Butwhenshecameclosetowherehestood，henolongerdoubtedshewashuman——forhehadcaughtsightofhersunnyhair，andherclearblueeyes，andtheloveliestfaceandformthathehadeverseen。
　　Allatonceshebegansinginglikeanightingale，anddancingtoherownmusic，withhereyeseverturnedtowardsthemoon。
　　Shepassedclosetowherehestood，dancingonbytheedgeofthetreesandawayinagreatcircletowardstheotherside，untilhecouldseebutaspotofwhiteintheyellowishgreenofthemoonlitgrass。
　　Butwhenhefeareditwouldvanishquite，thespotgrew，andbecameafigureoncemore。Sheapproachedhimagain，singinganddancing，andwavingherarmsoverherhead，untilshehadcompletedthecircle。
　　Justoppositehistreeshestood，ceasedhersong，droppedherarms，andbrokeoutintoalongclearlaugh，musicalasabrook。Then，asiftired，shethrewherselfonthegrass，andlaygazingatthemoon。
　　Theprincewasalmostafraidtobreathelestheshouldstartleher，andsheshouldvanishfromhissight。Astoventuringnearher，thatnevercameintohishead。
　　Shehadlainforalonghourorlonger，whentheprincebeganagaintodoubtconcerningher。Perhapsshewasbutavisionofhisownfancy。
　　Orwassheaspiritofthewood，afterall？Ifso，hetoowouldhauntthewood，gladtohavelostkingdomandeverythingforthehopeofbeingnearher。Hewouldbuildhimahutintheforest，andtherehewouldliveforthepurechanceofseeingheragain。
　　Uponnightslikethisatleastshewouldcomeoutandbaskinthemoonlight，andmakehissoulblessed。Butwhilehethusdreamedshesprangtoherfeet，turnedherfacefulltothemoon，andbegansingingasshewoulddrawherdownfromtheskybythepowerofherentrancingvoice。Shelookedmorebeautifulthanever。
　　Againshebegandancingtoherownmusic，anddancedawayintothedistance。Oncemoreshereturnedinasimilarmanner;
　　butalthoughhewaswatchingaseagerlyasbefore，whatwithfatigueandwhatwithgazing，hefellfastasleepbeforeshecamenearhim。
　　Whenheawokeitwasbroaddaylight，andtheprincesswasnowhere。
　　Hecouldnotleavetheplace。Whatifsheshouldcomethenextnight！
　　Hewouldgladlyendureaday’shungertoseeheryetagain:
　　hewouldbucklehisbeltquitetight。Hewalkedroundthegladetoseeifhecoulddiscoveranyprintsofherfeet。Butthegrasswassoshort，andherstepshadbeensolight，thatshehadnotleftasingletracebehindher。Hewalkedhalf-wayroundthewoodwithoutseeinganythingtoaccountforherpresence。Thenhespiedalovelylittlehouse，withthatchedroofandloweaves，surroundedbyanexquisitegarden，withdovesandpeacockswalkinginit。Ofcoursethismustbewherethegraciousladywholovedthemoonlightlived。Forgettinghisappearance，hewalkedtowardsthedoor，determinedtomakeinquiries，butashepassedalittlepondfullofgoldandsilverfishes，hecaughtsightofhimselfandturnedtofindthedoortothekitchen。Thereheknocked，andaskedforapieceofbread。Thegood-naturedcookbroughthimin，andgavehimanexcellentbreakfast，whichtheprincefoundnothingtheworseforbeingservedinthekitchen。Whileheate，hetalkedwithhisentertainer，andlearnedthatthiswasthefavouriteretreatofthePrincessDaylight。Buthelearnednothingmore，bothbecausehewasafraidofseeminginquisitive，andbecausethecookdidnotchoosetobeheardtalkingabouthermistresstoapeasantladwhohadbeggedforhisbreakfast。
　　Asherosetotakehisleave，itoccurredtohimthathemightnotbesofarfromtheoldwoman’scottageashehadthought，andheaskedthecookwhethersheknewanythingofsuchaplace，describingitaswellashecould。Shesaidsheknewitwellenough，addingwithasmile——
　　“It’sthereyou’regoing，isit？”
　　“Yes，ifit’snotfaroff。”
　　“It’snotmorethanthreemiles。Butmindwhatyouareabout，youknow。”
　　“Whydoyousaythat？”
　　“Ifyou’reafteranymischief，she’llmakeyourepentit。”
　　“Thebestthingthatcouldhappenunderthecircumstances。”
　　remarkedtheprince。
　　“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？”askedthecook。
　　“Why，itstandstoreason。”answeredtheprince“thatifyouwishtodoanythingwrong，thebestthingforyouistobemadetorepentofit。”
　　“Isee。”saidthecook。“Well，Ithinkyoumayventure。
　　She’sagoodoldsoul。”
　　“Whichwaydoesitliefromhere？”askedtheprince。
　　Shegavehimfullinstructions;andheleftherwithmanythanks。
　　Beingnowrefreshed，however，theprincedidnotgobacktothecottagethatday:heremainedintheforest，amusinghimselfasbesthecould，butwaitinganxiouslyforthenight，inthehopethattheprincesswouldagainappear。Norwashedisappointed，for，directlythemoonrose，hespiedaglimmeringshapefaracrosstheglade。
　　Asitdrewnearer，hesawitwassheindeed——notdressedinwhiteasbefore:inapalebluelikethesky，shelookedlovelierstill。
　　Hethoughtitwasthatthebluesuitedheryetbetterthanthewhite;
　　hedidnotknowthatshewasreallymorebeautifulbecausethemoonwasnearerthefull。Infactthenextnightwasfullmoon，andtheprincesswouldthenbeatthezenithofherloveliness。
　　Theprincefearedforsometimethatshewasnotcomingnearhishiding-placethatnight;butthecirclesinherdanceeverwidenedasthemoonrose，untilatlasttheyembracedthewholeglade，andshecamestillclosertothetreeswherehewashidingthanshehadcomethenightbefore。Hewasentrancedwithherloveliness，foritwasindeedamarvellousthing。Allnightlonghewatchedher，butdarednotgonearher。Hewouldhavebeenashamedofwatchinghertoo，hadhenotbecomealmostincapableofthinkingofanythingbuthowbeautifulshewas。Hewatchedthewholenightlong，andsawthatasthemoonwentdownsheretreatedinsmallerandsmallercircles，untilatlasthecouldseehernomore。
　　Wearyashewas，hesetoutfortheoldwoman’scottage，wherehearrivedjustintimeforherbreakfast，whichshesharedwithhim。
　　Hethenwenttobed，andsleptformanyhours。Whenheawokethesunwasdown，andhedepartedingreatanxietylestheshouldloseaglimpseofthelovelyvision。But，whetheritwasbythemachinationsoftheswamp-fairy，ormerelythatitisonethingtogoandanothertoreturnbythesameroad，helosthisway。
　　Ishallnotattempttodescribehismiserywhenthemoonrose，andhesawnothingbuttrees，trees，trees。
　　Shewashighintheheavensbeforehereachedtheglade。
　　Thenindeedhistroublesvanished，fortherewastheprincesscomingdancingtowardshim，inadressthatshonelikegold，andwithshoesthatglimmeredthroughthegrasslikefireflies。
　　Shewasofcoursestillmorebeautifulthanbefore。Likeanembodiedsunbeamshepassedhim，anddancedawayintothedistance。
　　Beforeshereturnedinhercircle，thecloudshadbeguntogatheraboutthemoon。Thewindrose，thetreesmoaned，andtheirlighterbranchesleanedallonewaybeforeit。Theprincefearedthattheprincesswouldgoin，andheshouldseehernomorethatnight。
　　Butshecamedancingonmorejubilantthanever，hergoldendressandhersunnyhairstreamingoutupontheblast，wavingherarmstowardsthemoon，andintheexuberanceofherdelightorderingthecloudsawayfromoffherface。Theprincecouldhardlybelieveshewasnotacreatureoftheelements，afterall。
　　Bythetimeshehadcompletedanothercircle，thecloudshadgathereddeep，andthereweregrowlingsofdistantthunder。
　　Justasshepassedthetreewherehestood，aflashoflightningblindedhimforamoment，andwhenhesawagain，tohishorror，theprincesslayontheground。Hedartedtoher，thinkingshehadbeenstruck;butwhensheheardhimcoming，shewasonherfeetinamoment。
　　“Whatdoyouwant？”sheasked。
　　“Ibegyourpardon。Ithought——thelightning“saidtheprince，hesitating。
　　“There’snothingthematter。”saidtheprincess，wavinghimoffratherhaughtily。
　　Thepoorprinceturnedandwalkedtowardsthewood。
　　“Comeback。”saidDaylight:“Ilikeyou。Youdowhatyouaretold。
　　Areyougood？”
　　“NotsogoodasIshouldliketobe。”saidtheprince。
　　“Thengoandgrowbetter。”saidtheprincess。
　　Againthedisappointedprinceturnedandwent。
　　“Comeback。”saidtheprincess。
　　Heobeyed，andstoodbeforeherwaiting。
　　“Canyoutellmewhatthesunislike？”sheasked。
　　“No。”heanswered。“Butwhere’sthegoodofaskingwhatyouknow？”
　　“ButIdon’tknow。”sherejoined。
　　“Why，everybodyknows。”
　　“That’stheverything:I’mnoteverybody。I’veneverseenthesun。”
　　“Thenyoucan’tknowwhatit’sliketillyoudoseeit。”
　　“Ithinkyoumustbeaprince。”saidtheprincess。
　　“DoIlooklikeone？”saidtheprince。
　　“Ican’tquitesaythat。”
　　“Thenwhydoyouthinkso？”
　　“Becauseyoubothdowhatyouaretoldandspeakthetruth——
　　Isthesunsoverybright？”
　　“Asbrightasthelightning。”
　　“Butitdoesn’tgooutlikethat，doesit？”
　　“Oh，no。Itshineslikethemoon，risesandsetslikethemoon，ismuchthesameshapeasthemoon，onlysobrightthatyoucan’tlookatitforamoment。”
　　“ButIwouldlookatit。”saidtheprincess。
　　“Butyoucouldn’t。”saidtheprince。
　　“ButIcould。”saidtheprincess。
　　“Whydon’tyou，then？”
　　“BecauseIcan’t。”
　　“Whycan’tyou？”
　　“BecauseIcan’twake。AndInevershallwakeuntil——“
　　Hereshehidherfaceinherhands，turnedaway，andwalkedintheslowest，stateliestmannertowardsthehouse。Theprinceventuredtofollowheratalittledistance，butsheturnedandmadearepellentgesture，which，likeatruegentleman-prince，heobeyedatonce。
　　Hewaitedalongtime，butasshedidnotcomenearhimagain，andasthenighthadnowcleared，hesetoffatlastfortheoldwoman’scottage。
　　Itwaslongpastmidnightwhenhereachedit，but，tohissurprise，theoldwomanwasparingpotatoesatthedoor。Fairiesarefondofdoingoddthings。Indeed，howevertheymaydissemble，thenightisalwaystheirday。Andsoitiswithallwhohavefairybloodinthem。
　　“Why，whatareyoudoingthere，thistimeofthenight，mother？”
　　saidtheprince;forthatwasthekindwayinwhichanyyoungmaninhiscountrywouldaddressawomanwhowasmucholderthanhimself。
　　“Gettingyoursupperready，myson。”sheanswered。
　　“Oh，Idon’twantanysupper。”saidtheprince。
　　“Ah！you’veseenDaylight。”saidshe。
　　“I’veseenaprincesswhoneversawit。”saidtheprince。
　　“Doyoulikeher？”askedthefairy。
　　“Oh！don’tI？”saidtheprince。“Morethanyouwouldbelieve，mother。”
　　“Afairycanbelieveanythingthateverwasorevercouldbe。”
　　saidtheoldwoman。
　　“Thenareyouafairy？”askedtheprince。
　　“Yes。”saidshe。
　　“Thenwhatdoyoudoforthingsnottobelieve？”askedtheprince。
　　“There’splentyofthem——everythingthatneverwasnorevercouldbe。”
　　“Plenty，Igrantyou。”saidtheprince。“Butdoyoubelievetherecouldbeaprincesswhoneversawthedaylight？Doyoubelievethatnow？”
　　Thistheprincesaid，notthathedoubtedtheprincess，butthathewantedthefairytotellhimmore。
　　Shewastoooldafairy，however，tobecaughtsoeasily。
　　“Ofallpeople，fairiesmustnottellsecrets。Besides，she’saprincess。”
　　“Well，I’lltellyouasecret。I’maprince。”
　　“Iknowthat。”
　　“Howdoyouknowit？”
　　“Bythecurlofthethirdeyelashonyourlefteyelid。”
　　“Whichcornerdoyoucountfrom？”
　　“That’sasecret。”
　　“Anothersecret？Well，atleast，ifIamaprince，therecanbenoharmintellingmeaboutaprincess。”
　　“It’sjusttheprincesIcan’ttell。”
　　“Thereain’tanymoreofthem——arethere？”saidtheprince。
　　“What！youdon’tthinkyou’retheonlyprinceintheworld，doyou？”
　　“Oh，dear，no！notatall。ButIknowthere’sonetoomanyjustatpresent，excepttheprincess——“
　　“Yes，yes，that’sit。”saidthefairy。
　　“What’sit？”askedtheprince。
　　Buthecouldgetnothingmoreoutofthefairy，andhadtogotobedunanswered，whichwassomethingofatrial。
　　Nowwickedfairieswillnotbeboundbythelawwhichthegoodfairiesobey，andthisalwaysseemstogivethebadtheadvantageoverthegood，fortheyusemeanstogaintheirendswhichtheotherswillnot。
　　Butitisallofnoconsequence，forwhattheydoneversucceeds;nay，intheenditbringsabouttheverythingtheyaretryingtoprevent。
　　Soyouseethatsomehow，foralltheircleverness，wickedfairiesaredreadfullystupid，for，althoughfromthebeginningoftheworldtheyhavereallyhelpedinsteadofthwartingthegoodfairies，notoneofthemisabitwiserforit。Shewilltrythebadthingjustastheyalldidbeforeher;andsucceedsnobetterofcourse。
　　Theprincehadsofarstolenamarchupontheswamp-fairythatshedidnotknowhewasintheneighbourhooduntilafterhehadseentheprincessthosethreetimes。Whensheknewit，sheconsoledherselfbythinkingthattheprincessmustbefartooproudandtoomodestforanyyoungmantoventureeventospeaktoherbeforehehadseenhersixtimesatleast。Buttherewasevenlessdangerthanthewickedfairythought;for，howevermuchtheprincessmightdesiretobesetfree，shewasdreadfullyafraidofthewrongprince。Now，however，thefairywasgoingtodoallshecould。
　　Shesocontriveditbyherdeceitfulspells，thatthenextnighttheprincecouldnotbyanyendeavourfindhiswaytotheglade。
　　Itwouldtakemetoolongtotellhertricks。Theywouldbeamusingtous，whoknowthattheycouldnotdoanyharm，buttheyweresomethingotherthanamusingtothepoorprince。
　　Hewanderedabouttheforesttilldaylight，andthenfellfastasleep。
　　Thesamethingoccurredforsevenfollowingdays，duringwhichneithercouldhefindthegoodfairy’scottage。Afterthethirdquarterofthemoon，however，thebadfairythoughtshemightbeateaseabouttheaffairforafortnightatleast，fortherewasnochanceoftheprincewishingtokisstheprincessduringthatperiod。
　　Sothefirstdayofthefourthquarterhedidfindthecottage，andthenextdayhefoundtheglade。Fornearlyanotherweekhehauntedit。
　　Buttheprincessnevercame。Ihavelittledoubtshewasonthefartheredgeofitsomepartofeverynight，butatthisperiodshealwaysworeblack，and，therebeinglittleornolight，theprinceneversawher。Norwouldhehaveknownherifhehadseenher。
　　Howcouldhehavetakentheworndecrepitcreatureshewasnow，forthegloriousPrincessDaylight？
　　Atlast，onenightwhentherewasnomoonatall，heventurednearthehouse。Thereheheardvoicestalking，althoughitwaspastmidnight;
　　forherwomenwereinconsiderableuneasiness，becausetheonewhoseturnitwastowatchherhadfallenasleep，andhadnotseenwhichwayshewent，andthiswasanightwhenshewouldprobablywanderveryfar，describingacirclewhichdidnottouchtheopengladeatall，butstretchedawayfromthebackofthehouse，deepintothatsideoftheforest——apartofwhichtheprinceknewnothing。
　　Whenheunderstoodfromwhattheysaidthatshehaddisappeared，andthatshemusthavegonesomewhereinthesaiddirection，heplungedatonceintothewoodtoseeifhecouldfindher。
　　Forhoursheroamedwithnothingtoguidehimbutthevaguenotionofacirclewhichononesideborderedonthehouse，forsomuchhadhepickedupfromthetalkhehadoverheard。
　　Itwasgettingtowardsthedawn，butasyettherewasnostreakoflightinthesky，whenhecametoagreatbirch-tree，andsatdownwearyatthefootofit。Whilehesat——verymiserable，youmaybesure——
　　fulloffearfortheprincess，andwonderinghowherattendantscouldtakeitsoquietly，hebethoughthimselfthatitwouldnotbeabadplantolightafire，which，ifshewereanywherenear，wouldattracther。Thishemanagedwithatinder-box，whichthegoodfairyhadgivenhim。Itwasjustbeginningtoblazeup，whenheheardamoan，whichseemedtocomefromtheothersideofthetree。Hesprungtohisfeet，buthisheartthrobbedsothathehadtoleanforamomentagainstthetreebeforehecouldmove。
　　Whenhegotround，therelayahumanforminalittledarkheapontheearth。Therewaslightenoughfromhisfiretoshowthatitwasnottheprincess。Helifteditinhisarms，hardlyheavierthanachild，andcarriedittotheflame。Thecountenancewasthatofanoldwoman，butithadafearfullystrangelook。
　　Ablackhoodconcealedherhair，andhereyeswereclosed。
　　Helaidherdownascomfortablyashecould，chafedherhands，putalittlecordialfromabottle，alsothegiftofthefairy，intohermouth;tookoffhiscoatandwrappeditabouther，andinshortdidthebesthecould。Inalittlewhilesheopenedhereyesandlookedathim——sopitifully！Thetearsroseandflowedfromhergreywrinkledcheeks，butshesaidneveraword。
　　Sheclosedhereyesagain，butthetearskeptonflowing，andherwholeappearancewassoutterlypitifulthattheprincewasnearcryingtoo。Hebeggedhertotellhimwhatwasthematter，promisingtodoallhecouldtohelpher;butstillshedidnotspeak。
　　Hethoughtshewasdying，andtookherinhisarmsagaintocarryhertotheprincess’shouse，wherehethoughtthegood-naturedcookmightheabletodosomethingforher。Whenheliftedher，thetearsflowedyetfaster，andshegavesuchasadmoanthatitwenttohisveryheart。
　　“Mother，mother！“hesaid。“Poormother！“andkissedheronthewitheredlips。
　　Shestarted;andwhateyestheywerethatopeneduponhim！
　　Buthedidnotseethem，foritwasstillverydark，andhehadenoughtodotomakehiswaythroughthetreestowardsthehouse。
　　Justasheapproachedthedoor，feelingmoretiredthanhecouldhaveimaginedpossible——shewassuchalittlethinoldthing——
　　shebegantomove，andbecamesorestlessthat，unabletocarryheramomentlonger，hethoughttolayheronthegrass。Butshestooduprightonherfeet。Herhoodhaddropped，andherhairfellabouther。
　　Thefirstgleamofthemorningwascaughtonherface:thatfacewasbrightasthenever-agingDawn，andhereyeswerelovelyastheskyofdarkestblue。Theprincerecoiledinovermasteringwonder。
　　ItwasDaylightherselfwhomhehadbroughtfromtheforest！
　　Hefellatherfeet，nordaredtolookupuntilshelaidherhanduponhishead。Herosethen。
　　“YoukissedmewhenIwasanoldwoman:there！IkissyouwhenI
　　amayoungprincess。”murmuredDaylight——“Isthatthesuncoming？”
　　CHAPTERXXIX
　　RUBY
　　THEchildrenweredelightedwiththestory，andmademanyamusingremarksuponit。Mr。Raymondpromisedtosearchhisbrainforanother，andwhenhehadfoundonetobringittothem。DiamondhavingtakenleaveofNanny，andpromisedtogoandseeheragainsoon，wentawaywithhim。
　　NowMr。RaymondhadbeenturningoverinhismindwhathecoulddobothforDiamondandforNanny。HehadthereforemadesomeacquaintancewithDiamond’sfather，andhadbeengreatlypleasedwithhim。
　　Buthehadcometotheresolution，beforehedidanythingsogoodashewouldliketodoforthem，toputthemalltoacertaintest。
　　Soastheywalkedawaytogether，hebegantotalkwithDiamondasfollows:——
　　“Nannymustleavethehospitalsoon，Diamond。”
　　“I’mgladofthat，sir。”
　　“Why？Don’tyouthinkit’saniceplace？”
　　“Yes，very。Butit’sbettertobewellanddoingsomething，youknow，evenifit’snotquitesocomfortable。”
　　“Buttheycan’tkeepNannysolongastheywouldlike。Theycan’tkeephertillshe’squitestrong。Therearealwayssomanysickchildrentheywanttotakeinandmakebetter。Andthequestionis，Whatwillshedowhentheysendheroutagain？”
　　“That’sjustwhatIcan’ttell，thoughI’vebeenthinkingofitoverandover，sir。Hercrossingwastakenlongago，andIcouldn’tbeartoseeNannyfightingforit，especiallywithsuchapoorfellowashastakenit。He’squitelame，sir。”
　　“Shedoesn’tlookmuchlikefighting，now，doesshe，Diamond？”
　　“No，sir。Shelookstoolikeanangel。Angelsdon’tfight——
　　dothey，sir？”
　　“Nottogetthingsforthemselves，atleast。”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Besides。”addedDiamond，“Idon’tquiteseethatshewouldhaveanybetterrighttothecrossingthantheboywhohasgotit。
　　Nobodygaveittoher;sheonlytookit。Andnowhehastakenit。”
　　“Ifsheweretosweepacrossing——soonatleast——aftertheillnessshehashad，shewouldbelaidupagaintheveryfirstwetday。”
　　saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Andthere’shardlyanymoneytobegotexceptonthewetdays。”
　　remarkedDiamondreflectively。“Istherenothingelseshecoulddo，sir？”
　　“Notwithoutbeingtaught，I’mafraid。”
　　“Well，couldn’tsomebodyteachhersomething？”
　　“Couldn’tyouteachher，Diamond？”
　　“Idon’tknowanythingmyself，sir。Icouldteachhertodressthe，baby;butnobodywouldgiveheranythingfordoingthingslikethat:
　　theyaresoeasy。Therewouldn’tbemuchgoodinteachinghertodriveacab，forwherewouldshegetthecabtodrive？
　　Thereain’tfathersandoldDiamondseverywhere。AtleastpoorNannycan’tfindanyofthem，Idoubt。”
　　“Perhapsifsheweretaughttobeniceandclean，andonlyspeakgentlewords“
　　“Mothercouldteachherthat。”interruptedDiamond。
　　“Andtodressbabies，andfeedthem，andtakecareofthem。”
　　Mr。Raymondproceeded，“shemightgetaplaceasanursesomewhere，youknow。Peopledogivemoneyforthat。”
　　“ThenI’llaskmother。”saidDiamond。
　　“Butyou’llhavetogiveherherfoodthen;andyourfather，notbeingstrong，hasenoughtodoalreadywithoutthat。”
　　“Buthere’sme。”saidDiamond:“Ihelphimoutwithit。Whenhe’stiredofdriving，upIget。Itdon’tmakeanydifferencetooldDiamond。
　　Idon’tmeanhelikesmeaswellasmyfather——ofcoursehecan’t，youknow——nobodycould;buthedoeshisdutyallthesame。
　　It’sgottobedone，youknow，sir;andDiamond’sagoodhorse——
　　isn’the，sir？”
　　“FromyourdescriptionIshouldsaycertainly;butIhavenotthepleasureofhisacquaintancemyself。”
　　“Don’tyouthinkhewillgotoheaven，sir？”
　　“ThatIdon’tknowanythingabout。”saidMr。Raymond。“IconfessIshouldbegladtothinkso。”headded，smilingthoughtfully。
　　“I’msurehe’llgettothebackofthenorthwind，anyhow。”
　　saidDiamondtohimself;buthehadlearnedtobeverycarefulofsayingsuchthingsaloud。
　　“Isn’titrathertoomuchforhimtogointhecaballdayandeveryday？”resumedMr。Raymond。
　　“Sofathersays，whenhefeelshisribsofamorning。Butthenhesaystheoldhorsedoeatwell，andthemomenthe’shadhissupper，downhegoes，andnevergetsuptillhe’scalled;and，forthelegsofhim，fathersaysthatmakesnoendofadiffer。Somehorses，sir！theywon’tliedownallnightlong，butgotosleepontheirfourpins，likeahaystack，fathersays。Ithinkit’sverystupidofthem，andsodoesoldDiamond。ButthenIsupposetheydon’tknowbetter，andsotheycan’thelpit。Wemustn’tbetooharduponthem，fathersays。”
　　“Yourfathermustbeagoodman，Diamond。”DiamondlookedupinMr。Raymond’sface，wonderingwhathecouldmean。
　　“Isaidyourfathermustbeagoodman，Diamond。”
　　“Ofcourse。”saidDiamond。“Howcouldhedriveacabifhewasn’t？”
　　“Therearesomemenwhodrivecabswhoarenotverygood。”
　　objectedMr。Raymond。
　　Diamondrememberedthedrunkencabman，andsawthathisfriendwasright。
　　“Ah，but。”hereturned，“hemustbe，youknow，withsuchahorseasoldDiamond。”
　　“Thatdoesmakeadifference。”saidMr。Raymond。“Butitisquiteenoughthatheisagoodmanwithoutourtryingtoaccountforit。
　　Now，ifyoulike，IwillgiveyouaproofthatIthinkhimagoodman。
　　IamgoingawayontheContinentforawhile——forthreemonths，Ibelieve——andIamgoingtoletmyhousetoagentlemanwhodoesnotwanttheuseofmybrougham。Myhorseisnearlyasold，Ifancy，asyourDiamond，butIdon’twanttopartwithhim，andIdon’twanthimtobeidle;fornobody，asyousay，oughttobeidle;
　　butneitherdoIwanthimtobeworkedveryhard。Now，ithascomeintomyheadthatperhapsyourfatherwouldtakechargeofhim，andworkhimundercertainconditions。”
　　“Myfatherwilldowhat’sright。”saidDiamond。“I’msureofthat。”
　　“Well，soIthink。Willyouaskhimwhenhecomeshometocallandhavealittlechatwithme——to-day，sometime？”
　　“Hemusthavehisdinnerfirst。”saidDiamond。“No，he’sgothisdinnerwithhimto-day。Itmustbeafterhe’shadhistea。”
　　“Ofcourse，ofcourse。Anytimewilldo。Ishallbeathomeallday。”
　　“Verywell，sir。Iwilltellhim。Youmaybesurehewillcome。
　　Myfatherthinksyouaverykindgentleman，andIknowheisright，forIknowyourveryownself，sir。”
　　Mr。Raymondsmiled，andastheyhadnowreachedhisdoor，theyparted，andDiamondwenthome。Assoonashisfatherenteredthehouse，DiamondgavehimMr。Raymond’smessage，andrecountedtheconversationthathadprecededit。Hisfathersaidlittle，buttookthought-saucetohisbreadandbutter，andassoonashehadfinishedhismeal，rose，saying:
　　“Iwillgotoyourfrienddirectly，Diamond。Itwouldbeagrandthingtogetalittlemoremoney。Wedowantit。”DiamondaccompaniedhisfathertoMr。Raymond’sdoor，andtherelefthim。
　　HewasshownatonceintoMr。Raymond’sstudy，wherehegazedwithsomewonderatthemultitudeofbooksonthewalls，andthoughtwhatalearnedmanMr。Raymondmustbe。
　　PresentlyMr。Raymondentered，andaftersayingmuchthesameabouthisoldhorse，madethefollowingdistinctproposal——
　　onenotover-advantageoustoDiamond’sfather，butforwhichhehadreasons——namely，thatJosephshouldhavetheuseofMr。Raymond’shorsewhilehewasaway，onconditionthatheneverworkedhimmorethansixhoursaday，andfedhimwell，andthat，besides，heshouldtakeNannyhomeassoonasshewasabletoleavethehospital，andprovideforherasoneofhisownchildren，neitherbetternorworse——solong，thatis，ashehadthehorse。
　　Diamond’sfathercouldnothelpthinkingitaprettyclosebargain。
　　Heshouldhaveboththegirlandthehorsetofeed，andonlysixhours’
　　workoutofthehorse。
　　“Itwillsaveyourownhorse。”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Thatistrue。”answeredJoseph;“butallIcangetbymyownhorseisonlyenoughtokeepus，andifIsavehimandfeedyourhorseandthegirl——don’tyousee，sir？”
　　“Well，youcangohomeandthinkaboutit，andletmeknowbytheendoftheweek。Iaminnohurrybeforethen。”
　　SoJosephwenthomeandrecountedtheproposaltohiswife，addingthathedidnotthinktherewasmuchadvantagetobegotoutofit。
　　“Notmuchthatway，husband。”saidDiamond’smother;“buttherewouldbeanadvantage，andwhatmatterwhogetsit！“
　　“Idon’tseeit。”answeredherhusband。“Mr。Raymondisagentlemanofproperty，andIdon’tdiscoveranymuchgoodinhelpinghimtosavealittlemore。Hewon’teasilygetonetomakesuchabargain，andI
　　don’tmeanheshallgetme。Itwouldbealossratherthanagain——
　　Idothink——atleastifItooklessworkoutofourownhorse。”
　　“OnehourwouldmakeadifferencetooldDiamond。Butthat’snotthemainpoint。Youmustthinkwhatanadvantageitwouldbetothepoorgirlthathasn’tahometogoto！“
　　“SheisoneofDiamond’sfriends。”thoughthisfather。
　　“Icouldbekindtoher，youknow。”themotherwenton，“andteachherhousework，andhowtohandleababy;and，besides，shewouldhelpme，andIshouldbethestrongerforit，andabletodoanoddbitofcharingnowandthen，whenIgotthechance。”
　　“Iwon’thearofthat。”saidherhusband。“Havethegirlbyallmeans。
　　I’mashamedIdidnotthinkofbothsidesofthethingatonce。
　　Iwonderifthehorseisagreateater。Tobesure，ifIgaveDiamondtwohours’additionalrest，itwouldbeallthebetterfortheoldbonesofhim，andtherewouldbefourhoursextraoutoftheotherhorse。
　　ThatwouldgiveDiamondsomethingtodoeveryday。HecoulddriveoldDiamondafterdinner，andIcouldtaketheotherhorseoutforsixhoursaftertea，orinthemorning，asIfoundbest。Itmightpayforthekeepofbothofthem，——thatis，ifIhadgoodluck。
　　IshouldliketoobligeMr。Raymond，thoughheberatherhard，forhehasbeenverykindtoourDiamond，wife。Hasn’thenow？”
　　“Hehasindeed，Joseph。”saidhiswife，andtheretheconversationended。
　　Diamond’sfatherwenttheverynextdaytoMr。Raymond，andacceptedhisproposal;sothattheweekafterhavinggotanotherstallinthesamestable，hehadtwohorsesinsteadofone。Oddlyenough，thenameofthenewhorsewasRuby，forhewasaveryredchestnut。
　　Diamond’snamecamefromawhitelozengeonhisforehead。
　　YoungDiamondsaidtheywererichnow，withsuchabigdiamondandsuchabigruby。
　　CHAPTERXXX
　　NANNY’SDREAM
　　NANNYwasnotfittobemovedforsometimeyet，andDiamondwenttoseeherasoftenashecould。Butbeingmoreregularlyengagednow，seeinghewentouteverydayforafewhourswitholdDiamond，andhadhisbabytomind，andoneofthehorsestoattendto，hecouldnotgosooftenashewouldhaveliked。
　　Oneevening，ashesatbyherbedside，shesaidtohim:
　　“I’vehadsuchabeautifuldream，Diamond！Ishouldliketotellityou。”
　　“Oh！do。”saidDiamond;“Iamsofondofdreams！“
　　“Shemusthavebeentothebackofthenorthwind。”hesaidtohimself。
　　“Itwasaveryfoolishdream，youknow。Butsomehowitwassopleasant！
　　Whatagoodthingitisthatyoubelievethedreamallthetimeyouareinit！“
　　MyreadersmustnotsupposethatpoorNannywasabletosaywhatshemeantsowellasIputitdownhere。Shehadneverbeentoschool，andhadheardverylittleelsethanvulgarspeechuntilshecametothehospital。ButIhavebeentoschool，andalthoughthatcouldnevermakemeabletodreamsowellasNanny，ithasmademeabletotellherdreambetterthanshecouldherself。
　　AndIamthemoredesirousofdoingthisforherthatIhavealreadydonethebestIcouldforDiamond’sdream，anditwouldbeashametogivetheboyalltheadvantage。
　　“IwilltellyouallIknowaboutit。”saidNanny。“Thedaybeforeyesterday，aladycametoseeus——averybeautifullady，andverybeautifullydressed。Iheardthematronsaytoherthatitwasverykindofhertocomeinblueandgold;andsheansweredthatsheknewwedidn’tlikedullcolours。Shehadsuchalovelyshawlon，justlikerednessdippedinmilk，andallworkedoverwithflowersofthesamecolour。Itdidn’tshinemuch，itwassilk，butitkeptintheshine。Whenshecametomybedside，shesatdown，justwhereyouaresitting，Diamond，andlaidherhandonthecounterpane。
　　Iwassittingup，withmytablebeforemereadyformytea。Herhandlookedsoprettyinitsblueglove，thatIwastemptedtostrokeit。
　　Ithoughtshewouldn’tbeangry，foreverybodythatcomestothehospitaliskind。It’sonlyinthestreetstheyain’tkind。
　　Butshedrewherhandaway，andIalmostcried，forIthoughtI
　　hadbeenrude。Insteadofthat，however，itwasonlythatshedidn’tlikegivingmeherglovetostroke，forshedrewitoff，andthenlaidherhandwhereitwasbefore。Iwasn’tsure，butI
　　venturedtoputoutmyuglyhand。”
　　“Yourhandain’tugly，Nanny。”saidDiamond;butNannywenton——
　　“AndIstrokeditagain，andthenshestrokedmine，——thinkofthat！
　　Andtherewasaringonherfinger，andIlookeddowntoseewhatitwaslike。Andshedrewitoff，andputitupononeofmyfingers。
　　Itwasaredstone，andshetoldmetheycalleditaruby。”
　　“Oh，thatisfunny！“saidDiamond。“OurnewhorseiscalledRuby。
　　We’vegotanotherhorse——aredone——suchabeauty！“
　　ButNannywentonwithherstory。
　　“Ilookedattherubyallthetimetheladywastalkingtome，——
　　itwassobeautiful！AndasshetalkedIkeptseeingdeeperanddeeperintothestone。Atlastsherosetogoaway，andIbegantopulltheringoffmyfinger;andwhatdoyouthinkshesaid？——“Wearitallnight，ifyoulike。Onlyyoumusttakecareofit。
　　Ican’tgiveityou，forsomeonegaveittome;butyoumaykeepittillto-morrow。”Wasn’titkindofher？Icouldhardlytakemytea，Iwassodelightedtohearit;andIdothinkitwastheringthatsetmedreaming;for，afterIhadtakenmytea，Ileanedback，halflyingandhalfsitting，andlookedattheringonmyfinger。
　　BydegreesIbegantodream。Theringgrewlargerandlarger，untilatlastIfoundthatIwasnotlookingataredstone，butataredsunset，whichshoneinattheendofalongstreetnearwhereGrannielives。IwasdressedinragsasIusedtobe，andIhadgreatholesinmyshoes，atwhichthenastymudcamethroughtomyfeet。Ididn’tusetominditbefore，butnowIthoughtithorrid。Andtherewasthegreatredsunset，withstreaksofgreenandgoldbetween，standinglookingatme。Whycouldn’tIliveinthesunsetinsteadofinthatdirt？Whywasitsofarawayalways？
　　Whydiditnevercomeintoourwretchedstreet？Itfadedaway，asthesunsetsalwaysdo，andatlastwentoutaltogether。
　　Thenacoldwindbegantoblow，andflutterallmyragsabout——“
　　“ThatwasNorthWindherself。”saidDiamond。
　　“Eh？”saidNanny，andwentonwithherstory。
　　“Iturnedmybacktoit，andwanderedaway。IdidnotknowwhereI
　　wasgoing，onlyitwaswarmertogothatway。Idon’tthinkitwasanorthwind，forIfoundmyselfinthewestendatlast。
　　Butitdoesn’tmatterinadreamwhichwinditwas。”
　　“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。“IbelieveNorthWindcangetintoourdreams——yes，andblowinthem。Sometimesshehasblownmeoutofadreamaltogether。”
　　“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，Diamond。”saidNanny。
　　“Nevermind。”answeredDiamond。“Twopeoplecan’talwaysunderstandeachother。They’dbothbeatthebackofthenorthwinddirectly，andwhatwouldbecomeoftheotherplaceswithoutthem？”
　　“Youdotalksooddly！“saidNanny。“Isometimesthinktheymusthavebeenrightaboutyou。”
　　“Whatdidtheysayaboutme？”askedDiamond。
　　“TheycalledyouGod’sbaby。”
　　“Howkindofthem！ButIknewthat。”
　　“Didyouknowwhatitmeant，though？Itmeantthatyouwerenotrightinthehead。”
　　“Ifeelallright。”saidDiamond，puttingbothhandstohishead，asifithadbeenaglobehecouldtakeoffandsetonagain。
　　“Well，aslongasyouarepleasedIampleased。”saidNanny。
　　“Thankyou，Nanny。Dogoonwithyourstory。IthinkIlikedreamsevenbetterthanfairytales。Buttheymustbeniceones，likeyours，youknow。”
　　“Well，Iwenton，keepingmybacktothewind，untilIcametoafinestreetonthetopofahill。HowithappenedIdon’tknow，butthefrontdoorofoneofthehouseswasopen，andnotonlythefrontdoor，butthebackdooraswell，sothatIcouldseerightthroughthehouse——
　　andwhatdoyouthinkIsaw？Agardenplacewithgreengrass，andthemoonshininguponit！Thinkofthat！Therewasnomooninthestreet，butthroughthehousetherewasthemoon。Ilookedandtherewasnobodynear:Iwouldnotdoanyharm，andthegrasswassomuchnicerthanthemud！ButIcouldn’tthinkofgoingonthegrasswithsuchdirtyshoes:Ikickedthemoffinthegutter，andraninonmybarefeet，upthesteps，andthroughthehouse，andontothegrass;andthemomentIcameintothemoonlight，Ibegantofeelbetter。”
　　“That’swhyNorthWindblewyouthere。”saidDiamond。
　　“ItcameofMr。Raymond’sstoryaboutPrincessDaylight。”returnedNanny。
　　“Well，IlaydownuponthegrassinthemoonlightwithoutthinkinghowIwastogetoutagain。Somehowthemoonsuitedmeexactly。
　　Therewasnotabreathofthenorthwindyoutalkabout;itwasquitegone。”
　　“Youdidn’twantheranymore，justthen。Shenevergoeswhereshe’snotwanted。”saidDiamond。“Butsheblewyouintothemoonlight，anyhow。”
　　“Well，wewon’tdisputeaboutit。”saidNanny:“you’vegotatileloose，youknow。”
　　“SupposeIhave。”returnedDiamond，“don’tyouseeitmayletinthemoonlight，orthesunlightforthatmatter？”
　　“Perhapsyes，perhapsno。”saidNanny。
　　“Andyou’vegotyourdreams，too，Nanny。”
　　“Yes，butIknowthey’redreams。”
　　“SodoI。ButIknowbesidestheyaresomethingmoreaswell。”
　　“Oh！doyou？”rejoinedNanny。“Idon’t。”
　　“Allright。”saidDiamond。“Perhapsyouwillsomeday。”
　　“PerhapsIwon’t。”saidNanny。
　　Diamondheldhispeace，andNannyresumedherstory。
　　“Ilayalongtime，andthemoonlightgotinateverytearinmyclothes，andmademefeelsohappy——“
　　“There，Itellyou！“saidDiamond。
　　“Whatdoyoutellme？”returnedNanny。
　　“NorthWind——“
　　“Itwasthemoonlight，Itellyou。”persistedNanny，andagainDiamondheldhispeace。
　　“AllatonceIfeltthatthemoonwasnotshiningsostrong。
　　Ilookedup，andtherewasacloud，allcrapeyandfluffy，tryingtodrownthebeautifulcreature。Butthemoonwassoround，justlikeawholeplate，thatthecloudcouldn’tsticktoher。
　　Sheshookitoff，andsaidthereandshoneoutclearerandbrighterthanever。Butupcameathickercloud，——and“Youshan’t。”
　　saidthemoon;and“Iwill。”saidthecloud，——butitcouldn’t:outshonethemoon，quitelaughingatitsimpudence。Iknewherways，forI’vealwaysbeenusedtowatchher。She’stheonlythingworthlookingatinourstreetatnight。”
　　“Don’tcallityourstreet。”saidDiamond。“You’renotgoingbacktoit。You’recomingtous，youknow。”
　　“That’stoogoodtobetrue。”saidNanny。
　　“Thereareveryfewthingsgoodenoughtobetrue。”saidDiamond;
　　“butIhopethisis。Toogoodtobetrueitcan’tbe。Isn’ttruegood？andisn’tgoodgood？Andhow，then，cananythingbetoogoodtobetrue？That’slikeoldSal——tosaythat。”
　　“Don’tabuseGrannie，Diamond。She’sahorridoldthing，sheandherginbottle;butshe’llrepentsomeday，andthenyou’llbegladnottohavesaidanythingagainsther。”
　　“Why？”saidDiamond。
　　“Becauseyou’llbesorryforher。”
　　“Iamsorryforhernow。”
　　“Verywell。That’sright。She’llbesorrytoo。Andthere’llbeanendofit。”
　　“Allright。Youcometous。”saidDiamond。
　　“WherewasI？”saidNanny。
　　“Tellingmehowthemoonservedtheclouds。”
　　“Yes。Butitwouldn’tdo，allofit。Upcamethecloudsandtheclouds，andtheycamefasterandfaster，untilthemoonwascoveredup。
　　Youcouldn’texpecthertothrowoffahundredofthematonce——
　　couldyou？”
　　“Certainlynot。”saidDiamond。
　　“Soitgrewverydark;andadogbegantoyelpinthehouse。Ilookedandsawthatthedoortothegardenwasshut。Presentlyitwasopened——
　　nottoletmeout，buttoletthedogin——yelpingandbounding。
　　Ithoughtifhecaughtsightofme，Iwasinforabitingfirst，andthepoliceafter。SoIjumpedup，andranforalittlesummer-houseinthecornerofthegarden。Thedogcameafterme，butIshutthedoorinhisface。Itwaswellithadadoor——
　　wasn’tit？”
　　“Youdreamedofthedoorbecauseyouwantedit。”saidDiamond。
　　“No，Ididn’t;itcameofitself。Itwasthere，inthetruedream。”
　　“There——I’vecaughtyou！“saidDiamond。“IknewyoubelievedinthedreamasmuchasIdo。”
　　“Oh，well，ifyouwilllaytrapsforabody！“saidNanny。
　　“Anyhow，Iwassafeinsidethesummer-house。Andwhatdoyouthink？——
　　Therewasthemoonbeginningtoshineagain——butonlythroughoneofthepanes——andthatonewasjustthecolouroftheruby。
　　Wasn’titfunny？”
　　“No，notabitfunny。”saidDiamond。
　　“Ifyouwillbecontrary！“saidNanny。
　　“No，no。”saidDiamond;“IonlymeantthatwastheverypaneI
　　shouldhaveexpectedhertoshinethrough。”
　　“Oh，verywell！“returnedNanny。
　　WhatDiamondmeant，Idonotpretendtosay。Hehadcuriousnotionsaboutthings。
　　“Andnow。”saidNanny，“Ididn’tknowwhattodo，forthedogkeptbarkingatthedoor，andIcouldn’tgetout。ButthemoonwassobeautifulthatIcouldn’tkeepfromlookingatitthroughtheredpane。
　　AndasIlookeditgotlargerandlargertillitfilledthewholepaneandoutgrewit，sothatIcouldseeitthroughtheotherpanes;
　　anditgrewtillitfilledthemtooandthewholewindow，sothatthesummer-housewasnearlyasbrightasday。
　　“Thedogstoppedbarking，andIheardagentletappingatthedoor，likethewindblowingalittlebranchagainstit。”
　　“Justlikeher。”saidDiamond，whothoughteverythingstrangeandbeautifulmustbedonebyNorthWind。
　　“SoIturnedfromthewindowandopenedthedoor;andwhatdoyouthinkIsaw？”
　　“Abeautifullady。”saidDiamond。
　　“No——themoonitself，asbigasalittlehouse，andasroundasaball，shininglikeyellowsilver。Itstoodonthegrass——
　　downontheverygrass:Icouldseenothingelseforthebrightnessofit:AndasIstaredandwondered，adooropenedinthesideofit，neartheground，andacuriouslittleoldman，withacrookedthingoverhisshoulder，lookedout，andsaid:
　　’Comealong，Nanny;myladywantsyou。We’recometofetchyou。”
　　Iwasn’tabitfrightened。Iwentuptothebeautifulbrightthing，andtheoldmanhelddownhishand，andItookholdofit，andgaveajump，andhegavemealift，andIwasinsidethemoon。
　　Andwhatdoyouthinkitwaslike？Itwassuchaprettylittlehouse，withbluewindowsandwhitecurtains！Atoneofthewindowssatabeautifullady，withherheadleaningonherhand，lookingout。
　　Sheseemedrathersad，andIwassorryforher，andstoodstaringather。
　　“`Youdidn’tthinkIhadsuchabeautifulmistressasthat！’
　　saidthequeerlittleman。`No，indeed！’Ianswered:`whowouldhavethoughtit？’`Ah！whoindeed？Butyouseeyoudon’tknoweverything。’
　　Thelittlemanclosedthedoor，andbegantopullataropewhichhungbehinditwithaweightattheend。Afterhehadpulledawhile，hesaid——`There，thatwilldo;we’reallrightnow。’Thenhetookmebythehandandopenedalittletrapinthefloor，andledmedowntwoorthreesteps，andIsawlikeagreatholebelowme。
　　`Don’tbefrightened，’saidthetittleman。`It’snotahole。
　　It’sonlyawindow。Putyourfacedownandlookthrough。’Ididashetoldme，andtherewasthegardenandthesummer-house，faraway，lyingatthebottomofthemoonlight。`There！’saidthelittleman;
　　`we’vebroughtyouoff！Doyouseethelittledogbarkingatusdownthereinthegarden？’ItoldhimIcouldn’tseeanythingsofar。`Canyouseeanythingsosmallandsofaroff？’Isaid。
　　`Blessyou，child！’saidthelittleman;`IcouldpickupaneedleoutofthegrassifIhadonlyalongenougharm。There’sonelyingbythedoorofthesummer-housenow。’Ilookedathiseyes。
　　Theywereverysmall，butsobrightthatIthinkhesawbythelightthatwentoutofthem。Thenhetookmeup，andupagainbyalittlestairinacorneroftheroom，andthroughanothertrapdoor，andtherewasonegreatroundwindowaboveus，andIsawtheblueskyandtheclouds，andsuchlotsofstars，allsobigandshiningashardasevertheycould！“
　　“Thelittlegirl-angelshadbeenpolishingthem。”saidDiamond。
　　“Whatnonsenseyoudotalk！“saidNanny。
　　“Butmynonsenseisjustasgoodasyours，Nanny。Whenyouhavedone，I’lltellyoumydream。Thestarsareinit——notthemoon，though。
　　Shewasawaysomewhere。Perhapsshewasgonetofetchyouthen。
　　Idon’tthinkthat，though，formydreamwaslongeragothanyours。
　　Shemighthavebeentofetchsomeoneelse，though;forwecan’tfancyit’sonlyusthatgetsuchfinethingsdoneforthem。
　　Butdotellmewhatcamenext。”
　　Perhapsoneofmychild-readersmayrememberwhetherthemooncamedowntofetchhimorherthesamenightthatDiamondhadhisdream。
　　Icannottell，ofcourse。Iknowshedidnotcometofetchme，thoughIdidthinkIcouldmakeherfollowmewhenIwasaboy——
　　notaverytinyoneeither。
　　“Thelittlemantookmeallroundthehouse，andmademelookoutofeverywindow。Oh，itwasbeautiful！Therewewere，allupintheair，insuchanice，cleanlittlehouse！`Yourworkwillbetokeepthewindowsbright，’saidthelittleman。
　　`Youwon’tfinditverydifficult，forthereain’tmuchdustuphere。
　　Only，thefrostsettlesonthemsometimes，andthedropsofrainleavemarksonthem。’`Icaneasilycleantheminside，’Isaid;
　　`buthowamItogetthefrostandrainofftheoutsideofthem？’
　　`Oh！’hesaid，`it’squiteeasy。Thereareladdersallabout。
　　You’veonlygottogooutatthedoor，andclimbabout。Thereareagreatmanywindowsyouhaven’tseenyet，andsomeofthemlookintoplacesyoudon’tknowanythingabout。Iusedtocleanthemmyself，butI’mgettingratherold，yousee。Ain’tInow？’`Ican’ttell，’
　　Ianswered。`YouseeIneversawyouwhenyouwereyounger。’
　　`Neversawthemaninthemoon？’saidhe。`Notverynear，’
　　Ianswered，`nottotellhowyoungorhowoldhelooked。Ihaveseenthebundleofsticksonhisback。’ForJimhadpointedthatouttome。Jimwasveryfondoflookingatthemaninthemoon。
　　PoorJim！Iwonderhehasn’tbeentoseeme。I’mafraidhe’silltoo。”
　　“I’lltrytofindout。”saidDiamond，“andletyouknow。”
　　“Thankyou。”saidNanny。“YouandJimoughttobefriends。”
　　“Butwhatdidthemaninthemoonsay，whenyoutoldhimyouhadseenhimwiththebundleofsticksonhisback？”
　　“Helaughed。ButIthoughthelookedoffendedtoo。Hislittlenoseturnedupsharper，andhedrewthecornersofhismouthdownfromthetipsofhisearsintohisneck。Buthedidn’tlookcross，youknow。”
　　“Didn’thesayanything？”
　　“Oh，yes！Hesaid:`That’sallnonsense。Whatyousawwasmybundleofdusters。Iwasgoingtocleanthewindows。Ittakesagoodmany，youknow。Really，whattheydosayoftheirsuperiorsdownthere！’
　　`It’sonlybecausetheydon’tknowbetter，’Iventuredtosay。
　　`Ofcourse，ofcourse，’saidthelittleman。`Nobodyeverdoesknowbetter。Well，Iforgivethem，andthatsetsitallright，Ihope。’`It’sverygoodofyou，’Isaid。`No！’saidhe，`it’snotintheleastgoodofme。Icouldn’tbecomfortableotherwise。’