WhatMr。Raymondthought，Idarehardlyattempttoputdownhere。
　　Butonepartofitwas，thatthehighestwisdommusteverappearfollytothosewhodonotpossessit。
　　“Ithinkhewouldcomethough——afterdark，youknow。”Diamondcontinued。
　　“Hedoeswellatshiningboots。People’skindtolameboys，youknow，sir。Butafterdark，thereain’tsomuchdoing。”
　　DiamondsucceededinbringingJimtoMr。Raymond，andtheconsequencewasthatheresolvedtogivetheboyachance。HeprovidednewclothesforbothhimandNanny;anduponacertainday，Josephtookhiswifeandthreechildren，andNannyandJim，bytraintoacertainstationinthecountyofKent，wheretheyfoundacartwaitingtocarrythemandtheirluggagetoTheMound，whichwasthenameofMr。Raymond’snewresidence。Iwillnotdescribethevariedfeelingsofthepartyastheywent，orwhentheyarrived。AllIwillsayis，thatDiamond，whoismyonlycare，wasfullofquietdelight——agladnesstoodeeptotalkabout。
　　Josephreturnedtotownthesamenight，andthenextmorningdroveRubyandDiamonddown，withthecarriagebehindthem，andMr。Raymondandaladyinthecarriage。ForMr。Raymondwasanoldbachelornolonger:hewasbringinghiswifewithhimtoliveatTheMound。
　　ThemomentNannysawher，sherecognisedherastheladywhohadlenthertheruby-ring。ThatringhadbeengivenherbyMr。Raymond。
　　Theweatherwasveryhot，andthewoodsveryshadowy。Therewerenotagreatmanywildflowers，foritwasgettingwelltowardsautumn，andthemostofthewildflowersriseearlytobebeforetheleaves，becauseiftheydidnot，theywouldnevergetaglimpseofthesunforthem。Sotheyhavetheirfunover，andarereadytogotobedagainbythetimethetreesaredressed。Buttherewasplentyoftheloveliestgrassanddaisiesaboutthehouse，andDiamond’schiefpleasureseemedtobetolieamongstthem，andbreathethepureair。
　　Butallthetime，hewasdreamingofthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind，andtryingtorecallthesongstheriverusedtosing。
　　Forthiswasmorelikebeingatthebackofthenorthwindthananythinghehadknownsinceheleftit。Sometimeshewouldhavehislittlebrother，sometimeshislittlesister，andsometimesbothoftheminthegrasswithhim，andthenhefeltjustlikeacatwithherfirstkittens，hesaid，onlyhecouldn’tpurr——
　　allhecoulddowastosing。
　　Thesewereverydifferenttimesfromthosewhenheusedtodrivethecab，butyoumustnotsupposethatDiamondwasidle。
　　Hedidnotdosomuchforhismothernow，becauseNannyoccupiedhisformerplace;buthehelpedhisfatherstill，bothinthestableandtheharness-room，andgenerallywentwithhimontheboxthathemightlearntodriveapair，andbereadytoopenthecarriage-door。
　　Mr。Raymondadvisedhisfathertogivehimplentyofliberty。
　　“Aboylikethat。”hesaid，“oughtnottobepushed。”
　　Josephassentedheartily，smilingtohimselfattheideaofpushingDiamond。Afterdoingeverythingthatfelltohisshare，theboyhadawealthoftimeathisdisposal。Andahappy，sometimesamerrytimeitwas。Onlyfortwomonthsorso，heneithersawnorheardanythingofNorthWind。
　　CHAPTERXXXV
　　IMAKEDIAMOND’SACQUAINTANCE
　　MR。RAYMOND’ShousewascalledTheMound，becauseitstooduponalittlesteepknoll，sosmoothandsymmetricalthatitshoweditselfatoncetobeartificial。Ithad，beyonddoubt，beenbuiltforQueenElizabethasahuntingtower——aplace，namely，fromthetopofwhichyoucouldseethecountryformilesonallsides，andsobeabletofollowwithyoureyestheflyingdeerandthepursuinghoundsandhorsemen。Themoundhadbeencastuptogiveagoodbasement-advantageovertheneighbouringheightsandwoods。
　　Therewasagreatquarry-holenotfaroff，brim-fullofwater，fromwhich，asthecurrentlegendstated，thematerialsformingtheheartofthemound——akindofstoneunfitforbuilding——
　　hadbeendug。Thehouseitselfwasofbrick，andtheysaidthefoundationswerefirstlaidinthenaturallevel，andthenthestonesandearthofthemoundwereheapedaboutandbetweenthem，sothatitsgreatheightshouldbewellbuttressed。
　　Josephandhiswifelivedinalittlecottageashortwayfromthehouse。
　　Itwasarealcottage，witharoofofthickthatch，which，inJuneandJuly，thewindsprinkledwiththeredandwhitepetalsitshookfromtheloosetopmostspraysoftherose-treesclimbingthewalls。
　　AtfirstDiamondhadanestunderthisthatch——aprettylittleroomwithwhitemuslincurtains，butafterwardsMr。andMrs。Raymondwantedtohavehimforapageinthehouse，andhisfatherandmotherwerequitepleasedtohavehimemployedwithouthisleavingthem。
　　Sohewasdressedinasuitofblue，fromwhichhispalefaceandfairhaircameoutliketheloveliestblossom，andtookuphisabodeinthehouse。
　　“Wouldyoubeafraidtosleepalone，Diamond？”askedhismistress。
　　“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean，ma’am。”saidDiamond。“IneverwasafraidofanythingthatIcanrecollect——notmuch，atleast。”
　　“There’salittleroomatthetopofthehouse——allalone。”
　　shereturned;“perhapsyouwouldnotmindsleepingthere？”
　　“Icansleepanywhere，andIlikebesttobehighup。ShouldI
　　beabletoseeout？”
　　“Iwillshowyoutheplace。”sheanswered;andtakinghimbythehand，sheledhimupanduptheoval-windingstairinoneofthetwotowers。
　　Nearthetoptheyenteredatinylittleroom，withtwowindowsfromwhichyoucouldseeoverthewholecountry。Diamondclappedhishandswithdelight。
　　“Youwouldlikethisroom，then，Diamond？”saidhismistress。
　　“It’sthegrandestroominthehouse。”heanswered。“Ishallbenearthestars，andyetnotfarfromthetopsofthetrees。
　　That’sjustwhatIlike。”
　　Idaresayhethought，also，thatitwouldbeaniceplaceforNorthWindtocallatinpassing;buthesaidnothingofthatsort。
　　Belowhimspreadalakeofgreenleaves，withglimpsesofgrasshereandthereatthebottomofit。Ashelookeddown，hesawasquirrelappearsuddenly，andassuddenlyvanishamongstthetopmostbranches。
　　“Aha！littlesquirrel。”hecried，“mynestisbuilthigherthanyours。”
　　“Youcanbeupherewithyourbooksasmuchasyoulike。”
　　saidhismistress。“Iwillhavealittlebellhungatthedoor，whichIcanringwhenIwantyou。Half-waydownthestairisthedrawing-room。”
　　SoDiamondwasinstalledaspage，andhisnewroomgotreadyforhim。
　　ItwasverysoonafterthisthatIcametoknowDiamond。
　　IwasthenatutorinafamilywhoseestateadjoinedthelittlepropertybelongingtoTheMound。IhadmadetheacquaintanceofMr。RaymondinLondonsometimebefore，andwaswalkingupthedrivetowardsthehousetocalluponhimonefinewarmevening，whenIsawDiamondforthefirsttime。Hewassittingatthefootofagreatbeech-tree，afewyardsfromtheroad，withabookonhisknees。Hedidnotseeme。Iwalkedupbehindthetree，andpeepingoverhisshoulder，sawthathewasreadingafairy-book。
　　“Whatareyoureading？”Isaid，andspokesuddenly，withthehopeofseeingastartledlittlefacelookroundatme。Diamondturnedhisheadasquietlyasifhewereonlyobeyinghismother’svoice，andthecalmnessofhisfacerebukedmyunkinddesireandmademeashamedofit。
　　“IamreadingthestoryoftheLittleLadyandtheGoblinPrince。”
　　saidDiamond。
　　“IamsorryIdon’tknowthestory。”Ireturned。“Whoisitby？”
　　“Mr。Raymondmadeit。”
　　“Isheyouruncle？”Iaskedataguess。
　　“No。He’smymaster。”
　　“Whatdoyoudoforhim？”Iaskedrespectfully。
　　“Anythinghewishesmetodo。”heanswered。“Iambusyforhimnow。
　　Hegavemethisstorytoread。Hewantsmyopinionuponit。”
　　“Don’tyoufinditratherhardtomakeupyourmind？”
　　“Ohdearno！AnystoryalwaystellsmeitselfwhatI’mtothinkaboutit。Mr。Raymonddoesn’twantmetosaywhetheritisacleverstoryornot，butwhetherIlikeit，andwhyIlikeit。
　　Inevercantellwhattheycallcleverfromwhattheycallsilly，butIalwaysknowwhetherIlikeastoryornot。”
　　“Andcanyoualwaystellwhyyoulikeitornot？”
　　“No。VeryoftenIcan’tatall。SometimesIcan。Ialwaysknow，butIcan’talwaystellwhy。Mr。Raymondwritesthestories，andthentriesthemonme。Motherdoesthesamewhenshemakesjam。
　　She’smadesuchalotofjamsincewecamehere！Andshealwaysmakesmetasteittoseeifit’lldo。MotherknowsbythefaceImakewhetheritwillornot。”
　　AtthismomentIcaughtsightoftwomorechildrenapproaching。
　　Onewasahandsomegirl，theotherapale-faced，awkward-lookingboy，wholimpedmuchononeleg。Iwithdrewalittle，toseewhatwouldfollow，fortheyseemedinsomeconsternation。Afterafewhurriedwords，theywentofftogether，andIpursuedmywaytothehouse，whereIwasaskindlyreceivedbyMr。andMrs。RaymondasIcouldhavedesired。FromthemIlearnedsomethingofDiamond，andwasinconsequencethemoregladtofindhim，whenIreturned，seatedinthesameplaceasbefore。
　　“Whatdidtheboyandgirlwantwithyou，Diamond？”Iasked。
　　“Theyhadseenacreaturethatfrightenedthem。”
　　“Andtheycametotellyouaboutit？”
　　“Theycouldn’tgetwateroutofthewellforit。Sotheywantedmetogowiththem。”
　　“They’rebothbiggerthanyou。”
　　“Yes，buttheywerefrightenedatit。”
　　“Andweren’tyoufrightenedatit？”
　　“No。”
　　“Why？”
　　“BecauseI’msilly。I’mneverfrightenedatthings。”
　　Icouldnothelpthinkingoftheoldmeaningofthewordsilly。
　　“Andwhatwasit？”Iasked。
　　“Ithinkitwasakindofanangel——averylittleone。Ithadalongbodyandgreatwings，whichitdroveaboutitsofastthattheygrewathincloudallroundit。Itflewbackwardsandforwardsoverthewell，orhungrightinthemiddle，makingamistofitswings，asifitsbusinesswastotakecareofthewater。”
　　“Andwhatdidyoudotodriveitaway？”
　　“Ididn’tdriveitaway。Iknew，whateverthecreaturewas，thewellwastogetwateroutof。SoItookthejug，dippeditin，anddrewthewater。”
　　“Andwhatdidthecreaturedo？”
　　“Flewabout。”
　　“Anditdidn’thurtyou？”
　　“No。Whyshouldit？Iwasn’tdoinganythingwrong。”
　　“Whatdidyourcompanionssaythen？”
　　“Theysaid——`Thankyou，Diamond。Whatadearsillyyouare！’“
　　“Andweren’tyouangrywiththem？”
　　“No！WhyshouldI？Ishouldlikeiftheywouldplaywithmealittle;
　　buttheyalwayslikebettertogoawaytogetherwhentheirworkisover。Theyneverheedme。Idon’tminditmuch，though。
　　Theothercreaturesarefriendly。Theydon’trunawayfromme。
　　Onlythey’reallsobusywiththeirownwork，theydon’tmindmemuch。”
　　“Doyoufeellonely，then？”
　　“Oh，no！Whennobodymindsme，Igetintomynest，andlookup。
　　Andthentheskydoesmindme，andthinksaboutme。”
　　“Whereisyournest？”
　　Herose，saying，“Iwillshowyou。”andledmetotheothersideofthetree。
　　Therehungalittlerope-ladderfromoneofthelowerboughs。
　　Theboyclimbeduptheladderandgotuponthebough。Thenheclimbedfartherintotheleafybranches，andwentoutofsight。
　　Afteralittlewhile，Iheardhisvoicecomingdownoutofthetree。
　　“Iaminmynestnow。”saidthevoice。
　　“Ican’tseeyou。”Ireturned。
　　“Ican’tseeyoueither，butIcanseethefirststarpeepingoutofthesky。Ishouldliketogetupintothesky。Don’tyouthinkIshall，someday？”
　　“Yes，Ido。Tellmewhatmoreyouseeupthere。”
　　“Idon’tseeanythingmore，exceptafewleaves，andthebigskyoverme。Itgoesswingingabout。Theearthisallbehindmyback。
　　Therecomesanotherstar！Thewindislikekissesfromabiglady。
　　WhenIgetuphereIfeelasifIwereinNorthWind’sarms。”
　　ThiswasthefirstIheardofNorthWind。
　　Thewholewaysandlookofthechild，sofullofquietwisdom，yetsoreadytoacceptthejudgmentofothersinhisowndispraise，tookholdofmyheart，andIfeltmyselfwonderfullydrawntowardshim。
　　Itseemedtome，somehow，asiflittleDiamondpossessedthesecretoflife，andwashimselfwhathewassoreadytothinkthelowestlivingthing——anangelofGodwithsomethingspecialtosayordo。
　　Agushofreverencecameoverme，andwithasinglegoodnight，Iturnedandlefthiminhisnest。
　　Isawhimoftenafterthis，andgainedsomuchofhisconfidencethathetoldmeallIhavetoldyou。Icannotpretendtoaccountforit。Ileavethatforeachphilosophicalreadertodoafterhisownfashion。TheeasiestwayisthatofNannyandJim，whosaidoftentoeachotherthatDiamondhadatileloose。
　　ButMr。Raymondwasmuchofmyopinionconcerningtheboy;
　　whileMrs。Raymondconfessedthatsheoftenrangherbelljusttohaveoncemorethepleasureofseeingthelovelystillnessoftheboy’sface，withthoseblueeyeswhichseemedrathermadeforotherpeopletolookintothanforhimselftolookoutof。
　　ItwasplainertoothersthantohimselfthathefeltthedesertionofNannyandJim。Theyappearedtoregardhimasameretoy，exceptwhentheyfoundhecouldministertothescrupleofusinghim——
　　generallywithsuccess。Theywere，however，well-behavedtoawonderfuldegree;whileIhavelittledoubtthatmuchoftheirgoodbehaviourwasowingtotheunconsciousinfluenceoftheboytheycalledGod’sbaby。
　　OneverystrangethingisthatIcouldneverfindoutwherehegotsomeofhismanysongs。Attimestheywouldbebutbubblesblownoutofanurseryrhyme，aswasthefollowing，whichIheardhimsingoneeveningtohislittleDulcimer。
　　Therewereaboutascoreofsheepfeedinginapaddocknearhim，theirwhitewooldyedapaleroseinthelightofthesettingsun。
　　Thoseinthelongshadowsfromthetreesweredeadwhite;
　　thoseinthesunlightwerehalfglorifiedwithpalerose。
　　LittleBoPeep，shelosthersheep，Anddidn’tknowwheretofindthem;
　　Theywereovertheheightandoutofsight，Trailingtheirtailsbehindthem。
　　LittleBoPeepwokeoutofhersleep，Jump’dupandsetouttofindthem:
　　“Thesillythings，they’vegotnowings，Andthey’velefttheirtrailsbehindthem:
　　“They’vetakentheirtails，butthey’velefttheirtrails，AndsoIshallfollowandfindthem;“
　　Forwhereveratailhaddraggedatrail，Thelonggrassgrewbehindthem。
　　Andday’seyesandbutter-cups，cow’slipsandcrow’sfeetWereglitteringinthesun。
　　Shethrewdownherbook，andcaughtuphercrook，Andafterhersheepdidrun。
　　Sheran，andsheran，andeverassheran，Thegrassgrewhigherandhigher;
　　TilloverthehillthesunbeganTosetinaflameoffire。
　　Sheranonstill——upthegrassyhill，Andthegrassgrewhigherandhigher;
　　Whenshereacheditscrown，thesunwasdown，Andhadleftatrailoffire。
　　Thesheepandtheirtailsweregone，allgone——
　　Andnomoretrailbehindthem！
　　Yes，yes！theywerethere——long-tailedandfair，But，alas！shecouldnotfindthem。
　　Purpleandgold，androsyandblue，Withtheirtailsallwhitebehindthem，Hersheeptheydidruninthetrailofthesun;
　　Shesawthem，butcouldnotfindthem。
　　Afterthesun，likecloudstheydidrun，Butsheknewtheywerehersheep:
　　Shesatdowntocry，andlookupatthesky，Butshecriedherselfasleep。
　　Andasshesleptthedewfellfast，Andthewindblewfromthesky;
　　Andstrangethingstookplacethatshuntheday’sface，Becausetheyaresweetandshy。
　　Nibble，nibble，crop！sheheardasshewoke:
　　AhundredlittlelambsDidpluckandeatthegrasssosweetThatgrewinthetrailsoftheirdams。
　　LittleBoPeepcaughtuphercrook，Andwipedthetearsthatdidblindher。
　　Andnibble，nibblecrop！withoutastop！
　　Thelambscameeatingbehindher。
　　Home，homeshecame，bothtiredandlame，Withthreetimesasmanysheep。
　　Inamonthormore，they’llbeasbigasbefore，Andthenshe’lllaughinhersleep。
　　Butwhatwouldyousay，ifonefineday，Whenthey’vegottheirbushiesttails，Theirgrownupgameshouldbejustthesame，Andshehavetofollowtheirtrails？
　　Neverweep，BoPeep，thoughyouloseyoursheep，Anddonotknowwheretofindthem;
　　’Tisafterthesunthemothershaverun，Andtherearetheirlambsbehindthem。
　　Iconfessagaintohavingtouchedupalittle，butitlosesfarmoreinDiamond’ssweetvoicesingingitthanitgainsbyarhymehereandthere。
　　SomeofthemwereoutofbooksMr。Raymondhadgivenhim。
　　Thesehealwaysknew，butabouttheothershecouldseldomtell。
　　Sometimeshewouldsay，“Imadethatone。”butgenerallyhewouldsay，“Idon’tknow;Ifounditsomewhere;“or“Igotitatthebackofthenorthwind。”
　　OneeveningIfoundhimsittingonthegrassyslopeunderthehouse，withhisDulcimerinhisarmsandhislittlebrotherrollingonthegrassbesidethem。Hewaschantinginhisusualway，morelikethesoundofabrookthananythingelseIcanthinkof。
　　WhenIwentuptothemheceasedhischant。
　　“Dogoon，Diamond。Don’tmindme。”Isaid。
　　Hebeganagainatonce。Whilehesang，NannyandJimsatalittlewayoff，onehemmingapocket-handkerchief，andtheotherreadingastorytoher，buttheyneverheededDiamond。ThisisasnearwhathesangasIcanrecollect，orreproducerather。
　　WhatwouldyouseeifItookyouupTomylittlenestintheair？
　　YouwouldseetheskylikeaclearbluecupTurnedupsidedownwardsthere。
　　WhatwouldyoudoifItookyouthereTomylittlenestinthetree？
　　Mychildwithcrieswouldtroubletheair，Togetwhatshecouldbutsee。
　　WhatwouldyougetinthetopofthetreeForallyourcryingandgrief？
　　Notastarwouldyouclutchofallyousee——
　　Youcouldonlygatheraleaf。
　　Butwhenyouhadlostyourgreedygrief，Contenttoseefromafar，Youwouldfindinyourhandawitheringleaf，Inyourheartashiningstar。
　　AsDiamondwentonsinging，itgrewverydark，andjustasheceasedtherecameagreatflashoflightning，thatblindedusallforamoment。Dulcimercrowedwithpleasure;butwhentheroarofthundercameafterit，thelittlebrothergavealoudcryofterror。NannyandJimcamerunninguptous，palewithfear。
　　Diamond’sface，too，waspalerthanusual，butwithdelight。
　　Someofthegloryseemedtohaveclungtoit，andremainedshining。
　　“You’renotfrightened——areyou，Diamond？”Isaid。
　　“No。WhyshouldIbe？”heansweredwithhisusualquestion，lookingupinmyfacewithcalmshiningeyes。
　　“Heain’tgotsensetobefrightened。”saidNanny，goinguptohimandgivinghimapityinghug。
　　“Perhapsthere’smoresenseinnotbeingfrightened，Nanny。”Ireturned。
　　“Doyouthinkthelightningcandoasitlikes？”
　　“Itmightkillyou。”saidJim。
　　“Oh，no，itmightn’t！“saidDiamond。
　　Ashespoketherecameanothergreatflash，andatearingcrack。
　　“There’satreestruck！“Isaid;andwhenwelookedround，aftertheblindingoftheflashhadleftoureyes，wesawahugeboughofthebeech-treeinwhichwasDiamond’snesthangingtothegroundlikethebrokenwingofabird。
　　“There！“criedNanny;“Itoldyouso。Ifyouhadbeenupthereyouseewhatwouldhavehappened，youlittlesilly！“
　　“No，Idon’t。”saidDiamond，andbegantosingtoDulcimer。
　　AllIcouldhearofthesong，fortheotherchildrenweregoingonwiththeirchatter，was——
　　Theclockstruckone，Andthemousecamedown。
　　Dickery，dickery，dock！
　　Thentherecameablastofwind，andtherainfollowedinstraight-pouringlines，asifoutofawatering-pot。DiamondjumpedupwithhislittleDulcimerinhisarms，andNannycaughtupthelittleboy，andtheyranforthecottage。
　　Jimvanishedwithadoubleshuffle，andIwentintothehouse。
　　WhenIcameoutagaintoreturnhome，thecloudsweregone，andtheeveningskyglimmeredthroughthetrees，blue，andpale-greentowardsthewest，Iturnedmystepsalittleasidetolookatthestrickenbeech。Isawtheboughtornfromthestem，andthatwasallthetwilightwouldallowmetosee。WhileIstoodgazing，downfromtheskycameasoundofsinging，butthevoicewasneitheroflarknorofnightingale:itwassweeterthaneither:
　　itwasthevoiceofDiamond，upinhisairynest:——
　　Thelightningandthunder，Theygoandtheycome;
　　ButthestarsandthestillnessArealwaysathome。
　　Andthenthevoiceceased。
　　“Good-night，Diamond。”Isaid。
　　“Good-night，sir。”answeredDiamond。
　　AsIwalkedawaypondering，Isawthegreatblacktopofthebeechswayingaboutagainsttheskyinanupperwind，andheardthemurmurasofmanydimhalf-articulatevoicesfillingthesolitudearoundDiamond’snest。
　　CHAPTERXXXVI
　　DIAMONDQUESTIONSNORTHWIND
　　MYREADERSwillnotwonderthat，afterthis，IdidmyverybesttogainthefriendshipofDiamond。NordidIfindthisatalldifficult，thechildwassoreadytotrust。Upononesubjectalonewashereticent——thestoryofhisrelationswithNorthWind。
　　Ifancyhecouldnotquitemakeuphismindwhattothinkofthem。
　　Atalleventsitwassomelittletimebeforehetrustedmewiththis，onlythenhetoldmeeverything。IfIcouldnotregarditallinexactlythesamelightashedid，Iwas，whileguiltlessoftheleastpretence，fullysympathetic，andhewassatisfiedwithoutdemandingofmeanytheoryofdifficultpointsinvolved。
　　Ilethimseeplainlyenough，thatwhatevermightbetheexplanationofthemarvellousexperience，Iwouldhavegivenmuchforasimilaronemyself。
　　Onaneveningsoonafterthethunderstorm，inalatetwilight，withahalf-moonhighintheheavens，IcameuponDiamondintheactofclimbingbyhislittleladderintothebeech-tree。
　　“Whatareyoualwaysgoinguptherefor，Diamond？”IheardNannyask，ratherrudely，Ithought。
　　“Sometimesforonething，sometimesforanother，Nanny。”
　　answeredDiamond，lookingskywardsasheclimbed。
　　“You’llbreakyournecksomeday。”shesaid。
　　“I’mgoinguptolookatthemoonto-night。”headded，withoutheedingherremark。
　　“You’llseethemoonjustaswelldownhere。”shereturned。
　　“Idon’tthinkso。”
　　“You’llbenonearertoherupthere。”
　　“Oh，yes！Ishall。Imustbenearerher，youknow。IwishI
　　coulddreamasprettydreamsaboutherasyoucan，Nanny。”
　　“Yousilly！youneverhavedoneaboutthatdream。Ineverdreamedbutthatone，anditwasnonsenseenough，I’msure。”
　　“Itwasn’tnonsense。Itwasabeautifuldream——andafunnyonetoo，bothinone。”
　　“Butwhat’sthegoodoftalkingaboutitthatway，whenyouknowitwasonlyadream？Dreamsain’ttrue。”
　　“Thatonewastrue，Nanny。Youknowitwas。Didn’tyoucometogrieffordoingwhatyouweretoldnottodo？Andisn’tthattrue？”
　　“Ican’tgetanysenseintohim。”exclaimedNanny，withanexpressionofmilddespair。“Doyoureallybelieve，Diamond，thatthere’sahouseinthemoon，withabeautifulladyandacrookedoldmananddustersinit？”
　　“Ifthereisn’t，there’ssomethingbetter。”heanswered，andvanishedintheleavesoverourheads。
　　Iwentintothehouse，whereIvisitedoftenintheevenings。
　　WhenIcameout，therewasalittlewindblowing，verypleasantaftertheheatoftheday，foralthoughitwaslatesummernow，itwasstillhot。Thetree-topswereswingingaboutinit。
　　Itookmywaypastthebeech，andcalleduptoseeifDiamondwerestillinhisnestinitsrockinghead。
　　“Areyouthere，Diamond？”Isaid。
　　“Yes，sir。”camehisclearvoiceinreply。
　　“Isn’titgrowingtoodarkforyoutogetdownsafely？”
　　“Oh，no，sir——ifItaketimetoit。Iknowmywaysowell，andneverletgowithonehandtillI’veagoodholdwiththeother。”
　　“Dobecareful。”Iinsisted——foolishly，seeingtheboywasascarefulashecouldbealready。
　　“I’mcoming。”hereturned。“I’vegotallthemoonIwantto-night。”
　　Iheardarustlingandarustlingdrawingnearerandnearer。
　　Threeorfourminuteselapsed，andheappearedatlengthcreepingdownhislittleladder。Itookhiminmyarms，andsethimontheground。
　　“Thankyou，sir。”hesaid。“That’sthenorthwindblowing，isn’tit，sir？”
　　“Ican’ttell。”Ianswered。“Itfeelscoolandkind，andIthinkitmaybe。ButIcouldn’tbesureexceptitwerestronger，foragentlewindmightturnanywayamongstthetrunksofthetrees。”
　　“IshallknowwhenIgetuptomyownroom。”saidDiamond。
　　“IthinkIhearmymistress’sbell。Good-night，sir。”
　　Herantothehouse，andIwenthome。
　　Hismistresshadrungforhimonlytosendhimtobed，forshewasverycarefuloverhimandIdaresaythoughthewasnotlookingwell。
　　Whenhereachedhisownroom，heopenedbothhiswindows，oneofwhichlookedtothenorthandtheothertotheeast，tofindhowthewindblew。Itblewrightinatthenorthernwindow。
　　Diamondwasveryglad，forhethoughtperhapsNorthWindherselfwouldcomenow:arealnorthwindhadneverblownallthetimesinceheleftLondon。But，asshealwayscameofherself，andneverwhenhewaslookingforher，andindeedalmostneverwhenhewasthinkingofher，heshuttheeastwindow，andwenttobed。
　　Perhapssomeofmyreadersmaywonderthathecouldgotosleepwithsuchanexpectation;and，indeed，ifIhadnotknownhim，Ishouldhavewonderedatitmyself;butitwasoneofhispeculiarities，andseemednothingstrangeinhim。Hewassofullofquietnessthathecouldgotosleepalmostanytime，ifheonlycomposedhimselfandletthesleepcome。Thistimehewentfastasleepasusual。
　　Buthewokeinthedimbluenight。Themoonhadvanished。
　　Hethoughtheheardaknockingathisdoor。“Somebodywantsme。”
　　hesaidtohimself，andjumpingoutofbed，rantoopenit。
　　Buttherewasnoonethere。Hecloseditagain，and，thenoisestillcontinuing，foundthatanotherdoorintheroomwasrattling。
　　Itbelongedtoacloset，hethought，buthehadneverbeenabletoopenit。Thewindblowinginatthewindowmustbeshakingit。
　　Hewouldgoandseeifitwasso。
　　Thedoornowopenedquiteeasily，buttohissurprise，insteadofaclosethefoundalongnarrowroom。Themoon，whichwassinkinginthewest，shoneinatanopenwindowatthefurtherend。
　　Theroomwaslowwithacovedceiling，andoccupiedthewholetopofthehouse，immediatelyundertheroof。Itwasquiteempty。
　　Theyellowlightofthehalf-moonstreamedoverthedarkfloor。
　　Hewassodelightedatthediscoveryofthestrange，desolate，moonlitplaceclosetohisownsnuglittleroom，thathebegantodanceandskipaboutthefloor。Thewindcameinthroughthedoorhehadleftopen，andblewabouthimashedanced，andhekeptturningtowardsitthatitmightblowinhisface。
　　Hekeptpicturingtohimselfthemanyplaces，lovelyanddesolate，thehill-sidesandfarm-yardsandtree-topsandmeadows，overwhichithadblownonitswaytoTheMound。Andashedanced，hegrewmoreandmoredelightedwiththemotionandthewind;
　　hisfeetgrewstronger，andhisbodylighter，untilatlengthitseemedasifhewereborneupontheair，andcouldalmostfly。
　　Sostrongdidhisfeelingbecome，thatatlasthebegantodoubtwhetherhewasnotinoneofthosepreciousdreamshehadsooftenhad，inwhichhefloatedaboutontheairatwill。
　　Butsomethingmadehimlookup，andtohisunspeakabledelight，hefoundhisupliftedhandslyinginthoseofNorthWind，whowasdancingwithhim，roundandroundthelongbareroom，herhairnowfallingtothefloor，nowfillingthearchedceiling，hereyesshiningonhimlikethinkingstars，andthesweetestofgrandsmilesplayingbreezilyaboutherbeautifulmouth。Shewas，assooftenbefore，oftheheightofarathertalllady。Shedidnotstoopinordertodancewithhim，butheldhishandshighinhers。
　　Whenhesawher，hegaveonespring，andhisarmswereaboutherneck，andherarmsholdinghimtoherbosom。Thesamemomentshesweptwithhimthroughtheopenwindowinatwhichthemoonwasshining，madeacircuitlikeabirdabouttoalight，andsettledwithhiminhisnestonthetopofthegreatbeech-tree。Theresheplacedhimonherlapandbegantohushhimasifhewereherownbaby，andDiamondwassoentirelyhappythathedidnotcaretospeakaword。Atlength，however，hefoundthathewasgoingtosleep，andthatwouldbetolosesomuch，that，pleasantasitwas，hecouldnotconsent。
　　“Please，dearNorthWind。”hesaid，“IamsohappythatI’mafraidit’sadream。HowamItoknowthatit’snotadream？”
　　“Whatdoesitmatter？”returnedNorthWind。
　　“Ishould，cry“saidDiamond。
　　“Butwhyshouldyoucry？Thedream，ifitisadream，isapleasantone——
　　isitnot？”
　　“That’sjustwhyIwantittobetrue。”
　　“HaveyouforgottenwhatyousaidtoNannyaboutherdream？”
　　“It’snotforthedreamitself——Imean，it’snotforthepleasureofit。”answeredDiamond，“forIhavethat，whetheritbeadreamornot;it’sforyou，NorthWind;Ican’tbeartofinditadream，becausethenIshouldloseyou。Youwouldbenobodythen，andI
　　couldnotbearthat。Youain’tadream，areyou，dearNorthWind？
　　DosayNo，elseIshallcry，andcomeawake，andyou’llbegoneforever。
　　Idaren’tdreamaboutyouonceagainifyouain’tanybody。”
　　“I’meithernotadream，orthere’ssomethingbetterthat’snotadream，Diamond。”saidNorthWind，inarathersorrowfultone，hethought。
　　“Butit’snotsomethingbetter——it’syouIwant，NorthWind。”
　　hepersisted，alreadybeginningtocryalittle。
　　Shemadenoanswer，butrosewithhiminherarmsandsailedawayoverthetree-topstilltheycametoameadow，whereaflockofsheepwasfeeding。
　　“DoyourememberwhatthesongyouweresingingaweekagosaysaboutBo-Peep——howshelosthersheep，butgottwiceasmanylambs？”
　　askedNorthWind，sittingdownonthegrass，andplacinghiminherlapasbefore。
　　“Ohyes，Ido，wellenough。”answeredDiamond;“butIneverjustquitelikedthatrhyme。”
　　“Whynot，child？”
　　“Becauseitseemstosayone’sasgoodasanother，ortwonewonesarebetterthanonethat’slost。I’vebeenthinkingaboutitagreatdeal，anditseemstomethatalthoughanyonesixpenceisasgoodasanyothersixpence，nottwentylambswoulddoinsteadofonesheepwhosefaceyouknew。Somehow，whenonceyou’velookedintoanybody’seyes，rightdeepdownintothem，Imean，nobodywilldoforthatoneanymore。Nobody，eversobeautifulorsogood，willmakeupforthatonegoingoutofsight。
　　Soyousee，NorthWind，Ican’thelpbeingfrightenedtothinkthatperhapsIamonlydreaming，andyouarenowhereatall。
　　Dotellmethatyouaremyown，real，beautifulNorthWind。”
　　Againsherose，andshotherselfintotheair，asifuneasybecauseshecouldnotanswerhim;andDiamondlayquietinherarms，waitingforwhatshewouldsay。Hetriedtoseeupintoherface，forhewasdreadfullyafraidshewasnotansweringhimbecauseshecouldnotsaythatshewasnotadream;butshehadletherhairfallalloverherfacesothathecouldnotseeit。Thisfrightenedhimstillmore。
　　“Dospeak，NorthWind。”hesaidatlast。
　　“IneverspeakwhenIhavenothingtosay。”shereplied。
　　“ThenIdothinkyoumustbearealNorthWind，andnodream。”
　　saidDiamond。
　　“ButI’mlookingforsomethingtosayallthetime。”
　　“ButIdon’twantyoutosaywhat’shardtofind。Ifyouweretosayonewordtocomfortmethatwasn’ttrue，thenIshouldknowyoumustbeadream，foragreatbeautifulladylikeyoucouldnevertellalie。”
　　“Butshemightn’tknowhowtosaywhatshehadtosay，sothatalittleboylikeyouwouldunderstandit。”saidNorthWind。
　　“Here，letusgetdownagain，andIwilltrytotellyouwhatIthink。
　　Youmusn’tsupposeIamabletoanswerallyourquestions，though。
　　ThereareagreatmanythingsIdon’tunderstandmorethanyoudo。”
　　Shedescendedonagrassyhillock，inthemidstofawildfurzycommon。
　　Therewasarabbit-warrenunderneath，andsomeoftherabbitscameoutoftheirholes，inthemoonlight，lookingverysoberandwise，justlikepatriarchsstandingintheirtent-doors，andlookingaboutthembeforegoingtobed。WhentheysawNorthWind，insteadofturningroundandvanishingagainwithathumpoftheirheels，theycanteredslowlyuptoherandsnuffledallaboutherwiththeirlongupperlips，whichmovedeverywayatonce。
　　Thatwastheirwayofkissingher;and，asshetalkedtoDiamond，shewouldeverynowandthenstrokedowntheirfurrybacks，orliftandplaywiththeirlongears。Theywould，Diamondthought，haveleapeduponherlap，butthathewastherealready。
　　“Ithink。”saidshe，aftertheyhadbeensittingsilentforawhile，“thatifIwereonlyadream，youwouldnothavebeenabletolovemeso。Youlovemewhenyouarenotwithme，don’tyou？”
　　“IndeedIdo。”answeredDiamond，strokingherhand。“Isee！Isee！
　　HowcouldIbeabletoloveyouasIdoifyouweren’tthereatall，youknow？Besides，Icouldn’tbeabletodreamanythinghalfsobeautifulalloutofmyownhead;orifIdid，Icouldn’tloveafancyofmyownlikethat，couldI？”
　　“Ithinknot。Youmighthavelovedmeinadream，dreamily，andforgottenmewhenyouwoke，Idaresay，butnotlovedmelikearealbeingasyouloveme。Eventhen，Idon’tthinkyoucoulddreamanythingthathadn’tsomethingreallikeitsomewhere。Butyou’veseenmeinmanyshapes，Diamond:yourememberIwasawolfonce——don’tyou？”
　　“Ohyes——agoodwolfthatfrightenedanaughtydrunkennurse。”
　　“Well，supposeIweretoturnugly，wouldyouratherIweren’tadreamthen？”
　　“Yes;forIshouldknowthatyouwerebeautifulinsideallthesame。
　　Youwouldloveme，andIshouldloveyouallthesame。Ishouldn’tlikeyoutolookugly，youknow。ButIshouldn’tbelieveitabit。”
　　“Notifyousawit？”
　　“No，notifIsawiteversoplain。”
　　“There’smyDiamond！IwilltellyouallIknowaboutitthen。
　　Idon’tthinkIamjustwhatyoufancymetobe。Ihavetoshapemyselfvariouswaystovariouspeople。Buttheheartofmeistrue。
　　Peoplecallmebydreadfulnames，andthinktheyknowallaboutme。
　　Buttheydon’t。SometimestheycallmeBadFortune，sometimesEvilChance，sometimesRuin;andtheyhaveanothernameformewhichtheythinkthemostdreadfulofall。”
　　“Whatisthat？”askedDiamond，smilingupinherface。
　　“Iwon’ttellyouthatname。Doyourememberhavingtogothroughmetogetintothecountryatmyback？”
　　“Ohyes，Ido。Howcoldyouwere，NorthWind！andsowhite，allbutyourlovelyeyes！Myheartgrewlikealumpofice，andthenIforgotforawhile。”
　　“Youwereverynearknowingwhattheycallmethen。Wouldyoubeafraidofmeifyouhadtogothroughmeagain？”
　　“No。WhyshouldI？IndeedIshouldbegladenough，ifitwasonlytogetanotherpeepofthecountryatyourback。”
　　“You’veneverseenityet。”
　　“Haven’tI，NorthWind？Oh！I’msosorry！IthoughtIhad。
　　WhatdidIseethen？”
　　“Onlyapictureofit。Therealcountryatmyrealbackiseversomuchmorebeautifulthanthat。Youshallseeitoneday——
　　perhapsbeforeverylong。”
　　“Dotheysingsongsthere？”
　　“Don’tyourememberthedreamyouhadaboutthelittleboysthatdugforthestars？”
　　“Yes，thatIdo。Ithoughtyoumusthavehadsomethingtodowiththatdream，itwassobeautiful。”
　　“Yes;Igaveyouthatdream。”
　　“Oh！thankyou。DidyougiveNannyherdreamtoo——aboutthemoonandthebees？”
　　“Yes。Iwastheladythatsatatthewindowofthemoon。”
　　“Oh，thankyou。Iwasalmostsureyouhadsomethingtodowiththattoo。
　　AnddidyoutellMr。RaymondthestoryaboutthePrincessDaylight？”
　　“IbelieveIhadsomethingtodowithit。Atalleventshethoughtaboutitonenightwhenhecouldn’tsleep。ButIwanttoaskyouwhetheryourememberthesongtheboy-angelssanginthatdreamofyours。”
　　“No。Icouldn’tkeepit，dowhatIwould，andIdidtry。”
　　“Thatwasmyfault。”
　　“Howcouldthatbe，NorthWind？”
　　“BecauseIdidn’tknowitproperlymyself，andsoIcouldn’tteachittoyou。Icouldonlymakearoughguessatsomethinglikewhatitwouldbe，andsoIwasn’tabletomakeyoudreamithardenoughtorememberit。NorwouldIhavedonesoifIcould，foritwasnotcorrect。Imadeyoudreampicturesofit，though。Butyouwillheartheverysongitselfwhenyoudogettothebackof——“
　　“MyowndearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，finishingthesentenceforher，andkissingthearmthatheldhimleaningagainsther。
　　“Andnowwe’vesettledallthis——forthetime，atleast。”
　　saidNorthWind。
　　“ButIcan’tfeelquitesureyet。”saidDiamond。
　　“Youmustwaitawhileforthat。Meantimeyoumaybehopeful，andcontentnottobequitesure。Comenow，Iwilltakeyouhomeagain，foritwon’tdototireyoutoomuch。”
　　“Oh，no，no。I’mnottheleasttired。”pleadedDiamond。
　　“Itisbetter，though。”
　　“Verywell;ifyouwishit。”yieldedDiamondwithasigh。
　　“Youareadeargood，boy“saidNorthWind。“Iwillcomeforyouagainto-morrownightandtakeyououtforalongertime。Weshallmakealittlejourneytogether，infact。Weshallstartearlier。
　　andasthemoonwillbe，later，weshallhavealittlemoonlightalltheway。”
　　Sherose，andsweptoverthemeadowandthetrees。InafewmomentstheMoundappearedbelowthem。Shesankalittle，andfloatedinatthewindowofDiamond’sroom。Thereshelaidhimonhisbed，coveredhimover，andinamomenthewaslaptinadreamlesssleep。
　　CHAPTERXXXVII
　　ONCEMORE
　　THEnextnightDiamondwasseatedbyhisopenwindow，withhisheadonhishand，rathertired，butsoeagerlywaitingforthepromisedvisitthathewasafraidhecouldnotsleep。Buthestartedsuddenly，andfoundthathehadbeenalreadyasleep。Herose，andlookingoutofthewindowsawsomethingwhiteagainsthisbeech-tree。ItwasNorthWind。Shewasholdingbyonehandtoatopbranch。
　　Herhairandhergarmentswentfloatingawaybehindheroverthetree，whosetopwasswayingaboutwhiletheotherswerestill。
　　“Areyouready，Diamond？”sheasked。
　　“Yes。”answeredDiamond，“quiteready。”
　　Inamomentshewasatthewindow，andherarmscameinandtookhim。
　　Shesailedawaysoswiftlythathecouldatfirstmarknothingbutthespeedwithwhichthecloudsaboveandthedimearthbelowwentrushingpast。Butsoonhebegantoseethattheskywasverylovely，withmottledcloudsallaboutthemoon，onwhichshethrewfaintcolourslikethoseofmother-of-pearl，oranopal。Thenightwaswarm，andinthelady’sarmshedidnotfeelthewindwhichdownbelowwasmakingwavesintheripecorn，andripplesontheriversandlakes。
　　Atlengththeydescendedonthesideofanopenearthyhill，justwhere，frombeneathastone，aspringcamebubblingout。
　　“Iamgoingtotakeyoualongthislittlebrook。”saidNorthWind。
　　“Iamnotwantedforanythingelseto-night，soIcangiveyouatreat。”
　　ShestoopedoverthestreamandholdingDiamonddownclosetothesurfaceofit，glidedalonglevelwithitsflowasitrandownthehill。AndthesongofthebrookcameupintoDiamond’sears，andgrewandgrewandchangedwitheveryturn。ItseemedtoDiamondtobesingingthestoryofitslifetohim。Andsoitwas。
　　Itbeganwithamusicaltinklewhichchangedtoababbleandthentoagentlerushing。Sometimesitssongwouldalmostcease，andthenbreakoutagain，tinkle，babble，andrush，allatonce。Atthebottomofthehilltheycametoasmallriver，intowhichthebrookflowedwithamuffledbutmerrysound。Alongthesurfaceoftheriver，darklyclearbelowtheminthemoonlight，theyfloated;now，whereitwidenedoutintoalittlelake，theywouldhoverforamomentoverabedofwater-lilies，andwatchthemswingabout，foldedinsleep，asthewateronwhichtheyleanedswayedinthepresenceofNorthWind;
　　andnowtheywouldwatchthefishesasleepamongtheirrootsbelow。
　　SometimesshewouldholdDiamondoveradeephollowcurvingintothebank，thathemightlookfarintothecoolstillness。
　　Sometimesshewouldleavetheriverandsweepacrossaclover-field。
　　Thebeeswereallathome，andthecloverwasasleep。Thenshewouldreturnandfollowtheriver。Itgrewwiderandwiderasitwent。
　　Nowthearmiesofwheatandofoatswouldhangoveritsrushfromtheoppositebanks;nowthewillowswoulddiplowbranchesinitsstillwaters;andnowitwouldleadthemthroughstatelytreesandgrassybanksintoalovelygarden，wheretherosesandlilieswereasleep，thetenderflowersquitefoldedup，andonlyafewwide-awakeandsendingouttheirlifeinsweet，strongodours。Widerandwidergrewthestream，untiltheycameuponboatslyingalongitsbanks，whichrockedalittleintheflutterofNorthWind’sgarments。Thencamehousesonthebanks，eachstandinginalovelylawn，withgrandtrees;andinpartstheriverwassohighthatsomeofthegrassandtherootsofsomeofthetreeswereunderwater，andDiamond，astheyglidedthroughbetweenthestems，couldseethegrassatthebottomofthewater。
　　Thentheywouldleavetheriverandfloataboutandoverthehouses，oneafteranother——beautifulrichhouses，which，likefinetrees，hadtakencenturiestogrow。Therewasscarcelyalighttobeseen，andnotamovementtobeheard:allthepeopleinthemlayfastasleep。
　　“Whatalotofdreamstheymustbedreaming！“saidDiamond。
　　“Yes。”returnedNorthWind。“Theycan’tsurelybealllies——
　　canthey？”
　　“Ishouldthinkitdependsalittleonwhodreamsthem。”
　　suggestedDiamond。
　　“Yes。”saidNorthWind。“Thepeoplewhothinklies，anddolies，areverylikelytodreamlies。Butthepeoplewholovewhatistruewillsurelynowandthendreamtruethings。Butthensomethingdependsonwhetherthedreamsarehome-grown，orwhethertheseedofthemisblownoversomebodyelse’sgarden-wall。Ah！there’ssomeoneawakeinthishouse！“
　　Theywerefloatingpastawindowinwhichalightwasburning。
　　Diamondheardamoan，andlookedupanxiouslyinNorthWind’sface。
　　“It’salady。”saidNorthWind。“Shecan’tsleepforpain。”
　　“Couldn’tyoudosomethingforher？”saidDiamond。
　　“No，Ican’t。Butyoucould。”
　　“WhatcouldIdo？”
　　“Singalittlesongtoher。”
　　“Shewouldn’thearme。”
　　“Iwilltakeyouin，andthenshewillhearyou。”
　　“Butthatwouldberude，wouldn’tit？Youcangowhereyouplease，ofcourse，butIshouldhavenobusinessinherroom。”
　　“Youmaytrustme，Diamond。Ishalltakeasgoodcareoftheladyasofyou。Thewindowisopen。Come。”
　　Byashadedlamp，aladywasseatedinawhitewrapper，tryingtoread，butmoaningeveryminute。NorthWindfloatedbehindherchair，setDiamonddown，andtoldhimtosingsomething。
　　Hewasalittlefrightened，buthethoughtawhile，andthensang:——
　　Thesunisgonedown，Andthemoon’sinthesky;
　　Butthesunwillcomeup，Andthemoonbelaidby。
　　TheflowerisasleepButitisnotdead;
　　Whenthemorningshines，Itwillliftitshead。
　　Whenwintercomes，Itwilldie——no，no;
　　ItwillonlyhideFromthefrostandthesnow。
　　Sureisthesummer，Sureisthesun;
　　ThenightandthewinterAreshadowsthatrun。
　　Theladyneverliftedhereyesfromherbook，orherheadfromherhand。
　　AssoonasDiamondhadfinished，NorthWindliftedhimandcarriedhimaway。
　　“Didn’ttheladyhearme？”askedDiamondwhentheywereoncemorefloatingdowntheriver。
　　“Oh，yes，sheheardyou。”answeredNorthWind。
　　“Wasshefrightenedthen？”
　　“Oh，no。”
　　“Whydidn’tshelooktoseewhoitwas？”
　　“Shedidn’tknowyouwerethere。”
　　“Howcouldshehearmethen？”
　　“Shedidn’thearyouwithherears。”
　　“Whatdidshehearmewith？”
　　“Withherheart。”
　　“Wheredidshethinkthewordscamefrom？”
　　“Shethoughttheycameoutofthebookshewasreading。Shewillsearchallthroughitto-morrowtofindthem，andwon’tbeabletounderstanditatall。”
　　“Oh，whatfun！“saidDiamond。“Whatwillshedo？”
　　“Icantellyouwhatshewon’tdo:she’llneverforgetthemeaningofthem;andshe’llneverbeabletorememberthewordsofthem。”
　　“IfsheseestheminMr。Raymond’sbook，itwillpuzzleher，won’tit？”
　　“Yes，thatitwill。Shewillneverbeabletounderstandit。”
　　“Untilshegetstothebackofthenorthwind。”suggestedDiamond。
　　“Untilshegetstothebackofthenorthwind。”assentedthelady。
　　“Oh！“criedDiamond，“Iknownowwhereweare。Oh！doletmegointotheoldgarden，andintomother’sroom，andDiamond’sstall。
　　Iwonderiftheholeisatthebackofmybedstill。Ishouldliketostaytherealltherestofthenight。Itwon’ttakeyoulongtogethomefromhere，willit，NorthWind？”
　　“No。”sheanswered;“youshallstayaslongasyoulike。”
　　“Oh，howjolly。”criedDiamond，asNorthWindsailedoverthehousewithhim，andsethimdownonthelawnattheback。
　　Diamondranaboutthelawnforalittlewhileinthemoonlight。
　　Hefoundpartofitcutupintoflower-beds，andthelittlesummer-housewiththecolouredglassandthegreatelm-treegone。
　　Hedidnotlikethis，andranintothestable。Therewerenohorsesthereatall。Heranupstairs。Theroomswereempty。
　　Theonlythingleftthathecaredaboutwastheholeinthewallwherehislittlebedhadstood;andthatwasnotenoughtomakehimwishtostop。Herandownthestairagain，andoutuponthelawn。
　　Therehethrewhimselfdownandbegantocry。Itwasallsodrearyandlost！
　　“IthoughtIlikedtheplacesomuch。”saidDiamondtohimself，“butIfindIdon’tcareaboutit。Isupposeit’sonlythepeopleinitthatmakeyoulikeaplace，andwhenthey’regone，it’sdead，andyoudon’tcareabitaboutit。NorthWindtoldmeImightstopaslongasIliked，andI’vestoppedlongeralready。NorthWind！“
　　hecriedaloud，turninghisfacetowardsthesky。
　　Themoonwasunderacloud，andallwaslookingdullanddismal。
　　Astarshotfromthesky，andfellinthegrassbesidehim。
　　Themomentitlighted，therestoodNorthWind。
　　“Oh！“criedDiamond，joyfully，“wereyoutheshootingstar？”
　　“Yes，mychild。”
　　“Didyouhearmecallyouthen？”
　　“Yes。”
　　“Sohighupasthat？”
　　“Yes;Iheardyouquitewell。”
　　“Dotakemehome。”
　　“Haveyouhadenoughofyouroldhomealready？”
　　“Yes，morethanenough。Itisn’tahomeatallnow。”
　　“Ithoughtthatwouldbeit。”saidNorthWind。“Everything，dreamingandall，hasgotasoulinit，orelseit’sworthnothing，andwedon’tcareabitaboutit。Someofourthoughtsareworthnothing，becausethey’vegotnosoulinthem。Thebrainputsthemintothemind，notthemindintothebrain。”
　　“Buthowcanyouknowaboutthat，NorthWind？Youhaven’tgotabody。”
　　“IfIhadn’tyouwouldn’tknowanythingaboutme。Nocreaturecanknowanotherwithoutthehelpofabody。ButIdon’tcaretotalkaboutthat。Itistimeforyoutogohome。”
　　Sosaying，NorthWindliftedDiamondandborehimaway。
　　CHAPTERXXXVIII
　　ATTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND
　　IDIDnotseeDiamondforaweekorsoafterthis，andthenhetoldmewhatIhavenowtoldyou。IshouldhavebeenastonishedathisbeingableeventoreportsuchconversationsashesaidhehadhadwithNorthWind，hadInotknownalreadythatsomechildrenareprofoundinmetaphysics。
　　Butafearcrossesme，lest，bytellingsomuchaboutmyfriend，Ishouldleadpeopletomistakehimforoneofthoseconsequential，priggishlittlemonsters，whoarealwaystryingtosaycleverthings，andlookingtoseewhetherpeopleappreciatethem。Whenachildlikethatdies，insteadofhavingasillybookwrittenabouthim，heshouldbestuffedlikeoneofthoseawfulbig-headedfishesyouseeinmuseums。ButDiamondnevertroubledhisheadaboutwhatpeoplethoughtofhim。Heneversetupforknowingbetterthanothers。
　　Thewisestthingshesaidcameoutwhenhewantedonetohelphimwithsomedifficultyhewasin。HewasnotevenoffendedwithNannyandJimforcallinghimasilly。Hesupposedtherewassomethinginit，thoughhecouldnotquiteunderstandwhat。
　　Isuspecthoweverthattheothernametheygavehim，God’sBaby，hadsomeshareinreconcilinghimtoit。
　　Happilyforme，IwasasmuchinterestedinmetaphysicsasDiamondhimself，andtherefore，whileherecountedhisconversationswithNorthWind，Ididnotfindmyselfatallinastrangesea，althoughcertainlyIcouldnotalwaysfeelthebottom，beingindeedconvincedthatthebottomwasmilesaway。
　　“Coulditbealldreaming，doyouthink，sir？”heaskedanxiously。
　　“Idaren’tsay，Diamond。”Ianswered。“Butatleastthereisonethingyoumaybesureof，thatthereisastillbetterlovethanthatofthewonderfulbeingyoucallNorthWind。Evenifshebeadream，thedreamofsuchabeautifulcreaturecouldnotcometoyoubychance。”
　　“Yes，Iknow。”returnedDiamond;“Iknow。”
　　Thenhewassilent，but，Iconfess，appearedmorethoughtfulthansatisfied。
　　ThenexttimeIsawhim，helookedpalerthanusual。
　　“Haveyouseenyourfriendagain？”Iaskedhim。
　　“Yes。”heanswered，solemnly。
　　“Didshetakeyououtwithher？”
　　“No。Shedidnotspeaktome。Iwokeallatonce，asIgenerallydowhenIamgoingtoseeher，andthereshewasagainstthedoorintothebigroom，sittingjustasIsawhersitonherowndoorstep，aswhiteassnow，andhereyesasblueastheheartofaniceberg。
　　Shelookedatme，butnevermovedorspoke。”
　　“Weren’tyouafraid？”Iasked。
　　“No。WhyshouldIhavebeen？”heanswered。“Ionlyfeltalittlecold。”
　　“Didshestaylong？”
　　“Idon’tknow。Ifellasleepagain。IthinkIhavebeenrathercoldeversincethough。”headdedwithasmile。
　　Ididnotquitelikethis，butIsaidnothing。
　　Fourdaysafter，IcalledagainattheMound。Themaidwhoopenedthedoorlookedgrave，butIsuspectednothing。WhenIreachedthedrawing-room，IsawMrs。Raymondhadbeencrying。
　　“Haven’tyouheard？”shesaid，seeingmyquestioninglooks。
　　“I’veheardnothing。”Ianswered。
　　“ThismorningwefoundourdearlittleDiamondlyingonthefloorofthebigattic-room，justoutsidehisowndoor——fastasleep，aswethought。Butwhenwetookhimup，wedidnotthinkhewasasleep。
　　Wesawthat——“
　　Herethekind-heartedladybrokeoutcryingafresh。
　　“MayIgoandseehim？”Iasked。
　　“Yes。”shesobbed。“Youknowyourwaytothetopofthetower。”
　　Iwalkedupthewindingstair，andenteredhisroom。Alovelyfigure，aswhiteandalmostasclearasalabaster，waslyingonthebed。
　　Isawatoncehowitwas。Theythoughthewasdead。Iknewthathehadgonetothebackofthenorthwind。
　　End