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
