CHAPTERX
　　ATTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND
　　IHAVEnowcometothemostdifficultpartofmystory。Andwhy？
　　BecauseIdonotknowenoughaboutit。AndwhyshouldInotknowasmuchaboutthispartasaboutanyotherpart？ForofcourseIcouldknownothingaboutthestoryexceptDiamondhadtoldit;
　　andwhyshouldnotDiamondtellaboutthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind，aswellasabouthisadventuresingettingthere？
　　Because，whenhecameback，hehadforgottenagreatdeal，andwhathedidrememberwasveryhardtotell。Thingstherearesodifferentfromthingshere！Thepeopletheredonotspeakthesamelanguageforonething。Indeed，Diamondinsistedthattheretheydonotspeakatall。Idonotthinkhewasright，butitmaywellhaveappearedsotoDiamond。Thefactis，wehavedifferentreportsoftheplacefromthemosttrustworthypeople。
　　Thereforeweareboundtobelievethatitappearssomewhatdifferenttodifferentpeople。All，however，agreeinageneralwayaboutit。
　　Iwilltellyousomethingofwhattwoverydifferentpeoplehavereported，bothofwhomknewmoreaboutit，Ibelieve，thanHerodotus。
　　Oneofthemspeaksfromhisownexperience，forhevisitedthecountry;
　　theotherfromthetestimonyofayoungpeasantgirlwhocamebackfromitforamonth’svisittoherfriends。TheformerwasagreatItalianofnoblefamily，whodiedmorethanfivehundredyearsago;
　　thelatteraScotchshepherdwhodiednotfortyyearsago。
　　TheItalian，then，informsusthathehadtoenterthatcountrythroughafiresohotthathewouldhavethrownhimselfintoboilingglasstocoolhimself。ThiswasnotDiamond’sexperience，butthenDurante——thatwasthenameoftheItalian，anditmeansLasting，forhisbookswilllastaslongasthereareenoughmenintheworldworthyofhavingthem——Durantewasanelderlyman，andDiamondwasalittleboy，andsotheirexperiencemustbealittledifferent。
　　Thepeasantgirl，ontheotherhand，fellfastasleepinawood，andwokeinthesamecountry。
　　Indescribingit，Durantesaysthatthegroundeverywheresmeltsweetly，andthatagentle，even-temperedwind，whichneverblewfasterorslower，breathedinhisfaceashewent，makingalltheleavespointoneway，notsoastodisturbthebirdsinthetopsofthetrees，but，onthecontrary，soundingabasstotheirsong。
　　Hedescribesalsoalittleriverwhichwassofullthatitslittlewaves，asithurriedalong，bentthegrass，fullofredandyellowflowers，throughwhichitflowed。Hesaysthatthepureststreamintheworldbesidethisonewouldlookasifitweremixedwithsomethingthatdidnotbelongtoit，evenalthoughitwasflowingeverinthebrownshadowofthetrees，andneithersunnormooncouldshineuponit。
　　HeseemstoimplythatitisalwaysthemonthofMayinthatcountry。
　　Itwouldbeoutofplacetodescribeherethewonderfulsightshesaw，forthemusicofthemisinanotherkeyfromthatofthisstory，andIshallthereforeonlyaddfromtheaccountofthistraveller，thatthepeopletherearesofreeandsojustandsohealthy，thateveryoneofthemhasacrownlikeakingandamitrelikeapriest。
　　Thepeasantgirl——Kilmenywashername——couldnotreportsuchgrandthingsasDurante，for，astheshepherdsays，tellingherstoryasItellDiamond’s——
　　“Kilmenyhadbeensheknewnotwhere，AndKilmenyhadseenwhatshecouldnotdeclare;
　　Kilmenyhadbeenwherethecocknevercrew，Wheretherainneverfell，andthewindneverblew。
　　Butitseemedastheharpoftheskyhadrung，Andtheairsofheavenplayedroundhertongue，Whenshespokeofthelovelyformsshehadseen，Andalandwheresinhadneverbeen;
　　Alandofloveandalandoflight，Withoutensun，ormoon，ornight;
　　Wheretheriverswayedalivingstream，Andthelightapureandcloudlessbeam:
　　Thelandofvisionitwouldseem，Andstillaneverlastingdream。”
　　Thelasttwolinesaretheshepherd’sownremark，andamatterofopinion。Butitisclear，Ithink，thatKilmenymusthavedescribedthesamecountryasDurantesaw，though，nothavinghisexperience，shecouldneitherunderstandnordescribeitsowell。
　　NowImustgiveyousuchfragmentsofrecollectionasDiamondwasabletobringbackwithhim。
　　Whenhecametohimselfafterhefell，hefoundhimselfatthebackofthenorthwind。NorthWindherselfwasnowheretobeseen。
　　Neitherwasthereavestigeofsnoworoficewithinsight。
　　Thesuntoohadvanished;butthatwasnomatter，fortherewasplentyofacertainstillraylesslight。Whereitcamefromheneverfoundout;buthethoughtitbelongedtothecountryitself。
　　Sometimeshethoughtitcameoutoftheflowers，whichwereverybright，buthadnostrongcolour。Hesaidtheriver——forallagreethatthereisariverthere——flowednotonlythrough，butovergrass:itschannel，insteadofbeingrock，stones，pebbles，sand，oranythingelse，wasofpuremeadowgrass，notoverlong。Heinsistedthatifitdidnotsingtunesinpeople’sears，itsungtunesintheirheads，inproofofwhichImaymentionthat，inthetroubleswhichfollowed，Diamondwasoftenheardsinging;andwhenaskedwhathewassinging，wouldanswer，“Oneofthetunestheriveratthebackofthenorthwindsung。”AndImayaswellsayatoncethatDiamondnevertoldthesethingstoanyonebut——no，Ihadbetternotsaywhoitwas;
　　butwhoeveritwastoldme，andIthoughtitwouldbewelltowritethemformychild-readers。
　　Hecouldnotsayhewasveryhappythere，forhehadneitherhisfathernormotherwithhim，buthefeltsostillandquietandpatientandcontented，that，asfarasthemerefeelingwent，itwassomethingbetterthanmerehappiness。Nothingwentwrongatthebackofthenorthwind。Neitherwasanythingquiteright，hethought。Onlyeverythingwasgoingtoberightsomeday。
　　HisaccountdisagreedwiththatofDurante，andagreedwiththatofKilmeny，inthis，thatheprotestedtherewasnowindthereatall。
　　Ifancyhemissedit。Atalleventswecouldnotdowithoutwind。
　　Italldependsonhowbigourlungsarewhetherthewindistoostrongforusornot。
　　Whenthepersonhetoldaboutitaskedhimwhetherhesawanybodyheknewthere，heanswered，“Onlyalittlegirlbelongingtothegardener，whothoughthehadlosther，butwasquitemistaken，forthereshewassafeenough，andwastocomebacksomeday，asIcameback，iftheywouldonlywait。”
　　“Didyoutalktoher，Diamond？”
　　“No。Nobodytalksthere。Theyonlylookateachother，andunderstandeverything。”
　　“Isitcoldthere？”
　　“No。”
　　“Isithot？”
　　“No。”
　　“Whatisitthen？”
　　“Youneverthinkaboutsuchthingsthere。”
　　“Whataqueerplaceitmustbe！“
　　“It’saverygoodplace。”
　　“Doyouwanttogobackagain？”
　　“No;Idon’tthinkIhaveleftit;Ifeelithere，somewhere。”
　　“Didthepeopletherelookpleased？”
　　“Yes——quitepleased，onlyalittlesad。”
　　“Thentheydidn’tlookglad？”
　　“Theylookedasiftheywerewaitingtobegladdersomeday。”
　　ThiswashowDiamondusedtoanswerquestionsaboutthatcountry。
　　AndnowIwilltakeupthestoryagain，andtellyouhowhegotbacktothiscountry。
　　CHAPTERXI
　　HOWDIAMONDGOTHOMEAGAIN
　　WHENoneatthebackofthenorthwindwantedtoknowhowthingsweregoingwithanyoneheloved，hehadtogotoacertaintree，climbthestem，andsitdowninthebranches。Inafewminutes，ifhekeptverystill，hewouldseesomethingatleastofwhatwasgoingonwiththepeopleheloved。
　　OnedaywhenDiamondwassittinginthistree，hebegantolongverymuchtogethomeagain，andnowonder，forhesawhismothercrying。
　　Durantesaysthatthepeopletheremayalwaysfollowtheirwishes，becausetheyneverwishbutwhatisgood。Diamond’swishwastogethome，andhewouldfainfollowhiswish。
　　Buthowwashetosetaboutit？IfhecouldonlyseeNorthWind！
　　Butthemomenthehadgottoherback，shewasgonealtogetherfromhissight。Hehadneverseenherback。Shemightbesittingonherdoorstepstill，lookingsouthwards，andwaiting，whiteandthinandblue-eyed，untilshewaswanted。Orshemighthaveagainbecomeamightycreature，withpowertodothatwhichwasdemandedofher，andgonefarawayuponmanymissions。Shemustbesomewhere，however。
　　Hecouldnotgohomewithouther，andthereforehemustfindher。
　　Shecouldneverhaveintendedtoleavehimalwaysawayfromhismother。
　　Iftherehadbeenanydangerofthat，shewouldhavetoldhim，andgivenhimhischoiceaboutgoing。ForNorthWindwasrighthonest。
　　HowtofindNorthWind，therefore，occupiedallhisthoughts。
　　Inhisanxietyabouthismother，heusedtoclimbthetreeeveryday，andsitinitsbranches。Howevermanyofthedwellerstheredidso，theyneverincommodedoneanother;forthemomentonegotintothetree，hebecameinvisibletoeveryoneelse;anditwassuchawide-spreadingtreethattherewasroomforeveryoneofthepeopleofthecountryinit，withouttheleastinterferencewitheachother。Sometimes，ongettingdown，twoofthemwouldmeetattheroot，andthentheywouldsmiletoeachothermoresweetlythanatanyothertime，asmuchastosay，“Ah，you’vebeenuptheretoo！“
　　Onedayhewassittingononeoftheouterbranchesofthetree，lookingsouthwardsafterhishome。Farawaywasablueshiningsea，dottedwithgleamingandsparklingspecksofwhite。Thoseweretheicebergs。Nearerhesawagreatrangeofsnow-cappedmountains，anddownbelowhimthelovelymeadow-grassofthecountry，withthestreamflowingandflowingthroughit，awaytowardsthesea。
　　Ashelookedhebegantowonder，forthewholecountrylaybeneathhimlikeamap，andthatwhichwasnearhimlookedjustassmallasthatwhichheknewtobemilesaway。Theridgeoficewhichencircleditappearedbutafewyardsoff，andnolargerthantherowofpebbleswithwhichachildwillmarkouttheboundariesofthekingdomhehasappropriatedonthesea-shore。HethoughthecoulddistinguishthevapouryformofNorthWind，seatedashehadlefther，ontheotherside。Hastilyhedescendedthetree，andtohisamazementfoundthatthemapormodelofthecountrystilllayathisfeet。
　　Hestoodinit。Withonestridehehadcrossedtheriver;
　　withanotherhehadreachedtheridgeofice;withthethirdhesteppedoveritspeaks，andsankwearilydownatNorthWind’sknees。
　　Forthereshesatonherdoorstep。Thepeaksofthegreatridgeoficewereasloftyaseverbehindher，andthecountryatherbackhadvanishedfromDiamond’sview。
　　NorthWindwasasstillasDiamondhadlefther。Herpalefacewaswhiteasthesnow，andhermotionlesseyeswereasblueasthecavernsintheice。ButtheinstantDiamondtouchedher，herfacebegantochangelikethatofonewakingfromsleep。
　　Lightbegantoglimmerfromtheblueofhereyes。
　　Amomentmore，andshelaidherhandonDiamond’shead，andbeganplayingwithhishair。Diamondtookholdofherhand，andlaidhisfacetoit。Shegavealittlestart。
　　“Howveryaliveyouare，child！“shemurmured。“Comenearertome。”
　　Bythehelpofthestonesallaroundheclamberedupbesideher，andlaidhimselfagainstherbosom。Shegaveagreatsigh，slowlyliftedherarms，andslowlyfoldedthemabouthim，untilsheclaspedhimclose。Yetamoment，andsherousedherself，andcamequiteawake;andthecoldofherbosom，whichhadpiercedDiamond’sbones，vanished。
　　“HaveyoubeensittinghereeversinceIwentthroughyou，dearNorthWind？”askedDiamond，strokingherhand。
　　“Yes。”sheanswered，lookingathimwithheroldkindness。
　　“Ain’tyouverytired？”
　　“No;I’veoftenhadtositlonger。Doyouknowhowlongyouhavebeen？”
　　“Oh！yearsandyears。”answeredDiamond。
　　“Youhavejustbeensevendays。”returnedNorthWind。
　　“IthoughtIhadbeenahundredyears！“exclaimedDiamond。
　　“Yes，Idaresay。”repliedNorthWind。“You’vebeenawayfromheresevendays;buthowlongyoumayhavebeeninthereisquiteanotherthing。Behindmybackandbeforemyfacethingsaresodifferent！Theydon’tgoatallbythesamerule。”
　　“I’mveryglad。”saidDiamond，afterthinkingawhile。
　　“Why？”askedNorthWind。
　　“BecauseI’vebeensuchalongtimethere，andsuchalittlewhileawayfrommother。Why，shewon’tbeexpectingmehomefromSandwichyet！“
　　“No。Butwemustn’ttalkanylonger。I’vegotmyordersnow，andwemustbeoffinafewminutes。”
　　NextmomentDiamondfoundhimselfsittingaloneontherock。
　　NorthWindhadvanished。Acreaturelikeagreathumble-beeorcockchaferflewpasthisface;butitcouldbeneither，fortherewerenoinsectsamongsttheice。Itpassedhimagainandagain，flyingincirclesaroundhim，andheconcludedthatitmustbeNorthWindherself，nobiggerthanTomThumbwhenhismotherputhiminthenutshelllinedwithflannel。Butshewasnolongervapouryandthin。Shewassolid，althoughtiny。Amomentmore，andsheperchedonhisshoulder。
　　“Comealong，Diamond。”shesaidinhisear，inthesmallestandhighestoftreblevoices;“itistimeweweresettingoutforSandwich。”
　　Diamondcouldjustseeher，byturninghisheadtowardshisshoulderasfarashecould，butonlywithoneeye，forhisnosecamebetweenherandtheother。
　　“Won’tyoutakemeinyourarmsandcarryme？”hesaidinawhisper，forheknewshedidnotlikealoudvoicewhenshewassmall。
　　“Ah！youungratefulboy。”returnedNorthWind，smiling“howdareyoumakegameofme？Yes，Iwillcarryyou，butyoushallwalkabitforyourimpertinencefirst。Comealong。”
　　Shejumpedfromhisshoulder，butwhenDiamondlookedforherupontheground，hecouldseenothingbutalittlespiderwithlonglegsthatmadeitswayovertheicetowardsthesouth。Itranveryfastindeedforaspider，butDiamondranalongwaybeforeit，andthenwaitedforit。Itwasupwithhimsoonerthanhehadexpected，however，andithadgrownagooddeal。Andthespidergrewandgrewandwentfasterandfaster，tillallatonceDiamonddiscoveredthatitwasnotaspider，butaweasel;andawayglidedtheweasel，andawaywentDiamondafterit，andittookalltheruntherewasinhimtokeepupwiththeweasel。Andtheweaselgrew，andgrew，andgrew，tillallatonceDiamondsawthattheweaselwasnotaweaselbutacat。Andawaywentthecat，andDiamondafterit。
　　Andwhenhehadrunhalfamile，hefoundthecatwaitingforhim，sittingupandwashingherfacenottolosetime。Andawaywentthecatagain，andDiamondafterit。Butthenexttimehecameupwiththecat，thecatwasnotacat，butahunting-leopard。
　　Andthehunting-leopardgrewtoajaguar，allcoveredwithspotslikeeyes。AndthejaguargrewtoaBengaltiger。AndatnoneofthemwasDiamondafraid，forhehadbeenatNorthWind’sback，andhecouldbeafraidofhernolongerwhatevershedidorgrew。
　　Andthetigerflewoverthesnowinastraightlineforthesouth，growinglessandlesstoDiamond’seyestillitwasonlyablackspeckuponthewhiteness;andthenitvanishedaltogether。
　　AndnowDiamondfeltthathewouldrathernotrunanyfarther，andthattheicehadgotveryrough。Besides，hewasneartheprecipicesthatboundedthesea，soheslackenedhispacetoawalk，sayingaloudtohimself:
　　“WhenNorthWindhaspunishedmeenoughformakinggameofher，shewillcomebacktome;Iknowshewill，forIcan’tgomuchfartherwithouther。”
　　“Youdearboy！Itwasonlyinfun。HereIam！“saidNorthWind’svoicebehindhim。
　　Diamondturned，andsawherashelikedbesttoseeher，standingbesidehim，atalllady。
　　“Where’sthetiger？”heasked，forheknewallthecreaturesfromapicturebookthatMissColemanhadgivenhim。“But，ofcourse。”
　　headded，“youwerethetiger。Iwaspuzzledandforgot。Isawitsuchalongwayoffbeforeme，andthereyouwerebehindme。
　　It’ssoodd，youknow。”
　　“Itmustlookveryoddtoyou，Diamond:Iseethat。Butitisnomoreoddtomethantobreakanoldpineintwo。”
　　“Well，that’soddenough。”remarkedDiamond。
　　“Soitis！Iforgot。Well，noneofthesethingsareoddertomethanitistoyoutoeatbreadandbutter。”
　　“Well，that’soddtoo，whenIthinkofit。”persistedDiamond。
　　“Ishouldjustlikeasliceofbreadandbutter！I’mafraidtosayhowlongitis——howlongitseemstome，thatis——sinceIhadanythingtoeat。”
　　“Comethen。”saidNorthWind，stoopingandholdingoutherarms。
　　“Youshallhavesomebreadandbutterverysoon。Iamgladtofindyouwantsome。”
　　Diamondhelduphisarmstomeethers，andwassafeuponherbosom。
　　NorthWindboundedintotheair。Hertressesbegantoliftandriseandspreadandstreamandflowandflutter;andwitharoarfromherhairandanansweringroarfromoneofthegreatglaciersbesidethem，whoseslowtorrenttumbledtwoorthreeicebergsatonceintothewavesattheirfeet，NorthWindandDiamondwentflyingsouthwards。
　　CHAPTERXII
　　WHOMETDIAMONDATSANDWICH
　　AsTHEYflew，sofasttheywentthattheseaslidawayfromunderthemlikeagreatwebofshotsilk，blueshotwithgrey，andgreenshotwithpurple。Theywentsofastthatthestarsthemselvesappearedtosailawaypastthemoverhead，“likegoldenboats。”
　　onablueseaturnedupsidedown。AndtheywentsofastthatDiamondhimselfwenttheotherwayasfast——ImeanhewentfastasleepinNorthWind’sarms。
　　Whenhewoke，afacewasbendingoverhim;butitwasnotNorthWind’s;
　　itwashismother’s。Heputouthisarmstoher，andsheclaspedhimtoherbosomandburstoutcrying。Diamondkissedheragainandagaintomakeherstop。Perhapskissingisthebestthingforcrying，butitwillnotalwaysstopit。
　　“Whatisthematter，mother？”hesaid。
　　“Oh，Diamond，mydarling！youhavebeensoill！“shesobbed。
　　“No，motherdear。I’veonlybeenatthebackofthenorthwind。”
　　returnedDiamond。
　　“Ithoughtyouweredead。”saidhismother。
　　Butthatmomentthedoctorcamein。
　　“Oh！there！“saidthedoctorwithgentlecheerfulness;“we’rebetterto-day，Isee。”
　　Thenhedrewthemotheraside，andtoldhernottotalktoDiamond，ortomindwhathemightsay;forhemustbekeptasquietaspossible。
　　AndindeedDiamondwasnotmuchinclinedtotalk，forhefeltverystrangeandweak，whichwaslittlewonder，seeingthatallthetimehehadbeenawayhehadonlysuckedafewlumpsofice，andtherecouldnotbemuchnourishmentinthem。
　　Nowwhileheislyingthere，gettingstrongagainwithchickenbrothandothernicethings，Iwilltellmyreaderswhathadbeentakingplaceathishome，fortheyoughttobetoldit。
　　TheymayhaveforgottenthatMissColemanwasinaverypoorstateofhealth。Nowtherewerethreereasonsforthis。
　　Inthefirstplace，herlungswerenotstrong。Inthesecondplace，therewasagentlemansomewherewhohadnotbehavedverywelltoher。
　　Inthethirdplace，shehadnotanythingparticulartodo。
　　Thesethreenotstogetherareenoughtomakealadyveryillindeed。
　　Ofcourseshecouldnothelpthefirstcause;butiftheothertwocauseshadnotexisted，thatwouldhavebeenoflittleconsequence;
　　shewouldonlyhavetobealittlecareful。Thesecondshecouldnothelpquite;butifshehadhadanythingtodo，andhaddoneitwell，itwouldhavebeenverydifficultforanymantobehavebadlytoher。
　　Andforthisthirdcauseofherillness，ifshehadhadanythingtodothatwasworthdoing，shemighthavebornehisbadbehavioursothateventhatwouldnothavemadeherill。Itisnotalwayseasy，Iconfess，tofindsomethingtodothatisworthdoing，butthemostdifficultthingsareconstantlybeingdone，andshemighthavefoundsomethingifshehadtried。Herfaultlayinthis，thatshehadnottried。But，tobesure，herfatherandmotherweretoblamethattheyhadneversethergoing。Onlythenagain，nobodyhadtoldherfatherandmotherthattheyoughttosethergoinginthatdirection。Soasnoneofthemwouldfinditoutofthemselves，NorthWindhadtoteachthem。
　　WeknowthatNorthWindwasverybusythatnightonwhichsheleftDiamondinthecathedral。ShehadinasensebeenblowingthroughandthroughtheColemans’housethewholeofthenight。
　　First，MissColeman’smaidhadleftachinkofhermistress’swindowopen，thinkingshehadshutit，andNorthWindhadwoundafewofherhairsroundthelady’sthroat。Shewasconsiderablyworsethenextmorning。Again，theshipwhichNorthWindhadsunkthatverynightbelongedtoMr。Coleman。NorwillmyreadersunderstandwhataheavylossthiswastohimuntilIhaveinformedthemthathehadbeengettingpoorerandpoorerforsometime。
　　Hewasnotsosuccessfulinhisspeculationsashehadbeen，forhespeculatedagreatdealmorethanwasright，anditwastimeheshouldbepulledup。Itisahardthingforarichmantogrowpoor;
　　butitisanawfulthingforhimtogrowdishonest，andsomekindsofspeculationleadamandeepintodishonestybeforehethinkswhatheisabout。Povertywillnotmakeamanworthless——hemaybeworthagreatdealmorewhenheispoorthanhewaswhenhewasrich;
　　butdishonestygoesveryfarindeedtomakeamanofnovalue——
　　athingtobethrownoutinthedust-holeofthecreation，likeabitofabrokenbasin，oradirtyrag。SoNorthWindhadtolookafterMr。Coleman，andtrytomakeanhonestmanofhim。
　　Soshesanktheshipwhichwashislastventure，andhewaswhathimselfandhiswifeandtheworldcalledruined。
　　Norwasthisallyet。ForonboardthatvesselMissColeman’sloverwasapassenger;andwhenthenewscamethatthevesselhadgonedown，andthatallonboardhadperished，wemaybesureshedidnotthinkthelossoftheirfinehouseandgardenandfurniturethegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。
　　Ofcourse，thetroubledidnotendwithMr。Colemanandhisfamily。
　　Nobodycansufferalone。Whenthecauseofsufferingismostdeeplyhiddenintheheart，andnobodyknowsanythingaboutitbutthemanhimself，hemustbeagreatandagoodmanindeed，suchasfewofushaveknown，ifthepaininsidehimdoesnotmakehimbehavesoastocauseallabouthimtobemoreorlessuncomfortable。
　　Butwhenamanbringsmoney-troublesonhimselfbymakinghastetoberich，thenmostofthepeoplehehastodowithmustsufferinthesamewaywithhimself。Theelm-treewhichNorthWindblewdownthatverynight，asifsmallandgreattrialsweretobegatheredinoneheap，crushedMissColeman’sprettysummer-house:
　　justsothefallofMr。Colemancrushedthelittlefamilythatlivedoverhiscoach-houseandstable。BeforeDiamondwaswellenoughtobetakenhome，therewasnohomeforhimtogoto。
　　Mr。Coleman——orhiscreditors，forIdonotknowtheparticulars——
　　hadsoldhouse，carriage，horses，furniture，andeverything。
　　HeandhiswifeanddaughterandMrs。CrumphadgonetoliveinasmallhouseinHoxton，wherehewouldbeunknown，andwhencehecouldwalktohisplaceofbusinessintheCity。
　　Forhewasnotanoldman，andhopedyettoretrievehisfortunes。
　　Letushopethathelivedtoretrievehishonesty，thetailofwhichhadslippedthroughhisfingerstotheverylastjoint，ifnotbeyondit。
　　Ofcourse，Diamond’sfatherhadnothingtodoforatime，butitwasnotsohardforhimtohavenothingtodoasitwasforMissColeman。
　　Hewrotetohiswifethat，ifhersisterwouldkeephertheretillhegotaplace，itwouldbebetterforthem，andhewouldbegreatlyobligedtoher。Meantime，thegentlemanwhohadboughtthehousehadallowedhisfurnituretoremainwhereitwasforalittlewhile。
　　Diamond’sauntwasquitewillingtokeepthemaslongasshecould。
　　AndindeedDiamondwasnotyetwellenoughtobemovedwithsafety。
　　Whenhehadrecoveredsofarastobeabletogoout，onedayhismothergothersister’shusband，whohadalittlepony-cart，tocarrythemdowntothesea-shore，andleavethemthereforafewhours。
　　HehadsomebusinesstodofurtheronatRamsgate，andwouldpickthemupashereturned。Awhiffofthesea-airwoulddothembothgood，shesaid，andshethoughtbesidesshecouldbesttellDiamondwhathadhappenedifshehadhimquitetoherself。
　　CHAPTERXIII
　　THESEASIDE
　　DIAMONDandhismothersatdownupontheedgeoftheroughgrassthatborderedthesand。Thesunwasjustfarenoughpastitshighestnottoshineintheireyeswhentheylookedeastward。
　　Asweetlittlewindblewontheirleftside，andcomfortedthemotherwithoutlettingherknowwhatitwasthatcomfortedher。
　　Awaybeforethemstretchedthesparklingwatersoftheocean，everywaveofwhichflashedoutitsowndelightbackinthefaceofthegreatsun，whichlookeddownfromthestillnessofitsbluehousewithglorioussilentfaceuponitsflashingchildren。
　　Oneachhandtheshoreroundedoutwards，formingalittlebay。
　　Therewerenowhitecliffshere，asfurthernorthandsouth，andtheplacewasratherdreary，buttheskygotatthemsomuchthebetter。
　　Notahouse，notacreaturewaswithinsight。Drysandwasabouttheirfeet，andunderthemthinwirygrass，thatjustmanagedtogrowoutofthepoverty-strickenshore。
　　“Ohdear！“saidDiamond’smother，withadeepsigh，“it’sasadworld！“
　　“Isit？”saidDiamond。“Ididn’tknow。”
　　“Howshouldyouknow，child？You’vebeentoowelltakencareof，Itrust。”
　　“Ohyes，Ihave。”returnedDiamond。“I’msorry！Ithoughtyouweretakencareoftoo。Ithoughtmyfathertookcareofyou。
　　Iwillaskhimaboutit。Ithinkhemusthaveforgotten。”
　　“Dearboy！“saidhismother。“yourfather’sthebestmanintheworld。”
　　“SoIthought！“returnedDiamondwithtriumph。“Iwassureofit！——Well，doesn’thetakeverygoodcareofyou？”
　　“Yes，yes，hedoes。”answeredhismother，burstingintotears。
　　“Butwho’stotakecareofhim？Andhowishetotakecareofusifhe’sgotnothingtoeathimself？”
　　“Ohdear！“saidDiamondwithagasp;“hasn’thegotanythingtoeat？Oh！Imustgohometohim。”
　　“No，no，child。He’snotcometothatyet。Butwhat’stobecomeofus，Idon’tknow。”
　　“Areyouveryhungry，mother？There’sthebasket。Ithoughtyouputsomethingtoeatinit。”
　　“Oyoudarlingstupid！Ididn’tsayIwashungry。”returnedhismother，smilingthroughhertears。
　　“ThenIdon’tunderstandyouatall。”saidDiamond。“Dotellmewhat’sthematter。”
　　“Therearepeopleintheworldwhohavenothingtoeat，Diamond。”
　　“ThenIsupposetheydon’tstopinitanylonger。They——they——
　　whatyoucall——die——don’tthey？”
　　“Yes，theydo。Howwouldyoulikethat？”
　　“Idon’tknow。Inevertried。ButIsupposetheygowheretheygetsomethingtoeat。”
　　“Likeenoughtheydon’twantit。”saidhismother，petulantly。
　　“That’sallrightthen。”saidDiamond，thinkingIdaresaymorethanhechosetoputinwords。
　　“Isitthough？Poorboy！howlittleyouknowaboutthings！
　　Mr。Coleman’slostallhismoney，andyourfatherhasnothingtodo，andweshallhavenothingtoeatbyandby。”
　　“Areyousure，mother？”
　　“Sureofwhat？”
　　“Surethatweshallhavenothingtoeat。”
　　“No，thankHeaven！I’mnotsureofit。Ihopenot。”
　　“ThenIcan’tunderstandit，mother。There’sapieceofgingerbreadinthebasket，Iknow。”
　　“Oyoulittlebird！Youhavenomoresensethanasparrowthatpickswhatitwants，andneverthinksofthewinterandthefrostand，thesnow。”
　　“Ah——yes——Isee。Butthebirdsgetthroughthewinter，don’tthey？”
　　“Someofthemfalldeadontheground。”
　　“Theymustdiesometime。Theywouldn’tliketobebirdsalways。
　　Wouldyou，mother？”
　　“Whatachilditis！“thoughthismother，butshesaidnothing。
　　“Oh！nowIremember。”Diamondwenton。“FathertoldmethatdayIwenttoEppingForestwithhim，thattherose-bushes，andthemay-bushes，andtheholly-busheswerethebird’sbarns，fortherewerethehips，andthehaws，andtheholly-berries，allreadyforthewinter。”
　　“Yes;that’sallverytrue。Soyouseethebirdsareprovidedfor。
　　Buttherearenosuchbarnsforyouandme，Diamond。”
　　“Ain’tthere？”
　　“No。We’vegottoworkforourbread。”
　　“Thenlet’sgoandwork。”saidDiamond，gettingup。
　　“It’snouse。We’venotgotanythingtodo。”
　　“Thenlet’swait。”
　　“Thenweshallstarve。”
　　“No。There’sthebasket。Doyouknow，mother，IthinkIshallcallthatbasketthebarn。”
　　“It’snotaverybigone。Andwhenit’sempty——wherearewethen？”
　　“Atauntie’scupboard。”returnedDiamondpromptly。
　　“Butwecan’teatauntie’sthingsallupandleavehertostarve。”
　　“No，no。We’llgobacktofatherbeforethat。He’llhavefoundacupboardsomewherebythattime。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthat？”
　　“Idon’tknowit。ButIhaven’tgotevenacupboard，andI’vealwayshadplentytoeat。I’veheardyousayIhadtoomuch，sometimes。”
　　“ButItellyouthat’sbecauseI’vehadacupboardforyou，child。”
　　“Andwhenyourswasempty，auntieopenedhers。”
　　“Butthatcan’tgoon。”
　　“Howdoyouknow？Ithinktheremustbeabigcupboardsomewhere，outofwhichthelittlecupboardsarefilled，youknow，mother。”
　　“Well，IwishIcouldfindthedoorofthatcupboard。”saidhismother。
　　Butthesamemomentshestopped，andwassilentforagoodwhile。
　　IcannottellwhetherDiamondknewwhatshewasthinking，butI
　　thinkIknow。Shehadheardsomethingatchurchthedaybefore，whichcamebackuponher——somethinglikethis，thatshehadn’ttoeatfortomorrowaswellasforto-day;andthatwhatwasnotwantedcouldn’tbemissed。So，insteadofsayinganythingmore，shestretchedoutherhandforthebasket，andsheandDiamondhadtheirdinner。
　　AndDiamonddidenjoyit。Forthedriveandthefreshairhadmadehimquitehungry;andhedidnot，likehismother，troublehimselfaboutwhattheyshoulddineoffthatdayweek。Thefactwashehadlivedsolongwithoutanyfoodatallatthebackofthenorthwind，thatheknewquitewellthatfoodwasnotessentialtoexistence;
　　thatinfact，undercertaincircumstances，peoplecouldlivewithoutitwellenough。
　　Hismotherdidnotspeakmuchduringtheirdinner。Afteritwasovershehelpedhimtowalkaboutalittle，buthewasnotableformuchandsoongottired。Hedidnotgetfretful，though。
　　Hewastoogladofhavingthesunandthewindagain，tofretbecausehecouldnotrunabout。Helaydownonthedrysand，andhismothercoveredhimwithashawl。Shethensatbyhisside，andtookabitofworkfromherpocket。ButDiamondfeltrathersleepy，andturnedonhissideandgazedsleepilyoverthesand。
　　Afewyardsoffhesawsomethingfluttering。
　　“Whatisthat，mother？”hesaid。
　　“Onlyabitofpaper。”sheanswered。
　　“Itfluttersmorethanabitofpaperwould，Ithink。”saidDiamond。
　　“I’llgoandseeifyoulike。”saidhismother。“Myeyesarenoneofthebest。”
　　Sosheroseandwentandfoundthattheywerebothright，foritwasalittlebook，partlyburiedinthesand。Butseveralofitsleaveswereclearofthesand，andthesethewindkeptblowingaboutinaveryflutterfulmanner。ShetookitupandbroughtittoDiamond。
　　“Whatisit，mother？”heasked。
　　“Somenurseryrhymes，Ithink。”sheanswered。
　　“I’mtoosleepy。”saidDiamond。“Doreadsomeofthemtome。”
　　“Yes，Iwill。”shesaid，andbeganone——“Butthisissuchnonsense！“
　　shesaidagain。“Iwilltrytofindabetterone。”
　　Sheturnedtheleavessearching，butthreetimes，withsuddenpuffs，thewindblewtheleavesrustlingbacktothesameverses。
　　“Doreadthatone。”saidDiamond，whoseemedtobeofthesamemindasthewind。“Itsoundedverynice。Iamsureitisagoodone。”
　　Sohismotherthoughtitmightamusehim，thoughshecouldn’tfindanysenseinit。Sheneverthoughthemightunderstandit，althoughshecouldnot。
　　NowIdonotexactlyknowwhatthemotherread，butthisiswhatDiamondheard，orthoughtafterwardsthathehadheard。
　　Hewas，however，asIhavesaid，verysleepy。Andwhenhethoughtheunderstoodtheverseshemayhavebeenonlydreamingbetterones。
　　Thisishowtheywent——
　　Iknowariverwhosewatersrunasleeprunruneversingingintheshallowsdumbinthehollowssleepingsodeepandalltheswallowsthatdiptheirfeathersinthehollowsorintheshallowsarethemerriestswallowsofallfortheneststheybakewiththeclaytheycakewiththewatertheyshakefromtheirwingsthatrakethewateroutoftheshallowsorthehollowswillholdtogetherinanyweatherandsotheswallowsarethemerriestfellowsandhavethemerriestchildrenandarebuiltsonarrowliketheheadofanarrowtocuttheairandgojustwherethenicestwaterisflowingandthenicestdustisblowingforeachsonarrowlikeheadofanarrowisonlyabarrowtocarrythemudhemakesfromthenicestwaterflowingandthenicestdustthatisblowingtobuildhisnestforherhelovesbestwiththenicestcakeswhichthesunshinebakesallfortheirmerrychildrenallsocallowwithbeaksthatfollowgapingandhollowwiderandwideraftertheirfatheroraftertheirmotherthefood-providerwhobringsthemaspiderorawormthepoorhiderdownintheearthsothere’snodearthfortheirbeaksasyellowasthebuttercupsgrowingbesidetheflowingofthesingingriveralwaysandevergrowingandblowingforfastasthesheepawakeorasleepcropthemandcropthemtheycannotstopthembutuptheycreepandontheygoblowingandsowiththedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisestheygrowandtheyblowandtheyspreadouttheircrownandtheypraisethesunandwhenhegoesdowntheirpraisingisdoneandtheyfolduptheircrownandtheysleepeveryonetillovertheplainhe’sshiningamainandthey’reatitagainpraisingandpraisingsuchlowsongsraisingthatnoonehearsthembutthesunwhorearsthemandthesheepthatbitethemarethequietestsheepawakeorasleepwiththemerriestbleatandthelittlelambsarethemerriestlambstheyforgettoeatforthefrolicintheirfeetandthelambsandtheirdamsarethewhitestsheepwiththewoolliestwoolandthelongestwoolandthetrailingesttailsandtheyshinelikesnowinthegrassesthatgrowbythesingingriverthatsingsforeverandthesheepandthelambsaremerryforeverbecausetheriversingsandtheydrinkitandthelambsandtheirdamsarequietandwhitebecauseoftheirdietforwhattheybiteisbuttercupsyellowanddaisieswhiteandgrassasgreenastherivercanmakeitwithwindasmellowtokissitandshakeitasneverwasseenbuthereinthehollowsbesidetheriverwherealltheswallowsaremerriestoffellowsfortheneststheymakewiththeclaytheycakeinthesunshinebaketilltheyarelikeboneasdryinthewindasamarblestonesofirmtheybindthegrassintheclaythatdriesinthewindthesweetestwindthatblowsbytheriverflowingforeverbutneveryoufindwhencecomesthewindthatblowsonthehollowsandovertheshallowswherediptheswallowsaliveitblowsthelifeasitgoesawakeorasleepintotheriverthatsingsasitflowsandthelifeitblowsintothesheepawakeorasleepwiththewoolliestwoolandthetrailingesttailsanditneverfailsgentleandcooltowavethewoolandtotossthegrassasthelambsandthesheepoveritpassandtugandbitewiththeirteethsowhiteandthenwiththesweepoftheirtrailingtailssmoothitagainanditgrowsamainandamainitgrowsandthewindasitblowstossestheswallowsoverthehollowsanddownontheshallowstilleveryfeatherdothshakeandquiverandalltheirfeathersgoalltogetherblowingthelifeandthejoysorifeintotheswallowsthatskimtheshallowsandhavetheyellowestchildrenforthewindthatblowsisthelifeoftheriverflowingforeverthatwashesthegrassesstillasitpassesandfeedsthedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisesandbuttercupsbonnysogoldenandsunnywithbutterandhoneythatwhitenthesheepawakeorasleepthatnibbleandbiteandgrowwhiterthanwhiteandmerryandquietonthesweetdietfedbytheriverandtossedforeverbythewindthattossestheswallowthatcrossesovertheshallowsdippinghiswingstogatherthewaterandbakethecakethatthewindshallmakeashardasaboneasdryasastoneit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindandallintheriverthatflowsforeverandallinthegrassesandthewhitedaisiesandthemerrysheepawakeorasleepandthehappyswallowsskimmingtheshallowsandit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindHereDiamondbecameawarethathismotherhadstoppedreading。
　　“Whydon’tyougoon，motherdear？”heasked。
　　“It’ssuchnonsense！“saidhismother。“Ibelieveitwouldgoonforever。”
　　“That’sjustwhatitdid。”saidDiamond。
　　“Whatdid？”sheasked。
　　“Why，theriver。That’salmosttheverytuneitusedtosing。”
　　Hismotherwasfrightened，forshethoughtthefeverwascomingonagain。Soshedidnotcontradicthim。
　　“Whomadethatpoem？”askedDiamond。
　　“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered。“Somesillywomanforherchildren，Isuppose——andthenthoughtitgoodenoughtoprint。”
　　“Shemusthavebeenatthebackofthenorthwindsometimeorother，anyhow。”saidDiamond。“Shecouldn’thavegotaholdofitanywhereelse。That’sjusthowitwent。”Andhebegantochantbitsofithereandthere;buthismothersaidnothingforfearofmakinghim，worse;andshewasverygladindeedwhenshesawherbrother-in-lawjoggingalonginhislittlecart。TheyliftedDiamondin，andgotupthemselves，andawaytheywent，“homeagain，homeagain，homeagain。”asDiamondsang。Buthesoongrewquiet，andbeforetheyreachedSandwichhewasfastasleepanddreamingofthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind。
　　CHAPTERXIV
　　OLDDIAMOND
　　AFTERthisDiamondrecoveredsofast，thatinafewdayshewasquiteabletogohomeassoonashisfatherhadaplaceforthemtogo。
　　Nowhisfatherhavingsavedalittlemoney，andfindingthatnosituationoffereditself，hadbeenthinkingoveranewplan。
　　Astrangeoccurrenceitwaswhichturnedhisthoughtsinthatdirection。
　　HehadafriendintheBloomsburyregion，wholivedbylettingoutcabsandhorsestothecabmen。Thisman，happeningtomeethimonedayashewasreturningfromanunsuccessfulapplication，saidtohim:
　　“Whydon’tyousetupforyourselfnow——inthecabline，Imean？”
　　“Ihaven’tenoughforthat。”answeredDiamond’sfather。
　　“Youmusthavesavedagoodishbit，Ishouldthink。JustcomehomewithmenowandlookatahorseIcanletyouhavecheap。Iboughthimonlyafewweeksago，thinkinghe’ddoforaHansom，butIwaswrong。
　　He’sgotboneenoughforawaggon，butawaggonain’taHansom。
　　Heain’tgotgoenoughforaHansom。YouseepartiesastakesHansomswantstogolikethewind，andheain’tgotwindenough，forheain’tsoyoungasheoncewas。Butforafour-wheelerastakesfamiliesandtheirluggages，he’stheveryhorse。
　　He’dcarryasmallhouseanyday。Iboughthimcheap，andI’llsellhimcheap。”
　　“Oh，Idon’twanthim。”saidDiamond’sfather。“Abodymusthavetimetothinkoveranaffairofsomuchimportance。Andthere’sthecabtoo。Thatwouldcometoadealofmoney。”
　　“Icouldfityouthere，Idaresay。”saidhisfriend。“Butcomeandlookattheanimal，anyhow。”
　　“SinceIlostmyownoldpair，aswasMr。Coleman’s。”
　　saidDiamond’sfather，turningtoaccompanythecab-master，“Iain’talmostgotthehearttolookahorseintheface。
　　It’sathousandpitiestopartmanandhorse。”
　　“Soitis。”returnedhisfriendsympathetically。
　　Butwhatwastheex-coachman’sdelight，when，ongoingintothestablewherehisfriendledhim，hefoundthehorsehewantedhimtobuywasnootherthanhisownoldDiamond，grownverythinandbonyandlong-legged，asifthey，hadbeendoingwhattheycouldtofithimforHansomwork！
　　“Heain’taHansomhorse。”saidDiamond’sfatherindignantly。
　　“Well，you’reright。Heain’thandsome，buthe’sagoodun“
　　saidhisowner。
　　“Whosaysheain’thandsome？He’soneofthehandsomesthorsesagentleman’scoachmaneverdruv。”saidDiamond’sfather;
　　remarkingtohimselfunderhisbreath——“thoughIsaysitasshouldn’t“——
　　forhedidnotfeelinclinedallatoncetoconfessthathisownoldhorsecouldhavesunksolow。
　　“Well。”saidhisfriend，“allIsayis——There’saanimalforyou，asstrongasachurch;an’llgolikeatrain，leastwaysaparly。”
　　headded，correctinghimself。
　　Butthecoachmanhadalumpinhisthroatandtearsinhiseyes。
　　Fortheoldhorse，hearinghisvoice，hadturnedhislongneck，andwhenhisoldfriendwentuptohimandlaidhishandonhisside，hewhinniedforjoy，andlaidhisbigheadonhismaster’sbreast。
　　Thissettledthematter。Thecoachman’sarmswereroundthehorse’sneckinamoment，andhefairlybrokedownandcried。
　　Thecab-masterhadneverbeensofondofahorsehimselfastohughimlikethat，buthesawinamomenthowitwas。Andhemusthavebeenagood-heartedfellow，forIneverheardofsuchanideacomingintotheheadofanyothermanwithahorsetosell:
　　insteadofputtingsomethingontothepricebecausehewasnowprettysureofsellinghim，heactuallytookapoundoffwhathehadmeanttoaskforhim，sayingtohimselfitwasashametopartoldfriends。
　　Diamond’sfather，assoonashecametohimself，turnedandaskedhowmuchhewantedforthehorse。
　　“Iseeyou’reoldfriends。”saidtheowner。
　　“It’smyownoldDiamond。Ilikedhimfarthebestofthepair，thoughtheotherwasgood。Youain’tgothimtoo，haveyou？”
　　“No;nothinginthestabletomatchhimthere。”
　　“Ibelieveyou。”saidthecoachman。“Butyou’llbewantingalongpriceforhim，Iknow。”
　　“No，notsomuch。Iboughthimcheap，andasIsay，heain’tformywork。”
　　TheendofitwasthatDiamond’sfatherboughtoldDiamondagain，alongwithafour-wheeledcab。Andasthereweresomeroomstobehadoverthestable，hetookthem，wrotetohiswifetocomehome，andsetupasacabman。
　　CHAPTERXV
　　THEMEWS
　　ITWASlateintheafternoonwhenDiamondandhismotherandthebabyreachedLondon。IwassofullofDiamondthatIforgottotellyouababyhadarrivedinthemeantime。Hisfatherwaswaitingforthemwithhisowncab，buttheyhadnottoldDiamondwhothehorsewas;
　　forhisfatherwantedtoenjoythepleasureofhissurprisewhenhefounditout。Hegotinwithhismotherwithoutlookingatthehorse，andhisfatherhavingputupDiamond’scarpet-bagandhismother’slittletrunk，gotupontheboxhimselfanddroveoff;andDiamondwasquiteproudofridinghomeinhisfather’sowncarriage。
　　Butwhenhegottothemews，hecouldnothelpbeingalittledismayedatfirst;andifhehadneverbeentothebackofthenorthwind，Iamafraidhewouldhavecriedalittle。Butinsteadofthat，hesaidtohimselfitwasafinethingalltheoldfurniturewasthere。
　　Andinsteadofhelpinghismothertobemiserableatthechange，hebegantofindoutalltheadvantagesoftheplace;foreveryplacehassomeadvantages，andtheyarealwaysbetterworthknowingthanthedisadvantages。Certainlytheweatherwasdepressing，forathick，dull，persistentrainwasfallingbythetimetheyreachedhome。Buthappilytheweatherisverychangeable;
　　andbesides，therewasagoodfireburningintheroom，whichtheirneighbourwiththedrunkenhusbandhadattendedtoforthem;andthetea-thingswereputout，andthekettlewasboilingonthefire。
　　Andwithagoodfire，andteaandbreadandbutter，thingscannotbesaidtobemiserable。
　　Diamond’sfatherandmotherwere，notwithstanding，rathermiserable，andDiamondbegantofeelakindofdarknessbeginningtospreadoverhisownmind。Butthesamemomenthesaidtohimself，“Thiswillneverdo。Ican’tgiveintothis。I’vebeentothebackofthenorthwind。Thingsgorightthere，andsoImusttrytogetthingstogorighthere。I’vegottofightthemiserablethings。
　　Theyshan’tmakememiserableifIcanhelpit。”Idonotmeanthathethoughttheseverywords。Theyareperhapstoogrown-upforhimtohavethought，buttheyrepresentthekindofthingthatwasinhisheartandhishead。Andwhenheartandheadgotogether，nothingcanstandbeforethem。
　　“Whatnicebreadandbutterthisis！“saidDiamond。
　　“I’mgladyoulikeit，mydear“saidhisfather。“Iboughtthebuttermyselfatthelittleshoproundthecorner。”
　　“It’sverynice，thankyou，father。Oh，there’sbabywaking！
　　I’lltakehim。”
　　“Sitstill，Diamond。”saidhismother。“Goonwithyourbreadandbutter。You’renotstrongenoughtolifthimyet。”
　　Soshetookthebabyherself，andsethimonherknee。ThenDiamondbegantoamusehim，andwentontillthelittlefellowwasshriekingwithlaughter。Forthebaby’sworldwashismother’sarms;
　　andthedrizzlingrain，andthedrearymews，andevenhisfather’stroubledfacecouldnottouchhim。Whatcaredbabyforthelossofahundredsituations？Yetneitherfathernormotherthoughthimhard-heartedbecausehecrowedandlaughedinthemiddleoftheirtroubles。Onthecontrary，hiscrowingandlaughingwereinfectious。Hislittleheartwassofullofmerrimentthatitcouldnotholditall，anditranoverintotheirs。Fatherandmotherbegantolaughtoo，andDiamondlaughedtillhehadafitofcoughingwhichfrightenedhismother，andmadethemallstop。
　　Hisfathertookthebaby，andhismotherputhimtobed。
　　Butitwasindeedachangetothemall，notonlyfromSandwich，butfromtheiroldplace，insteadofthegreatriverwherethehugebargeswiththeirmightybrownandyellowsailswenttackingfromsidetosidelikelittlepleasure-skiffs，andwherethelongthinboatsshotpastwitheightandsometimestwelverowers，theirwindowsnowlookedoutuponadirtypavedyard。AndtherewasnogardenmoreforDiamondtorunintowhenhepleased，withgayflowersabouthisfeet，andsolemnsun-filledtreesoverhishead。
　　NeitherwasthereawoodenwallatthebackofhisbedwithaholeinitforNorthWindtocomeinatwhensheliked。Indeed，therewassuchahighwall，andthereweresomanyhousesaboutthemews，thatNorthWindseldomgotintotheplaceatall，exceptwhensomethingmustbedone，andshehadagrandcleaningoutlikeotherhousewives;
　　whilethepartitionattheheadofDiamond’snewbedonlydivideditfromtheroomoccupiedbyacabmanwhodranktoomuchbeer，andcamehomechieflytoquarrelwithhiswifeandpinchhischildren。
　　ItwasdreadfultoDiamondtohearthescoldingandthecrying。
　　Butitcouldnotmakehimmiserable，becausehehadbeenatthebackofthenorthwind。
　　IfmyreaderfindithardtobelievethatDiamondshouldbesogood，hemustrememberthathehadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。
　　Ifheneverknewaboysogood，didheeverknowaboythathadbeentothebackofthenorthwind？ItwasnotintheleaststrangeofDiamondtobehaveashedid;onthecontrary，itwasthoroughlysensibleofhim。
　　Weshallseehowhegoton。
　　CHAPTERXVI
　　DIAMONDMAKESABEGINNING
　　THEwindblewloud，butDiamondsleptadeepsleep，andneverheardit。
　　MyownimpressionisthateverytimewhenDiamondsleptwellandrememberednothingaboutitinthemorning，hehadbeenallthatnightatthebackofthenorthwind。Iamalmostsurethatwashowhewokesorefreshed，andfeltsoquietandhopefulalltheday。
　　Indeedhesaidthismuch，thoughnottome——thatalwayswhenhewokefromsuchasleeptherewasasomethinginhismind，hecouldnottellwhat——couldnottellwhetheritwasthelastfar-offsoundsoftheriverdyingawayinthedistance，orsomeofthewordsoftheendlesssonghismotherhadreadtohimonthesea-shore。
　　Sometimeshethoughtitmusthavebeenthetwitteringoftheswallows——
　　overtheshallows，you，know;butitmayhavebeenthechirpingofthedingysparrowspickinguptheirbreakfastintheyard——
　　howcanItell？Idon’tknowwhatIknow，IonlyknowwhatIthink;
　　andtotellthetruth，Iammorefortheswallowsthanthesparrows。
　　Whenheknewhewascomingawake，hewouldsometimestryhardtokeepholdofthewordsofwhatseemedanewsong，onehehadnotheardbefore——asonginwhichthewordsandthemusicsomehowappearedtobeallone;butevenwhenhethoughthehadgotthemwellfixedinhismind，everashecameawaker——ashewouldsay——
　　onelinefadedawayoutofit，andthenanother，andthenanother，tillatlasttherewasnothingleftbutsomelovelypictureofwaterorgrassordaisies，orsomethingelseverycommon，butwithallthecommonnesspolishedoffit，andthelovelysoulofit，whichpeoplesoseldomsee，and，alas！yetseldomerbelievein，shiningout。
　　Butafterthathewouldsingtheoddest，loveliestlittlesongstothebaby——ofhisownmaking，hismothersaid;butDiamondsaidhedidnotmakethem;theyweremadesomewhereinsidehim，andheknewnothingaboutthemtilltheywerecomingout。
　　Whenhewokethatfirstmorninghegotupatonce，sayingtohimself，“I’vebeenilllongenough，andhavegivenagreatdealoftrouble;
　　Imusttryandbeofusenow，andhelpmymother。”Whenhewentintoherroomhefoundherlightingthefire，andhisfatherjustgettingoutofbed。Theyhadonlytheoneroom，besidesthelittleone，notmuchmorethanacloset，inwhichDiamondslept。Hebeganatoncetosetthingstorights，butthebabywakingup，hetookhim，andnursedhimtillhismotherhadgotthebreakfastready。
　　Shewaslookinggloomy，andhisfatherwassilent;andindeedexceptDiamondhaddoneallhepossiblycouldtokeepoutthemiserythatwastryingtogetinatdoorsandwindows，hetoowouldhavegrownmiserable，andthentheywouldhavebeenallmiserabletogether。
　　Buttotrytomakeotherscomfortableistheonlywaytogetrightcomfortableourselves，andthatcomespartlyofnotbeingabletothinksomuchaboutourselveswhenwearehelpingotherpeople。