THEHAY-LOFT
IHAVEbeenaskedtotellyouaboutthebackofthenorthwind。
AnoldGreekwritermentionsapeoplewholivedthere，andweresocomfortablethattheycouldnotbearitanylonger，anddrownedthemselves。Mystoryisnotthesameashis。
IdonotthinkHerodotushadgottherightaccountoftheplace。
Iamgoingtotellyouhowitfaredwithaboywhowentthere。
Helivedinalowroomoveracoach-house;andthatwasnotbyanymeansatthebackofthenorthwind，ashismotherverywellknew。
Foronesideoftheroomwasbuiltonlyofboards，andtheboardsweresooldthatyoumightrunapenknifethroughintothenorthwind。
Andthenletthemsettlebetweenthemwhichwasthesharper！
Iknowthatwhenyoupulleditoutagainthewindwouldbeafteritlikeacatafteramouse，andyouwouldknowsoonenoughyouwerenotatthebackofthenorthwind。Still，thisroomwasnotverycold，exceptwhenthenorthwindblewstrongerthanusual:theroomI
havetodowithnowwasalwayscold，exceptinsummer，whenthesuntookthematterintohisownhands。Indeed，IamnotsurewhetherIoughttocallitaroomatall;foritwasjustaloftwheretheykepthayandstrawandoatsforthehorses。
AndwhenlittleDiamond——butstop:Imusttellyouthathisfather，whowasacoachman，hadnamedhimafterafavouritehorse，andhismotherhadhadnoobjection:——whenlittleDiamond，then，laythereinbed，hecouldhearthehorsesunderhimmunchingawayinthedark，ormovingsleepilyintheirdreams。ForDiamond’sfatherhadbuilthimabedintheloftwithboardsallroundit，becausetheyhadsolittleroomintheirownendoverthecoach-house;
andDiamond’sfatherputoldDiamondinthestallunderthebed，becausehewasaquiethorse，anddidnotgotosleepstanding，butlaydownlikeareasonablecreature。But，althoughhewasasurprisinglyreasonablecreature，yet，whenyoungDiamondwokeinthemiddleofthenight，andfeltthebedshakingintheblastsofthenorthwind，hecouldnothelpwonderingwhether，ifthewindshouldblowthehousedown，andheweretofallthroughintothemanger，oldDiamondmightn’teathimupbeforeheknewhiminhisnight-gown。
AndalthougholdDiamondwasveryquietallnightlong，yetwhenhewokehegotuplikeanearthquake，andthenyoungDiamondknewwhato’clockitwas，oratleastwhatwastobedonenext，whichwas——
togotosleepagainasfastashecould。
Therewashayathisfeetandhayathishead，piledupingreattrussestotheveryroof。Indeeditwassometimesonlythroughalittlelanewithseveralturnings，whichlookedasifithadbeensawnoutforhim，thathecouldreachhisbedatall。
Forthestockofhaywas，ofcourse，alwaysinastateeitherofslowebborofsuddenflow。Sometimesthewholespaceoftheloft，withthelittlepanesintheroofforthestarstolookin，wouldlieopenbeforehisopeneyesashelayinbed;sometimesayellowwallofsweet-smellingfibrescloseduphisviewatthedistanceofhalfayard。Sometimes，whenhismotherhadundressedhiminherroom，andtoldhimtotrottobedbyhimself，hewouldcreepintotheheartofthehay，andlietherethinkinghowcolditwasoutsideinthewind，andhowwarmitwasinsidethereinhisbed，andhowhecouldgotoitwhenhepleased，onlyhewouldn’tjustyet;
hewouldgetalittlecolderfirst。Andeverashegrewcolder，hisbedwouldgrowwarmer，tillatlasthewouldscrambleoutofthehay，shootlikeanarrowintohisbed，coverhimselfup，andsnuggledown，thinkingwhatahappyboyhewas。Hehadnottheleastideathatthewindgotinatachinkinthewall，andblewabouthimallnight。Forthebackofhisbedwasonlyofboardsaninchthick，andontheothersideofthemwasthenorthwind。
Now，asIhavealreadysaid，theseboardsweresoftandcrumbly。
Tobesure，theyweretarredontheoutside，yetinmanyplacestheyweremoreliketinderthantimber。Henceithappenedthatthesoftparthavingwornawayfromaboutit，littleDiamondfoundonenight，afterhelaydown，thataknothadcomeoutofoneofthem，andthatthewindwasblowinginuponhiminacoldandratherimperiousfashion。
Nowhehadnofancyforleavingthingswrongthatmightbesetright;
sohejumpedoutofbedagain，gotalittlestrikeofhay，twisteditup，foldeditinthemiddle，and，havingthusmadeitintoacork，stuckitintotheholeinthewall。Butthewindbegantoblowloudandangrily，and，asDiamondwasfallingasleep，outblewhiscorkandhithimonthenose，justhardenoughtowakehimupquite，andlethimhearthewindwhistlingshrillinthehole。Hesearchedforhishay-cork，foundit，stuckitinharder，andwasjustdroppingoffoncemore，when，pop！withanangrywhistlebehindit，thecorkstruckhimagain，thistimeonthecheek。Upheroseoncemore，madeafreshstoppleofhay，andcorkedtheholeseverely。
Buthewashardlydownagainbefore——pop！itcameonhisforehead。
Hegaveitup，drewtheclothesabovehishead，andwassoonfastasleep。
Althoughthenextdaywasverystormy，Diamondforgotallaboutthehole，forhewasbusymakingacavebythesideofhismother’sfirewithabrokenchair，athree-leggedstool，andablanket，andthensittinginit。Hismother，however，discoveredit，andpastedabitofbrownpaperoverit，sothat，whenDiamondhadsnuggleddownthenextnight，hehadnooccasiontothinkofit。
Presently，however，heliftedhisheadandlistened。Whocouldthatbetalkingtohim？Thewindwasrisingagain，andgettingveryloud，andfullofrushesandwhistles。Hewassuresomeonewastalking——
andverynearhim，too，itwas。Buthewasnotfrightened，forhehadnotyetlearnedhowtobe;sohesatupandhearkened。
Atlastthevoice，which，thoughquitegentle，soundedalittleangry，appearedtocomefromthebackofthebed。Hecreptnearertoit，andlaidhisearagainstthewall。Thenheheardnothingbutthewind，whichsoundedveryloudindeed。Themoment，however，thathemovedhisheadfromthewall，heheardthevoiceagain，closetohisear。
Hefeltaboutwithhishand，andcameuponthepieceofpaperhismotherhadpastedoverthehole。Againstthishelaidhisear，andthenheheardthevoicequitedistinctly。Therewas，infact，alittlecornerofthepaperloose，andthroughthat，asfromamouthinthewall，thevoicecame。
“Whatdoyoumean，littleboy——closingupmywindow？”
“Whatwindow？”askedDiamond。
“Youstuffedhayintoitthreetimeslastnight。Ihadtoblowitoutagainthreetimes。”
“Youcan’tmeanthislittlehole！Itisn’tawindow;it’saholeinmybed。”
“Ididnotsayitwasawindow:Isaiditwasmywindow。”
“Butitcan’tbeawindow，becausewindowsareholestoseeoutof。”
“Well，that’sjustwhatImadethiswindowfor。”
“Butyouareoutside:youcan’twantawindow。”
“Youarequitemistaken。Windowsaretoseeoutof，yousay。
Well，I’minmyhouse，andIwantwindowstoseeoutofit。”
“Butyou’vemadeawindowintomybed。”
“Well，yourmotherhasgotthreewindowsintomydancingroom，andyouhavethreeintomygarret。”
“ButIheardfathersay，whenmymotherwantedhimtomakeawindowthroughthewall，thatitwasagainstthelaw，foritwouldlookintoMr。Dyves’sgarden。”
Thevoicelaughed。
“Thelawwouldhavesometroubletocatchme！“itsaid。
“Butifit’snotright，youknow。”saidDiamond，“that’snomatter。
Youshouldn’tdoit。”
“IamsotallIamabovethatlaw。”saidthevoice。
“Youmusthaveatallhouse，then。”saidDiamond。
“Yes;atallhouse:thecloudsareinsideit。”
“Dearme！“saidDiamond，andthoughtaminute。“Ithink，then，youcanhardlyexpectmetokeepawindowinmybedforyou。
Whydon’tyoumakeawindowintoMr。Dyves’sbed？”
“Nobodymakesawindowintoanash-pit。”saidthevoice，rathersadly。
“Iliketoseenicethingsoutofmywindows。”
“ButhemusthaveanicerbedthanIhave，thoughmineisverynice——
sonicethatIcouldn’twishabetter。”
“It’snotthebedIcareabout:it’swhatisinit——Butyoujustopenthatwindow。”
“Well，mothersaysIshouldn’tbedisobliging;butit’sratherhard。
YouseethenorthwindwillblowrightinmyfaceifIdo。”
“IamtheNorthWind。”
“O-o-oh！“saidDiamond，thoughtfully。“ThenwillyoupromisenottoblowonmyfaceifIopenyourwindow？”
“Ican’tpromisethat。”
“Butyou’llgivemethetoothache。Mother’sgotitalready。”
“Butwhat’stobecomeofmewithoutawindow？”
“I’msureIdon’tknow。AllIsayis，itwillbeworseformethanforyou。”
“No;itwillnot。Youshallnotbetheworseforit——Ipromiseyouthat。
Youwillbemuchthebetterforit。JustyoubelievewhatIsay，anddoasItellyou。”
“Well，Icanpulltheclothesovermyhead。”saidDiamond，andfeelingwithhislittlesharpnails，hegotholdoftheopenedgeofthepaperandtoreitoffatonce。
Incamealongwhistlingspearofcold，andstruckhislittlenakedchest。Hescrambledandtumbledinunderthebedclothes，andcoveredhimselfup:therewasnopapernowbetweenhimandthevoice，andhefeltalittle——notfrightenedexactly——Itoldyouhehadnotlearnedthatyet——butratherqueer;forwhatastrangepersonthisNorthWindmustbethatlivedinthegreathouse——“calledOut-of-Doors，Isuppose。”thoughtDiamond——andmadewindowsintopeople’sbeds！
Butthevoicebeganagain;andhecouldhearitquiteplainly，evenwithhisheadunderthebed-clothes。Itwasastillmoregentlevoicenow，althoughsixtimesaslargeandloudasithadbeen，andhethoughtitsoundedalittlelikehismother’s。
“Whatisyourname，littleboy？”itasked。
“Diamond。”answeredDiamond，underthebed-clothes。
“Whatafunnyname！“
“It’saverynicename。”returneditsowner。
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidthevoice。
“Well，Ido。”retortedDiamond，alittlerudely。
“Doyouknowtowhomyouarespeaking！“
“No。”saidDiamond。
Andindeedhedidnot。Fortoknowaperson’snameisnotalwaystoknowtheperson’sself。
“ThenImustnotbeangrywithyou——Youhadbetterlookandsee，though。”
“Diamondisaveryprettyname。”persistedtheboy，vexedthatitshouldnotgivesatisfaction。
“Diamondisauselessthingrather。”saidthevoice。
“That’snottrue。Diamondisverynice——asbigastwo——andsoquietallnight！Anddoesn’themakeajollyrowinthemorning，gettinguponhisfourgreatlegs！It’slikethunder。”
“Youdon’tseemtoknowwhatadiamondis。”
“Oh，don’tIjust！Diamondisagreatandgoodhorse;
andhesleepsrightunderme。HeisoldDiamond，andIamyoungDiamond;or，ifyoulikeitbetter，foryou’reveryparticular，Mr。NorthWind，he’sbigDiamond，andI’mlittleDiamond;
andIdon’tknowwhichofusmyfatherlikesbest。”
Abeautifullaugh，largebutverysoftandmusical，soundedsomewherebesidehim，butDiamondkepthisheadundertheclothes。
“I’mnotMr。NorthWind。”saidthevoice。
“YoutoldmethatyouweretheNorthWind。”insistedDiamond。
“IdidnotsayMisterNorthWind。”saidthevoice。
“Well，then，Ido;formothertellsmeIoughttobepolite。”
“ThenletmetellyouIdon’tthinkitatallpoliteofyoutosayMistertome。”
“Well，Ididn’tknowbetter。I’mverysorry。”
“Butyououghttoknowbetter。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”
“Ido。Youcan’tsayit’spolitetolietheretalking——withyourheadunderthebed-clothes，andneverlookuptoseewhatkindofpersonyouaretalkingto——Iwantyoutocomeoutwithme。”
“Iwanttogotosleep。”saidDiamond，verynearlycrying，forhedidnotliketobescolded，evenwhenhedeservedit。
“Youshallsleepallthebetterto-morrownight。”
“Besides。”saidDiamond，“youareoutinMr。Dyves’sgarden，andIcan’tgetthere。Icanonlygetintoourownyard。”
“Willyoutakeyourheadoutofthebed-clothes？”saidthevoice，justalittleangrily。
“No！“answeredDiamond，halfpeevish，halffrightened。
Theinstanthesaidtheword，atremendousblastofwindcrashedinaboardofthewall，andswepttheclothesoffDiamond。
Hestartedupinterror。Leaningoverhimwasthelarge，beautiful，palefaceofawoman。Herdarkeyeslookedalittleangry，fortheyhadjustbeguntoflash;butaquiveringinhersweetupperlipmadeherlookasifsheweregoingtocry。Whatwasthemoststrangewasthatawayfromherheadstreamedoutherblackhairineverydirection，sothatthedarknessinthehay-loftlookedasifitweremadeofher，hairbutasDiamondgazedatherinspeechlessamazement，mingledwithconfidence——fortheboywasentrancedwithhermightybeauty——herhairbegantogatheritselfoutofthedarkness，andfelldownallaboutheragain，tillherfacelookedoutofthemidstofitlikeamoonoutofacloud。
FromhereyescameallthelightbywhichDiamondsawherfaceandher，hair;andthatwasallhedidseeofheryet。Thewindwasoverandgone。
“Willyougowithmenow，youlittleDiamond？IamsorryIwasforcedtobesoroughwithyou。”saidthelady。
“Iwill;yes，Iwill。”answeredDiamond，holdingoutbothhisarms。
“But。”headded，droppingthem，“howshallIgetmyclothes？
Theyareinmother’sroom，andthedoorislocked。”
“Oh，nevermindyourclothes。Youwillnotbecold。Ishalltakecareofthat。Nobodyiscoldwiththenorthwind。”
“Ithoughteverybodywas。”saidDiamond。
“Thatisagreatmistake。Mostpeoplemakeit，however。Theyarecoldbecausetheyarenotwiththenorthwind，butwithoutit。”
IfDiamondhadbeenalittleolder，andhadsupposedhimselfagooddealwiser，hewouldhavethoughttheladywasjoking。
Buthewasnotolder，anddidnotfancyhimselfwiser，andthereforeunderstoodherwellenough。Againhestretchedouthisarms。
Thelady’sfacedrewbackalittle。
“Followme，Diamond。”shesaid。
“Yes。”saidDiamond，onlyalittleruefully。
“You’renotafraid？”saidtheNorthWind。
“No，ma’am;butmotherneverwouldletmegowithoutshoes:
sheneversaidanythingaboutclothes，soIdaresayshewouldn’tmindthat。”
“Iknowyourmotherverywell。”saidthelady。“Sheisagoodwoman。
Ihavevisitedheroften。Iwaswithherwhenyouwereborn。
Isawherlaughandcrybothatonce。Iloveyourmother，Diamond。”
“Howwasityoudidnotknowmyname，then，ma’am？PleaseamI
tosayma’amtoyou，ma’am？”
“Onequestionatatime，dearboy。Iknewyournamequitewell，butIwantedtohearwhatyouwouldsayforit。Don’tyourememberthatdaywhenthemanwasfindingfaultwithyourname——howIblewthewindowin？”
“Yes，yes。”answeredDiamond，eagerly。“Ourwindowopenslikeadoor，rightoverthecoach-housedoor。Andthewind——you，ma’am——camein，andblewtheBibleoutoftheman’shands，andtheleaveswentallflutter，flutteronthefloor，andmymotherpickeditupandgaveitbacktohimopen，andthere——“
“WasyournameintheBible——thesixthstoneinthehighpriest’sbreastplate。”
“Oh！——astone，wasit？”saidDiamond。“Ithoughtithadbeenahorse——
Idid。”
“Nevermind。Ahorseisbetterthanastoneanyday。Well，yousee，Iknowallaboutyouandyourmother。”
“Yes。Iwillgowithyou。”
“Nowforthenextquestion:you’renottocallmema’am。Youmustcallmejustmyownname——respectfully，youknow——justNorthWind。”
“Well，please，NorthWind，youaresobeautiful，Iamquitereadytogowithyou。”
“Youmustnotbereadytogowitheverythingbeautifulallatonce，Diamond。”
“Butwhat’sbeautifulcan’tbebad。You’renotbad，NorthWind？”
“No;I’mnotbad。Butsometimesbeautifulthingsgrowbadbydoingbad，andittakessometimefortheirbadnesstospoiltheirbeauty。
Solittleboysmaybemistakeniftheygoafterthingsbecausetheyarebeautiful。”
“Well，Iwillgowithyoubecauseyouarebeautifulandgood，too。”
“Ah，butthere’sanotherthing，Diamond:——WhatifIshouldlookuglywithoutbeingbad——lookuglymyselfbecauseIammakinguglythingsbeautiful？——Whatthen？”
“Idon’tquiteunderstandyou，NorthWind。Youtellmewhatthen。”
“Well，Iwilltellyou。Ifyouseemewithmyfaceallblack，don’tbefrightened。Ifyouseemeflappingwingslikeabat’s，asbigasthewholesky，don’tbefrightened。IfyouhearmeragingtentimesworsethanMrs。Bill，theblacksmith’swife——evenifyouseemelookinginatpeople’swindowslikeMrs。EveDropper，thegardener’swife——
youmustbelievethatIamdoingmywork。Nay，Diamond，ifIchangeintoaserpentoratiger，youmustnotletgoyourholdofme，formyhandwillneverchangeinyoursifyoukeepagoodhold。
Ifyoukeepahold，youwillknowwhoIamallthetime，evenwhenyoulookatmeandcan’tseemetheleastliketheNorthWind。
Imaylooksomethingveryawful。Doyouunderstand？”
“Quitewell。”saidlittleDiamond。
“Comealong，then。”saidNorthWind，anddisappearedbehindthemountainofhay。
Diamondcreptoutofbedandfollowedher。
CHAPTERII
THELAWN
WHENDiamondgotroundthecornerofthehay，foramomenthehesitated。
Thestairbywhichhewouldnaturallyhavegonedowntothedoorwasattheothersideoftheloft，andlookedveryblackindeed;
foritwasfullofNorthWind’shair，asshedescendedbeforehim。
Andjustbesidehimwastheladdergoingstraightdownintothestable，upwhichhisfatheralwayscametofetchthehayforDiamond’sdinner。
Throughtheopeninginthefloorthefaintgleamofthe-stablelanternwasenticing，andDiamondthoughthewouldrundownthatway。
Thestairwentclosepasttheloose-boxinwhichDiamondthehorselived。
WhenDiamondtheboywashalf-waydown，herememberedthatitwasofnousetogothisway，forthestable-doorwaslocked。
ButatthesamemomenttherewashorseDiamond’sgreatheadpokedoutofhisboxontotheladder，forheknewboyDiamondalthoughhewasinhisnight-gown，andwantedhimtopullhisearsforhim。ThisDiamonddidverygentlyforaminuteorso，andpattedandstrokedhisnecktoo，andkissedthebighorse，andhadbeguntotakethebitsofstrawandhayoutofhismane，whenallatonceherecollectedthattheLadyNorthWindwaswaitingforhimintheyard。
“Goodnight，Diamond。”hesaid，anddarteduptheladder，acrosstheloft，anddownthestairtothedoor。Butwhenhegotoutintotheyard，therewasnolady。
Nowitisalwaysadreadfulthingtothinkthereissomebodyandfindnobody。Childreninparticularhavenotmadeuptheirmindstoit;
theygenerallycryatnobody，especiallywhentheywakeupatnight。
ButitwasanespecialdisappointmenttoDiamond，forhislittlehearthadbeenbeatingwithjoy:thefaceoftheNorthWindwassogrand！
Tohavealadylikethatforafriend——withsuchlonghair，too！
Why，itwaslongerthantwentyDiamonds’tails！Shewasgone。
Andtherehestood，withhisbarefeetonthestonesofthepavedyard。
Itwasaclearnightoverhead，andthestarswereshining。
Orioninparticularwasmakingthemostofhisbrightbeltandgoldensword。Butthemoonwasonlyapoorthincrescent。
Therewasjustonegreat，jagged，blackandgraycloudinthesky，withasteepsidetoitlikeaprecipice;andthemoonwasagainstthisside，andlookedasifshehadtumbledoffthetopofthecloud-hill，andbrokenherselfinrollingdowntheprecipice。
Shedidnotseemcomfortable，forshewaslookingdownintothedeeppitwaitingforher。AtleastthatwaswhatDiamondthoughtashestoodforamomentstaringather。Buthewasquitewrong，forthemoonwasnotafraid，andtherewasnopitshewasgoingdowninto，fortherewerenosidestoit，andapitwithoutsidestoitisnotapitatall。Diamond，however，hadnotbeenoutsolatebeforeinallhislife，andthingslookedsostrangeabouthim！——
justasifhehadgotintoFairyland，ofwhichheknewquiteasmuchasanybody;forhismotherhadnomoneytobuybookstosethimwrongonthesubject。Ihaveseenthisworld——onlysometimes，justnowandthen，youknow——lookasstrangeaseverIsawFairyland。
ButIconfessthatIhavenotyetseenFairylandatitsbest。
Iamalwaysgoingtoseeitsosometime。ButifyouhadbeenoutinthefaceandnotatthebackoftheNorthWind，onacoldratherfrostynight，andinyournight-gown，youwouldhavefeltitallquiteasstrangeasDiamonddid。Hecriedalittle，justalittle，hewassodisappointedtolosethelady:ofcourse，you，littleman，wouldn’thavedonethat！Butformypart，Idon’tmindpeoplecryingsomuchasImindwhattheycryabout，andhowtheycry——
whethertheycryquietlylikeladiesandgentlemen，orgoshriekinglikevulgaremperors，orill-naturedcooks;forallemperorsarenotgentlemen，andallcooksarenotladies——norallqueensandprincessesforthatmatter，either。
Butitcan’tbedeniedthatalittlegentlecryingdoesonegood。
ItdidDiamondgood;forassoonasitwasoverhewasabraveboyagain。
“Sheshan’tsayitwasmyfault，anyhow！“saidDiamond。“IdaresaysheishidingsomewheretoseewhatIwilldo。Iwilllookforher。”
Sohewentroundtheendofthestabletowardsthekitchen-garden。
Butthemomenthewasclearoftheshelterofthestable，sharpasaknifecamethewindagainsthislittlechestandhisbarelegs。
Stillhewouldlookinthekitchen-garden，andwenton。
Butwhenhegotroundtheweeping-ashthatstoodinthecorner，thewindblewmuchstronger，anditgrewstrongerandstrongertillhecouldhardlyfightagainstit。Anditwassocold！
Alltheflashyspikesofthestarsseemedtohavegotsomehowintothewind。ThenhethoughtofwhattheladyhadsaidaboutpeoplebeingcoldbecausetheywerenotwiththeNorthWind。
HowitwasthatheshouldhaveguessedwhatshemeantatthatverymomentIcannottell，butIhaveobservedthatthemostwonderfulthingintheworldishowpeoplecometounderstandanything。
Heturnedhisbacktothewind，andtrottedagaintowardstheyard;
whereupon，strangetosay，itblewsomuchmoregentlyagainsthiscalvesthanithadblownagainsthisshinsthathebegantofeelalmostwarmbycontrast。
YoumustnotthinkitwascowardlyofDiamondtoturnhisbacktothewind:hedidsoonlybecausehethoughtLadyNorthWindhadsaidsomethingliketellinghimtodoso。Ifshehadsaidtohimthathemustholdhisfacetoit，Diamondwouldhaveheldhisfacetoit。Butthemostfoolishthingistofightfornogood，andtopleasenobody。
Well，itwasjustasifthewindwaspushingDiamondalong。
Ifheturnedround，itgrewverysharponhislegsespecially，andsohethoughtthewindmightreallybeLadyNorthWind，thoughhecouldnotseeher，andhehadbetterletherblowhimwherevershepleased。Sosheblewandblew，andhewentandwent，untilhefoundhimselfstandingatadoorinawall，whichdoorledfromtheyardintoalittlebeltofshrubbery，flankingMr。Coleman’shouse。
Mr。Colemanwashisfather’smaster，andtheownerofDiamond。
Heopenedthedoor，andwentthroughtheshrubbery，andoutintothemiddleofthelawn，stillhopingtofindNorthWind。
Thesoftgrasswasverypleasanttohisbarefeet，andfeltwarmafterthestonesoftheyard;buttheladywasnowheretobeseen。
Thenhebegantothinkthatafterallhemusthavedonewrong，andshewasoffendedwithhimfornotfollowingcloseafterher，butstayingtotalktothehorse，whichcertainlywasneitherwisenorpolite。
Therehestoodinthemiddleofthelawn，thewindblowinghisnight-gowntillitflappedlikealoosesail。Thestarswereveryshinyoverhishead;buttheydidnotgivelightenoughtoshowthatthegrasswasgreen;andDiamondstoodaloneinthestrangenight，whichlookedhalfsolidallabouthim。Hebegantowonderwhetherhewasinadreamornot。Itwasimportanttodeterminethis;
“for。”thoughtDiamond，“ifIaminadream，Iamsafeinmybed，andIneedn’tcry。ButifI’mnotinadream，I’mouthere，andperhapsIhadbettercry，or，atleast，I’mnotsurewhetherIcanhelpit。”
Hecametotheconclusion，however，that，whetherhewasinadreamornot，therecouldbenoharminnotcryingforalittlewhilelonger:
hecouldbeginwheneverheliked。
ThebackofMr。Coleman’shousewastothelawn，andoneofthedrawing-roomwindowslookedoutuponit。Theladieshadnotgonetobed;forthelightwasstillshininginthatwindow。
Buttheyhadnoideathatalittleboywasstandingonthelawninhisnight-gown，ortheywouldhaverunoutinamoment。Andaslongashesawthatlight，Diamondcouldnotfeelquitelonely。
Hestoodstaring，notatthegreatwarriorOrioninthesky，noryetatthedisconsolate，neglectedmoongoingdowninthewest，butatthedrawing-roomwindowwiththelightshiningthroughitsgreencurtains。HehadbeeninthatroomonceortwicethathecouldrememberatChristmastimes;fortheColemanswerekindpeople，thoughtheydidnotcaremuchaboutchildren。
Allatoncethelightwentnearlyout:hecouldonlyseeaglimmeroftheshapeofthewindow。Then，indeed，hefeltthathewasleftalone。Itwassodreadfultobeoutinthenightaftereverybodywasgonetobed！Thatwasmorethanhecouldbear。
Heburstoutcryingingoodearnest，beginningwithawaillikethatofthewindwhenitiswakingup。
Perhapsyouthinkthiswasveryfoolish;forcouldhenotgohometohisownbedagainwhenheliked？Yes;butitlookeddreadfultohimtocreepupthatstairagainandliedowninhisbedagain，andknowthatNorthWind’swindowwasopenbesidehim，andshegone，andhemightneverseeheragain。Hewouldbejustaslonelythereashere。Nay，itwouldbemuchworseifhehadtothinkthatthewindowwasnothingbutaholeinthewall。
Attheverymomentwhenheburstoutcrying，theoldnursewhohadgrowntobeoneofthefamily，forshehadnotgoneawaywhenMissColemandidnotwantanymorenursing，cametothebackdoor，whichwasofglass，toclosetheshutters。Shethoughtsheheardacry，and，peeringoutwithahandoneachsideofhereyeslikeDiamond’sblinkers，shesawsomethingwhiteonthelawn。
Toooldandtoowisetobefrightened，sheopenedthedoor，andwentstraighttowardsthewhitethingtoseewhatitwas。
AndwhenDiamondsawhercominghewasnotfrightenedeither，thoughMrs。Crumpwasalittlecrosssometimes;forthereisagoodkindofcrossnessthatisonlydisagreeable，andthereisabadkindofcrossnessthatisverynastyindeed。Soshecameupwithherneckstretchedout，andherheadattheendofit，andhereyesforemostofall，likeasnail’s，peeringintothenighttoseewhatitcouldbethatwentonglimmeringwhitebeforeher。
Whenshedidsee，shemadeagreatexclamation，andthrewupherhands。Thenwithoutaword，forshethoughtDiamondwaswalkinginhissleep，shecaughtholdofhim，andledhimtowardsthehouse。
Hemadenoobjection，forhewasjustinthemoodtobegratefulfornoticeofanysort，andMrs。Crumpledhimstraightintothedrawing-room。
Now，fromtheneglectofthenewhousemaid，thefireinMissColeman’sbedroomhadgoneout，andhermotherhadtoldhertobrushherhairbythedrawing-roomfire——adisorderlyproceedingwhichamother’swishcouldjustify。Theyoungladywasverylovely，thoughnotnearlysobeautifulasNorthWind;andherhairwasextremelylong，foritcamedowntoherknees——thoughthatwasnothingatalltoNorthWind’shair。Yetwhenshelookedround，withherhairallabouther，asDiamondentered，hethoughtforonemomentthatitwasNorthWind，and，pullinghishandfromMrs。Crump’s，hestretchedouthisarmsandrantowardsMissColeman。
Shewassopleasedthatshethrewdownherbrush，andalmostkneltonthefloortoreceivehiminherarms。HesawthenextmomentthatshewasnotLadyNorthWind，butshelookedsolikeherhecouldnothelprunningintoherarmsandburstingintotearsafresh。
Mrs。Crumpsaidthepoorchildhadwalkedoutinhissleep，andDiamondthoughtsheoughttoknow，anddidnotcontradictherforanythingheknew，itmightbesoindeed。Heletthemtalkonabouthim，andsaidnothing;andwhen，aftertheirastonishmentwasover，andMissColemanhadgivenhimasponge-cake，itwasdecreedthatMrs。Crumpshouldtakehimtohismother，hewasquitesatisfied。
HismotherhadtogetoutofbedtoopenthedoorwhenMrs。Crumpknocked。Shewasindeedsurprisedtoseeher，boy;andhavingtakenhiminherarmsandcarriedhimtohisbed，returnedandhadalongconfabulationwithMrs。Crump，fortheywerestilltalkingwhenDiamondfellfastasleep，andcouldhearthemnolonger。
CHAPTERIII
OLDDIAMOND
DIAMONDwokeveryearlyinthemorning，andthoughtwhatacuriousdreamhehadhad。Butthememorygrewbrighterandbrighterinhishead，untilitdidnotlookaltogetherlikeadream，andhebegantodoubtwhetherhehadnotreallybeenabroadinthewindlastnight。Hecametotheconclusionthat，ifhehadreallybeenbroughthometohismotherbyMrs。Crump，shewouldsaysomethingtohimaboutit，andthatwouldsettlethematter。Thenhegotupanddressedhimself，but，findingthathisfatherandmotherwerenotyetstirring，hewentdowntheladdertothestable。
TherehefoundthatevenoldDiamondwasnotawakeyet，forhe，aswellasyoungDiamond，alwaysgotupthemomenthewoke，andnowhewaslyingasflatasahorsecouldlieuponhisnicetrimbedofstraw。
“I’llgiveoldDiamondasurprise。”thoughtthe，boy;andcreepingupverysoftly，beforethehorseknew，hewasastrideofhisback。
ThenitwasyoungDiamond’sturntohavemoreofasurprisethanhehadexpected;foraswithanearthquake，witharumblingandarockinghitherandthither，asprawlingoflegsandheavingasofmanybacks，youngDiamondfoundhimselfhoistedupintheair，withbothhandstwistedinthehorse’smane。ThenextinstantoldDiamondlashedoutwithbothhishindlegs，andgivingonecryofterroryoungDiamondfoundhimselflyingonhisneck，withhisarmsasfarrounditastheywouldgo。Butthenthehorsestoodasstillasastone，exceptthatheliftedhisheadgentlyuptolettheboyslipdowntohisback。ForwhenheheardyoungDiamond’scryheknewthattherewasnothingtokickabout;foryoungDiamondwasagoodboy，andoldDiamondwasagoodhorse，andtheonewasallrightonthebackoftheother。
AssoonasDiamondhadgothimselfcomfortableonthesaddleplace，thehorsebeganpullingatthehay，andtheboybeganthinking。
HehadnevermountedDiamondhimselfbefore，andhehadnevergotoffhimwithoutbeinglifteddown。Sohesat，whilethehorseate，wonderinghowhewastoreachtheground。
Butwhilehemeditated，hismotherwoke，andherfirstthoughtwastoseeherboy。Shehadvisitedhimtwiceduringthenight，andfoundhimsleepingquietly。Nowhisbedwasempty，andshewasfrightened。
“Diamond！Diamond！Whereareyou，Diamond？”shecalledout。
Diamondturnedhisheadwherehesatlikeaknightonhissteedinenchantedstall，andcriedaloud，——
“Here，mother！“
“Where，Diamond？”shereturned。
“Here，mother，onDiamond’sback。”
Shecamerunningtotheladder，andpeepingdown，sawhimaloftonthegreathorse。
“Comedown，Diamond。”shesaid。
“Ican’t。”answeredDiamond。
“Howdidyougetup？”askedhismother。
“Quiteeasily。”answeredhe;“butwhenIgotup，Diamondwouldgetuptoo，andsohereIam。”
Hismotherthoughthehadbeenwalkinginhissleepagain，andhurrieddowntheladder。Shedidnotmuchlikegoinguptothehorse，forshehadnotbeenusedtohorses;butshewouldhavegoneintoalion’sden，nottosayahorse’sstall，tohelpherboy。
SoshewentandliftedhimoffDiamond’sback，andfeltbraverallherlifeafter。Shecarriedhiminherarmsuptoherroom;
but，afraidoffrighteninghimathisownsleep-walking，asshesupposedit，saidnothingaboutlastnight。Beforethenextdaywasover，Diamondhadalmostconcludedthewholeadventureadream。
Foraweekhismotherwatchedhimverycarefully——goingintotheloftseveraltimesanight——asoften，infact，asshewoke。
Everytimeshefoundhimfastasleep。
Allthatweekitwashardweather。Thegrassshowedwhiteinthemorningwiththehoar-frostwhichclungliketinycomfitstoeveryblade。
AndasDiamond’sshoeswerenotgood，andhismotherhadnotquitesavedupenoughmoneytogethimthenewpairshesomuchwantedforhim，shewouldnotlethimrunout。Heplayedallhisgamesoverandoverindoors，especiallythatofdrivingtwochairsharnessedtothebaby’scradle;andiftheydidnotgoveryfast，theywentasfastascouldbeexpectedofthebestchairsintheworld，althoughoneofthemhadonlythreelegs，andtheotheronlyhalfaback。
Atlengthhismotherbroughthomehisnewshoes，andnosoonerdidshefindtheyfittedhimthanshetoldhimhemightrunoutintheyardandamusehimselfforanhour。
Thesunwasgoingdownwhenheflewfromthedoorlikeabirdfromitscage。Alltheworldwasnewtohim。Agreatfireofsunsetburnedonthetopofthegatethatledfromthestablestothehouse;
abovethefireintheskylayalargelakeofgreenlight，abovethatagoldencloud，andoverthattheblueofthewintryheavens。
AndDiamondthoughtthat，nexttohisownhome，hehadneverseenanyplacehewouldlikesomuchtoliveinasthatsky。Foritisnotfinethingsthatmakehomeaniceplace，butyourmotherandyourfather。
Ashewaslookingatthelovelycolours，thegateswerethrownopen，andtherewasoldDiamondandhisfriendinthecarriage，dancingwithimpatiencetogetattheirstallsandtheiroats。Andintheycame。
Diamondwasnotintheleastafraidofhisfatherdrivingoverhim，but，carefulnottospoilthegrandshowhemadewithhisfinehorsesandhismultitudinouscape，witharededgetoeveryfold，heslippedoutofthewayandlethimdashrightontothestables。
Tobequitesafehehadtostepintotherecessofthedoorthatledfromtheyardtotheshrubbery。
Ashestoodthereherememberedhowthewindhaddrivenhimtothissamespotonthenightofhisdream。Andoncemorehewasalmostsurethatitwasnodream。Atallevents，hewouldgoinandseewhetherthingslookedatallnowastheydidthen。
Heopenedthedoor，andpassedthroughthelittlebeltofshrubbery。
Notaflowerwastobeseeninthebedsonthelawn。EventhebraveoldchrysanthemumsandChristmasroseshadpassedawaybeforethefrost。What？Yes！Therewasone！Heranandkneltdowntolookatit。
Itwasaprimrose——adwarfishthing，butperfectinshape——
ababy-wonder。Ashestoopedhisfacetoseeitclose，alittlewindbegantoblow，andtwoorthreelongleavesthatstoodupbehindtheflowershookandwavedandquivered，buttheprimroselaystillinthegreenhollow，lookingupatthesky，andnotseemingtoknowthatthewindwasblowingatall。Itwasjustaoneeyethatthedullblackwintryearthhadopenedtolookattheskywith。
AllatonceDiamondthoughtitwassayingitsprayers，andheoughtnottobestaringatitso。HerantothestabletoseehisfathermakeDiamond’sbed。Thenhisfathertookhiminhisarms，carriedhimuptheladder，andsethimdownatthetablewheretheyweregoingtohavetheirtea。
“Missisverypoorly。”saidDiamond’sfather。“Mis’esshasbeentothedoctorwithherto-day，andshelookedveryglumwhenshecameoutagain。Iwasa-watchingofthemtoseewhatdoctorhadsaid。”
“Anddidn’tMisslookglumtoo？”askedhismother。
“NothalfasglumasMis’ess。”returnedthecoachman。“Yousee——“
Butheloweredhisvoice，andDiamondcouldnotmakeoutmorethanawordhereandthere。ForDiamond’sfatherwasnotonlyoneofthefinestofcoachmentolookat，andoneofthebestofdrivers，butoneofthemostdiscreetofservantsaswell。Thereforehedidnottalkaboutfamilyaffairstoanyonebuthiswife，whomhehadprovedbetterthanhimselflongago，andwascarefulthatevenDiamondshouldhearnothinghecouldrepeatagainconcerningmasterandhisfamily。
Itwasbed-timesoon，andDiamondwenttobedandfellfastasleep。
Heawokeallatonce，inthedark。
“Openthewindow，Diamond。”saidavoice。
NowDiamond’smotherhadoncemorepastedupNorthWind’swindow。
“AreyouNorthWind？”saidDiamond:“Idon’thearyoublowing。”
“No;butyouhearmetalking。Openthewindow，forIhaven’tovermuchtime。”
“Yes。”returnedDiamond。“But，please，NorthWind，where’stheuse？
Youleftmeallalonelasttime。”
Hehadgotuponhisknees，andwasbusywithhisnailsoncemoreatthepaperovertheholeinthewall。FornowthatNorthWindspokeagain，herememberedallthathadtakenplacebeforeasdistinctlyasifithadhappenedonlylastnight。
“Yes，butthatwasyourfault。”returnedNorthWind。“Ihadworktodo;and，besides，agentlemanshouldneverkeepaladywaiting。”
“ButI’mnotagentleman。”saidDiamond，scratchingawayatthepaper。
“Ihopeyouwon’tsaysotenyearsafterthis。”
“I’mgoingtobeacoachman，andacoachmanisnotagentleman。”
persistedDiamond。
“Wecallyourfatheragentlemaninourhouse。”saidNorthWind。
“Hedoesn’tcallhimselfone。”saidDiamond。
“That’sofnoconsequence:everymanoughttobeagentleman，andyourfatherisone。”
Diamondwassopleasedtohearthisthathescratchedatthepaperliketenmice，andgettingholdoftheedgeofit，toreitoff。
Thenextinstantayounggirlglidedacrossthebed，andstooduponthefloor。
“Ohdear！“saidDiamond，quitedismayed;“Ididn’tknow——
whoareyou，please？”
“I’mNorthWind。”
“Areyoureally？”
“Yes。Makehaste。”
“Butyou’renobiggerthanme。”
“DoyouthinkIcareabouthowbigorhowlittleIam？Didn’tyouseemethisevening？Iwaslessthen。”
“No。Wherewasyou？”
“Behindtheleavesoftheprimrose。Didn’tyouseethemblowing？”
“Yes。”
“Makehaste，then，ifyouwanttogowithme。”
“Butyouarenotbigenoughtotakecareofme。IthinkyouareonlyMissNorthWind。”
“Iambigenoughtoshowyoutheway，anyhow。Butifyouwon’tcome，why，youmuststay。”
“Imustdressmyself。Ididn’tmindwithagrownlady，butI
couldn’tgowithalittlegirlinmynight-gown。”
“Verywell。I’mnotinsuchahurryasIwastheothernight。
Dressasfastasyoucan，andI’llgoandshaketheprimroseleavestillyoucome。”
“Don’thurtit。”saidDiamond。
NorthWindbrokeoutinalittlelaughlikethebreakingofsilverbubbles，andwasgoneinamoment。Diamondsaw——
foritwasastarlitnight，andthemassofhaywasatalowebbnow——thegleamofsomethingvanishingdownthestair，and，springingoutofbed，dressedhimselfasfastaseverhecould。
Thenhecreptoutintotheyard，throughthedoorinthewall，andawaytotheprimrose。BehinditstoodNorthWind，leaningoverit，andlookingattheflowerasifshehadbeenitsmother。
“Comealong。”shesaid，jumpingupandholdingoutherhand。
Diamondtookherhand。Itwascold，butsopleasantandfulloflife，itwasbetterthanwarm。Sheledhimacrossthegarden。
Withoneboundshewasonthetopofthewall。Diamondwasleftatthefoot。
“Stop，stop！“hecried。“Please，Ican’tjumplikethat。”
“Youdon’ttry“saidNorthWind，whofromthetoplookeddownafoottallerthanbefore。
“Givemeyourhandagain，andIwill，try“saidDiamond。
Shereacheddown，Diamondlaidholdofherhand，gaveagreatspring，andstoodbesideher。
“Thisisnice！“hesaid。
Anotherbound，andtheystoodintheroadbytheriver。
Itwasfulltide，andthestarswereshiningclearinitsdepths，foritlaystill，waitingfortheturntorundownagaintothesea。
Theywalkedalongitsside。Buttheyhadnotwalkedfarbeforeitssurfacewascoveredwithripples，andthestarshadvanishedfromitsbosom。
AndNorthWindwasnowtallasafull-growngirl。Herhairwasflyingaboutherhead，andthewindwasblowingabreezedowntheriver。
Butsheturnedasideandwentupanarrowlane，andasshewentherhairfelldownaroundher。
“Ihavesomeratherdisagreeableworktodoto-night。”shesaid，“beforeIgetouttosea，andImustsetaboutitatonce。
Thedisagreeableworkmustbelookedafterfirst。”
Sosaying，shelaidholdofDiamondandbegantorun，glidingalongfasterandfaster。Diamondkeptupwithheraswellashecould。
Shemademanyturningsandwindings，apparentlybecauseitwasnotquiteeasytogethimoverwallsandhouses。Oncetheyranthroughahallwheretheyfoundbackandfrontdoorsopen。AtthefootofthestairNorthWindstoodstill，andDiamond，hearingagreatgrowl，startedinterror，andthere，insteadofNorthWind，wasahugewolfbyhisside。Heletgohisholdindismay，andthewolfboundedupthestair。Thewindowsofthehouserattledandshookasifgunswerefiring，andthesoundofagreatfallcamefromabove。
Diamondstoodwithwhitefacestaringupatthelanding。
“Surely。”hethought，“NorthWindcan’tbeeatingoneofthechildren！“
Comingtohimselfallatonce，herushedafterherwithhislittlefistclenched。Therewereladiesinlongtrainsgoingupanddownthestairs，andgentlemeninwhitenecktiesattendingonthem，whostaredathim，butnoneofthemwereofthepeopleofthehouse，andtheysaidnothing。Beforehereachedtheheadofthestair，however，NorthWindmethim，tookhimbythehand，andhurrieddownandoutofthehouse。
“Ihopeyouhaven’teatenababy，NorthWind！“saidDiamond，verysolemnly。
NorthWindlaughedmerrily，andwenttrippingonfaster。Hergrassyrobesweptandswirledabouthersteps，andwhereveritpassedoverwitheredleaves，theywentfleeingandwhirlinginspirals，andrunningontheiredgeslikewheels，allaboutherfeet。
“No。”shesaidatlast，“Ididnoteatababy。Youwouldnothavehadtoaskthatfoolishquestionifyouhadnotletgoyourholdofme。
YouwouldhaveseenhowIservedanursethatwascallingachildbadnames，andtellinghershewaswicked。Shehadbeendrinking。
Isawanuglyginbottleinacupboard。”
“Andyoufrightenedher？”saidDiamond。
“Ibelieveso！“answeredNorthWindlaughingmerrily。“Iflewatherthroat，andshetumbledoveronthefloorwithsuchacrashthattheyranin。She’llbeturnedawayto-morrow——andquitetime，iftheyknewasmuchasIdo。”
“Butdidn’tyoufrightenthelittleone？”
“Sheneversawme。Thewomanwouldnothaveseenmeeitherifshehadnotbeenwicked。”
“Oh！“saidDiamond，dubiously。
“Whyshouldyouseethings。”returnedNorthWind，“thatyouwouldn’tunderstandorknowwhattodowith？Goodpeopleseegoodthings;
badpeople，badthings。”
“Thenareyouabadthing？”
“No。Foryouseeme，Diamond，dear。”saidthegirl，andshelookeddownathim，andDiamondsawthelovingeyesofthegreatladybeamingfromthedepthsofherfallinghair。
“Ihadtomakemyselflooklikeabadthingbeforeshecouldseeme。
IfIhadputonanyothershapethanawolf’sshewouldnothaveseenme，forthatiswhatisgrowingtobeherownshapeinsideofher。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。”saidDiamond，“butIsupposeit’sallright。”
Theywerenowclimbingtheslopeofagrassyascent。ItwasPrimroseHill，infact，althoughDiamondhadneverheardofit。
Themomenttheyreachedthetop，NorthWindstoodandturnedherfacetowardsLondonThestarswerestillshiningclearandcoldoverhead。
Therewasnotacloudtobeseen。Theairwassharp，butDiamonddidnotfinditcold。
“Now。”saidthelady，“whateveryoudo，donotletmyhandgo。
Imighthavelostyouthelasttime，onlyIwasnotinahurrythen:
nowIaminahurry。”
Yetshestoodstillforamoment。
CHAPTERIV
NORTHWIND
ANDasshestoodlookingtowardsLondon，Diamondsawthatshewastrembling。
“Areyoucold，NorthWind？”heasked。
“No，Diamond。”sheanswered，lookingdownuponhimwithasmile;
“Iamonlygettingreadytosweeponeofmyrooms。Thosecareless，greedy，untidychildrenmakeitinsuchamess。”
Asshespokehecouldhavetoldbyhervoice，ifhehadnotseenwithhiseyes，thatshewasgrowinglargerandlarger。Herheadwentupanduptowardsthestars;andasshegrew，stilltremblingthroughallherbody，herhairalsogrew——longerandlonger，andlifteditselffromherhead，andwentoutinblackwaves。
Thenextmoment，however，itfellbackaroundher，andshegrewlessandlesstillshewasonlyatallwoman。Thensheputherhandsbehindherhead，andgatheredsomeofherhair，andbeganweavingandknottingittogether。Whenshehaddone，shebentdownherbeautifulfaceclosetohis，andsaid——
“Diamond，Iamafraidyouwouldnotkeepholdofme，andifI
weretodropyou，Idon’tknowwhatmighthappen;soIhavebeenmakingaplaceforyouinmyhair。Come。”
Diamondheldouthisarms，forwiththatgrandfacelookingathim，hebelievedlikeababy。Shetookhiminherhands，threwhimoverhershoulder，andsaid，“Getin，Diamond。”
AndDiamondpartedherhairwithhishands，creptbetween，andfeelingaboutsoonfoundthewovennest。Itwasjustlikeapocket，orliketheshawlinwhichgipsywomencarrytheirchildren。
NorthWindputherhandstoherback，feltallaboutthenest，andfindingitsafe，said——
“Areyoucomfortable，Diamond？”
“Yes，indeed。”answeredDiamond。
Thenextmomenthewasrisingintheair。NorthWindgrewtoweringuptotheplaceoftheclouds。Herhairwentstreamingoutfromher，tillitspreadlikeamistoverthestars。Sheflungherselfabroadinspace。
Diamondheldonbytwoofthetwistedropeswhich，partedandinterwoven，formedhisshelter，forhecouldnothelpbeingalittleafraid。
Assoonashehadcometohimself，hepeepedthroughthewovenmeshes，forhedidnotdaretolookoverthetopofthenest。Theearthwasrushingpastlikeariveroraseabelowhim。Treesandwaterandgreengrasshurriedawaybeneath。AgreatroarofwildanimalsroseastheyrushedovertheZoologicalGardens，mixedwithachatteringofmonkeysandascreamingofbirds;butitdiedawayinamomentbehindthem。Andnowtherewasnothingbuttheroofsofhouses，sweepingalonglikeagreattorrentofstonesandrocks。
Chimney-potsfell，andtilesflewfromtheroofs;butitlookedtohimasiftheywereleftbehindbytheroofsandthechimneysastheyscuddedaway。Therewasagreatroaring，forthewindwasdashingagainstLondonlikeasea;butatNorthWind’sbackDiamond，ofcourse，feltnothingofitall。Hewasinaperfectcalm。
Hecouldhearthesoundofit，thatwasall。
Byandbyheraisedhimselfandlookedovertheedgeofhisnest。
Therewerethehousesrushingupandshootingawaybelowhim，likeafiercetorrentofrocksinsteadofwater。Thenhelookeduptothesky，butcouldseenostars;theywerehiddenbytheblindingmassesofthelady’shairwhichsweptbetween。
Hebegantowonderwhethershewouldhearhimifhespoke。
Hewouldtry。