Andtheshadowsbegantoflickerandflee，Andtheyflewthroughthewoodallflatteringandfluttering，Overthedeadleavesflickeringandmuttering。
　　Andhesaidtothewind，“Come，follow;come，follow，Withwhistleandpipe，andrustleandhollo。”
　　Andthewindwoundroundathisdesire，Asifhehadbeenthegoldcockonthespire。
　　Andthecockitselfflewdownfromthechurch，Andleftthefarmersallinthelurch。
　　Theyrunandtheyfly，theycreepandtheycome，Everything，everything，allandsome。
　　Theverytreestheytuggedattheirroots，Onlytheirfeetweretoofastintheirboots，Afterhimleaningandstrainingandbending，Asonthroughtheirboleshekeptwalkingandwending，Tilloutofthewoodheburstonalea，Shoutingandcalling，“Comeafterme！“
　　Andthentheyroseupwithaleafyhiss，Andstoodasifnothinghadbeenamiss。
　　LittleBoyBluesatdownonastone，Andthecreaturescameroundhimeveryone。
　　Andhesaidtotheclouds，“Iwantyouthere。”
　　Anddowntheysankthroughthethinblueair。
　　AndhesaidtothesunsetfarintheWest，“Comehere;Iwantyou;Iknowbest。”
　　Andthesunsetcameandstooduponthewold，Andburnedandglowedinpurpleandgold。
　　ThenLittleBoyBluebegantoponder:
　　“What’stobedonewiththemall，Iwonder。”
　　ThenLittleBoyBlue，hesaid，quitelow，“WhattodowithyouallIamsureIdon’tknow。”
　　Thenthecloudscloddeddowntilldismalitgrew;
　　Thesnakesneakedclose;roundBirdieBrownflew;
　　Thebrooksatuplikeasnakeonitstail;
　　Andthewindcameupwithawhat-will-youwail;
　　Andallthecreaturessatandstared;
　　Themoleopenedhisveryeyesandglared;
　　Andforratsandbatsandtheworldandhiswife，LittleBoyBluewasafraidofhislife。
　　ThenBirdieBrownbegantosing，Andwhathesangwastheverything:
　　“Youhavebroughtusallhither，LittleBoyBlue，Praywhatdoyouwantusalltodo？”
　　“Goaway！goaway！“saidLittleBoyBlue;
　　“I’msureIdon’twantyou——getaway——do。”
　　“No，no;no，no;no，yes，andno，no。”
　　SangBirdieBrown，“itmustn’tbeso。
　　“Wecannotfornothingcomehere，andaway。
　　Giveussomework，orelsewestay。”
　　“Ohdear！andohdear！“withsobandwithsigh，SaidLittleBoyBlue，andbegantocry。
　　Butbeforehegotfar，hethoughtofathing;
　　Anduphestood，andspokelikeaking。
　　“Whydoyouhustleandjostleandbother？
　　Offwithyouall！Takemebacktomymother。”
　　Thesunsetstoodatthegatesofthewest。
　　“Followme，followme“camefromBirdieBrown’sbreast。
　　“IamgoingthatwayasfastasIcan。”
　　Saidthebrook，asitsankandturnedandran。
　　Backtothewoodsfledtheshadowslikeghosts:
　　“Ifwestay，weshallallbemissedfromourposts。”
　　Saidthewindwithavoicethathadchangeditscheer，“Iwasjustgoingthere，whenyoubroughtmehere。”
　　“That’swhereIlive。”saidthesack-backedsquirrel，Andheturnedhissackwithaswingandaswirl。
　　Saidthecockofthespire，“Hisfather’schurchwarden。”
　　Saidthebrookrunningfaster，“Irunthroughhisgarden。”
　　Saidthemole，“Twohundredworms——thereIcaught’emLastyear，andI’mgoingagainnextautumn。”
　　Saidtheyall，“Ifthat’swhereyouwantustosteerfor，Whatinearthorinwaterdidyoubringusherefor？”
　　“Neveryoumind。”saidLittleBoyBlue;
　　“That’swhatItellyou。Ifthatyouwon’tdo，“I’llgetupatonce，andgohomewithoutyou。
　　IthinkIwill;Ibegintodoubtyou。”
　　Herose;anduprosethesnakeonitstail，Andhissedthreetimes，halfahiss，halfawail。
　　LittleBoyBluehetriedtogopasthim;
　　Butwhereverheturned，satthesnakeandfacedhim。
　　“Ifyoudon’tgetoutofmyway。”hesaid，“Itellyou，snake，Iwillbreakyourhead。”
　　Thesnakeheneitherwouldgonorcome;
　　Sohehithimhardwiththestickofhisdrum。
　　Thesnakefelldownasifheweredead，AndLittleBoyBluesethisfootonhishead。
　　Andallthecreaturestheymarchedbeforehim，Andmarshalledhimhomewithahighcockolorum。
　　AndBirdieBrownsangTwirrrrtwittertwirrrrtwee——
　　Applesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
　　LittleBoyBluehaslistenedtome——
　　Allsojollyandfunny。
　　CHAPTERXXI
　　SAL’SNANNY
　　DIAMONDmanagedwithmanyblunderstoreadthisrhymetohismother。
　　“Isn’titnice，mother？”hesaid。
　　“Yes，it’spretty。”sheanswered。
　　“Ithinkitmeanssomething。”returnedDiamond。
　　“I’msureIdon’tknowwhat。”shesaid。
　　“Iwonderifit’sthesameboy——yes，itmustbethesame——
　　LittleBoyBlue，youknow。Letmesee——howdoesthatrhymego？
　　LittleBoyBlue，comeblowmeyourhorn——
　　Yes，ofcourseitis——forthisonewent`blowinghishornandbeatinghisdrum。’Hehadadrumtoo。
　　LittleBoyBlue，comeblowmeyourhorn;
　　Thesheep’sinthemeadow，thecow’sinthecorn，Hehadtokeepthemout，youknow。Buthewasn’tmindinghiswork。
　　Itgoes——
　　Where’sthelittleboythatlooksafterthesheep？
　　He’sunderthehaystack，fastasleep。
　　There，yousee，mother！Andthen，letmesee——
　　Who’llgoandwakehim？No，notI;
　　ForifIdo，he’llbesuretocry。
　　SoIsupposenobodydidwakehim。Hewasarathercrosslittleboy，Idaresay，whenwokeup。Andwhenhedidwakeofhimself，andsawthemischiefthecowhaddonetothecorn，insteadofrunninghometohismother，heranawayintothewoodandlosthimself。
　　Don’tyouthinkthat’sverylikely，mother？”
　　“Ishouldn’twonder。”sheanswered。
　　“Soyouseehewasnaughty;forevenwhenhelosthimselfhedidnotwanttogohome。Anyofthecreatureswouldhaveshownhimthewayifhehadaskedit——allbutthesnake。Hefollowedthesnake，youknow，andhetookhimfartheraway。IsupposeitwasayoungoneofthesameserpentthattemptedAdamandEve。
　　FatherwastellingusaboutitlastSunday，youremember。”
　　“Blessthechild！“saidhismothertoherself;andthenaddedaloud，findingthatDiamonddidnotgoon，“Well，whatnext？”
　　“Idon’tknow，mother。I’msurethere’sagreatdealmore，butwhatitisIcan’tsay。Ionlyknowthathekilledthesnake。
　　Isupposethat’swhathehadadrumstickfor。Hecouldn’tdoitwithhishorn。”
　　“Butsurelyyou’renotsuchasillyastotakeitallfortrue，Diamond？”
　　“Ithinkitmustbe。Itlookstrue。Thatkillingofthesnakelookstrue。It’swhatI’vegottodosooften。”
　　Hismotherlookeduneasy。Diamondsmiledfullinherface，andadded——
　　“Whenbabycriesandwon’tbehappy，andwhenfatherandyoutalkaboutyourtroubles，Imean。”
　　Thisdidlittletoreassurehismother;andlestmyreadershouldhavehisqualmsaboutittoo，IventuretoremindhimoncemorethatDiamondhadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。
　　Findingshemadenoreply，Diamondwenton——
　　“Inaweekorso，IshallbeabletogotothetallgentlemanandtellhimIcanread。AndI’llaskhimifhecanhelpmetounderstandtherhyme。”
　　Butbeforetheweekwasout，hehadanotherreasonforgoingtoMr。Raymond。
　　Forthreedays，oneachofwhich，atonetimeorother，Diamond’sfatherwasonthesamestandneartheNationalGallery，thegirlwasnotathercrossing，andDiamondgotquiteanxiousabouther，fearingshemustbeill。Onthefourthday，notseeingheryet，hesaidtohisfather，whohadthatmomentshutthedoorofhiscabuponafare——
　　“Father，Iwanttogoandlookafterthegirl，Shecan’tbewell。”
　　“Allright。”saidhisfather。“Onlytakecareofyourself，Diamond。”
　　Sosayingheclimbedonhisboxanddroveoff。
　　Hehadgreatconfidenceinhisboy，yousee，andwouldtrusthimanywhere。Butifhehadknownthekindofplaceinwhichthegirllived，hewouldperhapshavethoughttwicebeforeheallowedhimtogoalone。Diamond，whodidknowsomethingofit，hadnot，however，anyfear。Fromtalkingtothegirlhehadagoodnotionofwhereaboutitwas，andherememberedtheaddresswellenough;sobyaskinghiswaysometwentytimes，mostlyofpolicemen，hecameatlengthprettyneartheplace。
　　Thelastpolicemanhequestionedlookeddownuponhimfromthesummitofsixfeettwoinches，andrepliedwithanotherquestion，butkindly:
　　“Whatdoyouwantthere，mysmallkid？Itain’twhereyouwasbred，Iguess。”
　　“Nosir“answeredDiamond。“IliveinBloomsbury。”
　　“That’salongwayoff。”saidthepoliceman。
　　“Yes，it’sagooddistance。”answeredDiamond;“butIfindmywayaboutprettywell。Policemenarealwayskindtome。”
　　“Butwhatonearthdoyouwanthere？”
　　Diamondtoldhimplainlywhathewasabout，andofcoursethemanbelievedhim，fornobodyeverdisbelievedDiamond。Peoplemightthinkhewasmistaken，buttheyneverthoughthewastellingastory。
　　“It’sanuglyplace。”saidthepoliceman。
　　“Isitfaroff？”askedDiamond。
　　“No。It’snextdooralmost。Butit’snotsafe。”
　　“Nobodyhurtsme。”saidDiamond。
　　“Imustgowithyou，Isuppose。”
　　“Oh，no！pleasenot。”saidDiamond。“TheymightthinkIwasgoingtomeddlewiththem，andIain’t，youknow。”
　　“Well，doasyouplease。”saidtheman，andgavehimfulldirections。
　　Diamondsetoff，neversuspectingthatthepoliceman，whowasakind-heartedman，withchildrenofhisown，wasfollowinghimclose，andwatchinghimroundeverycorner。Ashewenton，allatoncehethoughtherememberedtheplace，andwhetheritreallywasso，oronlythathehadlaidupthepoliceman’sinstructionswellinhismind，hewentstraightforthecellarofoldSal。
　　“He’sasharplittlekid，anyhow，forassimpleashelooks。”
　　saidthemantohimself。“Notawrongturndoeshetake！
　　ButoldSal’sarumunforsuchachildtopayamorningvisitto。
　　She’sworsewhenshe’ssoberthanwhenshe’shalfdrunk。I’veseenherwhenshe’dhavetornhiminpieces。”
　　HappilythenforDiamond，oldSalhadgoneouttogetsomegin。
　　Whenhecametoherdooratthebottomofthearea-stairandknocked，hereceivednoanswer。Helaidhiseartothedoor，andthoughtheheardamoaningwithin。Sohetriedthedoor，andfounditwasnotlocked！
　　Itwasadrearyplaceindeed，——andverydark，forthewindowwasbelowthelevelofthestreet，andcoveredwithmud，whileoverthegratingwhichkeptpeoplefromfallingintothearea，stoodachestofdrawers，placedtherebyadealerinsecond-handfurniture，whichshutoutalmostallthelight。Andthesmellintheplacewasdreadful。
　　Diamondstoodstillforawhile，forhecouldseenexttonothing，butheheardthemoaningplainlyenoughnow，Whenhegotusedtothedarkness，hediscoveredhisfriendlyingwithclosedeyesandawhitesufferingfaceonaheapoflittlebetterthanragsinacorneroftheden。Hewentuptoherandspoke;butshemadehimnoanswer。Indeed，shewasnotintheleastawareofhispresence，andDiamondsawthathecoulddonothingforherwithouthelp。
　　Sotakingalumpofbarley-sugarfromhispocket，whichhehadboughtforherashecamealong，andlayingitbesideher，helefttheplace，havingalreadymadeuphismindtogoandseethetallgentleman，Mr。Raymond，andaskhimtodosomethingforSal’sNanny，asthegirlwascalled。
　　Bythetimehegotupthearea-steps，threeorfourwomenwhohadseenhimgodownwerestandingtogetheratthetopwaitingforhim。
　　Theywantedhisclothesfortheirchildren;buttheydidnotfollowhimdownlestSalshouldfindthemthere。Themomentheappeared，theylaidtheirhandsonhim，andallbegantalkingatonce，foreachwantedtogetsomeadvantageoverherneighbours。
　　Hetoldthemquitequietly，forhewasnotfrightened，thathehadcometoseewhatwasthematterwithNanny。
　　“WhatdoyouknowaboutNanny？”saidoneofthemfiercely。“WaittilloldSalcomeshome，andyou’llcatchit，forgoingpryingintoherhousewhenshe’sout。Ifyoudon’tgivemeyourjacketdirectly，I’llgoandfetchher。”
　　“Ican’tgiveyoumyjacket。”saidDiamond。“Itbelongstomyfatherandmother，youknow。It’snotminetogive。Isitnow？
　　Youwouldnotthinkitrighttogiveawaywhatwasn’tyours——
　　wouldyounow？”
　　“Giveitaway！No，thatIwouldn’t;I’dkeepit。”shesaid，witharoughlaugh。“Butifthejacketain’tyours，whatrighthaveyoutokeepit？Here，Cherry，makehaste。It’llbeonegoapiece。”
　　Theyallbegantotugatthejacket，whileDiamondstoopedandkepthisarmsbenttoresistthem。Beforetheyhaddonehimorthejacketanyharm，however，suddenlytheyallscamperedaway;andDiamond，lookingintheoppositedirection，sawthetallpolicemancomingtowardshim。
　　“Youhadbetterhaveletmecomewithyou，littleman。”hesaid，lookingdowninDiamond’sface，whichwasflushedwithhisresistance。
　　“Youcamejustintherighttime，thankyou。”returnedDiamond。
　　“They’vedonemenoharm。”
　　“TheywouldhaveifIhadn’tbeenathand，though。”
　　“Yes;butyouwereathand，youknow，sotheycouldn’t。”
　　PerhapstheanswerwasdeeperinpurportthaneitherDiamondorthepolicemanknew。Theywalkedawaytogether，DiamondtellinghisnewfriendhowillpoorNannywas，andthathewasgoingtoletthetallgentlemanknow。ThepolicemanputhiminthenearestwayforBloomsbury，andsteppingoutingoodearnest，DiamondreachedMr。Raymond’sdoorinlessthananhour。Whenheaskedifhewasathome，theservant，inreturn，askedwhathewanted。
　　“Iwanttotellhimsomething。”
　　“ButIcan’tgoandtroublehimwithsuchamessageasthat。”
　　“Hetoldmetocometohim——thatis，whenIcouldread——andIcan。”
　　“HowamItoknowthat？”
　　Diamondstaredwithastonishmentforonemoment，thenanswered:
　　“Why，I’vejusttoldyou。That’showyouknowit。”
　　Butthismanwasmadeofcoarsergrainthanthepoliceman，and，insteadofseeingthatDiamondcouldnottellalie，heputhisanswerdownasimpudence，andsaying，“DoyouthinkI’mgoingtotakeyourwordforit？”shutthedoorinhisface。
　　Diamondturnedandsatdownonthedoorstep，thinkingwithhimselfthatthetallgentlemanmusteithercomeinorcomeout，andhewasthereforeinthebestpossiblepositionforfindinghim。
　　Hehadnotwaitedlongbeforethedooropenedagain;butwhenhelookedround，itwasonlytheservantoncemore。
　　“Get，away“hesaid。“Whatareyoudoingonthedoorstep？”
　　“WaitingforMr。Raymond。”answeredDiamond，gettingup。
　　“He’snotathome。”
　　“ThenI’llwaittillhecomes。”returnedDiamond，sittingdownagainwithasmile。
　　WhatthemanwouldhavedonenextIdonotknow，butastepsoundedfromthehall，andwhenDiamondlookedroundyetagain，therewasthetallgentleman。
　　“Who’sthis，John？”heasked。
　　“Idon’tknow，sir。Animperentlittleboyaswillsitonthedoorstep。”
　　“Pleasesir“saidDiamond，“hetoldmeyouweren’tathome，andI
　　satdowntowaitforyou。”
　　“Eh，what！“saidMr。Raymond。“John！John！Thiswon’tdo。
　　Isitahabitofyourstoturnawaymyvisitors？There’llbesomeoneelsetoturnaway，I’mafraid，ifIfindanymoreofthiskindofthing。Comein，mylittleman。Isupposeyou’vecometoclaimyoursixpence？”
　　“No，sir，notthat。”
　　“What！can’tyoureadyet？”
　　“Yes，Icannow，alittle。ButI’llcomeforthatnexttime。
　　IcametotellyouaboutSal’sNanny。”
　　“Who’sSal’sNanny？”
　　“Thegirlatthecrossingyoutalkedtothesameday。”
　　“Oh，yes;Iremember。What’sthematter？Hasshegotrunover？”
　　ThenDiamondtoldhimall。
　　NowMr。RaymondwasoneofthekindestmeninLondon。Hesentatoncetohavethehorseputtothebrougham，tookDiamondwithhim，anddrovetotheChildren’sHospital。Therehewaswellknowntoeverybody，forhewasnotonlyalargesubscriber，butheusedtogoandtellthechildrenstoriesofanafternoon。OneofthedoctorspromisedtogoandfindNanny，anddowhatcouldbedone——
　　haveherbroughttothehospital，ifpossible。
　　Thatsamenighttheysentalitterforher，andasshecouldbeofnousetooldSaluntilshewasbetter，shedidnotobjecttohavingherremoved。Soshewassoonlyinginthefeverward——
　　forthefirsttimeinherlifeinanicecleanbed。Butsheknewnothingofthewholeaffair。Shewastooilltoknowanything。
　　CHAPTERXXII
　　MR。RAYMOND’SRIDDLE
　　MR。RAYMONDtookDiamondhomewithhim，stoppingattheMewstotellhismotherthathewouldsendhimbacksoon。Diamondraninwiththemessagehimself，andwhenhereappearedhehadinhishandthetornandcrumpledbookwhichNorthWindhadgivenhim。
　　“Ah！Isee。”saidMr。Raymond:“youaregoingtoclaimyoursixpencenow。”
　　“Iwasn’tthinkingofthatsomuchasofanotherthing。”saidDiamond。
　　“There’sarhymeinthisbookIcan’tquiteunderstand。Iwantyoutotellmewhatitmeans，ifyouplease。”
　　“IwillifIcan。”answeredMr。Raymond。“Youshallreadittomewhenwegethome，andthenIshallsee。”
　　Stillwithagoodmanyblunders，Diamonddidreaditafterafashion。
　　Mr。Raymondtookthelittlebookandreaditoveragain。
　　NowMr。Raymondwasapoethimself，andso，althoughhehadneverbeenatthebackofthenorthwind，hewasabletounderstandthepoemprettywell。Butbeforesayinganythingaboutit，hereaditoveraloud，andDiamondthoughtheunderstooditmuchbetteralready。
　　“I’lltellyouwhatIthinkitmeans。”hethensaid。“Itmeansthatpeoplemayhavetheirwayforawhile，iftheylike，butitwillgetthemintosuchtroublesthey’llwishtheyhadn’thadit。”
　　“Iknow，Iknow！“saidDiamond。“Likethepoorcabmannextdoor。
　　Hedrinkstoomuch。”
　　“Justso。”returnedMr。Raymond。“Butwhenpeoplewanttodoright，thingsaboutthemwilltrytohelpthem。Onlytheymustkillthesnake，youknow。”
　　“Iwassurethesnakehadsomethingtodowithit。”
　　criedDiamondtriumphantly。
　　Agooddealmoretalkfollowed，andMr。RaymondgaveDiamondhissixpence。
　　“Whatwillyoudowithit？”heasked。
　　“Takeithometomymother。”heanswered。“Shehasateapot——
　　suchablackone！——withabrokenspout，andshekeepsallhermoneyinit。Itain’tmuch;butshesavesituptobuyshoesforme。
　　Andthere’sbabycomingonfamously，andhe’llwantshoessoon。
　　Andeverysixpenceissomething——ain’tit，sir？”
　　“Tobesure，myman。Ihopeyou’llalwaysmakeasgoodauseofyourmoney。”
　　“Ihopeso，sir。”saidDiamond。
　　“Andhere’sabookforyou，fullofpicturesandstoriesandpoems。
　　Iwroteitmyself，chieflyforthechildrenofthehospitalwhereIhopeNannyisgoing。Idon’tmeanIprintedit，youknow。
　　Imadeit。”addedMr。Raymond，wishingDiamondtounderstandthathewastheauthorofthebook。
　　“Iknowwhatyoumean。Imakesongsmyself。They’reawfullysilly，buttheypleasebaby，andthat’sallthey’remeantfor。”
　　“Couldn’tyouletmehearoneofthemnow？”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“No，sir，Icouldn’t。IforgetthemassoonasI’vedonewiththem。
　　Besides，Icouldn’tmakealinewithoutbabyonmyknee。Wemakethemtogether，youknow。They’rejustasmuchbaby’sasmine。
　　It’shethatpullsthemoutofme。”
　　“Isuspectthechild’sagenius。”saidthepoettohimself，“andthat’swhatmakespeoplethinkhimsilly。”
　　Nowifanyofmychildreaderswanttoknowwhatageniusis——
　　shallItrytotellthem，orshallInot？Iwillgivethemoneveryshortanswer:itmeansonewhounderstandsthingswithoutanyotherbodytellinghimwhattheymean。Godmakesafewsuchnowandthentoteachtherestofus。
　　“Doyoulikeriddles？”askedMr。Raymond，turningovertheleavesofhisownbook。
　　“Idon’tknowwhatariddleis。”saidDiamond。
　　“It’ssomethingthatmeanssomethingelse，andyou’vegottofindoutwhatthesomethingelseis。”
　　Mr。Raymondlikedtheold-fashionedriddlebest，andhadwrittenafew——
　　oneofwhichhenowread。
　　Ihaveonlyonefoot，butthousandsoftoes;
　　Myonefootstands，butnevergoes。
　　Ihavemanyarms，andthey’remightyall;
　　Andhundredsoffingers，largeandsmall。
　　Fromtheendsofmyfingersmybeautygrows。
　　Ibreathewithmyhair，andIdrinkwithmytoes。
　　Igrowbiggerandbiggeraboutthewaist，AndyetIamalwaysverytightlaced。
　　Nonee’ersawmeeat——I’venomouthtobite;
　　YetIeatalldayinthefullsunlight。
　　InthesummerwithsongIshaveandquiver，ButinwinterIfastandgroanandshiver。
　　“Doyouknowwhatthatmeans，Diamond？”heasked，whenhehadfinished。
　　“No，indeed，Idon’t。”answeredDiamond。
　　“Thenyoucanreaditforyourself，andthinkoverit，andseeifyoucanfindout。”saidMr。Raymond，givinghimthebook。
　　“Andnowyouhadbettergohometoyourmother。Whenyou’vefoundtheriddle，youcancomeagain。”
　　IfDiamondhadhadtofindouttheriddleinordertoseeMr。Raymondagain，Idoubtifhewouldeverhaveseenhim。
　　“Ohthen。”IthinkIhearsomelittlereadersay，“hecouldnothavebeenagenius，forageniusfindsoutthingswithoutbeingtold。”
　　Ianswer，“Geniusfindsouttruths，nottricks。”Andifyoudonotunderstandthat，Iamafraidyoumustbecontenttowaittillyougrowolderandknowmore。
　　CHAPTERXXIII
　　THEEARLYBIRD
　　WHENDiamondgothomehefoundhisfatherathomealready，sittingbythefireandlookingrathermiserable，forhisheadachedandhefeltsick。Hehadbeendoingnightworkoflate，andithadnotagreedwithhim，sohehadgivenitup，butnotintime，forhehadtakensomekindoffever。Thenextdayhewasforcedtokeephisbed，andhiswifenursedhim，andDiamondattendedtothebaby。Ifhehadnotbeenill，itwouldhavebeendelightfultohavehimathome;
　　andthefirstdayDiamondsangmoresongsthanevertothebaby，andhisfatherlistenedwithsomepleasure。ButthenexthecouldnotbearevenDiamond’ssweetvoice，andwasveryillindeed;
　　soDiamondtookthebabyintohisownroom，andhadnoendofquietgameswithhimthere。Ifhedidpullallhisbeddingonthefloor，itdidnotmatter，forhekeptbabyveryquiet，andmadethebedhimselfagain，andsleptinitwithbabyallthenextnight，andmanynightsafter。
　　Butlongbeforehisfathergotwell，hismother’ssavingswereallbutgone。Shedidnotsayawordaboutitinthehearingofherhusband，lestsheshoulddistresshim;andonenight，whenshecouldnothelpcrying，shecameintoDiamond’sroomthathisfathermightnothearher。ShethoughtDiamondwasasleep，buthewasnot。Whenheheardhersobbing，hewasfrightened，andsaid——
　　“Isfatherworse，mother？”
　　“No，Diamond。”sheanswered，aswellasshecould;“he’sagoodbitbetter。”
　　“Thenwhatareyoucryingfor，mother？”
　　“Becausemymoneyisalmostallgone。”shereplied。
　　“Omammy，youmakemethinkofalittlepoembabyandIlearnedoutofNorthWind’sbookto-day。Don’tyourememberhowIbotheredyouaboutsomeofthewords？”
　　“Yes，child。”saidhismotherheedlessly，thinkingonlyofwhatsheshoulddoafterto-morrow。
　　Diamondbeganandrepeatedthepoem，forhehadawonderfulmemory。
　　Alittlebirdsatontheedgeofhernest;
　　Heryellow-beakssleptassoundastops;
　　Thatdayshehaddoneherverybest，Andhadfilledeveryoneoftheirlittlecrops。
　　Shehadfilledherownjustover-full，Andhenceshewasfeelingalittledull。
　　“Oh，dear！“shesighed，asshesatwithherheadSunkinherchest，andnoneckatall，WhilehercropstuckoutlikeafeatherbedTurnedinsideout，andrathersmall;
　　“WhatshallIdoifthingsdon’treform？
　　Idon’tknowwherethere’sasingleworm。
　　“I’vehadtwentyto-day，andthechildrenfiveeach，Besidesafewflies，andsomeveryfatspiders:
　　NoonewillsayIdon’tdoasIpreach——
　　I’moneofthebestofbird-providers;
　　Butwhere’stheuse？Wewantastorm——
　　Idon’tknowwherethere’sasingleworm。”
　　“There’sfiveinmycrop。”saidawee，weebird，Whichwokeatthevoiceofhismother’spain;
　　“Iknowwherethere’sfive。”AndwiththewordHetuckedinhishead，andwentoffagain。
　　“Thefollyofchildhood。”sighedhismother，“Hasalwaysbeenmyespecialbother。”
　　Theyellow-beakstheysleptonandon——
　　TheyneverhadheardofthebogyTo-morrow;
　　Butthemothersatoutside，makinghermoan——
　　She’llsoonhavetobeg，orsteal，orborrow。
　　Forshenevercantellthenightbefore，Wheresheshallfindoneredwormmore。
　　Thefact，asIsay，was，she’dhadtoomany;
　　Shecouldn’tsleep，andshecalleditvirtue，Motherlyforesight，affection，anyNameyoumaycallitthatwillnothurtyou，Soitwaslateereshetuckedherheadin，Andshesleptsolateitwasalmostasin。
　　ButthelittlefellowwhoknewoffiveNortroubledhisheadaboutanymore，Wokeveryearly，feltquitealive，Andwantedasixthtoaddtohisstore:
　　Hepushedhismother，thegreedyelf，Thenthoughthehadbettertryforhimself。
　　Whenhismotherawokeandhadrubbedhereyes，Feelinglesslikeabird，andmorelikeamole，Shesawhim——fancywithwhatsurprise——
　　Draggingahugewormoutofahole！
　　’Twasofthissameherotheproverbtookform:
　　’Tistheearlybirdthatcatchestheworm。
　　“There，mother！“saidDiamond，ashefinished;“ain’titfunny？”
　　“Iwishyouwerelikethatlittlebird，Diamond，andcouldcatchwormsforyourself。”saidhismother，assherosetogoandlookafterherhusband。
　　Diamondlayawakeforafewminutes，thinkingwhathecoulddotocatchworms。Itwasverylittletroubletomakeuphismind，however，andstilllesstogotosleepafterit。
　　CHAPTERXXIV
　　ANOTHEREARLYBIRD
　　HEGOTupinthemorningassoonasheheardthemenmovingintheyard。Hetuckedinhislittlebrothersothathecouldnottumbleoutofbed，andthenwentout，leavingthedooropen，sothatifheshouldcryhismothermighthearhimatonce。
　　Whenhegotintotheyardhefoundthestable-doorjustopened。
　　“I’mtheearlybird，Ithink。”hesaidtohimself。“IhopeIshallcatchtheworm。”
　　Hewouldnotaskanyonetohelphim，fearinghisprojectmightmeetwithdisapprovalandopposition。Withgreatdifficulty，butwiththehelpofabrokenchairhebroughtdownfromhisbedroom，hemanagedtoputtheharnessonDiamond。Iftheoldhorsehadhadtheleastobjectiontotheproceeding，ofcoursehecouldnothavedoneit;
　　butevenwhenitcametothebridle，heopenedhismouthforthebit，justasifhehadbeentakingtheapplewhichDiamondsometimesgavehim。
　　Hefastenedthecheek-strapverycarefully，justintheusualhole，forfearofchokinghisfriend，orelselettingthebitgetamongsthisteeth。Itwasajobtogetthesaddleon;butwiththechairhemanagedit。IfoldDiamondhadhadaneducationinphysicstoequalthatofthecamel，hewouldhavekneltdowntolethimputitonhisback，butthatwasmorethancouldbeexpectedofhim，andthenDiamondhadtocreepquiteunderhimtogetholdofthegirth。Thecollarwasalmosttheworstpartofthebusiness;
　　butthereDiamondcouldhelpDiamond。Heheldhisheadverylowtillhislittlemasterhadgotitoverandturneditround，andthenheliftedhishead，andshookitontohisshoulders。
　　Theyokewasratherdifficult;butwhenhehadlaidthetracesoverthehorse’sneck，theweightwasnottoomuchforhim。
　　Hegothimrightatlast，andledhimoutofthestable。
　　Bythistimetherewereseveralofthemenwatchinghim，buttheywouldnotinterfere，theyweresoanxioustoseehowhewouldgetoverthevariousdifficulties。Theyfollowedhimasfarasthestable-door，andtherestoodwatchinghimagainasheputthehorsebetweentheshafts，gotthemuponeaftertheotherintotheloops，fastenedthetraces，thebelly-band，thebreeching，andthereins。
　　Thenhegothiswhip。Themomenthemountedthebox，themenbrokeintoaheartycheerofdelightathissuccess。Buttheywouldnotlethimgowithoutageneralinspectionoftheharness;
　　andalthoughtheyfounditright，fornotabucklehadtobeshifted，theyneverallowedhimtodoitforhimselfagainallthetimehisfatherwasill。
　　Thecheerbroughthismothertothewindow，andthereshesawherlittleboysettingoutalonewiththecabinthegrayofmorning。
　　Shetuggedatthewindow，butitwasstiff;andbeforeshecouldopenit，Diamond，whowasinagreathurry，wasoutofthemews，andalmostoutofthestreet。Shecalled“Diamond！Diamond！“buttherewasnoanswerexceptfromJack。
　　“Neverfearforhim，ma’am。”saidJack。“It’udbeonlyadevilaswouldhurthim，andthereain’tsomanyo’themassomefolk’udhaveyoubelieve。Aboyo’Diamond’ssizeascan’arnessa’osst’otherDiamond’ssize，andputhimto，rightasatrivet——
　　ifhedoupsetthekeb——’llfallonhisfeet，ma’am。”
　　“Buthewon’tupsetthecab，willhe，Jack？”
　　“Nothe，ma’am。Leastwayshewon’tgofortodoit。”
　　“Iknowasmuchasthatmyself。Whatdoyoumean？”
　　“Imeanhe’salittlelikelytodoitastheoldestmaninthestable。
　　How’sthegov’norto-day，ma’am？”
　　“Agooddealbetter，thankyou。”sheanswered，closingthewindowinsomefearlestherhusbandshouldhavebeenmadeanxiousbythenewsofDiamond’sexpedition。Heknewprettywell，however，whathisboywascapableof，andalthoughnotquiteeasywaslessanxiousthanhismother。Butastheeveningdrewon，theanxietyofbothofthemincreased，andeverysoundofwheelsmadehisfatherraisehimselfinhisbed，andhismotherpeepoutofthewindow。
　　Diamondhadresolvedtogostraighttothecab-standwherehewasbestknown，andnevertocrawlforfearofgettingannoyedbyidlers。
　　BeforehegotacrossOxfordStreet，however，hewashailedbyamanwhowantedtocatchatrain，andwasintoogreatahurrytothinkaboutthedriver。HavingcarriedhimtoKing’sCrossingoodtime，andgotagoodfareinreturn，hesetoffagainingreatspirits，andreachedthestandinsafety。Hewasthefirstthereafterall。
　　Asthemenarrivedtheyallgreetedhimkindly，andinquiredafterhisfather。
　　“Ain’tyouafraidoftheold’ossrunningawaywithyou？”askedone。
　　“No，hewouldn’trunawaywithme。”answeredDiamond。“HeknowsI’mgettingtheshillingsforfather。Orifhedidhewouldonlyrunhome。”
　　“Well，you’reapluckyone，forallyourgirl’slooks！“saidtheman;
　　“andIwishyeluck。”
　　“Thankyou，sir。”saidDiamond。“I’lldowhatIcan。Icametotheoldplace，yousee，becauseIknewyouwouldletmehavemyturnhere。”
　　Inthecourseofthedayonemandidtrytocuthimout，buthewasastranger;andtheshouttherestofthemraisedlethimseeitwouldnotdo，andmadehimsofarashamedbesides，thathewentawaycrawling。
　　Once，inablock，apolicemancameuptohim，andaskedhimforhisnumber。Diamondshowedhimhisfather’sbadge，sayingwithasmile:
　　“Father’sillathome，andsoIcameoutwiththecab。There’snofearofme。Icandrive。Besides，theoldhorsecouldgoalone。”
　　“Justaswell，Idaresay。You’reapairof’em。Butyouarearum’unforacabby——ain’tyounow？”saidthepoliceman。
　　“Idon’tknowasIoughttoletyougo。”
　　“Iain’tdonenothing。”saidDiamond。“It’snotmyfaultI’mnobigger。I’mbigenoughformyage。”
　　“That’swhereitis。”saidtheman。“Youain’tfit。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthat？”askedDiamond，withhisusualsmile，andturninghisheadlikealittlebird。
　　“Why，howareyoutogetoutofthisrucknow，whenitbeginstomove？”
　　“Justyougetuponthebox。”saidDiamond，“andI’llshowyou。
　　There，thatvan’sa-movingnow。Jumpup。”
　　ThepolicemandidasDiamondtoldhim，andwassoonsatisfiedthatthelittlefellowcoulddrive。
　　“Well。”hesaid，ashegotdownagain，“Idon’tknowasIshouldberighttointerfere。Goodlucktoyou，mylittleman！“
　　“Thankyou，sir。”saidDiamond，anddroveaway。
　　Inafewminutesagentlemanhailedhim。
　　“Areyouthedriverofthiscab？”heasked。
　　“Yes，sir“saidDiamond，showinghisbadge，ofwhich，hewasproud。
　　“You’retheyoungestcabmanIeversaw。HowamItoknowyouwon’tbreakallmybones？”
　　“Iwouldratherbreakallmyown。”saidDiamond。“Butifyou’reafraid，nevermindme;Ishallsoongetanotherfare。”
　　“I’llriskit。”saidthegentleman;and，openingthedoorhimself，hejumpedin。
　　Hewasgoingagooddistance，andsoonfoundthatDiamondgothimoverthegroundwell。NowwhenDiamondhadonlytogostraightahead，andhadnottomindsomuchwhathewasabout，histhoughtsalwaysturnedtotheriddleMr。Raymondhadsethim;andthisgentlemanlookedsocleverthathefanciedhemustbeabletoreaditforhim。
　　Hehadgivenupallhopeoffindingitoutforhimself，andhecouldnotplaguehisfatheraboutitwhenhewasill。Hehadthoughtoftheanswerhimself，butfancieditcouldnotbetherightone，fortoseehowitallfittedrequiredsomeknowledgeofphysiology。
　　So，whenhereachedtheendofhisjourney，hegotdownveryquickly，andwithhisheadjustlookinginatthewindow，said，asthegentlemangatheredhisglovesandnewspapers:
　　“Please，sir，canyoutellmethemeaningofariddle？”
　　“Youmusttellmetheriddlefirst。”answeredthegentleman，amused。
　　Diamondrepeatedtheriddle。
　　“Oh！that’seasyenough。”hereturned。“It’satree。”
　　“Well，itain’tgotnomouth，sureenough;buthowthendoesiteatalldaylong？”
　　“Itsucksinitsfoodthroughthetiniestholesinitsleaves。”
　　heanswered。“Itsbreathisitsfood。Anditcan’tdoitexceptinthedaylight。”
　　“Thankyou，sir，thankyou。”returnedDiamond。“I’msorryI
　　couldn’tfinditoutmyself;Mr。Raymondwouldhavebeenbetterpleasedwithme。”
　　“Butyouneedn’ttellhimanyonetoldyou。”
　　Diamondgavehimastarewhichcamefromtheverybackofthenorthwind，wherethatkindofthingisunknown。
　　“Thatwouldbecheating。”hesaidatlast。
　　“Ain’tyouacabby，then？”
　　“Cabbiesdon’tcheat。”
　　“Don’tthey？Iamofadifferentopinion。”
　　“I’msuremyfatherdon’t。”
　　“What’syourfare，younginnocent？”
　　“Well，Ithinkthedistanceisagooddealoverthreemiles——
　　that’stwoshillings。Onlyfathersayssixpenceamileistoolittle，thoughwecan’taskformore。”
　　“You’readeepone。ButIthinkyou’rewrong。It’soverfourmiles——
　　notmuch，butitis。”
　　“Thenthat’shalf-a-crown。”saidDiamond。
　　“Well，here’sthreeshillings。Willthatdo？”
　　“Thankyoukindly，sir。I’lltellmyfatherhowgoodyouweretome——
　　firsttotellmemyriddle，thentoputmerightaboutthedistance，andthentogivemesixpenceover。It’llhelpfathertogetwellagain，itwill。”
　　“Ihopeitmay，myman。Ishouldn’twonderifyou’reasgoodasyoulook，afterall。”
　　AsDiamondreturned，hedrewupatastandhehadneverbeenonbefore:
　　itwastimetogiveDiamondhisbagofchoppedbeansandoats。
　　Themengotabouthim，andbegantochaffhim。Hetookitallgood-humouredly，untiloneofthem，whowasanill-conditionedfellow，begantoteaseoldDiamondbypokinghimroughlyintheribs，andmakinggeneralgameofhim。Thathecouldnotbear，andthetearscameinhiseyes。Heundidthenose-bag，putitintheboot，andwasjustgoingtomountanddriveaway，whenthefellowinterfered，andwouldnotlethimgetup。Diamondendeavouredtopersuadehim，andwasverycivil，buthewouldhavehisfunoutofhim，ashesaid。Inafewminutesagroupofidleboyshadassembled，andDiamondfoundhimselfinaveryuncomfortableposition。
　　Anothercabdrewupatthestand，andthedrivergotoffandapproachedtheassemblage。
　　“What’suphere？”heasked，andDiamondknewthevoice。Itwasthatofthedrunkencabman。
　　“Doyouseethisyoungoyster？Hepretendstodriveacab。”
　　saidhisenemy。
　　“Yes，Idoseehim。AndIseesyoutoo。You’dbetterleavehimalone。
　　Heain’tnooyster。He’saangelcomedownonhisownbusiness。
　　Youbeoff，orI’llbeneareryouthanquiteagreeable。”
　　Thedrunkencabmanwasatall，stoutman，whodidnotlookonetotakelibertieswith。
　　“Oh！ifhe’safriendofyours。”saidtheother，drawingback。
　　Diamondgotoutthenose-bagagain。OldDiamondshouldhavehisfeedoutnow。
　　“Yes，heisafriendo’mine。Oneo’thebestIeverhad。
　　It’sapityheain’tafriendo’yourn。You’dbethebetterforit，butitain’tnofaultofhisn。”
　　WhenDiamondwenthomeatnight，hecarriedwithhimonepoundoneshillingandsixpence，besidesafewcoppersextra，whichhadfollowedsomeofthefares。
　　Hismotherhadgotveryanxiousindeed——somuchsothatshewasalmostafraid，whenshedidhearthesoundofhiscab，togoandlook，lestsheshouldbeyetagaindisappointed，andshouldbreakdownbeforeherhusband。Buttherewastheoldhorse，andtherewasthecaballright，andtherewasDiamondinthebox，hispalefacelookingtriumphantasafullmooninthetwilight。
　　Whenhedrewupatthestable-door，Jackcameout，andafteragoodmanyfriendlyquestionsandcongratulations，said:
　　“Yougointoyourmother，Diamond。I’llputuptheold’oss。
　　I’lltakecareonhim。Hedodeservesomesmallattention，hedo。”
　　“Thankyou，Jack。”saidDiamond，andboundedintothehouse，andintothearmsofhismother，whowaswaitinghimatthetopofthestair。
　　Thepoor，anxiouswomanledhimintohisownroom，satdownonhisbed，tookhimonherlapasifhehadbeenababy，andcried。
　　“How’sfather？”askedDiamond，almostafraidtoask。
　　“Better，mychild。”sheanswered，“butuneasyaboutyou，mydear。”
　　“Didn’tyoutellhimIwastheearlybirdgoneouttocatchtheworm？”
　　“Thatwaswhatputitinyourhead，wasit，youmonkey？”
　　saidhismother，beginningtogetbetter。
　　“Thatorsomethingelse。”answeredDiamond，soveryquietlythathismotherheldhisheadbackandstaredinhisface。
　　“Well！ofallthechildren！“shesaid，andsaidnomore。
　　“Andhere’smyworm。”resumedDiamond。
　　Buttoseeherfaceashepouredtheshillingsandsixpencesandpenceintoherlap！Sheburstoutcryingasecondtime，andranwiththemoneytoherhusband。
　　Andhowpleasedhewas！Itdidhimnoendofgood。Butwhilehewascountingthecoins，Diamondturnedtobaby，whowaslyingawakeinhiscradle，suckinghispreciousthumb，andtookhimup，saying:
　　“Baby，baby！Ihaven’tseenyouforawholeyear。”
　　Andthenhebegantosingtohimasusual。Andwhathesangwasthis，forhewastoohappyeithertomakeasongofhisownortosingsense。
　　ItwasoneoutofMr。Raymond’sbook。
　　THETRUESTORYOFTHECATANDTHEFIDDLE
　　Hey，diddle，diddle！
　　Thecatandthefiddle！
　　Heplayedsuchamerrytune，ThatthecowwentmadWiththepleasureshehad，Andjumpedrightoverthemoon。
　　Butthen，don’tyousee？
　　Beforethatcouldbe，Themoonhadcomedownandlistened。
　　Thelittledoghearkened，Soloudthathebarkened，“There’snothinglikeit，thereisn’t。”
　　Hey，diddle，diddle！
　　Wentthecatandthefiddle，Heydiddle，diddle，dee，dee！
　　ThedoglaughedatthesportTillhiscoughcuthimshort，Itwasheydiddle，diddle，ohme！
　　AndbackcamethecowWithamerry，merrylow，Forshe’dhumbledthemaninthemoon。
　　Thedishgotexcited，Thespoonwasdelighted，Andthedishwaltzedawaywiththespoon。
　　Butthemaninthemoon，ComingbacktoosoonFromthefamoustownofNorwich，Caughtupthedish，Said，“It’sjustwhatIwishToholdmycoldplum-porridge！“
　　Gavethecowarat-tat，Flungwateronthecat，Andsenthimawaylikearocket。
　　Said，“OMoonthereyouare！“
　　Gotintohercar，AndwentoffwiththespooninhispocketHeyho！diddle，diddle！
　　Thewetcatandwetfiddle，Theymadesuchacaterwauling，ThatthecowinafrightStoodboltuprightBellowingnow，andbawling;
　　Andthedogonhistail，Stretchedhisneckwithawail。
　　But“Ho！ho！“saidthemaninthemoon——
　　“NomoreintheSouthShallIburnmymouth，ForI’vefoundadishandaspoon。”