ForourSelveswillalwaysdoprettywellifwedon’tpaythemtoomuchattention。OurSelvesarelikesomelittlechildrenwhowillbehappyenoughsolongastheyarelefttotheirowngames，butwhenwebegintointerferewiththem，andmakethempresentsoftooniceplaythings，ortoomanysweetthings，theybeginatoncetofretandspoil。
“Why，Diamond，child！“saidhismotheratlast，“you’reasgoodtoyourmotherasifyouwereagirl——nursingthebaby，andtoastingthebread，andsweepingupthehearth！Ideclareabodywouldthinkyouhadbeenamongthefairies。”
CouldDiamondhavehadgreaterpraiseorgreaterpleasure？
YouseewhenheforgothisSelfhismothertookcareofhisSelf，andlovedandpraisedhisSelf。OurownpraisespoisonourSelves，andpuffandswellthemup，tilltheyloseallshapeandbeauty，andbecomelikegreattoadstools。ButthepraisesoffatherormotherdoourSelvesgood，andcomfortthemandmakethembeautiful。
Theyneverdothemanyharm。Iftheydoanyharm，itcomesofourmixingsomeofourownpraiseswiththem，andthatturnsthemnastyandslimyandpoisonous。
Whenhisfatherhadfinishedhisbreakfast，whichhedidratherinahurry，hegotupandwentdownintotheyardtogetouthishorseandputhimtothecab。
“Won’tyoucomeandseethecab，Diamond？”hesaid。
“Yes，please，father——ifmothercansparemeaminute。”answeredDiamond。
“Blessthechild！Idon’twanthim。”saidhismothercheerfully。
Butashewasfollowinghisfatheroutofthedoor，shecalledhimback。
“Diamond，justholdthebabyoneminute。Ihavesomethingtosaytoyourfather。”
SoDiamondsatdownagain，tookthebabyinhislap，andbeganpokinghisfaceintoitslittlebody，laughingandsingingallthewhile，sothatthebabycrowedlikealittlebantam。Andwhathesangwassomethinglikethis——suchnonsensetothosethatcouldn’tunderstandit！butnottothebaby，whogotallthegoodintheworldoutofit:——
baby’sa-sleepingwakeupbabyforalltheswallowsarethemerriestfellowsandhavetheyellowestchildrenwhowouldgosleepingandsnorelikeagabydisturbinghismotherandfatherandbrotherandalla-boringtheirearswithhissnoringsnoringsnoringforhimselfandnootherforhimselfinparticularwakeupbabysitupperpendicularharktothegushingharktotherushingwherethesheeparethewoolliestandthelambstheunruliestandtheirtailsthewhitestandtheireyesthebrightestandbaby’sthebonniestandbaby’sthefunniestandbaby’stheshiniestandbaby’sthetiniestandbaby’sthemerriestandbaby’stheworriestofallthelambsthatplaguetheirdamsandmother’sthewhitestofallthedamsthatfeedthelambsthatgocrop-croppingwithoutstop-stoppingandfather’sthebestofalltheswallowsthatbuildtheirnestoutoftheshiningshallowsandhehasthemerriestchildrenthat’sbabyandDiamondandDiamondandbabyandbabyandDiamondandDiamondandbabyHereDiamond’skneeswentoffinawilddancewhichtossedthebabyaboutandshookthelaughteroutofhiminimmoderatepeals。
Hismotherhadbeenlisteningatthedoortothelastfewlinesofhissong，andcameinwiththetearsinhereyes。Shetookthebabyfromhim，gavehimakiss，andtoldhimtoruntohisfather。
BythetimeDiamondgotintotheyard，thehorsewasbetweentheshafts，andhisfatherwasloopingthetraceson。Diamondwentroundtolookatthehorse。Thesightofhimmadehimfeelveryqueer。
Hedidnotknowmuchaboutdifferenthorses，andallotherhorsesthantheirownwereverymuchthesametohim。Buthecouldnotmakeitout。ThiswasDiamondanditwasn’tDiamond。
Diamonddidn’thanghisheadlikethat;yettheheadthatwashangingwasveryliketheonethatDiamondusedtoholdsohigh。
Diamond’sbonesdidn’tshowthroughhisskinlikethat;buttheskintheypushedoutofshapesowasverylikeDiamond’sskin;
andthebonesmightbeDiamond’sbones，forhehadneverseentheshapeofthem。Butwhenhecameroundinfrontoftheoldhorse，andheputouthislongneck，andbegansniffingathimandrubbinghisupperlipandhisnoseonhim，thenDiamondsawitcouldbenootherthanoldDiamond，andhedidjustashisfatherhaddonebefore——
puthisarmsroundhisneckandcried——butnotmuch。
“Ain’titjolly，father？”hesaid。“Wasthereeveranybodysoluckyasme？DearoldDiamond！“
Andhehuggedthehorseagain，andkissedbothhisbighairycheeks。
Hecouldonlymanageoneatatime，however——theothercheekwassofaroffontheothersideofhisbighead。
Hisfathermountedtheboxwithjustthesameair，asDiamondthought，withwhichhehadusedtogetuponthecoach-box，andDiamondsaidtohimself，“Father’sasgrandaseveranyhow。”Hehadkepthisbrownlivery-coat，onlyhiswifehadtakenthesilverbuttonsoffandputbrassonesinstead，becausetheydidnotthinkitpolitetoMr。Colemaninhisfallenfortunestolethiscrestbeseenupontheboxofacab。OldDiamondhadkeptjusthiscollar;
andthathadthesilvercrestuponitstill，forhismasterthoughtnobodywouldnoticethat，andsoletitremainforamemorialofthebetterdaysofwhichitremindedhim——notunpleasantly，seeingithadbeenbynofaulteitherofhisoroftheoldhorse’sthattheyhadcomedownintheworldtogether。
“Oh，father，doletmedriveabit。”saidDiamond，jumpingupontheboxbesidehim。
Hisfatherchangedplaceswithhimatonce，puttingthereinsintohishands。Diamondgatheredthemupeagerly。
“Don’tpullathismouth。”saidhisfather。“justfeel，atitgentlytolethimknowyou’rethereandattendingtohim。
That’swhatIcalltalkingtohimthroughthereins。”
“Yes，father，Iunderstand。”saidDiamond。Thentothehorsehesaid，“GoonDiamond。”AndoldDiamond’sponderousbulkbeganatoncetomovetothevoiceofthelittleboy。
Butbeforetheyhadreachedtheentranceofthemews，anothervoicecalledafteryoungDiamond，which，inhisturn，hehadtoobey，foritwasthatofhismother。“Diamond！Diamond！“itcried;
andDiamondpulledthereins，andthehorsestoodstillasastone。
“Husband。”saidhismother，comingup，“you’renevergoingtotrusthimwiththereins——ababylikethat？”
“Hemustlearnsomeday，andhecan’tbegintoosoon。Iseealreadyhe’saborncoachman。”saidhisfatherproudly。“AndIdon’tseewellhowhecouldescapeit，formyfatherandmygrandfather，that’shisgreat-grandfather，wasallcoachmen，I’mtold;soitmustcomenaturaltohim，anyonewouldthink。Besides，yousee，oldDiamond’sasproudofhimasweareourownselves，wife。Don’tyouseehowhe’sturningroundhisears，withthemouthsofthemopen，forthefirstwordhespeakstotumblein？He’stoowellbredtoturnhishead，youknow。”
“Well，but，husband，Ican’tdowithouthimto-day。Everything’sgottobedone，youknow。It’smyfirstdayhere。Andthere’sthatbaby！“
“Blessyou，wife！Inevermeanttotakehimaway——onlytothebottomofEndellStreet。Hecanwatchhiswayback。”
“Nothankyou，father;notto-day。”saidDiamond。“Motherwantsme。
Perhapsshe’llletmegoanotherday。”
“Verywell，myman。”saidhisfather，andtookthereinswhichDiamondwasholdingouttohim。
Diamondgotdown，alittledisappointedofcourse，andwentwithhismother，whowastoopleasedtospeak。Sheonlytookholdofhishandastightasifshehadbeenafraidofhisrunningawayinsteadofgladthathewouldnotleaveher。
Now，althoughtheydidnotknowit，theownerofthestables，thesamemanwhohadsoldthehorsetohisfather，hadbeenstandingjustinsideoneofthestable-doors，withhishandsinhispockets，andhadheardandseenallthatpassed;andfromthatdayJohnStonecroptookagreatfancytothelittleboy。Andthiswasthebeginningofwhatcameofit。
Thesameevening，justasDiamondwasfeelingtiredoftheday’swork，andwishinghisfatherwouldcomehome，Mr。Stonecropknockedatthedoor。Hismotherwentandopenedit。
“Goodevening，ma’am。”saidhe。“Isthelittlemasterin？”
“Yes，tobesureheis——atyourservice，I’msure，Mr。Stonecrop。”
saidhismother。
“No，no，ma’am;it’sI’mathisservice。I’mjusta-goingoutwithmyowncab，andifhelikestocomewithme，heshalldrivemyoldhorsetillhe’stired。”
“It’sgettingratherlateforhim。”saidhismotherthoughtfully。
“Youseehe’sbeenaninvalid。”
Diamondthought，whatafunnything！Howcouldhehavebeenaninvalidwhenhedidnotevenknowwhatthewordmeant？But，ofcourse，hismotherwasright。
“Oh，well。”saidMr。Stonecrop，“IcanjustlethimdrivethroughBloomsburySquare，andthenheshallrunhomeagain。”
“Verygood，sir。AndI’mmuchobligedtoyou。”saidhismother。
AndDiamond，dancingwithdelight，gothiscap，puthishandinMr。Stonecrop’s，andwentwithhimtotheyardwherethecabwaswaiting。
HedidnotthinkthehorselookednearlysoniceasDiamond，norMr。Stonecropnearlysograndashisfather;buthewasnone，thelesspleased。Hegotuponthebox，andhisnewfriendgotupbesidehim。
“What’sthehorse’sname？”whisperedDiamond，ashetookthereinsfromtheman。
“It’snotanicename。”saidMr。Stonecrop。“Youneedn’tcallhimbyit。Ididn’tgiveithim。He’llgowellenoughwithoutit。
Givetheboyawhip，Jack。InevercarriesonewhenIdriveold——“
Hedidn’tfinishthesentence。JackhandedDiamondawhip，withwhich，byholdingithalfdownthestick，hemanagedjusttoflackthehaunchesofthehorse;andawayhewent。
“Mindthegate。”saidMr。Stonecrop;andDiamonddidmindthegate，andguidedthenamelesshorsethroughitinsafety，pullinghimthiswayandthataccordingaswasnecessary。Diamondlearnedtodriveallthesoonerthathehadbeenaccustomedtodowhathewastold，andcouldobeythesmallesthintinamoment。Nothinghelpsonetogetonlikethat。Somepeopledon’tknowhowtodowhattheyaretold;
theyhavenotbeenusedtoit，andtheyneitherunderstandquicklynorareabletoturnwhattheydounderstandintoactionquickly。
Withanobedientmindonelearnstherightsofthingsfastenough;
foritisthelawoftheuniverse，andtoobeyistounderstand。
“Lookout！“criedMr。Stonecrop，astheywereturningthecornerintoBloomsburySquare。
Itwasgettingduskynow。Acabwasapproachingratherrapidlyfromtheoppositedirection，andDiamondpullingaside，andtheotherdriverpullingup，theyonlyjustescapedacollision。
Thentheykneweachother。
“Why，Diamond，it’sabadbeginningtorunintoyourownfather。”
criedthedriver。
“But，father，wouldn’tithavebeenabadendingtorunintoyourownson？”saidDiamondinreturn;andthetwomenlaughedheartily。
“Thisisverykindofyou，I’msure，Stonecrop。”saidhisfather。
“Notabit。He’sabravefellow，and’llbefittodriveonhisownhookinaweekortwo。ButIthinkyou’dbetterlethimdriveyouhomenow，forhismotherdon’tlikehishavingovermuchofthenightair，andIpromisednottotakehimfartherthanthesquare。”
“Comealongthen，Diamond。”saidhisfather，ashebroughthiscabuptotheother，andmovedofftheboxtotheseatbesideit。
Diamondjumpedacross，caughtatthereins，said“Good-night，andthankyou，Mr。Stonecrop。”anddroveawayhome，feelingmoreofamanthanhehadeveryethadachanceoffeelinginallhislife。
Nordidhisfatherfinditnecessarytogivehimasinglehintastohisdriving。OnlyIsuspectthefactthatitwasoldDiamond，andoldDiamondonhiswaytohisstable，mayhavehadsomethingtodowithyoungDiamond’ssuccess。
“Well，child。”saidhismother，whenheenteredtheroom，“you’venotbeenlonggone。”
“No，mother;hereIam。Givemethebaby。”
“Thebaby’sasleep。”saidhismother。
“Thengivehimtome，andI’lllayhimdown。”
ButasDiamondtookhim，hewokeupandbegantolaugh。
Forhewasindeedoneofthemerriestchildren。Andnowonder，forhewasasplumpasaplum-pudding，andhadneverhadanacheorapainthatlastedmorethanfiveminutesatatime。
Diamondsatdownwithhimandbegantosingtohim。
babybabybabbingyourfather’sgonea-cabbingtocatchashillingforitspencetomakethebabybabbingdanceforoldDiamond’saducktheysayhecanswimbuttheduckofdiamondsisbabythat’shimandofalltheswallowsthemerriestfellowsthatbaketheircakewiththewatertheyshakeoutoftheriverflowingforeverandmakedustintoclayontheshiniestdaytobuildtheirnestfather’sthebestandmother’sthewhitestandhereyesarethebrightestofallthedamsthatwatchtheirlambscroppingthegrasswherethewaterspasssingingforeverandofallthelambswiththeshakingesttailsandthejumpingestfeetbaby’sthefunniestbaby’sthebonniestandheneverwailsandhe’salwayssweetandDiamond’shisnurseandDiamond’shisnurseandDiamond’shisnurseWhenDiamond’srhymesgrewscarce，healwaysbegandancingthebaby。
Somepeoplewonderedthatsuchachildcouldrhymeashedid，buthisrhymeswerenotverygood，forhewasonlytryingtorememberwhathehadheardtheriversingatthebackofthenorthwind。
CHAPTERXVII
DIAMONDGOESON
DIAMONDbecameagreatfavouritewithallthemenaboutthemews。
Somemaythinkitwasnotthebestplaceintheworldforhimtobebroughtupin;butitmusthavebeen，fortherehewas。
Atfirst，heheardagoodmanyroughandbadwords;buthedidnotlikethem，andsotheydidhimlittleharm。Hedidnotknowintheleastwhattheymeant，buttherewassomethingintheverysoundofthem，andinthetoneofvoiceinwhichtheyweresaid，whichDiamondfelttobeugly。Sotheydidnotevensticktohim，nottosaygetinsidehim。Henevertookanynoticeofthem，andhisfaceshonepureandgoodinthemiddleofthem，likeaprimroseinahailstorm。Atfirst，becausehisfacewassoquietandsweet，withasmilealwayseitherawakeorasleepinhiseyes，andbecauseheneverheededtheiruglywordsandroughjokes，theysaidhewasn’tallthere，meaningthathewashalfanidiot，whereashewasagreatdealmoretherethantheyhadthesensetosee。
Andbeforelongthebadwordsfoundthemselvesashamedtocomeoutofthemen’smouthswhenDiamondwasnear。Theonewouldnudgetheothertoremindhimthattheboywaswithinhearing，andthewordschokedthemselvesbeforetheygotanyfarther。
Whentheytalkedtohimnicelyhehadalwaysagoodanswer，sometimesasmartone，ready，andthathelpedmuchtomakethemchangetheirmindsabouthim。
OnedayJackgavehimacurry-combandabrushtotryhishanduponoldDiamond’scoat。Heusedthemsodeftly，sogently，andyetsothoroughly，asfarashecouldreach，thatthemancouldnothelpadmiringhim。
“Youmustmakehasteand，grow“hesaid。“Itwon’tdotohaveahorse’sbellycleanandhisbackdirty，youknow。”
“Givemealeg。”saidDiamond，andinamomenthewasontheoldhorse’sbackwiththecombandbrush。Hesatonhiswithers，andreachingforwardasheatehishay，hecurriedandhebrushed，firstatonesideofhisneck，andthenattheother。
Whenthatwasdoneheaskedforadressing-comb，andcombedhismanethoroughly。Thenhepushedhimselfontohisback，anddidhisshouldersasfardownashecouldreach。Thenhesatonhiscroup，anddidhisbackandsides;thenheturnedaroundlikeamonkey，andattackedhishind-quarters，andcombedhistail。
Thislastwasnotsoeasytomanage，forhehadtoliftitup，andeverynowandthenoldDiamondwouldwhiskitoutofhishands，andoncehesentthecombflyingoutofthestabledoor，tothegreatamusementofthemen。ButJackfetcheditagain，andDiamondbeganoncemore，anddidnotleaveoffuntilhehaddonethewholebusinessfairlywell，ifnotinafirst-rate，experiencedfashion。
Allthetimetheoldhorsewentoneatinghishay，and，butwithanoccasionalwhiskofhistailwhenDiamondtickledorscratchedhim，tooknonoticeoftheproceeding。Butthatwasallapretence，forheknewverywellwhoitwasthatwasperchedonhisback，andrubbingawayathimwiththecombandthebrush。Sohewasquitepleasedandproud，andperhapssaidtohimselfsomethinglikethis——
“I’mastupidoldhorse，whocan’tbrushhisowncoat;butthere’smyyounggodsononmyback，cleaningmelikeanangel。”
Iwon’tvouchforwhattheoldhorsewasthinking，foritisverydifficulttofindoutwhatanyoldhorseisthinking。
“Ohdear！“saidDiamondwhenhehaddone，“I’msotired！“
AndhelaidhimselfdownatfulllengthonoldDiamond’sback。
BythistimeallthemeninthestableweregatheredaboutthetwoDiamonds，andallmuchamused。Oneofthemliftedhimdown，andfromthattimehewasagreaterfavouritethanbefore。
Andifevertherewasaboywhohadachanceofbeingaprodigyatcab-driving，Diamondwasthatboy，forthestrifecametobewhoshouldhavehimoutwithhimonthebox。
Hismother，however，wasalittleshyofthecompanyforhim，andbesidesshecouldnotalwayssparehim。Alsohisfatherlikedtohavehimhimselfwhenhecould;sothathewasmoredesiredthanenjoyedamongthecabmen。
Butonewayandanotherhedidlearntodriveallsortsofhorses，andtodrivethemwell，andthatthroughthemostcrowdedstreetsinLondonCity。Ofcoursetherewasthemanalwaysonthebox-seatbesidehim，butbeforelongtherewasseldomtheleastoccasiontotakethereinsfromoutofhishands。Foronethinghenevergotfrightened，andconsequentlywasneverintoogreatahurry。
Yetwhenthemomentcamefordoingsomethingsharp，hewasalwaysreadyforit。Imustoncemoreremindmyreadersthathehadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。
Oneday，whichwasneitherwashing-day，norcleaning-daynormarketing-day，norSaturday，norMonday——uponwhichconsequentlyDiamondcouldbesparedfromthebaby——hisfathertookhimonhisowncab。
Afterastrayjobortwobytheway，theydrewupintherowuponthestandbetweenCockspurStreetandPallMall。Theywaitedalongtime，butnobodyseemedtowanttobecarriedanywhere。
ByandbyladieswouldbegoinghomefromtheAcademyexhibition，andthentherewouldbeachanceofajob。
“Though，tobesure。”saidDiamond’sfather——withwhattruthI
cannotsay，buthebelievedwhathesaid——“someladiesisveryhard，andkeepsyoutothebaresixpenceamile，wheneveryoneknowsthatain’tenoughtokeepafamilyandacabupon。Tobesureit’sthelaw;butmayhaptheymaygetmorelawthantheylikesomedaythemselves。”
Asitwasveryhot，Diamond’sfathergotdowntohaveaglassofbeerhimself，andgiveanothertotheoldwaterman。HeleftDiamondonthebox。
Asuddennoisegotup，andDiamondlookedroundtoseewhatwasthematter。
Therewasacrossingnearthecab-stand，whereagirlwassweeping。
Someroughyoungimpshadpickedaquarrelwithher，andwerenowhaulingatherbroomtogetitawayfromher。Butastheydidnotpullalltogether，shewasholdingitagainstthem，scoldingandentreatingalternately。
Diamondwasoffhisboxinamoment，andrunningtothehelpofthegirl。
Hegotholdofthebroomatherendandpulledalongwithher。
Buttheboysproceededtoroughermeasures，andoneofthemhitDiamondonthenose，andmadeitbleed;andashecouldnotletgothebroomtomindhisnose，hewassoonadreadfulfigure。
Butpresentlyhisfathercameback，andmissingDiamond，lookedabout。
Hehadtolooktwice，however，beforehecouldbesurethatthatwashisboyinthemiddleofthetumult。Herushedin，andsenttheassailantsflyinginalldirections。ThegirlthankedDiamond，andbegansweepingasifnothinghadhappened，whilehisfatherledhimaway。WiththehelpofoldTom，thewaterman，hewassoonwashedintodecency，andhisfathersethimontheboxagain，perfectlysatisfiedwiththeaccounthegaveofthecauseofhisbeinginafray。
“Icouldn’tletthembehavesotoapoorgirl——couldI，father？”
hesaid。
“Certainlynot，Diamond。”saidhisfather，quitepleased，forDiamond’sfatherwasagentleman。
Amomentafter，upcamethegirl，running，withherbroomoverhershoulder，andcalling，“Cab，there！cab！“
Diamond’sfatherturnedinstantly，forhewastheforemostintherank，andfollowedthegirl。Oneortwootherpassingcabsheardthecry，andmadefortheplace，butthegirlhadtakencarenottocalltillshewasnearenoughtogiveherfriendsthefirstchance。
Whentheyreachedthecurbstone——whoshoulditbewaitingforthecabbutMrs。andMissColeman！Theydidnotlookatthecabman，however。
Thegirlopenedthedoorforthem;theygavehertheaddress，andapenny;shetoldthecabman，andawaytheydrove。
Whentheyreachedthehouse，Diamond’sfathergotdownandrangthebell。Asheopenedthedoorofthecab，hetouchedhishatashehadbeenwonttodo。Theladiesbothstaredforamoment，andthenexclaimedtogether:
“Why，Joseph！canitbeyou？”
“Yes，ma’am;yes，miss。”answeredhe，againtouchinghishat，withalltherespecthecouldpossiblyputintotheaction。
“It’saluckydaywhichIseeyouoncemoreuponit。”
“Whowouldhavethoughtit？”saidMrs。Coleman。“It’schangedtimesforbothofus，Joseph，andit’snotveryoftenwecanhaveacabeven;butyouseemydaughterisstillverypoorly，andshecan’tbearthemotionoftheomnibuses。Indeedwemeanttowalkabitfirstbeforewetookacab，butjustatthecorner，forashotasthesunwas，acoldwindcamedownthestreet，andIsawthatMissColemanmustnotfaceit。Buttothinkweshouldhavefallenuponyou，ofallthecabmeninLondon！
Ididn’tknowyouhadgotacab。”
“Well，yousee，ma’am，Ihadachanceofbuyingtheoldhorse，andIcouldn’tresisthim。Thereheis，lookingatyou，ma’am。Nobodyknowsthesenseinthatheadofhis。”
Thetwoladieswentneartopatthehorse，andthentheynoticedDiamondonthebox。
“Why，you’vegotbothDiamondswithyou。”saidMissColeman。
“Howdoyoudo，Diamond？”
Diamondliftedhiscap，andansweredpolitely。
“He’llbefittodrivehimselfbeforelong。”saidhisfather，proudly。“Theoldhorseisa-teachingofhim。”
“Well，hemustcomeandseeus，nowyou’vefoundusout。
Wheredoyoulive？”
Diamond’sfathergavetheladiesaticketwithhisnameandaddressprintedonit;andthenMrs。Colemantookoutherpurse，saying:
“Andwhat’syourfare，Joseph？”
“No，thankyou，ma’am。”saidJoseph。“Itwasyourownoldhorseastookyou;andmeyoupaidlongago。”
Hejumpedonhisboxbeforeshecouldsayanotherword，andwithapartingsalutedroveoff，leavingthemonthepavement，withthemaidholdingthedoorforthem。
ItwasalongtimenowsinceDiamondhadseenNorthWind，oreventhoughtmuchabouther。Andashisfatherdrovealong，hewasthinkingnotabouther，butaboutthecrossing-sweeper，andwaswonderingwhatmadehimfeelasifheknewherquitewell，whenhecouldnotrememberanythingofher。Butapicturearoseinhismindofalittlegirlrunningbeforethewindanddraggingherbroomafterher;andfromthat，bydegrees，herecalledthewholeadventureofthenightwhenhegotdownfromNorthWind’sbackinaLondonstreet。Buthecouldnotquitesatisfyhimselfwhetherthewholeaffairwasnotadreamwhichhehaddreamedwhenhewasaverylittleboy。Onlyhehadbeentothebackofthenorthwindsince——therecouldbenodoubtofthat;forwhenhewokeeverymorning，healwaysknewthathehadbeenthereagain。
Andashethoughtandthought，herecalledanotherthingthathadhappenedthatmorning，which，althoughitseemedamereaccident，mighthavesomethingtodowithwhathadhappenedsince。HisfatherhadintendedgoingonthestandatKing’sCrossthatmorning，andhadturnedintoGray’sInnLanetodrivethere，whentheyfoundthewayblockedup，anduponinquirywereinformedthatastackofchimneyshadbeenblowndowninthenight，andhadfallenacrosstheroad。
Theywerejustclearingtherubbishaway。Diamond’sfatherturned，andmadeforCharingCross。
Thatnightthefatherandmotherhadagreatdealtotalkabout。
“Poorthings！“saidthemother。“it’sworseforthemthanitisforus。Youseethey’vebeenusedtosuchgrandthings，andforthemtocomedowntoalittlepokyhouselikethat——
itbreaksmyhearttothinkofit。”
“Idon’tknow“saidDiamondthoughtfully，“whetherMrs。Colemanhadbellsonhertoes。”
“Whatdoyoumean，child？”saidhismother。
“Shehadringsonherfingers，anyhow。”returnedDiamond。
“Ofcourseshehad，asanyladywould。Whathasthattodowithit？”
“WhenweweredownatSandwich。”saidDiamond，“yousaidyouwouldhavetopartwithyourmother’sring，nowwewerepoor。”
“Blessthechild;heforgetsnothing。”saidhismother。
“Really，Diamond，abodywouldneedtomindwhattheysaytoyou。”
“Why？”saidDiamond。“Ionlythinkaboutit。”
“That’sjustwhy。”saidthemother。
“Whyisthatwhy？”persistedDiamond，forhehadnotyetlearnedthatgrown-uppeoplearenotoftensomuchgrownupthattheynevertalklikechildren——andspoiltonestoo。
“Mrs。Colemanisnonesopoorasallthatyet。No，thankHeaven！
she’snotcometothat。”
“Isitagreatdisgracetobepoor？”askedDiamond，becauseofthetoneinwhichhismotherhadspoken。
Buthismother，whetherconscience-strickenIdonotknowhurriedhimawaytobed，whereaftervariousattemptstounderstandher，resumedandresumedagaininspiteofinvadingsleep，hewasconqueredatlast，andgavein，murmuringoverandovertohimself，“Whyiswhy？”butgettingnoanswertothequestion。
CHAPTERXVIII
THEDRUNKENCABMAN
AFEWnightsafterthis，Diamondwokeupsuddenly，believingheheardNorthWindthunderingalong。Butitwassomethingquitedifferent。
SouthWindwasmoaningroundthechimneys，tobesure，forshewasnotveryhappythatnight，butitwasnothervoicethathadwakenedDiamond。Hervoicewouldonlyhavelulledhimthedeeperasleep。
Itwasaloud，angryvoice，nowgrowlinglikethatofabeast，nowravinglikethatofamadman;andwhenDiamondcamealittlewiderawake，heknewthatitwasthevoiceofthedrunkencabman，thewallofwhoseroomwasattheheadofhisbed。Itwasanythingbutpleasanttohear，buthecouldnothelphearingit。Atlengththerecameacryfromthewoman，andthenascreamfromthebaby。
ThereuponDiamondthoughtittimethatsomebodydidsomething，andashimselfwastheonlysomebodyathand，hemustgoandseewhetherhecouldnotdosomething。Sohegotupandputonpartofhisclothes，andwentdownthestair，forthecabman’sroomdidnotopenupontheirstair，andhehadtogooutintotheyard，andinatthenextdoor。This，fortunately，thecabman，beingdrunk，hadleftopen。Bythetimehereachedtheirstair，allwasstillexceptthevoiceofthecryingbaby，whichguidedhimtotherightdoor。
Heopeneditsoftly，andpeepedin。There，leaningbackinachair，withhisarmshangingdownbyhissides，andhislegsstretchedoutbeforehimandsupportedonhisheels，satthedrunkencabman。
Hiswifelayinherclothesuponthebed，sobbing，andthebabywaswailinginthecradle。Itwasverymiserablealtogether。
Nowthewaymostpeopledowhentheyseeanythingverymiserableistoturnawayfromthesight，andtrytoforgetit。ButDiamondbeganasusualtotrytodestroythemisery。ThelittleboywasjustasmuchoneofGod’smessengersasifhehadbeenanangelwithaflamingsword，goingouttofightthedevil。ThedevilhehadtofightjustthenwasMisery。Andthewayhefoughthimwastheverybest。
Likeawisesoldier，heattackedhimfirstinhisweakestpoint——
thatwasthe，baby;forMiserycannevergetsuchaholdofababyasofagrownperson。Diamondwasknowinginbabies，andheknewhecoulddosomethingtomakethebaby，happy;foralthoughhehadonlyknownonebabyasyet，andalthoughnotonebabyisthesameasanother，yettheyaresoverymuchalikeinsomethings，andheknewthatonebabysothoroughly，thathehadgoodreasontobelievehecoulddosomethingforanyother。Ihaveknownpeoplewhowouldhavebeguntofightthedevilinaverydifferentandaverystupidway。
Theywouldhavebegunbyscoldingtheidioticcabman;andnexttheywouldmakehiswifeangrybysayingitmustbeherfaultaswellashis，andbyleavingill-bredthoughwell-meantshabbylittlebooksforthemtoread，whichtheyweresuretohatethesightof;
whileallthetimetheywouldnothaveputoutafingertotouchthewailingbaby。ButDiamondhadhimoutofthecradleinamoment，sethimuponhisknee，andtoldhimtolookatthelight。
Nowallthelighttherewascameonlyfromalampintheyard，anditwasaverydingyandyellowlight，fortheglassofthelampwasdirty，andthegaswasbad;butthelightthatcamefromitwas，notwithstanding，ascertainlylightasifithadcomefromthesunitself，andthebabyknewthat，andsmiledtoit;
andalthoughitwasindeedawretchedroomwhichthatlamplighted——
sodreary，anddirty，andempty，andhopeless！——thereinthemiddleofitsatDiamondonastool，smilingtothebaby，andthebabyonhiskneessmilingtothelamp。Thefatherofhimsatstaringatnothing，neitherasleepnorawake，notquitelostinstupidityeither，forthroughitallhewasdimlyangrywithhimself，hedidnotknowwhy。Itwasthathehadstruckhiswife。Hehadforgottenit，butwasmiserableaboutit，notwithstanding。AndthismiserywasthevoiceofthegreatLovethathadmadehimandhiswifeandthebabyandDiamond，speakinginhisheart，andtellinghimtobegood。
ForthatgreatLovespeaksinthemostwretchedanddirtyhearts;
onlythetoneofitsvoicedependsontheechoesoftheplaceinwhichitsounds。OnMountSinai，itwasthunder;inthecabman’sheartitwasmisery;inthesoulofSt。Johnitwasperfectblessedness。
Byandbyhebecameawarethattherewasavoiceofsingingintheroom。
This，ofcourse，wasthevoiceofDiamondsingingtothebaby——
songaftersong，everyoneasfoolishasanothertothecabman，forhewastootipsytopartonewordfromanother:allthewordsmixedupinhisearinagurglewithoutdivisionorstop;forsuchwasthewayhespokehimself，whenhewasinthishorridcondition。
ButthebabywasmorethancontentwithDiamond’ssongs，andDiamondhimselfwassocontentedwithwhatthesongswereallabout，thathedidnotcareabitaboutthesongsthemselves，ifonlybabylikedthem。
ButtheydidthecabmangoodaswellasthebabyandDiamond，fortheyputhimtosleep，andthesleepwasbusyallthetimeitlasted，smoothingthewrinklesoutofhistemper。
AtlengthDiamondgrewtiredofsinging，andbegantotalktothebabyinstead。Andassoonashestoppedsinging，thecabmanbegantowakeup。Hisbrainwasalittleclearernow，histemperalittlesmoother，andhisheartnotquitesodirty。
Hebegantolistenandhewentonlistening，andheardDiamondsayingtothebabysomethinglikethis，forhethoughtthecabmanwasasleep:
“Poordaddy！Baby’sdaddytakestoomuchbeerandgin，andthatmakeshimsomebodyelse，andnothisownselfatall。Baby’sdaddywouldneverhitbaby’smammyifhedidn’ttaketoomuchbeer。
He’sveryfondofbaby’smammy，andworksfrommorningtonighttogetherbreakfastanddinnerandsupper，onlyatnightheforgets，andpaysthemoneyawayforbeer。Andtheyputnastystuffinbeer，I’veheardmydaddysay，thatdrivesallthegoodout，andletsallthebadin。Daddysayswhenamantakesadrink，there’sathirstydevilcreepsintohisinside，becauseheknowshewillalwaysgetenoughthere。Andthedevilisalwayscryingoutformoredrink，andthatmakesthemanthirsty，andsohedrinksmoreandmore，tillhekillshimselfwithit。Andthentheuglydevilcreepsoutofhim，andcrawlsaboutonhisbelly，lookingforsomeothercabmantogetinto，thathemaydrink，drink，drink。That’swhatmydaddysays，baby。Andhesays，too，theonlywaytomakethedevilcomeoutistogivehimplentyofcoldwaterandteaandcoffee，andnothingatallthatcomesfromthepublic-house;forthedevilcan’tabidethatkindofstuff，andcreepsoutprettysoon，forfearofbeingdrownedinit。Butyourdaddywilldrinkthenastystuff，poorman！Iwishhewouldn’t，foritmakesmammycrosswithhim，andnowonder！andthenwhenmammy’scross，he’scrosser，andthere’snobodyinthehousetotakecareofthembutbaby;
andyoudotakecareofthem，baby——don’tyou，baby？Iknowyoudo。
Babiesalwaystakecareoftheirfathersandmothers——don’tthey，baby？
That’swhattheycomefor——isn’tit，baby？Andwhendaddystopsdrinkingbeerandnastyginwithturpentineinit，fathersays，thenmammywillbesohappy，andlooksopretty！anddaddywillbesogoodtobaby！andbabywillbeashappyasaswallow，whichisthemerriestfellow！AndDiamondwillbesohappytoo！
AndwhenDiamond’saman，he’lltakebabyoutwithhimonthebox，andteachhimtodriveacab。”
Hewentonwithchatterlikethistillbabywasasleep，bywhichtimehewastired，andfatherandmotherwerebothwideawake——
onlyratherconfused——theonefromthebeer，theotherfromtheblow——
andstaring，theonefromhischair，theotherfromherbed，atDiamond。Buthewasquiteunawareoftheirnotice，forhesathalf-asleep，withhiseyeswideopen，staringinhisturn，thoughwithoutknowingit，atthecabman，whilethecabmancouldnotwithdrawhisgazefromDiamond’swhitefaceandbigeyes。
ForDiamond’sfacewasalwaysratherpale，andnowitwaspalerthanusualwithsleeplessness，andthelightofthestreet-lampuponit。
Atlengthhefoundhimselfnodding，andheknewthenitwastimetoputthebabydown，lestheshouldlethimfall。Soherosefromthelittlethree-leggedstool，andlaidthebabyinthecradle，andcoveredhimup——itwaswellitwasawarmnight，andhedidnotwantmuchcovering——andthenheallbutstaggeredoutofthedoor，hewassotipsyhimselfwithsleep。
“Wife。”saidthecabman，turningtowardsthebed，“Idosomehowbelievethatwuraangeljustgone。Didyouseehim，wife？Hewarn’twerybig，andhehadn’tgotnoneo’themwingses，youknow。Itwuroneo’
thembaby-angelsyouseesonthegravestones，youknow。”
“Nonsense，hubby！“saidhiswife;“butit’sjustasgood。
Imightsaybetter，foryoucanketchholdofhimwhenyoulike。
That’slittleDiamondaseverybodyknows，andaducko’diamondsheis！
Nowomancouldwishforabetterchildthanhebe。”
“Iha’heerdonhiminthestable，butIneverseethebratafore。
Come，oldgirl，letbygonesbebygones，andgieusakiss，andwe’llgotobed。”
Thecabmankepthiscabinanotheryard，althoughhehadhisroominthis。Hewasoftenlateincominghome，andwasnotonetotakenoticeofchildren，especiallywhenhewastipsy，whichwasoftenerthannot。Hence，ifhehadeverseenDiamond，hedidnotknowhim。
Buthiswifeknewhimwellenough，asdideveryoneelsewholivedalldayintheyard。Shewasagood-naturedwoman。ItwasshewhohadgotthefirelightedandtheteareadyforthemwhenDiamondandhismothercamehomefromSandwich。Andherhusbandwasnotanill-naturedmaneither，andwheninthemorningherecallednotonlyDiamond’svisit，buthowhehimselfhadbehavedtohiswife，hewasveryvexedwithhimself，andgladdenedhispoorwife’sheartbytellingherhowsorryhewas。Andforawholeweekafter，hedidnotgonearthepublic-house，hardasitwastoavoidit，seeingacertainrichbrewerhadbuiltone，likeatraptocatchsoulsandbodiesin，atalmosteverycornerhehadtopassonhiswayhome。Indeed，hewasneverquitesobadafterthat，thoughitwassometimebeforehebeganreallytoreform。
CHAPTERXIX
DIAMOND’SFRIENDS
ONEdaywhenoldDiamondwasstandingwithhisnoseinhisbagbetweenPallMallandCockspurStreet，andhismasterwasreadingthenewspaperontheboxofhiscab，whichwasthelastofagoodmanyintherow，littleDiamondgotdownforarun，forhislegsweregettingcrampedwithsitting。Andfirstofallhestrolledwithhishandsinhispocketsuptothecrossing，wherethegirlandherbroomweretobefoundinallweathers。Justashewasgoingtospeaktoher，atallgentlemansteppeduponthecrossing。
Hewaspleasedtofinditsoclean，forthestreetsweremuddy，andhehadnicebootson;soheputhishandinhispocket，andgavethegirlapenny。Butwhenshegavehimasweetsmileinreturn，andmadehimaprettycourtesy，helookedatheragain，andsaid:
“Wheredoyoulive，mychild？”
“ParadiseRow。”sheanswered;“nextdoortotheAdamandEve——
downthearea。”
“Whomdoyoulivewith？”heasked。
“Mywickedoldgrannie。”shereplied。
“Youshouldn’tcallyourgranniewicked。”saidthegentleman。
“Butsheis。”saidthegirl，lookingupconfidentlyinhisface。
“Ifyoudon’tbelieveme，youcancomeandtakealookather。”
Thewordssoundedrude，butthegirl’sfacelookedsosimplethatthegentlemansawshedidnotmeantoberude，andbecamestillmoreinterestedinher。
“Stillyoushouldn’tsayso。”heinsisted。
“Shouldn’tI？Everybodycallsherwickedoldgrannie——eventhemthat’saswickedasher。Youshouldhearherswear。There’snothinglikeitintheRow。Indeed，Iassureyou，sir，there’sne’eraoneofthemcanshutmygrannieuponceshebeginsandgetsrighta-going。Youmustputherinapassionfirst，youknow。
It’snogoodtillyoudothat——she’ssooldnow。Howshedomakethemlaugh，tobesure！“
Althoughshecalledherwicked，thechildspokesoasplainlytoindicateprideinhergrannie’spre-eminenceinswearing。
Thegentlemanlookedverygravetohearher，forhewassorrythatsuchanicelittlegirlshouldbeinsuchbadkeeping。
Buthedidnotknowwhattosaynext，andstoodforamomentwithhiseyesontheground。Whenheliftedthem，hesawthefaceofDiamondlookingupinhis。
“Please，sir。”saidDiamond，“hergrannie’sverycrueltohersometimes，andshutsheroutinthestreetsatnight，ifshehappenstobelate。”
“Isthisyourbrother？”askedthegentlemanofthegirl。
“No，sir。”
“Howdoesheknowyourgrandmother，then？Hedoesnotlooklikeoneofhersort。”
“Ohno，sir！He’sagoodboy——quite。”
Hereshetappedherforeheadwithherfingerinasignificantmanner。
“Whatdoyoumeanbythat？”askedthegentleman，whileDiamondlookedonsmiling。
“ThecabbiescallhimGod’sbaby。”shewhispered。“He’snotrightinthehead，youknow。Atileloose。”
StillDiamond，thoughheheardeveryword，andunderstoodittoo，keptonsmiling。Whatcoulditmatterwhatpeoplecalledhim，solongashedidnothingheoughtnottodo？And，besides，God’sbabywassurelythebestofnames！
“Well，mylittleman，andwhatcanyoudo？”askedthegentleman，turningtowardshim——justforthesakeofsayingsomething。
“Driveacab。”saidDiamond。
“Good;andwhatelse？”hecontinued;for，acceptingwhatthegirlhadsaid，heregardedthestillsweetnessofDiamond’sfaceasasignofsilliness，andwishedtobekindtothepoorlittlefellow。
“Nurseababy。”saidDiamond。
“Well——andwhatelse？”
“Cleanfather’sboots，andmakehimabitoftoastforhistea。”
“You’reausefullittleman。”saidthegentleman。“Whatelsecanyoudo？”
“NotmuchthatIknowof。”saidDiamond。“Ican’tcurryahorse，exceptsomebodyputsmeonhisback。SoIdon’tcountthat。”
“Canyouread？”
“No。Butmothercanandfathercan，andthey’regoingtoteachmesomedaysoon。”
“Well，here’sapennyforyou。”
“Thankyou，sir。”
“Andwhenyouhavelearnedtoread，cometome，andI’llgiveyousixpenceandabookwithfinepicturesinit。”
“Please，sir，whereamItocome？”askedDiamond，whowastoomuchamanoftheworldnottoknowthathemusthavethegentleman’saddressbeforehecouldgoandseehim。
“You’renosuchsilly！“thoughthe，asheputhishandinhispocket，andbroughtoutacard。“There。”hesaid，“yourfatherwillbeabletoreadthat，andtellyouwheretogo。”
“Yes，sir。Thankyou，sir。”saidDiamond，andputthecardinhispocket。
Thegentlemanwalkedaway，butturningroundafewpacesoff，sawDiamondgivehispennytothegirl，and，walkingslowerheardhimsay:
“I’vegotafather，andmother，andlittlebrother，andyou’vegotnothingbutawickedoldgrannie。Youmayhavemypenny。”
Thegirlputitbesidetheotherinherpocket，theonlytrustworthyarticleofdressshewore。Hergrandmotheralwaystookcarethatshehadastoutpocket。
“Issheascruelasever？”askedDiamond。
“Muchthesame。ButIgetsmorecoppersnowthanIusedto，andI
cangetsummatstoeat，andtakebrownsenoughhomebesidestokeepherfromgrumbling。It’sagoodthingshe’ssoblind，though。”
“Why？”askedDiamond。
“’Causeifshewasassharpintheeyesassheusedtobe，shewouldfindoutInevereatsherbrokenwittles，andthenshe’dknowasI
mustgetsomethingsomewheres。”
“Doesn’tshewatchyou，then？”
“O’courseshedo。Don’tshejust！ButImakebelieveanddropitinmylap，andthenhitchitintomypocket。”
“Whatwouldshedoifshefoundyouout？”
“Shenevergivemenomore。”
“Butyoudon’twantit！“
“Yes，Idowantit。”
“Whatdoyoudowithit，then？”
“GiveittocrippleJim。”
“Who’scrippleJim？”
“AboyintheRow。Hismotherbrokehislegwhenhewurakid，sohe’snevercometomuch;buthe’sagoodboy，isJim，andIloveJimdearly。IalwayskeepsoffapennyforJim——leastwaysasoftenasIcan——ButthereImustsweepagain，forthembussesmakesnoendo’dirt。”
“Diamond！Diamond！“criedhisfather，whowasafraidhemightgetnogoodbytalkingtothegirl;andDiamondobeyed，andgotupagainuponthebox。Hetoldhisfatheraboutthegentleman，andwhathehadpromisedhimifhewouldlearntoread，andshowedhimthegentleman’scard。
“Why，it’snotmanydoorsfromtheMews！“saidhisfather，givinghimbackthecard。“Takecareofit，myboy，foritmayleadtosomething。
Godknows，inthesehardtimesamanwantsasmanyfriendsashe’severlikelytoget。”
“Haven’tyougotfriendsenough，father？”askedDiamond。
“Well，Ihavenorighttocomplain;butthemorethebetter，youknow。”
“Justletmecount。”saidDiamond。
Andhetookhishandsfromhispockets，andspreadingoutthefingersofhislefthand，begantocount，beginningatthethumb。
“There’smother，first，andthenbaby，andthenme。Nextthere’soldDiamond——andthecab——no，Iwon’tcountthecab，foritneverlooksatyou，andwhenDiamond’soutoftheshafts，it’snobody。
Thenthere’sthemanthatdrinksnextdoor，andhiswife，andhisbaby。”
“They’renofriendsofmine。”saidhisfather。
“Well，they’refriendsofmine。”saidDiamond。
Hisfatherlaughed。
“Muchgoodthey’lldoyou！“hesaid。
“Howdoyouknowtheywon’t？”returnedDiamond。
“Well，goon。”saidhisfather。
“Thenthere’sJackandMr。Stonecrop，and，dearyme！nottohavementionedMr。ColemanandMrs。Coleman，andMissColeman，andMrs。Crump。Andthenthere’stheclergymanthatspoketomeinthegardenthatdaythetreewasblowndown。”
“What’shisname！“
“Idon’tknowhisname。”
“Wheredoeshelive？”
“Idon’tknow。”
“Howcanyoucounthim，then？”
“Hedidtalktome，andverykindliketoo。”
Hisfatherlaughedagain。
“Why，child，you’rejustcountingeverybodyyouknow。Thatdon’tmake’emfriends。”
“Don’tit？Ithoughtitdid。Well，buttheyshallbemyfriends。
Ishallmake’em。”
“Howwillyoudothat？”
“Theycan’thelpthemselvesthen，iftheywould。IfIchoosetobetheirfriend，youknow，theycan’tpreventme。Thenthere’sthatgirlatthecrossing。”
“Afinesetoffriendsyoudohave，tobesure，Diamond！“
“Surelyshe’safriendanyhow，father。Ifithadn’tbeenforher，youwouldneverhavegotMrs。ColemanandMissColemantocarryhome。”
Hisfatherwassilent，forhesawthatDiamondwasright，andwasashamedtofindhimselfmoreungratefulthanhehadthought。
“Thenthere’sthenewgentleman。”Diamondwenton。
“Ifhedoashesay。”interposedhisfather。
“Andwhyshouldn’the？Idaresaysixpenceain’ttoomuchforhimtospare。ButIdon’tquiteunderstand，father:isnobodyyourfriendbuttheonethatdoessomethingforyou？”
“No，Iwon’tsaythat，myboy。Youwouldhavetoleaveoutbabythen。”
“Ohno，Ishouldn’t。Babycanlaughinyourface，andcrowinyourears，andmakeyoufeelsohappy。Callyouthatnothing，father？”
Thefather’sheartwasfairlytouchednow。Hemadenoanswertothislastappeal，andDiamondendedoffwithsaying:
“Andthere’sthebestofminetocomeyet——andthat’syou，daddy——
exceptitbemother，youknow。You’remyfriend，daddy，ain’tyou？
AndI’myourfriend，ain’tI？”
“AndGodforusall。”saidhisfather，andthentheywerebothsilentforthatwasverysolemn。
CHAPTERXX
DIAMONDLEARNSTOREAD
THEquestionofthetallgentlemanastowhetherDiamondcouldreadornotsethisfatherthinkingitwashightimehecould;
andassoonasoldDiamondwassupperedandbedded，hebeganthetaskthatverynight。ButitwasnotmuchofatasktoDiamond，forhisfathertookforhislesson-bookthoseveryrhymeshismotherhadpickeduponthesea-shore;andasDiamondwasnotbeginningtoosoon，helearnedveryfastindeed。Withinamonthhewasabletospelloutmostoftheversesforhimself。
Buthehadnevercomeuponthepoemhethoughthehadheardhismotherreadfromitthatday。Hehadlookedthroughandthroughthebookseveraltimesafterheknewthelettersandafewwords，fancyinghecouldtellthelookofit，buthadalwaysfailedtofindonemorelikeitthananother。Sohewiselygaveupthesearchtillhecouldreallyread。Thenheresolvedtobeginatthebeginning，andreadthemallstraightthrough。Thistookhimnearlyafortnight。
Whenhehadalmostreachedtheend，hecameuponthefollowingverses，whichtookhisfancymuch，althoughtheywerecertainlynotverylikethosehewasinsearchof。
LITTLEBOYBLUE
LittleBoyBluelosthiswayinawood。
Singapplesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
Hesaid，“IwouldnotgobackifIcould，It’sallsojollyandfunny。”
Hesang，“Thiswoodisallmyown，Applesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
SohereI’llsit，likeakingonmythrone，Allsojollyandfunny。”
Alittlesnakecreptoutofthetree，Applesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
“Liedownatmyfeet，littlesnake。”saidhe，Allsojollyandfunny。
Alittlebirdsanginthetreeoverhead，Applesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
“Comeandsingyoursongonmyfingerinstead，Allsojollyandfunny。”
Thesnakecoiledup;andthebirdflewdown，AndsanghimthesongofBirdieBrown。
LittleBoyBluefoundittiresometosit，Andhethoughthehadbetterwalkonabit。
Souphegot，hiswaytotake，Andhesaid，“Comealong，littlebirdandsnake。”
Andwavesofsnakeo’erthedampleavespassed，AndthesnakewentfirstandBirdieBrownlast;
ByBoyBlue’shead，withflutteranddart，FlewBirdieBrownwithitssonginitsheart。
Hecamewheretheapplesgrewredandsweet:
“Tree，dropmeanappledownatmyfeet。”
Hecamewherethecherrieshungplumpandred:
“Cometomymouth，sweetkisses。”hesaid。
Andtheboughsbowdown，andtheapplestheydappleThegrass，toomanyforhimtograpple。
Andthecheeriestcherries，withneveramiss，Falltohismouth，eachafull-grownkiss。
Hemetalittlebrooksingingasong。
Hesaid，“Littlebrook，youaregoingwrong。
“Youmustfollowme，followme，follow，IsayDoasItellyou，andcomethisway。”
Andthesong-singing，sing-songingforestbrookLeapedfromitsbedandafterhimtook，Followedhim，followed。Andpaleandwan，Thedeadleavesrustledasthewaterran。
Andeverybirdhighuponthebough，Andeverycreaturelowdownbelow，Hecalled，andthecreaturesobeyedthecall，Tooktheirlegsandtheirwingsandfollowedhimall;
Squirrelsthatcarriedtheirtailslikeasack，Eachonhisownlittlehumpybrownback;
Householdersnails，andslugsalltails，Andbutterflies，flutterbies，shipsallsails;
Andweasels，andousels，andmice，andlarks，Andowls，andrere-mice，andharkydarks，Allwentrunning，andcreeping，andflowing，Afterthemerryboyflutteringandgoing;
Thedappledfawnsfawning，thefallow-deerfollowing，Theswallowsandflies，flyingandswallowing;
Cockchafers，henchafers，cockioli-birds，Cockroaches，henroaches，cuckoosinherds。
Thespiderforgotandfollowedhimspinning，Andlostallhisthreadfromendtobeginning。
Thegaywaspforgothisringsandhiswaist，Heneverhadmadesuchundignifiedhaste。
Thedragon-fliesmeltedtomistwiththeirhurrying。
Themoleinhismoleskinslefthisbarrowingburrowing。
Thebeeswentbuzzing，sobusyandbeesy，Andthemidgesincolumnssouprightandeasy。
ButLittleBoyBluewasnotcontent，Callingforfollowersstillashewent，Blowinghishorn，andbeatinghisdrum，Andcryingaloud，“Comeallofyou，come！“
Hesaidtotheshadows，“Comeafterme;“
