Afterthishesaidnothingforawhile，andIlaidmyselfonthefloorofhisgarret，andstaredupandaroundatthegreatbluebeautifulness。
　　Ihadforgottenhimalmost，whenatlasthesaid:`Ain’tyoudoneyet？’
　　`Donewhat？’Iasked。`Donesayingyourprayers，’sayshe。
　　’Iwasn’tsayingmyprayers，’Ianswered。`Oh，yes，youwere，’
　　saidhe，`thoughyoudidn’tknowit！AndnowImustshowyousomethingelse。’
　　“Hetookmyhandandledmedownthestairagain，andthroughanarrowpassage，andthroughanother，andanother，andanother。
　　Idon’tknowhowtherecouldberoomforsomanypassagesinsuchalittlehouse。Theheartofitmustbeeversomuchfartherfromthesidesthantheyarefromeachother。Howcouldithaveaninsidethatwassoindependentofitsoutside？There’sthepoint。
　　Itwasfunny——wasn’tit，Diamond？”
　　“No。”saidDiamond。Hewasgoingtosaythatthatwasverymuchthesortofthingatthebackofthenorthwind;buthecheckedhimselfandonlyadded，“Allright。Idon’tseeit。Idon’tseewhytheinsideshoulddependontheoutside。Itain’tsowiththecrabs。Theycreepoutoftheiroutsidesandmakenewones。
　　Mr。Raymondtoldmeso。”
　　“Idon’tseewhatthathasgottodowithit。”saidNanny。
　　“Thengoonwithyourstory，please。”saidDiamond。“Whatdidyoucometo，aftergoingthroughallthosewindingpassagesintotheheartofthemoon？”
　　“Ididn’tsaytheywerewindingpassages。Isaidtheywerelongandnarrow。Theydidn’twind。Theywentbycorners。”
　　“That’sworthknowing。”remarkedDiamond。“Forwhoknowshowsoonhemayhavetogothere？Butthemainthingis，whatdidyoucometoatlast？”
　　“Wecametoasmallboxagainstthewallofatinyroom。
　　Thelittlemantoldmetoputmyearagainstit。Ididso，andheardanoisesomethinglikethepurringofacat，onlynotsoloud，andmuchsweeter。`Whatisit？’Iasked。`Don’tyouknowthesound？’returnedthelittleman。`No，’Ianswered。
　　`Don’tyouknowthesoundofbees？’hesaid。Ihadneverheardbees，andcouldnotknowthesoundofthem。`Thosearemylady’sbees，’
　　hewenton。Ihadheardthatbeesgatherhoneyfromtheflowers。
　　`Butwherearetheflowersforthem？’Iasked。`Mylady’sbeesgathertheirhoneyfromthesunandthestars，’saidthelittleman。
　　`Doletmeseethem，’Isaid。`No。Idaren’tdothat，’heanswered。
　　`Ihavenobusinesswiththem。Idon’tunderstandthem。
　　Besides，theyaresobrightthatifoneweretoflyintoyoureye，itwouldblindyoualtogether。’`Thenyouhaveseenthem？’
　　`Oh，yes！Onceortwice，Ithink。ButIdon’tquiteknow:
　　theyaresoverybright——likebuttonsoflightning。NowI’veshowedyouallIcanto-night，andwe’llgobacktotheroom。’
　　Ifollowedhim，andhemademesitdownunderalampthathungfromtheroof，andgavemesomebreadandhoney。
　　“Theladyhadnevermoved。Shesatwithherforeheadleaningonherhand，gazingoutofthelittlewindow，hungliketherestwithwhitecloudycurtains。FromwhereIwassittingIlookedoutofittoo，butIcouldseenothing。Herfacewasverybeautiful，andverywhite，andverystill，andherhandwasaswhiteastheforeheadthatleanedonit。Ididnotseeherwholeface——
　　onlythesideofit，forshenevermovedtoturnitfulluponme，oreventolookatme。
　　“HowlongIsatafterIhadeatenmybreadandhoney，Idon’tknow。
　　Thelittlemanwasbusyabouttheroom，pullingastringhere，andastringthere，butchieflythestringatthebackofthedoor。
　　Iwasthinkingwithsomeuneasinessthathewouldsoonbewantingmetogooutandcleanthewindows，andIdidn’tfancythejob。
　　Atlasthecameuptomewithagreatarmfulofdusters。`It’stimeyousetaboutthewindows，’hesaid;`forthere’sraincoming，andifthey’requitecleanbefore，thentheraincan’tspoilthem。’
　　Igotupatonce。`Youneedn’tbeafraid，’hesaid。`Youwon’ttumbleoff。Onlyyoumustbecareful。Alwaysholdonwithonehandwhileyourubwiththeother。’Ashespoke，heopenedthedoor。
　　Istartedbackinaterriblefright，fortherewasnothingbutblueairtobeseenunderme，likeagreatwaterwithoutabottomatall。
　　Butwhatmustbemust，andtoliveupherewassomuchnicerthandowninthemudwithholesinmyshoes，thatIneverthoughtofnotdoingasIwastold。ThelittlemanshowedmehowandwheretolayholdwhileIputmyfootroundtheedgeofthedoorontothefirstroundofaladder。`Onceyou’reup，’hesaid，`you’llseehowyouhavetogowellenough。’Ididashetoldme，andcreptoutverycarefully。Thenthelittlemanhandedmethebundleofdusters，saying，`Ialwayscarrythemonmyreapinghook，butIdon’tthinkyoucouldmanageitproperly。Youshallhaveitifyoulike。’Iwouldn’ttakeit，however，foritlookeddangerous。
　　“IdidthebestIcouldwiththedusters，andcrawleduptothetopofthemoon。Butwhatagrandsightitwas！Thestarswereallovermyhead，sobrightandsonearthatIcouldalmosthavelaidholdofthem。TheroundballtowhichIclungwentbobbingandfloatingawaythroughthedarkblueaboveandbelowandoneveryside。Itwassobeautifulthatallfearleftme，andIsettoworkdiligently。Icleanedwindowafterwindow。
　　AtlengthIcametoaverylittleone，inatwhichIpeeped。
　　Therewastheroomwiththeboxofbeesinit！Ilaidmyeartothewindow，andheardthemusicalhumquitedistinctly。
　　Agreatlongingtoseethemcameuponme，andIopenedthewindowandcreptin。Thelittleboxhadadoorlikeacloset。Iopenedit——
　　thetiniestcrack——whenoutcamethelightwithsuchastingthatI
　　closeditagaininterror——not，however，beforethreebeeshadshotoutintotheroom，wheretheydartedaboutlikeflashesoflightning。
　　Terriblyfrightened，Itriedtogetoutofthewindowagain，butI
　　couldnot:therewasnowaytotheoutsideofthemoonbutthroughthedoor;andthatwasintheroomwheretheladysat。NosoonerhadIreachedtheroom，thanthethreebees，whichhadfollowedme，flewatoncetothelady，andsettleduponherhair。ThenfirstIsawhermove。Shestarted，putupherhand，andcaughtthem;
　　thenroseand，havingheldthemintotheflameofthelamponeaftertheother，turnedtome。Herfacewasnotsosadnowasstern。
　　Itfrightenedmemuch。`Nanny，youhavegotmeintotrouble，’
　　shesaid。`Youhavebeenlettingoutmybees，whichitisallIcandotomanage。Youhaveforcedmetoburnthem。Itisagreatloss，andtherewillbeastorm。’Asshespoke，thecloudshadgatheredallaboutus。Icouldseethemcomecrowdingupwhiteaboutthewindows。`Iamsorrytofind，’saidthelady，`thatyouarenottobetrusted。Youmustgohomeagain——youwon’tdoforus。’
　　Thencameagreatclapofthunder，andthemoonrockedandswayed。
　　Allgrewdarkaboutme，andIfellonthefloorandlayhalf-stunned。
　　Icouldheareverythingbutcouldseenothing。`ShallIthrowheroutofthedoor，mylady？’saidthelittleman。`No，’sheanswered;
　　`she’snotquitebadenoughforthat。Idon’tthinkthere’smuchharminher;onlyshe’llneverdoforus。Shewouldmakedreadfulmischiefuphere。She’sonlyfitforthemud。It’sagreatpity。
　　Iamsorryforher。Justtakethatringoffherfinger。Iamsadlyafraidshehasstolenit。’Thelittlemancaughtholdofmyhand，andIfelthimtuggingatthering。Itriedtospeakwhatwastrueaboutit，but，afteraterribleeffort，onlygaveagroan。
　　Otherthingsbegantocomeintomyhead。Somebodyelsehadaholdofme。Thelittlemanwasn’tthere。Iopenedmyeyesatlast，andsawthenurse。Ihadcriedoutinmysleep，andshehadcomeandwakedme。But，Diamond，forallitwasonlyadream，Icannothelpbeingashamedofmyselfyetforopeningthelady’sboxofbees。”
　　“Youwoudn’tdoitagain——wouldyou——ifsheweretotakeyouback？”
　　saidDiamond。
　　“No。Idon’tthinkanythingwouldevermakemedoitagain。
　　Butwhere’sthegood？Ishallneverhavethechance。”
　　“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。
　　“Yousillybaby！Itwasonlyadream。”saidNanny。
　　“Iknowthat，Nanny，dear。Buthowcanyoutellyoumayn’tdreamitagain？”
　　“That’snotabitlikely。”
　　“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。
　　“You’realwayssayingthat。”saidNanny。“Idon’tlikeit。”
　　“ThenIwon’tsayitagain——ifIdon’tforget。”saidDiamond。
　　“Butitwassuchabeautifuldream！——wasn’tit，Nanny？Whatapityyouopenedthatdoorandletthebeesout！Youmighthavehadsuchalongdream，andsuchnicetalkswiththemoon-lady。Dotrytogoagain，Nanny。Idosowanttohearmore。”
　　Butnowthenursecameandtoldhimitwastimetogo;andDiamondwent，sayingtohimself，“Ican’thelpthinkingthatNorthWindhadsomethingtodowiththatdream。Itwouldbetiresometolietherealldayandallnighttoo——withoutdreaming。Perhapsifshehadn’tdonethat，themoonmighthavecarriedhertothebackofthenorthwind——
　　whoknows？”
　　CHAPTERXXXI
　　THENORTHWINDDOTHBLOW
　　ITWASagreatdelighttoDiamondwhenatlengthNannywaswellenoughtoleavethehospitalandgohometotheirhouse。Shewasnotverystrongyet，butDiamond’smotherwasveryconsiderateofher，andtookcarethatsheshouldhavenothingtodoshewasnotquitefitfor。IfNannyhadbeentakenstraightfromthestreet，itisveryprobableshewouldnothavebeensopleasantinadecenthousehold，orsoeasytoteach;butaftertherefininginfluencesofherillnessandthekindtreatmentshehadhadinthehospital，shemovedaboutthehousejustlikesomerathersadpleasurehauntingthemind。
　　Asshegotbetter，andthecolourcamebacktohercheeks，herstepgrewlighterandquicker，hersmileshoneoutmorereadily，anditbecamecertainthatshewouldsoonbeatreasureofhelp。
　　ItwasgreatfuntoseeDiamondteachingherhowtoholdthebaby，andwashanddresshim，andoftentheylaughedtogetheroverherawkwardness。ButshehadnotmanysuchlessonsbeforeshewasabletoperformthosedutiesquiteaswellasDiamondhimself。
　　ThingshoweverdidnotgowellwithJosephfromtheveryarrivalofRuby。
　　Italmostseemedasiftheredbeasthadbroughtillluckwithhim。
　　Thefareswerefewer，andthepayless。Ruby’sservicesdidindeedmaketheweek’sincomeatfirstalittlebeyondwhatitusedtobe，butthenthereweretwomoretofeed。Afterthefirstmonthhefelllame，andforthewholeofthenextJosephdarednotattempttoworkhim。
　　Icannotsaythathenevergrumbled，forhisownhealthwasfarfromwhatithadbeen;butIcansaythathetriedtodohisbest。
　　Duringallthatmonth，theylivedonveryshortcommonsindeed，seldomtastingmeatexceptonSundays，andpooroldDiamond，whoworkedhardestofall，noteventhen——sothatattheendofithewasasthinasaclothes-horse，whileRubywasasplumpandsleekasabishop’scob。
　　NorwasitmuchbetterafterRubywasabletoworkagain，foritwasaseasonofgreatdepressioninbusiness，andthatisverysoonfeltamongstthecabmen。Citymenlookmoreaftertheirshillings，andtheirwivesanddaughtershavelesstospend。Itwasbesidesawetautumn，andbreadrosegreatlyinprice。WhenIaddtothisthatDiamond’smotherwasbutpoorly，foranewbabywascoming，youwillseethatthesewerenotveryjollytimesforourfriendsinthemews。
　　Notwithstandingthedepressinginfluencesaroundhim，Josephwasabletokeepalittlehopealiveinhisheart;andwhenhecamehomeatnight，wouldgetDiamondtoreadtohim，andwouldalsomakeNannyproduceherbookthathemightseehowshewasgettingon。
　　ForDiamondhadtakenhereducationinhand，andasshewasacleverchild，shewasverysoonabletoputlettersandwordstogether。
　　Thusthethreemonthspassedaway，butMr。Raymonddidnotreturn。
　　Josephhadbeenlookinganxiouslyforhim，chieflywiththedesireofgettingridofRuby——notthathewasabsolutelyofnousetohim，butthathewasaconstantweightuponhismind。Indeed，asfarasprovisionwent，hewasratherworseoffwithRubyandNannythanhehadbeenbefore，butontheotherhand，Nannywasagreathelpinthehouse，anditwasacomforttohimtothinkthatwhenthenewbabydidcome，Nannywouldbewithhiswife。
　　OfGod’sgiftsababyisofthegreatest;thereforeitisnowonderthatwhenthisonecame，shewasasheartilywelcomedbythelittlehouseholdasifshehadbroughtplentywithher。
　　Ofcourseshemadeagreatdifferenceintheworktobedone——
　　farmoredifferencethanhersizewarranted，butNannywasnoendofhelp，andDiamondwasasmuchofasunbeamasever，andbegantosingtothenewbabythefirstmomenthegotherinhisarms。
　　Buthedidnotsingthesamesongstoherthathehadsungtohisbrother，for，hesaid，shewasanewbabyandmusthavenewsongs;
　　andbesides，shewasasister-babyandnotabrother-baby，andofcoursewouldnotlikethesamekindofsongs。Wherethedifferenceinhissongslay，however，Idonotpretendtobeabletopointout。
　　OnethingIamsureof，thattheynotonlyhadnosmallshareintheeducationofthelittlegirl，buthelpedthewholefamilyagreatdealmorethantheywereaware。
　　Howtheymanagedtogetthroughthelongdrearyexpensivewinter，Icanhardlysay。Sometimesthingswerebetter，sometimesworse。
　　Butatlastthespringcame，andthewinterwasoverandgone，andthatwasmuch。Still，Mr。Raymonddidnotreturn，andalthoughthemotherwouldhavebeenabletomanagewithoutNannynow，theycouldnotlookforaplaceforhersolongastheyhadRuby;
　　andtheywerenotaltogethersorryforthis。Oneweekatlastwasworsethantheyhadyethad。Theywerealmostwithoutbreadbeforeitwasover。Butthesadderhesawhisfatherandmotherlooking，themoreDiamondsethimselftosingtothetwobabies。
　　OnethingwhichhadincreasedtheirexpenseswasthattheyhadbeenforcedtohireanotherlittleroomforNanny。Whenthesecondbabycame，DiamondgaveuphisroomthatNannymightbeathandtohelphismother，andwenttohers，which，althoughafineplacetowhatshehadbeenaccustomedto，wasnotveryniceinhiseyes。
　　Hedidnotmindthechangethough，forwasnothismotherthemorecomfortableforit？AndwasnotNannymorecomfortabletoo？
　　AndindeedwasnotDiamondhimselfmorecomfortablethatotherpeopleweremorecomfortable？Andiftherewasmorecomforteveryway，thechangewasahappyone。
　　CHAPTERXXXII
　　DIAMONDANDRUBY
　　ITWASFridaynight，andDiamond，liketherestofthehousehold，hadhadverylittletoeatthatday。Themotherwouldalwayspaytheweek’srentbeforeshelaidoutanythingevenonfood。Hisfatherhadbeenverygloomy——sogloomythathehadactuallybeencrosstohiswife。Itisastrangethinghowpainofseeingthesufferingofthosewelovewillsometimesmakeusaddtotheirsufferingbybeingcrosswiththem。ThiscomesofnothavingfaithenoughinGod，andshowshownecessarythisfaithis，forwhenweloseit，weloseeventhekindnesswhichalonecansoothethesuffering。
　　Diamondinconsequencehadgonetobedveryquietandthoughtful——
　　alittletroubledindeed。
　　Ithadbeenaverystormywinter。andevennowthatthespringhadcome，thenorthwindoftenblew。WhenDiamondwenttohisbed，whichwasinatinyroomintheroof，hehearditliketheseamoaning;andwhenhefellasleephestillheardthemoaning。
　　Allatoncehesaidtohimself，“AmIawake，oramIasleep？”
　　Buthehadnotimetoanswerthequestion，fortherewasNorthWindcallinghim。Hisheartbeatveryfast，itwassuchalongtimesincehehadheardthatvoice。Hejumpedoutofbed，andlookedeverywhere，butcouldnotseeher。“Diamond，comehere。”
　　shesaidagainandagain;butwheretheherewashecouldnottell。
　　Tobesuretheroomwasallbutquitedark，andshemightbeclosebesidehim。
　　“DearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，“Iwantsomuchtogotoyou，butIcan’ttellwhere。”
　　“Comehere，Diamond。”wasallheranswer。
　　Diamondopenedthedoor，andwentoutoftheroom，anddownthestairandintotheyard。Hislittleheartwasinaflutter，forhehadlonggivenupallthoughtofseeingheragain。Neithernowwashetoseeher。Whenhegotout，agreatpuffofwindcameagainsthim，andinobediencetoitheturnedhisback，andwentasitblew。
　　Itblewhimrightuptothestable-door，andwentonblowing。
　　“Shewantsmetogointothestable。”saidDiamondtohimself。
　　“butthedoorislocked。”
　　Heknewwherethekeywas，inacertainholeinthewall——fartoohighforhimtogetat。Herantotheplace，however:justashereachedittherecameawildblast，anddownfellthekeyclangingonthestonesathisfeet。Hepickeditup，andranbackandopenedthestable-door，andwentin。Andwhatdoyouthinkhesaw？
　　Alittlelightcamethroughthedustywindowfromagas-lamp，sufficienttoshowhimDiamondandRubywiththeirtwoheadsup，lookingateachotheracrossthepartitionoftheirstalls。ThelightshowedthewhitemarkonDiamond’sforehead，butRuby’seyeshonesobright，thathethoughtmorelightcameoutofitthanwentin。
　　Thisiswhathesaw。
　　Butwhatdoyouthinkheheard？
　　Heheardthetwohorsestalkingtoeachother——inastrangelanguage，whichyet，somehoworother，hecouldunderstand，andturnoverinhismindinEnglish。ThefirstwordsheheardwerefromDiamond，whoapparentlyhadbeenalreadyquarrellingwithRuby。
　　“LookhowfatyouareRuby！“saidoldDiamond。“Youaresoplumpandyourskinshinesso，yououghttobeashamedofyourself。”
　　“There’snoharminbeingfat。”saidRubyinadeprecatingtone。
　　“No，norinbeingsleek。Imayaswellshineasnot。”
　　“Noharm？”retortedDiamond。“Isitnoharmtogoeatingupallpoormaster’soats，andtakingupsomuchofhistimegroomingyou，whenyouonlyworksixhours——no，notsixhoursaday，and，asIhear，getalongnofasterthanabigdray-horsewithtwotonsbehindhim？——
　　Sotheytellme。”
　　“Yourmaster’snotmine。”saidRuby。“Imustattendtomyownmaster’sinterests，andeatallthatisgivenme，andbesleekandfatasIcan，andgonofasterthanIneed。”
　　“Nowreallyiftherestofthehorsesweren’tallasleep，poorthings——
　　theyworktillthey’retired——Idobelievetheywouldgetupandkickyououtofthestable。Youmakemeashamedofbeingahorse。
　　Youdaretosaymymasterain’tyourmaster！That’syourgratitudeforthewayhefeedsyouandsparesyou！Praywherewouldyourcarcassbeifitweren’tforhim？”
　　“Hedoesn’tdoitformysake。IfIwerehisownhorse，hewouldworkmeashardashedoesyou。”
　　“AndI’mproudtobesoworked。Iwouldn’tbeasfatasyou——
　　notforallyou’reworth。You’readisgracetothestable。Lookatthehorsenextyou。He’ssomethinglikeahorse——allskinandbone。
　　Andhismasterain’toverkindtohimeither。Heputastinginglashonhiswhiplastweek。Butthatoldhorseknowshe’sgotthewifeandchildrentokeep——aswellashisdrunkenmaster——andheworkslikeahorse。Idaresayhegrudgeshismasterthebeerhedrinks，butIdon’tbelievehegrudgesanythingelse。”
　　“Well，Idon’tgrudgeyourswhathegetsbyme。”saidRuby。
　　“Gets！“retortedDiamond。“Whathegetsisn’tworthgrudging。
　　Itcomestonexttonothing——whatwithyourfatandshine。
　　“Well，atleastyououghttobethankfulyou’rethebetterforit。
　　Yougetatwohours’restadayoutofit。”
　　“Ithankmymasterforthat——notyou，youlazyfellow！Yougoalonglikeabuttockofbeefuponcastors——youdo。”
　　“Ain’tyouafraidI’llkick，ifyougoonlikethat，Diamond？”
　　“Kick！Youcouldn’tkickifyoutried。Youmightheaveyourrumpuphalfafoot，butforlashingout——oho！Ifyoudid，you’dbedownonyourbellybeforeyoucouldgetyourlegsunderyouagain。
　　It’smybelief，onceout，they’dstickoutforever。Talkofkicking！
　　Whydon’tyouputonefootbeforetheothernowandthenwhenyou’reinthecab？Theabusemastergetsforyoursakeisquiteshameful。
　　Nodecenthorsewouldbringitonhim。Dependuponit，Ruby，nocabmanlikestobeabusedanymorethanhisfare。Buthisfares，atleastwhenyouarebetweentheshafts，areverymuchtobeexcused。
　　Indeedtheyare。”
　　“Well，yousee，Diamond，Idon’twanttogolameagain。”
　　“Idon’tbelieveyouweresoverylameafterall——there！“
　　“Oh，butIwas。”
　　“ThenIbelieveitwasallyourownfault。I’mnotlame。
　　Ineverwaslameinallmylife。Youdon’ttakecareofyourlegs。
　　Youneverlaythemdownatnight。Thereyouarewithyourhugecarcasscrushingdownyourpoorlegsallnightlong。Youdon’tevencareforyourownlegs——solongasyoucaneat，eat，andsleep，sleep。
　　Youahorseindeed！“
　　“ButItellyouIwaslame。”
　　“I’mnotdenyingtherewasapuffylookaboutyouroff-pastern。
　　Butmybeliefis，itwasn’tevengrease——itwasfat。”
　　“ItellyouIputmyfootononeofthosehorridstonestheymaketheroadswith，anditgavemyanklesuchatwist。”
　　“Ankleindeed！Whyshouldyouapeyourbetters？Horsesain’tgotanyankles:they’reonlypasterns。Andsolongasyoudon’tliftyourfeetbetter，butfallasleepbetweeneverystep，you’llrunagoodchanceoflamingallyouranklesasyoucallthem，oneafteranother。It’snotyourlivelyhorsethatcomestogriefinthatway。ItellyouIbelieveitwasn’tmuch，andifitwas，itwasyourownfault。There！I’vedone。I’mgoingtosleep。
　　I’lltrytothinkaswellofyouasIcan。Ifyouwouldbutstepoutabitandrunoffalittleofyourfat！“HereDiamondbegantodoubleuphisknees;butRubyspokeagain，and，asyoungDiamondthought，inaratherdifferenttone。
　　“Isay，Diamond，Ican’tbeartohaveanhonestoldhorselikeyouthinkofmelikethat。Iwilltellyouthetruth:itwasmyownfaultthatIfelllame。”
　　“Itoldyouso。”returnedtheother，tumblingagainstthepartitionasherolledoveronhissidetogivehislegseverypossibleprivilegeintheirnarrowcircumstances。
　　“Imeanttodoit，Diamond。”
　　Atthewords，theoldhorsearosewithascramblelikethunder，shothisangryheadandglaringeyeoverintoRuby’sstall，andsaid——
　　“Keepoutofmyway，youunworthywretch，orI’llbiteyou。
　　Youahorse！Whydidyoudothat？”
　　“BecauseIwantedtogrowfat。”
　　“Yougrease-tub！Oh！myteethandtail！Ithoughtyouwereahumbug！
　　Whydidyouwanttogetfat？There’snotruthtobegotoutofyoubutbycross-questioning。Youain’tfittobeahorse。”
　　“BecauseonceIamfat，mynatureistokeepfatforalongtime;
　　andIdidn’tknowwhenmastermightcomehomeandwanttoseeme。”
　　“Youconceited，good-for-nothingbrute！You’reonlyfitfortheknacker’syard。Youwantedtolookhandsome，didyou？Holdyourtongue，orI’llbreakmyhalterandbeatyou——withyourhandsomefat！“
　　“Nevermind，Diamond。You’reagoodhorse。Youcan’thurtme。”
　　“Can’thurtyou！Justletmeoncetry。”
　　“No，youcan’t。”
　　“Whythen？”
　　“BecauseI’manangel。”
　　“What’sthat？”
　　“Ofcourseyoudon’tknow。”
　　“IndeedIdon’t。”
　　“Iknowyoudon’t。Anignorant，rudeoldhumanhorse，likeyou，couldn’tknowit。Butthere’syoungDiamondlisteningtoallwe’resaying;andheknowswellenoughtherearehorsesinheavenforangelstorideupon，aswellasotheranimals，lionsandeaglesandbulls，inmoreimportantsituations。Thehorsestheangelsride，mustbeangel-horses，elsetheangelscouldn’trideuponthem。
　　Well，I’moneofthem。”
　　“Youain’t。”
　　“Didyoueverknowahorsetellalie？”
　　“Neverbefore。Butyou’veconfessedtoshamminglame。”
　　“Nothingofthesort。ItwasnecessaryIshouldgrowfat，andnecessarythatgoodJoseph，yourmaster，shouldgrowlean。
　　Icouldhavepretendedtobelame，butthatnohorse，leastofallanangel-horsewoulddo。SoImustbelame，andsoIsprainedmyankle——
　　fortheangel-horseshaveankles——theydon’ttalkhorse-slangupthere——
　　andithurtmeverymuch，Iassureyou，Diamond，thoughyoumayn’tbegoodenoughtobeabletobelieveit。”
　　OldDiamondmadenoreply。Hehadlaindownagain，andasleepysnort，verylikeasnore，revealedthat，ifhewasnotalreadyasleep，hewaspastunderstandingawordthatRubywassaying。WhenyoungDiamondfoundthis，hethoughthemightventuretotakeupthedroptshuttlecockoftheconversation。
　　“I’mgoodenoughtobelieveit，Ruby。”hesaid。
　　ButRubyneverturnedhishead，ortookanynoticeofhim。
　　IsupposehedidnotunderstandmoreofEnglishthanjustwhatthecoachmanandstablemanwereinthehabitofaddressinghimwith。Finding，however，thathiscompanionmadenoreply，heshothisheadoverthepartitionandlookingdownathimsaid——
　　“Youjustwaittillto-morrow，andyou’llseewhetherI’mspeakingthetruthornot——Ideclaretheoldhorseisfastasleep！——
　　Diamond！——NoIwon’t。”
　　Rubyturnedaway，andbeganpullingathishayrackinsilence。
　　Diamondgaveashiver，andlookingroundsawthatthedoorofthestablewasopen。Hebegantofeelasifhehadbeendreaming，andafteraglanceaboutthestabletoseeifNorthWindwasanywherevisible，hethoughthehadbettergobacktobed。
　　CHAPTERXXXIII
　　THEPROSPECTBRIGHTENS
　　THEnextmorning，Diamond’smothersaidtohisfather，“I’mnotquitecomfortableaboutthatchildagain。”
　　“Whichchild，Martha？”askedJoseph。“You’vegotachoicenow。”
　　“Well，DiamondImean。I’mafraidhe’sgettingintohisqueerwaysagain。He’sbeenathisoldtrickofwalkinginhissleep。
　　Isawhimrunupthestairinthemiddleofthenight。”
　　“Didn’tyougoafterhim，wife？”
　　“OfcourseIdid——andfoundhimfastasleepinhisbed。It’sbecausehe’shadsolittlemeatforthelastsixweeks，I’mafraid。”
　　“Itmaybethat。I’mverysorry。Butifitdon’tpleaseGodtosendusenough，whatamItodo，wife？”
　　“Youcan’thelpit，Iknow，mydeargoodman。”returnedMartha。
　　“AndafterallIdon’tknow。Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’tgetonaswellastherestofus。ThereI’mnursingbabyallthistime，andIgetalongprettywell。I’msure，tohearthelittlemansinging，youwouldn’tthinktherewasmuchamisswithhim。”
　　ForatthatmomentDiamondwassinginglikealarkintheclouds。
　　Hehadthenewbabyinhisarms，whilehismotherwasdressingherself。
　　Josephwassittingathisbreakfast——alittleweaktea，drybread，andverydubiousbutter——whichNannyhadsetforhim，andwhichhewasenjoyingbecausehewashungry。Hehadgroomedbothhorses，andhadgotoldDiamondharnessedreadytoputto。
　　“Thinkofafatangel，Dulcimer！“saidDiamond。
　　Thebabyhadnotbeenchristenedyet，butDiamond，inreadinghisBible，hadcomeupontheworddulcimer，andthoughtitsoprettythateverafterhecalledhissisterDulcimer！
　　“Thinkofared，fatangel，Dulcimer！“herepeated;“forRuby’sanangelofahorse，Dulcimer。Hesprainedhisankleandgotfatonpurpose。”
　　“Whatpurpose，Diamond？”askedhisfather。
　　“Ah！thatIcan’ttell。Isupposetolookhandsomewhenhismastercomes。”answeredDiamond——“Whatdoyouthink，Dulcimer？
　　Itmustbeforsomegood，forRuby’sanangel。”
　　“IwishIwereridofhim，anyhow。”saidhisfather;“forheweighsheavyonmymind。”
　　“Nowonder，father:he’ssofat。”saidDiamond。“Butyouneedn’tbeafraid，foreverybodysayshe’sinbetterconditionthanwhenyouhadhim。”
　　“Yes，buthemaybeasthinasatinhorsebeforehisownercomes。
　　Itwastoobadtoleavehimonmyhandsthisway。”
　　“Perhapshecouldn’thelpit。”suggestedDiamond。“Idaresayhehassomegoodreasonforit。”
　　“SoIshouldhavesaid。”returnedhisfather，“ifhehadnotdrivensuchahardbargainwithmeatfirst。”
　　“Butwedon’tknowwhatmaycomeofityet，husband。”saidhiswife。
　　“Mr。Raymondmaygivealittletoboot，seeingyou’vehadmoreofthebargainthanyouwantedorreckonedupon。”
　　“I’mafraidnot:he’sahardman。”saidJoseph，asheroseandwenttogethiscabout。
　　Diamondresumedhissinging。Forsometimehecarolledsnatchesofeverythingoranything;butatlastitsettleddownintosomethinglikewhatfollows。Icannottellwhereorhowhegotit。
　　Wheredidyoucomefrom，babydear？
　　Outoftheeverywhereintohere。
　　Wheredidyougetyoureyessoblue？
　　OutoftheskyasIcamethrough。
　　Whatmakesthelightinthemsparkleandspin？
　　Someofthestarryspikesleftin。
　　Wheredidyougetthatlittletear？
　　IfounditwaitingwhenIgothere。
　　Whatmakesyourforeheadsosmoothandhigh？
　　AsofthandstrokeditasIwentby。
　　Whatmakesyourcheeklikeawarmwhiterose？
　　Isawsomethingbetterthananyoneknows。
　　Whencethatthree-corneredsmileofbliss？
　　Threeangelsgavemeatonceakiss。
　　Wheredidyougetthispearlyear？
　　Godspoke，anditcameouttohear。
　　Wheredidyougetthosearmsandhands？
　　Lovemadeitselfintohooksandbands。
　　Feet，whencedidyoucome，youdarlingthings？
　　Fromthesameboxasthecherubs’wings。
　　Howdidtheyalljustcometobeyou？
　　Godthoughtaboutme，andsoIgrew。
　　Buthowdidyoucometous，youdear？
　　Godthoughtaboutyou，andsoIamhere。
　　“Younevermadethatsong，Diamond。”saidhismother。
　　“No，mother。IwishIhad。No，Idon’t。Thatwouldbetotakeitfromsomebodyelse。Butit’smineforallthat。”
　　“Whatmakesityours？”
　　“Iloveitso。”
　　“Doeslovingathingmakeityours？”
　　“Ithinkso，mother——atleastmorethananythingelsecan。IfIdidn’tlovebabywhichcouldn’tbe，youknowshewouldn’tbemineabit。
　　ButIdolovebaby，andbabyismyveryownDulcimer。”
　　“Thebaby’smine，Diamond。”
　　“Thatmakesherthemoremine，mother。”
　　“Howdoyoumakethatout？”
　　“Becauseyou’remine，mother。”
　　“Isthatbecauseyouloveme？”
　　“Yes，justbecause。Lovemakestheonlymyness。”saidDiamond。
　　Whenhisfathercamehometohavehisdinner，andchangeDiamondforRuby，theysawhimlookverysad，andhetoldthemhehadnothadafareworthmentioningthewholemorning。
　　“Weshallallhavetogototheworkhouse，wife。”hesaid。
　　“Itwouldbebettertogotothebackofthenorthwind。”
　　saidDiamond，dreamily，notintendingtosayitaloud。
　　“Soitwould。”answeredhisfather。“Buthowarewetogetthere，Diamond？”
　　“Wemustwaittillwe’retaken。”returnedDiamond。
　　Beforehisfathercouldspeakagain，aknockcametothedoor，andinwalkedMr。Raymondwithasmileonhisface。Josephgotupandreceivedhimrespectfully，butnotverycordially。Marthasetachairforhim，buthewouldnotsitdown。
　　“Youarenotverygladtoseeme。”hesaidtoJoseph。“Youdon’twanttopartwiththeoldhorse。”
　　“Indeed，sir，youaremistakenthere。Whatwithanxietyabouthim，andbadluck，I’vewishedIwereridofhimathousandtimes。
　　Itwasonlytobeforthreemonths，andhereit’seightornine。”
　　“I’msorrytohearsuchastatement。”saidMr。Raymond。“Hasn’thebeenofservicetoyou？”
　　“Notmuch，notwithhislameness“
　　“Ah！“saidMr。Raymond，hastily——“you’vebeenlaminghim——haveyou？
　　Thataccountsforit。Isee，Isee。”
　　“Itwasn’tmyfault，andhe’sallrightnow。Idon’tknowhowithappened，but“
　　“Hediditonpurpose。”saidDiamond。“Heputhisfootonastonejusttotwisthisankle。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthat，Diamond？”saidhisfather，turningtohim。
　　“Ineversaidso，forIcouldnotthinkhowitcame。”
　　“Iheardit——inthestable。”answeredDiamond。
　　“Let’shavealookathim。”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Ifyou’llstepintotheyard。”saidJoseph，“I’llbringhimout。”
　　Theywent，andJoseph，havingfirsttakenoffhisharness，walkedRubyintothemiddleoftheyard。
　　“Why。”saidMr。Raymond，“you’venotbeenusinghimwell。”
　　“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat，sir。Ididn’texpecttohearthatfromyou。He’ssoundinwindandlimb——assoundasabarrel。”
　　“Andasbig，youmightadd。Why，he’sasfatasapig！Youdon’tcallthatgoodusage！“
　　Josephwastooangrytomakeanyanswer。
　　“You’venotworkedhimenough，Isay。That’snotmakinggooduseofhim。That’snotdoingasyou’dbedoneby。”
　　“Ishouldn’tbesorryifIwasservedthesame，sir。”
　　“He’stoofat，Isay。”
　　“TherewasawholemonthIcouldn’tworkhimatall，andhedidnothingbuteathisheadoff。He’sanawfuleater。I’vetakenthebestpartofsixhoursadayoutofhimsince，butI’malwaysafraidofhiscomingtogriefagain，andsoIcouldn’tmakethemostevenofthat。Ideclaretoyou，sir，whenhe’sbetweentheshafts，IsitontheboxasmiserableasifI’dstolenhim。Helooksallthetimeasifhewasabottlingupofcomplaintstomakeofmetheminuteheseteyesonyouagain。There！lookathimnow，squintingroundatmewithoneeye！Ideclaretoyou，onmyword，Ihaven’tlaidthewhiponhimmorethanthreetimes。”
　　“I’mgladtohearit。Heneverdidwantthewhip。”
　　“Ididn’tsaythat，sir。Ifeverahorsewantedthewhip，hedo。
　　He’sbroughtmetobeggaryalmostwithhissnail’space。I’mverygladyou’vecometoridmeofhim。”
　　“Idon’tknowthat。”saidMr。Raymond。“SupposeIweretoaskyoutobuyhimofme——cheap。”
　　“Iwouldn’thavehiminapresent，sir。Idon’tlikehim。
　　AndIwouldn’tdriveahorsethatIdidn’tlike——no，notforgold。
　　Itcan’tcometogoodwherethere’snolovebetween’em。”
　　“Justbringoutyourownhorse，andletmeseewhatsortofapairthey’dmake。”
　　JosephlaughedratherbitterlyashewenttofetchDiamond。
　　Whenthetwowereplacedsidebyside，Mr。Raymondcouldhardlykeephiscountenance，butfromaminglingoffeelings。
　　Besidethegreat，red，roundbarrel，Ruby，allbodyandnolegs，Diamondlookedlikeaclothes-horsewithaskinthrownoverit。
　　Therewashardlyaspotofhimwhereyoucouldnotdescrysomesignofaboneunderneath。Gauntandgrimandwearyhestood，kissinghismaster，andheedingnooneelse。
　　“Youhaven’tbeenusinghimwell。”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Imustsay。”returnedJoseph，throwinganarmroundhishorse’sneck，“thattheremarkhadbetterhavebeenspared，sir。Thehorseisworththreeoftheothernow。”
　　“Idon’tthinkso。Ithinktheymakeaverynicepair。
　　Iftheone’stoofat，theother’stoolean——sothat’sallright。
　　Andifyouwon’tbuymyRuby，ImustbuyyourDiamond。”
　　“Thankyou，sir。”saidJoseph，inatoneimplyinganythingbutthanks。
　　“Youdon’tseemtoliketheproposal。”saidMr。Raymond。
　　“Idon’t。”returnedJoseph。“Iwouldn’tpartwithmyoldDiamondforhisskinasfullofnuggetsasitisofbones。”
　　“Whosaidanythingaboutpartingwithhim？”
　　“Youdidnow，sir。”
　　“No;Ididn’t。IonlyspokeofbuyinghimtomakeapairwithRuby。
　　WecouldpareRubyandpatchDiamondabit。Andforheight，theyareasnearamatchasIcareabout。Ofcourseyouwouldbethecoachman——
　　ifonlyyouwouldconsenttobereconciledtoRuby。”
　　Josephstoodbewildered，unabletoanswer。
　　“I’veboughtasmallplaceinKent。”continuedMr。Raymond，“andI
　　musthaveapairtomycarriage，fortheroadsarehillythereabouts。
　　Idon’twanttomakeashowwithapairofhigh-steppers。Ithinkthesewilljustdo。Suppose，foraweekortwo，yousetyourselftotakeRubydownandbringDiamondup。IfwecouldonlylayapipefromRuby’ssidesintoDiamond’s，itwouldbetheworkofamoment。
　　ButIfearthatwouldn’tanswer。”
　　AstronginclinationtolaughintrudeduponJoseph’sinclinationtocry，andmadespeechstillharderthanbefore。
　　“Ibegyourpardon，sir。”hesaidatlength。“I’vebeensomiserable，andforsolong，thatIneverthoughtyouwasonlyachaffingofmewhenyousaidIhadn’tusedthehorseswell。Ididgrumbleatyou，sir，many’sthetimeinmytrouble;butwheneverIsaidanything，mylittleDiamondwouldlookatmewithasmile，asmuchastosay:
　　“Iknowhimbetterthanyou，father;“anduponmyword，Ialwaysthoughttheboymustberight。”
　　“WillyousellmeoldDiamond，then？”
　　“Iwill，sir，ononecondition——thatifeveryouwanttopartwithhimorme，yougivemetheoptionofbuyinghim。Icouldnotpartwithhim，sir。Astowhocallshimhis，that’snothing;
　　for，asDiamondsays，it’sonlylovingathingthatcanmakeityours——
　　andIdoloveoldDiamond，sir，dearly。”
　　“Well，there’sachequefortwentypounds，whichIwrotetoofferyouforhim，incaseIshouldfindyouhaddonethehandsomethingbyRuby。Willthatbeenough？”
　　“It’stoomuch，sir。Hisbodyain’tworthit——shoesandall。
　　It’sonlyhisheart，sir——that’sworthmillions——buthisheart’llbemineallthesame——soit’stoomuch，sir。”
　　“Idon’tthinkso。Itwon’tbe，atleast，bythetimewe’vegothimfedupagain。Youtakeitandwelcome。Justgoonwithyourcabbingforanothermonth，onlytakeitoutofRubyandletDiamondrest;
　　andbythattimeIshallbereadyforyoutogodownintothecountry。”
　　“Thankyou，sir。thankyou。Diamondsetyoudownforafriend，sir，themomenthesawyou。Idobelievethatchildofmineknowsmorethanotherpeople。”
　　“Ithinkso，too。”saidMr。Raymondashewalkedaway。
　　HehadmeanttotestJosephwhenhemadethebargainaboutRuby，buthadnointentionofsogreatlyprolongingthetrial。HehadbeentakenillinSwitzerland，andhadbeenquiteunabletoreturnsooner。
　　Hewentawaynowhighlygratifiedatfindingthathehadstoodthetest，andwasatrueman。
　　Josephrushedintohiswifewhohadbeenstandingatthewindowanxiouslywaitingtheresultofthelongcolloquy。Whensheheardthatthehorsesweretogotogetherindoubleharness，sheburstforthintoanimmoderatefitoflaughter。Diamondcameupwiththebabyinhisarmsandmadebiganxiouseyesather，saying——
　　“Whatisthematterwithyou，motherdear？Docryalittle。
　　Itwilldoyougood。Whenfathertakeseversosmalladropofspirits，heputswatertoit。”
　　“Yousillydarling！“saidhismother;“howcouldIbutlaughatthenotionofthatgreatfatRubygoingsidebysidewithourpooroldDiamond？”
　　“Butwhynot，mother？Withamonth’soats，andnothingtodo，Diamond’llbenearerRuby’ssizethanyouwillfather’s。Ithinkit’sverygoodfordifferentsortstogotogether。NowRubywillhaveachanceofteachingDiamondbettermanners。”
　　“Howdareyousaysuchathing，Diamond？”saidhisfather，angrily。
　　“Tocomparethetwoformanners，there’snocomparisonpossible。
　　OurDiamond’sagentleman。”
　　“Idon’tmeantosayheisn’t，father;forIdaresaysomegentlemenjudgetheirneighboursunjustly。That’sallImean。
　　Diamondshouldn’thavethoughtsuchbadthingsofRuby。Hedidn’ttrytomakethebestofhim。”
　　“Howdoyouknowthat，pray？”
　　“Iheardthemtalkingaboutitonenight。”
　　“Who？”
　　“WhyDiamondandRuby。Ruby’sanangel。”
　　Josephstaredandsaidnomore。Forallhisnewgladness，hewasverygloomyashere-harnessedtheangel，forhethoughthisdarlingDiamondwasgoingoutofhismind。
　　Hecouldnothelpthinkingratherdifferently，however，whenhefoundthechangethathadcomeoverRuby。Consideringhisfat，heexertedhimselfamazingly，andgotoverthegroundwithincrediblespeed。
　　Sowilling，evenanxious，washetogonow，thatJosephhadtoholdhimquitetight。
　　Thenashelaughedathisownfancies，anewfearcameuponhimlestthehorseshouldbreakhiswind，andMr。Raymondhavegoodcausetothinkhehadnotbeenusinghimwell。Hemightevensupposethathehadtakenadvantageofhisnewinstructions，toletoutuponthehorsesomeofhispent-updislike;whereasintruth，ithadsoutterlyvanishedthathefeltasifRuby，too，hadbeenhisfriendallthetime。
　　CHAPTERXXXIV
　　INTHECOUNTRY
　　BEFOREtheendofthemonth，Rubyhadgotrespectablythin，andDiamondrespectablystout。Theyreallybegantolookfitfordoubleharness。
　　Josephandhiswifegottheiraffairsinorder，andeverythingreadyformigratingattheshortestnotice;andtheyfeltsopeacefulandhappythattheyjudgedallthetroubletheyhadgonethroughwellworthenduring。AsforNanny，shehadbeensohappyeversincesheleftthehospital，thatsheexpectednothingbetter，andsawnothingattractiveinthenotionofthecountry。
　　Atthesametime，shehadnottheleastideaofwhatthewordcountrymeant，forshehadneverseenanythingaboutherbutstreetsandgas-lamps。Besides，shewasmoreattachedtoJimthantoDiamond:
　　Jimwasareasonablebeing，Diamondinhereyesatbestonlyanamiable，over-grownbaby，whomnoamountofexpostulationwouldeverbringtotalksense，nottosaythinkit。Nowthatshecouldmanagethebabyaswellashe，shejudgedherselfaltogetherhissuperior。
　　Towardshisfatherandmother，shewasalltheycouldwish。
　　DiamondhadtakenagreatdealofpainsandtroubletofindJim，andhadatlastsucceededthroughthehelpofthetallpoliceman，whowasgladtorenewhisacquaintancewiththestrangechild。
　　Jimhadmovedhisquarters，andhadnotheardofNanny’sillnesstillsometimeaftershewastakentothehospital，wherehewastooshytogoandinquireabouther。ButwhenatlengthshewenttolivewithDiamond’sfamily，Jimwaswillingenoughtogoandseeher。
　　Itwasafteroneofhisvisits，duringwhichtheyhadbeentalkingofhernewprospects，thatNannyexpressedtoDiamondheropinionofthecountry。
　　“Thereain’tnothinginitbutthesunandmoon，Diamond。”
　　“There’streesandflowers。”saidDiamond。
　　“Well，theyain’tnocount。”returnedNanny。
　　“Ain’tthey？They’resobeautiful，theymakeyouhappytolookatthem。”
　　“That’sbecauseyou’resuchasilly。”
　　Diamondsmiledwithafar-awaylook，asifheweregazingthroughcloudsofgreenleavesandthevisioncontentedhim。
　　ButhewasthinkingwithhimselfwhatmorehecoulddoforNanny;
　　andthatsameeveninghewenttofindMr。Raymond，forhehadheardthathehadreturnedtotown。
　　“Ah！howdoyoudo，Diamond？”saidMr。Raymond;“Iamgladtoseeyou。”
　　Andhewasindeed，forhehadgrownveryfondofhim。HisopinionofhimwasverydifferentfromNanny’s。
　　“Whatdoyouwantnow，mychild？”heasked。
　　“I’malwayswantingsomething，sir。”answeredDiamond。
　　“Well，that’squiteright，solongaswhatyouwantisright。
　　Everybodyisalwayswantingsomething;onlywedon’tmentionitintherightplaceoftenenough。Whatisitnow？”
　　“There’safriendofNanny’s，alameboy，calledJim。”
　　“I’veheardofhim。”saidMr。Raymond。“Well？”
　　“Nannydoesn’tcaremuchaboutgoingtothecountry，sir。”
　　“Well，whathasthattodowithJim？”
　　“Youcouldn’tfindacornerforJimtoworkin——couldyou，sir？”
　　“Idon’tknowthatIcouldn’t。Thatis，ifyoucanshowgoodreasonforit。”
　　“He’sagoodboy，sir。”
　　“Well，somuchthebetterforhim。”
　　“Iknowhecanshineboots，sir。”
　　“Somuchthebetterforus。”
　　“Youwantyourbootsshinedinthecountry——don’tyou，sir？”
　　“Yes，tobesure。”
　　“Itwouldn’tbenicetowalkovertheflowerswithdirtyboots——
　　wouldit，sir？”
　　“No，indeed。”
　　“Theywouldn’tlikeit——wouldthey？”
　　“No，theywouldn’t。”
　　“ThenNannywouldbebetterpleasedtogo，sir。”
　　“Iftheflowersdidn’tlikedirtybootstowalkoverthem，Nannywouldn’tmindgoingtothecountry？Isthatit？Idon’tquiteseeit。”
　　“No，sir;Ididn’tmeanthat。Imeant，ifyouwouldtakeJimwithyoutocleanyourboots，anddooddjobs，youknow，sir，thenNannywouldlikeitbetter。She’ssofondofJim！“
　　“Nowyoucometothepoint，Diamond。Iseewhatyoumean，exactly。
　　Iwillturnitoverinmymind。CouldyoubringJimtoseeme？”
　　“I’lltry，sir。Buttheydon’tmindmemuch。TheythinkI’msilly。”
　　addedDiamond，withoneofhissweetestsmiles。