbox？”hesaid，thinkingtheoldwomanwassomewhereintheshop。Buthegotnoanswer，andsatdownwithoutone。Aroundhimwereagreatmanytoysofallprices，fromapennyuptoshillings。Allatonceheheardagentlewhirringsomewhereamongstthem。Itmadehimstartandlookbehindhim。Therewerethesailsofawindmillgoingroundandroundalmostclosetohisear。Hethoughtatfirstitmustbeoneofthosetoyswhicharewoundupandgowithclockwork;
　　butno，itwasacommonpennytoy，withthewindmillattheendofawhistle，andwhenthewhistleblowsthewindmillgoes。
　　Butthewonderwasthattherewasnooneatthewhistleendblowing，andyetthesailswereturningroundandround——nowfaster，nowslower，nowfasteragain。
　　“Whatcanitmean？”saidDiamond，aloud。
　　“Itmeansme。”saidthetiniestvoicehehadeverheard。
　　“Whoareyou，please？”askedDiamond。
　　“Well，really，Ibegintobeashamedofyou。”saidthevoice。
　　“Iwonderhowlongitwillbebeforeyouknowme;orhowoftenImighttakeyouinbeforeyougotsharpenoughtosuspectme。
　　Youareasbadasababythatdoesn’tknowhismotherinanewbonnet。”
　　“Notquitesobadasthat，dearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，“forI
　　didn’tseeyouatall，andindeedIdon’tseeyouyet，althoughI
　　recogniseyourvoice。Dogrowalittle，please。”
　　“Notahair’s-breadth。”saidthevoice，anditwasthesmallestvoicethateverspoke。“Whatareyoudoinghere？”
　　“Iamcometoseemyaunt。But，please，NorthWind，whydidn’tyoucomebackformeinthechurchthatnight？”
　　“Idid。Icarriedyousafehome。AllthetimeyouweredreamingabouttheglassApostles，youwerelyinginmyarms。”
　　“I’msoglad。”saidDiamond。“Ithoughtthatmustbeit，onlyI
　　wantedtohearyousayso。Didyousinktheship，then？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Anddrowneverybody？”
　　“Notquite。Oneboatgotawaywithsixorsevenmeninit。”
　　“Howcouldtheboatswimwhentheshipcouldn’t？”
　　“OfcourseIhadsometroublewithit。Ihadtocontriveabit，andmanagethewavesalittle。Whenthey’reoncethoroughlywakedup，Ihaveagooddealoftroublewiththemsometimes。
　　They’reapttogetstupidwithtumblingovereachother’sheads。
　　That’swhenthey’refairlyatit。However，theboatgottoadesertislandbeforenoonnextday。”
　　“Andwhatgoodwillcomeofthat？”
　　“Idon’tknow。Iobeyedorders。Goodbye。”
　　“Oh！stay，NorthWind，dostay！“criedDiamond，dismayedtoseethewindmillgetslowerandslower。
　　“Whatisit，mydearchild？”saidNorthWind，andthewindmillbeganturningagainsoswiftlythatDiamondcouldscarcelyseeit。
　　“Whatabigvoiceyou’vegot！andwhatanoiseyoudomakewithit？
　　Whatisityouwant？Ihavelittletodo，butthatlittlemustbedone。”
　　“Iwantyoutotakemetothecountryatthebackofthenorthwind。”
　　“That’snotsoeasy。”saidNorthWind，andwassilentforsolongthatDiamondthoughtshewasgoneindeed。Butafterhehadquitegivenherup，thevoicebeganagain。
　　“IalmostwisholdHerodotushadheldhistongueaboutit。
　　Muchheknewofit！“
　　“Whydoyouwishthat，NorthWind？”
　　“Becausethenthatclergymanwouldneverhaveheardofit，andsetyouwantingtogo。Butweshallsee。Weshallsee。Youmustgohomenow，mydear，foryoudon’tseemverywell，andI’llseewhatcanbedoneforyou。Don’twaitforme。I’vegottobreakafewofoldGoody’stoys;she’sthinkingtoomuchofhernewstock。
　　Twoorthreewilldo。There！gonow。”
　　Diamondrose，quitesorry，andwithoutawordlefttheshop，andwenthome。
　　Itsoonappearedthathismotherhadbeenrightabouthim，forthatsameafternoonhisheadbegantoacheverymuch，andhehadtogotobed。
　　Heawokeinthemiddleofthenight。Thelatticewindowofhisroomhadblownopen，andthecurtainsofhislittlebedwereswingingaboutinthewind。
　　“IfthatshouldbeNorthWindnow！“thoughtDiamond。
　　Butthenextmomentheheardsomeoneclosingthewindow，andhisauntcametohisbedside。Sheputherhandonhisface，andsaid——
　　“How’syourhead，dear？”
　　“Better，auntie，Ithink。”
　　“Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink？”
　　“Oh，yes！Ishould，please。”
　　Sohisauntgavehimsomelemonade，forshehadbeenusedtonursingsickpeople，andDiamondfeltverymuchrefreshed，andlaidhisheaddownagaintogoveryfastasleep，ashethought。
　　Andsohedid，butonlytocomeawakeagain，asafreshburstofwindblewthelatticeopenasecondtime。ThesamemomenthefoundhimselfinacloudofNorthWind’shair，withherbeautifulface，setinitlikeamoon，bendingoverhim。
　　“Quick，Diamond！“shesaid。“Ihavefoundsuchachance！“
　　“ButI’mnotwell。”saidDiamond。
　　“Iknowthat，butyouwillbebetterforalittlefreshair。
　　Youshallhaveplentyofthat。”
　　“Youwantmetogo，then？”
　　“Yes，Ido。Itwon’thurtyou。”
　　“Verywell。”saidDiamond;andgettingoutofthebed-clothes，hejumpedintoNorthWind’sarms。
　　“Wemustmakehastebeforeyourauntcomes。”saidshe，assheglidedoutoftheopenlatticeandleftitswinging。
　　ThemomentDiamondfeltherarmsfoldaroundhimhebegantofeelbetter。Itwasamoonlessnight，andverydark，withglimpsesofstarswhenthecloudsparted。
　　“Iusedtodashthewavesabouthere。”saidNorthWind，“wherecowsandsheeparefeedingnow;butweshallsoongettothem。
　　Theretheyare。”
　　AndDiamond，lookingdown，sawthewhiteglimmerofbreakingwaterfarbelowhim。
　　“Yousee，Diamond。”saidNorthWind，“itisverydifficultformetogetyoutothebackofthenorthwind，forthatcountryliesintheverynorthitself，andofcourseIcan’tblownorthwards。”
　　“Whynot？”askedDiamond。
　　“Youlittlesilly！“saidNorthWind。“Don’tyouseethatifI
　　weretoblownorthwardsIshouldbeSouthWind，andthatisasmuchastosaythatonepersoncouldbetwopersons？”
　　“Buthowcanyouevergethomeatall，then？”
　　“Youarequiteright——thatismyhome，thoughInevergetfartherthantheouterdoor。Isitonthedoorstep，andhearthevoicesinside。
　　Iamnobodythere，Diamond。”
　　“I’mverysorry。”
　　“Why？”
　　“Thatyoushouldbenobody。”
　　“Oh，Idon’tmindit。Dearlittleman！youwillbeverygladsomedaytobenobodyyourself。Butyoucan’tunderstandthatnow，andyouhadbetternottry;forifyoudo，youwillbecertaintogofancyingsomeegregiousnonsense，andmakingyourselfmiserableaboutit。”
　　“ThenIwon’t。”saidDiamond。
　　“There’sagoodboy。Itwillallcomeingoodtime。”
　　“Butyouhaven’ttoldmehowyougettothedoorstep，youknow。”
　　“Itiseasyenoughforme。Ihaveonlytoconsenttobenobody，andthereIam。IdrawintomyselfandthereIamonthedoorstep。
　　Butyoucaneasilysee，oryouhavelesssensethanIthink，thattodragyou，youheavything，alongwithme，wouldtakecenturies，andIcouldnotgivethetimetoit。”
　　“Oh，I’msosorry！“saidDiamond。
　　“Whatfornow，pet？”
　　“ThatI’msoheavyforyou。IwouldbelighterifIcould，butI
　　don’tknowhow。”
　　“Yousillydarling！Why，IcouldtossyouahundredmilesfrommeifIliked。ItisonlywhenIamgoinghomethatIshallfindyouheavy。”
　　“Thenyouaregoinghomewithme？”
　　“Ofcourse。DidInotcometofetchyoujustforthat？”
　　“Butallthistimeyoumustbegoingsouthwards。”
　　“Yes。OfcourseIam。”
　　“Howcanyoubetakingmenorthwards，then？”
　　“Averysensiblequestion。Butyoushallsee。Iwillgetridofafewoftheseclouds——onlytheydocomeupsofast！
　　It’sliketryingtoblowabrookdry。There！Whatdoyouseenow？”
　　“IthinkIseealittleboat，awaythere，downbelow。”
　　“Alittleboat，indeed！Well！She’sayachtoftwohundredtons;
　　andthecaptainofitisafriendofmine;forheisamanofgoodsense，andcansailhiscraftwell。I’vehelpedhimmanyatimewhenhelittlethoughtit。I’veheardhimgrumblingatme，whenIwasdoingtheverybestIcouldforhim。Why，I’vecarriedhimeightymilesaday，againandagain，rightnorth。”
　　“Hemusthavedodgedforthat。”saidDiamond，whohadbeenwatchingthevessels，andhadseenthattheywentotherwaysthanthewindblew。
　　“Ofcoursehemust。Butdon’tyousee，itwasthebestIcoulddo？
　　Icouldn’tbeSouthWind。Andbesidesitgavehimashareinthebusiness。Itisnotgoodatall——mindthat，Diamond——todoeverythingforthoseyoulove，andnotgivethemashareinthedoing。
　　It’snotkind。It’smakingtoomuchofyourself，mychild。
　　IfIhadbeenSouthWind，hewouldonlyhavesmokedhispipeallday，andmadehimselfstupid。”
　　“Buthowcouldhebeamanofsenseandgrumbleatyouwhenyouweredoingyourbestforhim？”
　　“Oh！youmustmakeallowances。”saidNorthWind，“oryouwillneverdojusticetoanybody——Youdounderstand，then，thatacaptainmaysailnorth——“
　　“Inspiteofanorthwind——yes。”supplementedDiamond。
　　“Now，Idothinkyoumustbestupid，my，dear“saidNorthWind。
　　“Supposethenorthwinddidnotblowwherewouldhebethen？”
　　“Whythenthesouthwindwouldcarryhim。”
　　“Soyouthinkthatwhenthenorthwindstopsthesouthwindblows。
　　Nonsense。IfIdidn’tblow，thecaptaincouldn’tsailhiseightymilesaday。NodoubtSouthWindwouldcarryhimfaster，butSouthWindissittingonherdoorstepthen，andifIstoppedtherewouldbeadeadcalm。Soyouareallwrongtosayhecansailnorthinspiteofme;hesailsnorthbymyhelp，andmyhelpalone。
　　Youseethat，Diamond？”
　　“Yes，Ido，NorthWind。Iamstupid，butIdon’twanttobestupid。”
　　“Goodboy！Iamgoingtoblowyounorthinthatlittlecraft，oneofthefinestthateversailedthesea。Hereweare，rightoverit。
　　Ishallbeblowingagainstyou;youwillbesailingagainstme;
　　andallwillbejustaswewantit。Thecaptainwon’tgetonsofastashewouldlike，buthewillgeton，andsoshallwe。
　　I’mjustgoingtoputyouonboard。Doyouseeinfrontofthetiller——
　　thatthingthemanisworking，nowtooneside，nowtotheother——
　　aroundthinglikethetopofadrum？”
　　“Yes。”saidDiamond。
　　“Belowthatiswheretheykeeptheirsparesails，andsomestoresofthatsort。Iamgoingtoblowthatcoveroff。ThesamemomentIwilldropyouondeck，andyoumusttumblein。Don’tbeafraid，itisofnodepth，andyouwillfallonsail-cloth。Youwillfinditniceandwarmanddry-onlydark;andyouwillknowIamnearyoubyeveryrollandpitchofthevessel。Coilyourselfupandgotosleep。
　　Theyachtshallbemycradleandyoushallbemybaby。”
　　“Thankyou，dearNorthWind。Iamnotabitafraid。”saidDiamond。
　　Inamomenttheywereonalevelwiththebulwarks，andNorthWindsentthehatchoftheafter-storerattlingawayoverthedecktoleeward。Thenext，Diamondfoundhimselfinthedark，forhehadtumbledthroughtheholeasNorthWindhadtoldhim，andthecoverwasreplacedoverhishead。Awayhewentrollingtoleeward，forthewindbeganallatoncetoblowhard。Heheardthecallofthecaptain，andtheloudtramplingofthemenoverhishead，astheyhauledatthemainsheettogettheboomonboardthattheymighttakeinareefinthemainsail。Diamondfeltaboutuntilhehadfoundwhatseemedthemostcomfortableplace，andtherehesnuggleddownandlay。
　　Hoursafterhours，agreatmanyofthem，wentby;andstillDiamondlaythere。Heneverfeltintheleasttiredorimpatient，forastrangepleasurefilledhisheart。Thestrainingofthemasts，thecreakingoftheboom，thesingingoftheropes，thebangingoftheblocksastheyputthevesselabout，allfellinwiththeroaringofthewindabove，thesurgeofthewavespasthersides，andthethudwithwhicheverynowandthenonewouldstrikeher;
　　whilethroughitallDiamondcouldhearthegurgling，rippling，talkingflowofthewateragainstherplanks，assheslippedthroughit，lyingnowonthisside，nowonthat——likeasubduedairrunningthroughthegrandmusichisNorthWindwasmakingabouthimtokeephimfromtiringastheyspedontowardsthecountryatthebackofherdoorstep。
　　HowlongthislastedDiamondhadnoidea。Heseemedtofallasleepsometimes，onlythroughthesleepheheardthesoundsgoingon。
　　Atlengththeweatherseemedtogetworse。Theconfusionandtramplingoffeetgrewmorefrequentoverhishead;thevessellayovermoreandmoreonherside，andwentroaringthroughthewaves，whichbangedandthumpedatherasifinanger。Allatoncearoseaterribleuproar。Thehatchwasblownoff;acoldfiercewindsweptinuponhim;andalongarmcamewithitwhichlaidholdofhimandliftedhimout。Thesamemomenthesawthelittlevesselfarbelowhimrightingherself。Shehadtakeninallhersailsandlaynowtossingonthewaveslikeasea-birdwithfoldedwings。
　　Ashortdistancetothesouthlayamuchlargervessel，withtwoorthreesailsset，andtowardsitNorthWindwascarryingDiamond。
　　ItwasaGermanship，onitswaytotheNorthPole。
　　“Thatvesseldowntherewillgiveusaliftnow。”saidNorthWind;
　　“andafterthatImustdothebestIcan。”
　　Shemanagedtohidehimamongsttheflagsofthebigship，whichwereallsnuglystowedaway，andonandontheyspedtowardsthenorth。Atlengthonenightshewhisperedinhisear，“Comeondeck，Diamond;“andhegotupatonceandcreptondeck。
　　Everythinglookedverystrange。Hereandthereonallsideswerehugemassesoffloatingice，lookinglikecathedrals，andcastles，andcrags，whileawaybeyondwasabluesea。
　　“Isthesunrisingorsetting？”askedDiamond。
　　“Neitherorboth，whichyouplease。Icanhardlytellwhichmyself。
　　Ifheissettingnow，hewillberisingthenextmoment。”
　　“Whatastrangelightitis！“saidDiamond。“Ihaveheardthatthesundoesn’tgotobedallthesummerintheseparts。
　　MissColemantoldmethat。Isupposehefeelsverysleepy，andthatiswhythelighthesendsoutlookssolikeadream。”
　　“Thatwillaccountforitwellenoughforallpracticalpurposes。”
　　saidNorthWind。
　　Someoftheicebergsweredriftingnorthwards;onewaspassingveryneartheship。NorthWindseizedDiamond，andwithasingleboundlightedononeofthem——ahugething，withsharppinnaclesandgreatclefts。Thesameinstantawindbegantoblowfromthesouth。
　　NorthWindhurriedDiamonddownthenorthsideoftheiceberg，steppingbyitsjagsandsplintering;forthisberghadnevergotfarenoughsouthtobemeltedandsmoothedbythesummersun。
　　Shebroughthimtoacavenearthewater，wheresheentered，and，lettingDiamondgo，satdownasifwearyonaledgeofice。
　　Diamondseatedhimselfontheotherside，andforawhilewasenrapturedwiththecolouroftheairinsidethecave。Itwasadeep，dazzling，lovelyblue，deeperthanthedeepestblueofthesky。
　　Theblueseemedtobeinconstantmotion，liketheblacknesswhenyoupressyoureyeballswithyourfingers，boilingandsparkling。
　　ButwhenhelookedacrosstoNorthWindhewasfrightened;
　　herfacewaswornandlivid。
　　“Whatisthematterwithyou，dearNorthWind？”hesaid。
　　“Nothingmuch。Ifeelveryfaint。Butyoumustn’tmindit，forIcanbearitquitewell。SouthWindalwaysblowsmefaint。
　　Ifitwerenotforthecoolofthethickicebetweenmeandher，Ishouldfaintaltogether。Indeed，asitis，IfearImustvanish。”
　　Diamondstaredatherinterror，forhesawthatherformandfaceweregrowing，notsmall，buttransparent，likesomethingdissolving，notinwater，butinlight。Hecouldseethesideofthebluecavethroughherveryheart。Andshemeltedawaytillallthatwasleftwasapaleface，likethemooninthemorning，withtwogreatlucideyesinit。
　　“Iamgoing，Diamond。”shesaid。
　　“Doesithurtyou？”askedDiamond。
　　“It’sveryuncomfortable。”sheanswered;“butIdon’tmindit，forIshallcomeallrightagainbeforelong。IthoughtIshouldbeabletogowithyoualltheway，butIcannot。Youmustnotbefrightenedthough。Justgostraighton，andyouwillcomeallright。
　　You’llfindmeonthedoorstep。”
　　Asshespoke，herfacetoofadedquiteaway，onlyDiamondthoughthecouldstillseehereyesshiningthroughtheblue。
　　Whenhewentcloser，however，hefoundthatwhathethoughthereyeswereonlytwohollowsintheice。NorthWindwasquitegone;
　　andDiamondwouldhavecried，ifhehadnottrustedhersothoroughly。
　　Sohesatstillintheblueairofthecavernlisteningtothewashandrippleofthewaterallaboutthebaseoftheiceberg，asitspedonandonintotheopenseanorthwards。Itwasanexcellentcrafttogowiththecurrent，fortherewastwiceasmuchofitbelowwaterasabove。Butalightsouthwindwasblowingtoo，andsoitwentfast。
　　AfteralittlewhileDiamondwentoutandsatontheedgeofhisfloatingisland，andlookeddownintotheoceanbeneathhim。
　　Thewhitesidesofthebergreflectedsomuchlightbelowthewater，thathecouldseefardownintothegreenabyss。SometimeshefanciedhesawtheeyesofNorthWindlookingupathimfrombelow，butthefancyneverlastedbeyondthemomentofitsbirth。Andthetimepassedhedidnotknowhow，forhefeltasifhewereinadream。
　　Whenhegottiredofthegreenwater，hewentintothebluecave;
　　andwhenhegottiredofthebluecavehewentoutandgazedallabouthimonthebluesea，eversparklinginthesun，whichkeptwheelingaboutthesky，nevergoingbelowthehorizon。Buthechieflygazednorthwards，toseewhetheranylandwereappearing。
　　Allthistimeheneverwantedtoeat。Hebrokeofflittlebitsofthebergnowandthenandsuckedthem，andhethoughtthemverynice。
　　Atlength，onetimehecameoutofhiscave，hespiedfaroffonthehorizon，ashiningpeakthatroseintotheskylikethetopofsometremendousiceberg;andhisvesselwasbearinghimstraighttowardsit。Asitwentonthepeakroseandrosehigherandhigherabovethehorizon;andotherpeaksroseafterit，withsharpedgesandjaggedridgesconnectingthem。Diamondthoughtthismustbetheplacehewasgoingto;andhewasright;forthemountainsroseandrose，tillhesawthelineofthecoastattheirfeetandatlengththeicebergdroveintoalittlebay，allaroundwhichwereloftyprecipiceswithsnowontheirtops，andstreaksoficedowntheirsides。Thebergfloatedslowlyuptoaprojectingrock。
　　Diamondsteppedonshore，andwithoutlookingbehindhimbegantofollowanaturalpathwhichledwindinglytowardsthetopoftheprecipice。
　　Whenhereachedit，hefoundhimselfonabroadtableofice，alongwhichhecouldwalkwithoutmuchdifficulty。Beforehim，ataconsiderabledistance，rosealoftyridgeofice，whichshotupintofantasticpinnaclesandtowersandbattlements。Theairwasverycold，andseemedsomehowdead，fortherewasnottheslightestbreathofwind。
　　Inthecentreoftheridgebeforehimappearedagapliketheopeningofavalley。Butashewalkedtowardsit，gazing，andwonderingwhetherthatcouldbethewayhehadtotake，hesawthatwhathadappearedagapwastheformofawomanseatedagainsttheicefrontoftheridge，leaningforwardswithherhandsinherlap，andherhairhangingdowntotheground。
　　“ItisNorthWindonherdoorstep。”saidDiamondjoyfully，andhurriedon。
　　Hesooncameuptotheplace，andtheretheformsat，likeoneofthegreatfiguresatthedoorofanEgyptiantemple，motionless，withdroopingarmsandhead。ThenDiamondgrewfrightened，becauseshedidnotmovenorspeak。HewassureitwasNorthWind，buthethoughtshemustbedeadatlast。Herfacewaswhiteasthesnow，hereyeswereblueastheairintheice-cave，andherhairhungdownstraight，likeicicles。Shehadonagreenishrobe，likethecolourinthehollowsofaglacierseenfromfaroff。
　　Hestoodupbeforeher，andgazedfearfullyintoherfaceforafewminutesbeforeheventuredtospeak。Atlength，withagreateffortandatremblingvoice，hefalteredout——
　　“NorthWind！“
　　“Well，child？”saidtheform，withoutliftingitshead。
　　“Areyouill，dearNorthWind？”
　　“No。Iamwaiting。”
　　“Whatfor？”
　　“TillI’mwanted。”
　　“Youdon’tcareformeanymore。”saidDiamond，almostcryingnow。
　　“YesIdo。OnlyIcan’tshowit。Allmyloveisdownatthebottomofmyheart。ButIfeelitbubblingthere。”
　　“Whatdoyouwantmetodonext，dearNorthWind？”saidDiamond，wishingtoshowhislovebybeingobedient。
　　“Whatdoyouwanttodoyourself？”
　　“Iwanttogointothecountryatyourback。”
　　“Thenyoumustgothroughme。”
　　“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。”
　　“ImeanjustwhatIsay。YoumustwalkonasifIwereanopendoor，andgorightthroughme。”
　　“Butthatwillhurtyou。”
　　“Notintheleast。Itwillhurtyou，though。”
　　“Idon’tmindthat，ifyoutellmetodoit。”
　　“Doit。”saidNorthWind。
　　Diamondwalkedtowardsherinstantly。Whenhereachedherknees，heputouthishandtolayitonher，butnothingwastheresaveanintensecold。Hewalkedon。Thenallgrewwhiteabouthim;
　　andthecoldstunghimlikefire。Hewalkedonstill，gropingthroughthewhiteness。Itthickenedabouthim。Atlast，itgotintohisheart，andhelostallsense。Iwouldsaythathefainted——onlywhereasincommonfaintsallgrowsblackaboutyou，hefeltswallowedupinwhiteness。ItwaswhenhereachedNorthWind’sheartthathefaintedandfell。Butashefell，herolledoverthethreshold，anditwasthusthatDiamondgottothebackofthenorthwind。