CHAPTERVII
THECATHEDRAL
IMUSTnotgoondescribingwhatcannotbedescribed，fornothingismorewearisome。
Beforetheyreachedthesea，DiamondfeltNorthWind’shairjustbeginningtofallabouthim。
“Isthestormover，NorthWind？”hecalledout。
“No，Diamond。Iamonlywaitingamomenttosetyoudown。
Youwouldnotliketoseetheshipsunk，andIamgoingtogiveyouaplacetostopintillIcomebackforyou。”
“Oh！thankyou。”saidDiamond。“Ishallbesorrytoleaveyou，NorthWind，butIwouldrathernotseetheshipgodown。AndI’mafraidthepoorpeoplewillcry，andIshouldhearthem。Oh，dear！“
“Thereareagoodmanypassengersonboard;andtotellthetruth，Diamond，Idon’tcareaboutyourhearingthecryyouspeakof。
Iamafraidyouwouldnotgetitoutofyourlittleheadagainforalongtime。”
“Buthowcanyoubearitthen，NorthWind？ForIamsureyouarekind。
Ishallneverdoubtthatagain。”
“IwilltellyouhowIamabletobearit，Diamond:Iamalwayshearing，througheverynoise，throughallthenoiseIammakingmyselfeven，thesoundofafar-offsong。Idonotexactlyknowwhereitis，orwhatitmeans;andIdon’thearmuchofit，onlytheodourofitsmusic，asitwere，flittingacrossthegreatbillowsoftheoceanoutsidethisairinwhichImakesuchastorm;butwhatIdohearisquiteenoughtomakemeabletobearthecryfromthedrowningship。
Soitwouldyouifyoucouldhearit。”
“No，itwouldn’t。”returnedDiamond，stoutly。“Fortheywouldn’thearthemusicofthefar-awaysong;andiftheydid，itwouldn’tdothemanygood。YouseeyouandIarenotgoingtobedrowned，andsowemightenjoyit。”
“Butyouhaveneverheardthepsalm，andyoudon’tknowwhatitislike。Somehow，Ican’tsayhow，ittellsmethatallisright;
thatitiscomingtoswallowupallcries。”
“Butthatwon’tdothemanygood——thepeople，Imean。”persistedDiamond。
“Itmust。Itmust。”saidNorthWind，hurriedly。“Itwouldn’tbethesongitseemstobeifitdidnotswallowupalltheirfearandpaintoo，andsetthemsingingitthemselveswiththerest。
Iamsureitwill。Anddoyouknow，eversinceIknewIhadhair，thatis，eversinceitbegantogooutandaway，thatsonghasbeencomingnearerandnearer。OnlyImustsayitwassomethousandyearsbeforeIheardit。”
“Buthowcanyousayitwascomingnearerwhenyoudidnothearit？”
askeddoubtinglittleDiamond。
“SinceIbegantohearit，Iknowitisgrowinglouder，thereforeI
judgeitwascomingnearerandneareruntilIdidhearitfirst。
I’mnotsoveryold，youknow——afewthousandyearsonly——andIwasquiteababywhenIheardthenoisefirst，butIknewitmustcomefromthevoicesofpeopleeversomucholderandwiserthanIwas。
Ican’tsingatall，exceptnowandthen，andIcannevertellwhatmysongisgoingtobe;IonlyknowwhatitisafterIhavesungit——
Butthiswillneverdo。Willyoustophere？”
“Ican’tseeanywheretostop。”saidDiamond。“Yourhairisalldownlikeadarkness，andIcan’tseethroughitifIknockmyeyesintoiteversomuch。”
“Look，then。”saidNorthWind;and，withonesweepofhergreatwhitearm，shesweptyardsdeepofdarknesslikeagreatcurtainfrombeforethefaceoftheboy。
Andlo！itwasabluenight，litupwithstars。Whereitdidnotshinewithstarsitshimmeredwiththemilkofthestars，exceptwhere，justoppositetoDiamond’sface，thegreytowersofacathedralblottedouteachitsownshapeofskyandstars。
“Oh！what’sthat？”criedDiamond，struckwithakindofterror，forhehadneverseenacathedral，anditrosebeforehimwithanawfulrealityinthemidstofthewidespaces，conqueringemptinesswithgrandeur。
“Averygoodplaceforyoutowaitin。”saidNorthWind。“Butweshallgoin，andyoushalljudgeforyourself。”
Therewasanopendoorinthemiddleofoneofthetowers，leadingoutupontheroof，andthroughittheypassed。ThenNorthWindsetDiamondonhisfeet，andhefoundhimselfatthetopofastonestair，whichwenttwistingawaydownintothedarknessforonlyalittlelightcameinatthedoor。Itwasenough，however，toallowDiamondtoseethatNorthWindstoodbesidehim。Helookeduptofindherface，andsawthatshewasnolongerabeautifulgiantess，butthetallgraciousladyhelikedbesttosee。Shetookhishand，and，givinghimthebroadpartofthespiralstairtowalkon，ledhimdownagoodway;then，openinganotherlittledoor，ledhimoutuponanarrowgallerythatranallroundthecentralpartofthechurch，ontheledgesofthewindowsoftheclerestory，andthroughopeningsinthepartsofthewallthatdividedthewindowsfromeachother。
Itwasverynarrow，andexceptwhentheywerepassingthroughthewall，Diamondsawnothingtokeephimfromfallingintothechurch。
Itlaybelowhimlikeagreatsilentgulfhollowedinstone，andheheldhisbreathforfearashelookeddown。
“Whatareyoutremblingfor，littleDiamond？”saidthelady，asshewalkedgentlyalong，withherhandheldoutbehindherleadinghim，fortherewasnotbreadthenoughforthemtowalksidebyside。
“Iamafraidoffallingdownthere。”answeredDiamond。“Itissodeepdown。”
“Yes，rather。”answeredNorthWind;“butyouwereahundredtimeshigherafewminutesago。”
“Ah，yes，butsomebody’sarmwasaboutmethen。”saidDiamond，puttinghislittlemouthtothebeautifulcoldhandthathadaholdofhis。
“Whatadearlittlewarmmouthyou’vegot！“saidNorthWind。
“Itisapityyoushouldtalknonsensewithit。Don’tyouknowI
haveaholdofyou？”
“Yes;butI’mwalkingonmyownlegs，andtheymightslip。
Ican’ttrustmyselfsowellasyourarms。”
“ButIhaveaholdofyou，Itellyou，foolishchild。”
“Yes，butsomehowIcan’tfeelcomfortable。”
“Ifyouweretofall，andmyholdofyouweretogiveway，Ishouldbedownafteryouinalessmomentthanalady’swatchcantick，andcatchyoulongbeforeyouhadreachedtheground。”
“Idon’tlikeitthough。”saidDiamond。
“Oh！oh！oh！“hescreamedthenextmoment，bentdoublewithterror，forNorthWindhadletgoherholdofhishand，andhadvanished，leavinghimstandingasifrootedtothegallery。
Sheleftthewords，“Comeafterme。”soundinginhisears。
Butmovehedarednot。Inamomentmorehewouldfromveryterrorhavefallenintothechurch，butsuddenlytherecameagentlebreathofcoolwinduponhisface，anditkeptblowinguponhiminlittlepuffs，andateverypuffDiamondfelthisfaintnessgoingaway，andhisfearwithit。Couragewasrevivinginhislittleheart，andstillthecoolwaftsofthesoftwindbreatheduponhim，andthesoftwindwassomightyandstrongwithinitsgentleness，thatinaminutemoreDiamondwasmarchingalongthenarrowledgeasfearlessforthetimeasNorthWindherself。
Hewalkedonandon，withthewindowsallinarowononesideofhim，andthegreatemptynaveofthechurchechoingtoeveryoneofhisbravestridesontheother，untilatlasthecametoalittleopendoor，fromwhichabroaderstairledhimdownanddownanddown，tillatlastallatoncehefoundhimselfinthearmsofNorthWind，whoheldhimclosetoher，andkissedhimontheforehead。
Diamondnestledtoher，andmurmuredintoherbosom，——“Whydidyouleaveme，dearNorthWind？”
“BecauseIwantedyoutowalkalone。”sheanswered。
“Butitissomuchnicerhere！“saidDiamond。
“Idaresay;butIcouldn’tholdalittlecowardtomyheart。
Itwouldmakemesocold！“
“ButIwasn’tbraveofmyself。”saidDiamond，whommyolderreaderswillhavealreadydiscoveredtobeatruechildinthis，thathewasgiventometaphysics。“Itwasthewindthatblewinmyfacethatmademebrave。Wasn’titnow，NorthWind？”
“Yes:Iknowthat。Youhadtobetaughtwhatcouragewas。
Andyoucouldn’tknowwhatitwaswithoutfeelingit:thereforeitwasgivenyou。Butdon’tyoufeelasifyouwouldtrytobebraveyourselfnexttime？”
“Yes，Ido。Buttryingisnotmuch。”
“Yes，itis——averygreatdeal，foritisabeginning。Andabeginningisthegreatestthingofall。Totrytobebraveistobebrave。
Thecowardwhotriestobebraveisbeforethemanwhoisbravebecauseheismadeso，andneverhadtotry。”
“Howkindyouare，NorthWind！“
“Iamonlyjust。Allkindnessisbutjustice。Weoweit。”
“Idon’tquiteunderstandthat。”
“Nevermind;youwillsomeday。Thereisnohurryaboutunderstandingitnow。”
“Whoblewthewindonmethatmademebrave？”
“Idid。”
“Ididn’tseeyou。”
“Thereforeyoucanbelieveme。”
“Yes，yes;ofcourse。Buthowwasitthatsuchalittlebreathcouldbesostrong？”
“ThatIdon’tknow。”
“Butyoumadeitstrong？”
“No:Ionlyblewit。Iknewitwouldmakeyoustrong，justasitdidthemanintheboat，youremember。ButhowmybreathhasthatpowerIcannottell。ItwasputintoitwhenIwasmade。
ThatisallIknow。ButreallyImustbegoingaboutmywork。”
“Ah！thepoorship！Iwishyouwouldstophere，andletthepoorshipgo。”
“ThatIdarenotdo。WillyoustopheretillIcomeback？”
“Yes。Youwon’tbelong？”
“NotlongerthanIcanhelp。Trustme，youshallgethomebeforethemorning。”
InamomentNorthWindwasgone，andthenextDiamondheardamoaningaboutthechurch，whichgrewandgrewtoaroaring。
Thestormwasupagain，andheknewthatNorthWind’shairwasflying。
Thechurchwasdark。Onlyalittlelightcamethroughthewindows，whichwerealmostallofthatpreciousoldstainedglasswhichissomuchlovelierthanthenew。ButDiamondcouldnotseehowbeautifultheywere，fortherewasnotenoughoflightinthestarstoshowthecoloursofthem。Hecouldonlyjustdistinguishthemfromthewalls，Helookedup，butcouldnotseethegalleryalongwhichhehadpassed。Hecouldonlytellwhereitwasfarupbythefaintglimmerofthewindowsoftheclerestory，whosesillsmadepartofit。Thechurchgrewverylonelyabouthim，andhebegantofeellikeachildwhosemotherhasforsakenit。
Onlyheknewthattobeleftaloneisnotalwaystobeforsaken。
Hebegantofeelhiswayabouttheplace，andforawhilewentwanderingupanddown。Hislittlefootstepswakedlittleansweringechoesinthegreathouse。Itwasn’ttoobigtomindhim。
Itwasasifthechurchknewhewasthere，andmeanttomakeitselfhishouse。Soitwentongivingbackananswertoeverystep，untilatlengthDiamondthoughtheshouldliketosaysomethingoutloud，andseewhatthechurchwouldanswer。Buthefoundhewasafraidtospeak。Hecouldnotutterawordforfearoftheloneliness。
Perhapsitwasaswellthathedidnot，forthesoundofaspokenwordwouldhavemadehimfeeltheplaceyetmoredesertedandempty。
Buthethoughthecouldsing。Hewasfondofsinging，andathomeheusedtosing，totunesofhisown，allthenurseryrhymesheknew。
Sohebegantotry`Heydiddlediddle’，butitwouldn’tdo。
Thenhetried`LittleBoyBlue’，butitwasnobetter。Neitherwould`SingaSongofSixpence’singitselfatall。Thenhetried`PooroldCockytoo’，buthewouldn’tdo。Theyallsoundedsosilly！
andhehadneverthoughtthemsillybefore。Sohewasquiet，andlistenedtotheechoesthatcameoutofthedarkcornersinanswertohisfootsteps。
Atlasthegaveagreatsigh，andsaid，“I’msotired。”Buthedidnothearthegentleechothatansweredfromfarawayoverhishead，foratthesamemomenthecameagainstthelowestofafewstepsthatstretchedacrossthechurch，andfelldownandhurthisarm。
Hecriedalittlefirst，andthencrawledupthestepsonhishandsandknees。Atthetophecametoalittlebitofcarpet，onwhichhelaydown;andtherehelaystaringatthedullwindowthatrosenearlyahundredfeetabovehishead。
Nowthiswastheeasternwindowofthechurch，andthemoonwasatthatmomentjustontheedgeofthehorizon。Thenext，shewaspeepingoverit。Andlo！withthemoon，St。JohnandSt。Paul，andtherestofthem，begantodawninthewindowintheirlovelygarments。
Diamonddidnotknowthatthewonder-workingmoonwasbehind，andhethoughtallthelightwascomingoutofthewindowitself，andthatthegoodoldmenwereappearingtohelphim，growingoutofthenightandthedarkness，becausehehadhurthisarm，andwasverytiredandlonely，andNorthWindwassolongincoming。
Sohelayandlookedatthembackwardsoverhishead，wonderingwhentheywouldcomedownorwhattheywoulddonext。Theywereverydim，forthemoonlightwasnotstrongenoughforthecolours，andhehadenoughtodowithhiseyestryingtomakeouttheirshapes。
Sohiseyesgrewtired，andmoreandmoretired，andhiseyelidsgrewsoheavythattheywouldkeeptumblingdownoverhiseyes。
Hekeptliftingthemandliftingthem，buteverytimetheywereheavierthanthelast。Itwasnouse:theyweretoomuchforhim。
Sometimesbeforehehadgotthemhalfup，downtheywereagain;
andatlengthhegaveitupquite，andthemomenthegaveitup，hewasfastasleep。
CHAPTERVIII
THEEASTWINDOW
THATDiamondhadfallenfastasleepisveryevidentfromthestrangethingshenowfanciedastakingplace。Forhethoughtheheardasoundasofwhisperingupinthegreatwindow。Hetriedtoopenhiseyes，buthecouldnot。Andthewhisperingwentonandgrewlouderandlouder，untilhecouldheareverywordthatwassaid。
HethoughtitwastheApostlestalkingabouthim。Buthecouldnotopenhiseyes。
“Andhowcomeshetobelyingthere，St。Peter？”saidone。
“IthinkIsawhimawhileagoupinthegallery，undertheNicodemuswindow。Perhapshehasfallendown。
“Whatdoyouthink，St。Matthew？”
“Idon’tthinkhecouldhavecrepthereafterfallingfromsuchaheight。Hemusthavebeenkilled。”
“Whatarewetodowithhim？Wecan’tleavehimlyingthere。
Andwecouldnotmakehimcomfortableuphereinthewindow:
it’srathercrowdedalready。Whatdoyousay，St。Thomas？”
“Let’sgodownandlookathim。”
Therecamearustling，andachinking，forsometime，andthentherewasasilence，andDiamondfeltsomehowthatalltheApostleswerestandingroundhimandlookingdownonhim。Andstillhecouldnotopenhiseyes。
“Whatisthematterwithhim，St。Luke？”askedone。
“There’snothingthematterwithhim。”answeredSt。Luke，whomusthavejoinedthecompanyoftheApostlesfromthenextwindow，onewouldthink。“He’sinasoundsleep。”
“Ihaveit。”criedanother。“ThisisoneofNorthWind’stricks。
Shehascaughthimupanddroppedhimatourdoor，likeawitheredleaforafoundlingbaby。Idon’tunderstandthatwoman’sconduct，Imustsay。Asifwehadn’tenoughtodowithourmoney，withoutgoingtakingcareofotherpeople’schildren！That’snotwhatourforefathersbuiltcathedralsfor。”
NowDiamondcouldnotbeartohearsuchthingsagainstNorthWind，who，heknew，neverplayedanybodyatrick。Shewasfartoobusywithherownworkforthat。Hestruggledhardtoopenhiseyes，butwithoutsuccess。
“Sheshouldconsiderthatachurchisnotaplaceforpranks，nottomentionthatweliveinit。”saidanother。
“Itcertainlyisdisrespectfulofher。Butshealwaysisdisrespectful。
Whatrighthasshetobangatourwindowsasshehasbeendoingthewholeofthisnight？Idaresaythereisglassbrokensomewhere。
Iknowmybluerobeisinadreadfulmesswiththerainfirstandthedustafter。Itwillcostmeshillingstocleanit。”
ThenDiamondknewthattheycouldnotbeApostles，talkinglikethis。
Theycouldonlybethesextonsandvergersandsuch-like，whogotupatnight，andputontherobesofdeansandbishops，andcalledeachothergrandnames，asthefoolishservantshehadheardhisfathertellofcallthemselveslordsandladies，aftertheirmastersandmistresses。AndhewassoangryattheirdaringtoabuseNorthWind，thathejumpedup，crying——“NorthWindknowsbestwhatsheisabout。
Shehasagoodrighttoblowthecobwebsfromyourwindows，forshewassenttodoit。Shesweepsthemawayfromgranderplaces，Icantellyou，forI’vebeenwithheratit。”
Thiswaswhathebegantosay，butashespokehiseyescamewideopen，andbehold，therewereneitherApostlesnorvergersthere——
notevenawindowwiththeeffigiesofholymeninit，butadarkheapofhayallabouthim，andthelittlepanesintheroofofhisloftglimmeringblueinthelightofthemorning。OldDiamondwascomingawakedownbelowinthestable。Inamomentmorehewasonhisfeet，andshakinghimselfsothatyoungDiamond’sbedtrembledunderhim。
“He’sgrandatshakinghimself。”saidDiamond。“IwishIcouldshakemyselflikethat。ButthenIcanwashmyself，andhecan’t。
WhatfunitwouldbetoseeOldDiamondwashinghisfacewithhishoofsandironshoes！Wouldn’titbeapicture？”
Sosaying，hegotupanddressedhimself。Thenhewentoutintothegarden。Theremusthavebeenatremendouswindinthenight，foralthoughallwasquietnow，therelaythelittlesummer-housecrushedtotheground，andoveritthegreatelm-tree，whichthewindhadbrokenacross，beingmuchdecayedinthemiddle。
Diamondalmostcriedtoseethewildernessofgreenleaves，whichusedtobesofarupintheblueair，tossingaboutinthebreeze，andlikingitbestwhenthewindblewitmost，nowlyingsoneartheground，andwithoutanyhopeofevergettingupintothedeepairagain。
“Iwonderhowoldthetreeis！“thoughtDiamond。“Itmusttakealongtimetogetsoneartheskyasthatpoortreewas。”
“Yes，indeed。”saidavoicebesidehim，forDiamondhadspokenthelastwordsaloud。
Diamondstarted，andlookingaroundsawaclergyman，abrotherofMrs。Coleman，whohappenedtobevisitingher。Hewasagreatscholar，andwasinthehabitofrisingearly。
“Whoareyou，myman？”headded。
“LittleDiamond。”answeredtheboy。
“Oh！Ihaveheardofyou。Howdoyoucometobeupsoearly？”
“BecausetheshamApostlestalkedsuchnonsense，theywakedmeup。”
Theclergymanstared。Diamondsawthathehadbetterhaveheldhistongue，forhecouldnotexplainthings。
“Youmusthavebeendreaming，mylittleman。”saidhe。“Dear！dear！“
hewenton，lookingatthetree，“therehasbeenterribleworkhere。
Thisisthenorthwind’sdoing。Whatapity！Iwishwelivedatthebackofit，I’msure。”
“Whereisthatsir？”askedDiamond。
“AwayintheHyperboreanregions。”answeredtheclergyman，smiling。
“Ineverheardoftheplace。”returnedDiamond。
“Idaresaynot。”answeredtheclergyman;“butifthistreehadbeentherenow，itwouldnothavebeenblowndown，forthereisnowindthere。”
“But，please，sir，ifithadbeenthere。”saidDiamond，“weshouldnothavehadtobesorryforit。”
“Certainlynot。”
“Thenweshouldn’thavehadtobegladforit，either。”
“You’requiteright，myboy。”saidtheclergyman，lookingathimverykindly，asheturnedawaytothehouse，withhiseyesbenttowardstheearth。ButDiamondthoughtwithinhimself，“IwillaskNorthWindnexttimeIseehertotakemetothatcountry。
Ithinkshedidspeakaboutitoncebefore。”
CHAPTERIX
HOWDIAMONDGOTTOTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND
WHENDiamondwenthometobreakfast，hefoundhisfatherandmotheralreadyseatedatthetable。Theywerebothbusywiththeirbreadandbutter，andDiamondsathimselfdowninhisusualplace。
Hismotherlookedupathim，and，afterwatchinghimforamoment，said:
“Idon’tthinktheboyislookingwell，husband。”
“Don’tyou？Well，Idon’tknow。Ithinkhelooksprettybobbish。
Howdoyoufeelyourself，Diamond，myboy？”
“Quitewell，thankyou，father;atleast，IthinkI’vegotalittleheadache。”
“There！Itoldyou。”saidhisfatherandmotherbothatonce。
“Thechild’sverypoorly“addedhismother。
“Thechild’squitewell。”addedhisfather。
Andthentheybothlaughed。
“Yousee。”saidhismother，“I’vehadaletterfrommysisteratSandwich。”
“Sleepyoldhole！“saidhisfather。
“Don’tabusetheplace;there’sgoodpeopleinit。”saidhismother。
“Right，oldlady。”returnedhisfather;“onlyIdon’tbelievetherearemorethantwopairofcarriage-horsesinthewholeblessedplace。”
“Well，peoplecangettoheavenwithoutcarriages——orcoachmeneither，husband。NotthatIshouldliketogowithoutmycoachman，youknow。Butabouttheboy？”
“Whatboy？”
“Thatboy，there，staringatyouwithhisgoggle-eyes。”
“HaveIgotgoggle-eyes，mother？”askedDiamond，alittledismayed。
“Nottoogoggle。”saidhismother，whowasquiteproudofherboy’seyes，onlydidnotwanttomakehimvain。
“Nottoogoggle;onlyyouneednotstareso。”
“Well，whatabouthim？”saidhisfather。
“ItoldyouIhadgotaletter。”
“Yes，fromyoursister;notfromDiamond。”
“La，husband！you’vegotoutofbedthewronglegfirstthismorning，Idobelieve。”
“Ialwaysgetoutwithbothatonce。”saidhisfather，laughing。
“Well，listenthen。Hisauntwantstheboytogodownandseeher。”
“Andthat’swhyyouwanttomakeoutthatheain’tlookingwell。”
“Nomoreheis。Ithinkhehadbettergo。”
“Well，Idon’tcare，ifyoucanfindthemoney。”saidhisfather。
“I’llmanagethat。”saidhismother;andsoitwasagreedthatDiamondshouldgotoSandwich。
IwillnotdescribethepreparationsDiamondmade。Youwouldhavethoughthehadbeengoingonathreemonths’voyage。NorwillI
describethejourney，forourbusinessisnowattheplace。
Hewasmetatthestationbyhisaunt，acheerfulmiddle-agedwoman，andconveyedinsafetytothesleepyoldtown，ashisfathercalledit。
Andnowonderthatitwassleepy，foritwasnearlydeadofoldage。
Diamondwentaboutstaringwithhisbeautifulgoggle-eyes，atthequaintoldstreets，andtheshops，andthehouses。
Everythinglookedverystrange，indeed;forherewasatownabandonedbyitsnurse，thesea，likeanoldoysterleftontheshoretillitgapedforweariness。ItusedtobeoneofthefivechiefseaportsinEngland，butitbegantoholditselftoohigh，andtheconsequencewastheseagrewlessandlessintimatewithit，graduallydrewback，andkeptmoretoitself，tillatlengthitleftithighanddry:Sandwichwasaseaportnomore;theseawentonwithitsowntide-businessalongwayoff，andforgotit。
Ofcourseitwenttosleep，andhadnomoretodowithships。
That’swhatcomestocitiesandnations，andboysandgirls，whosay，“Icandowithoutyourhelp。I’menoughformyself。”
Diamondsoonmadegreatfriendswithanoldwomanwhokeptatoyshop，forhismotherhadgivenhimtwopenceforpocket-moneybeforeheleft，andhehadgoneintohershoptospendit，andshegottalkingtohim。Shelookedveryfunny，becauseshehadnotgotanyteeth，butDiamondlikedher，andwentoftentohershop，althoughhehadnothingtospendthereafterthetwopencewasgone。
Oneafternoonhehadbeenwanderingratherwearilyaboutthestreetsforsometime。Itwasahotday，andhefelttired。
Ashepassedthetoyshop，hesteppedin。
“PleasemayIsitdownforaminuteonthisbox？”hesaid，thinkingtheoldwomanwassomewhereintheshop。Buthegotnoanswer，andsatdownwithoutone。Aroundhimwereagreatmanytoysofallprices，fromapennyuptoshillings。Allatonceheheardagentlewhirringsomewhereamongstthem。Itmadehimstartandlookbehindhim。Therewerethesailsofawindmillgoingroundandroundalmostclosetohisear。Hethoughtatfirstitmustbeoneofthosetoyswhicharewoundupandgowithclockwork;
butno，itwasacommonpennytoy，withthewindmillattheendofawhistle，andwhenthewhistleblowsthewindmillgoes。
Butthewonderwasthattherewasnooneatthewhistleendblowing，andyetthesailswereturningroundandround——nowfaster，nowslower，nowfasteragain。
“Whatcanitmean？”saidDiamond，aloud。
“Itmeansme。”saidthetiniestvoicehehadeverheard。
“Whoareyou，please？”askedDiamond。
“Well，really，Ibegintobeashamedofyou。”saidthevoice。
“Iwonderhowlongitwillbebeforeyouknowme;orhowoftenImighttakeyouinbeforeyougotsharpenoughtosuspectme。
Youareasbadasababythatdoesn’tknowhismotherinanewbonnet。”
“Notquitesobadasthat，dearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，“forI
didn’tseeyouatall，andindeedIdon’tseeyouyet，althoughI
recogniseyourvoice。Dogrowalittle，please。”
“Notahair’s-breadth。”saidthevoice，anditwasthesmallestvoicethateverspoke。“Whatareyoudoinghere？”
“Iamcometoseemyaunt。But，please，NorthWind，whydidn’tyoucomebackformeinthechurchthatnight？”
“Idid。Icarriedyousafehome。AllthetimeyouweredreamingabouttheglassApostles，youwerelyinginmyarms。”
“I’msoglad。”saidDiamond。“Ithoughtthatmustbeit，onlyI
wantedtohearyousayso。Didyousinktheship，then？”
“Yes。”
“Anddrowneverybody？”
“Notquite。Oneboatgotawaywithsixorsevenmeninit。”
“Howcouldtheboatswimwhentheshipcouldn’t？”
“OfcourseIhadsometroublewithit。Ihadtocontriveabit，andmanagethewavesalittle。Whenthey’reoncethoroughlywakedup，Ihaveagooddealoftroublewiththemsometimes。
They’reapttogetstupidwithtumblingovereachother’sheads。
That’swhenthey’refairlyatit。However，theboatgottoadesertislandbeforenoonnextday。”
“Andwhatgoodwillcomeofthat？”
“Idon’tknow。Iobeyedorders。Goodbye。”
“Oh！stay，NorthWind，dostay！“criedDiamond，dismayedtoseethewindmillgetslowerandslower。
“Whatisit，mydearchild？”saidNorthWind，andthewindmillbeganturningagainsoswiftlythatDiamondcouldscarcelyseeit。
“Whatabigvoiceyou’vegot！andwhatanoiseyoudomakewithit？
Whatisityouwant？Ihavelittletodo，butthatlittlemustbedone。”
“Iwantyoutotakemetothecountryatthebackofthenorthwind。”
“That’snotsoeasy。”saidNorthWind，andwassilentforsolongthatDiamondthoughtshewasgoneindeed。Butafterhehadquitegivenherup，thevoicebeganagain。
“IalmostwisholdHerodotushadheldhistongueaboutit。
Muchheknewofit！“
“Whydoyouwishthat，NorthWind？”
“Becausethenthatclergymanwouldneverhaveheardofit，andsetyouwantingtogo。Butweshallsee。Weshallsee。Youmustgohomenow，mydear，foryoudon’tseemverywell，andI’llseewhatcanbedoneforyou。Don’twaitforme。I’vegottobreakafewofoldGoody’stoys;she’sthinkingtoomuchofhernewstock。
Twoorthreewilldo。There！gonow。”
Diamondrose，quitesorry，andwithoutawordlefttheshop，andwenthome。
Itsoonappearedthathismotherhadbeenrightabouthim，forthatsameafternoonhisheadbegantoacheverymuch，andhehadtogotobed。
Heawokeinthemiddleofthenight。Thelatticewindowofhisroomhadblownopen，andthecurtainsofhislittlebedwereswingingaboutinthewind。
“IfthatshouldbeNorthWindnow！“thoughtDiamond。
Butthenextmomentheheardsomeoneclosingthewindow，andhisauntcametohisbedside。Sheputherhandonhisface，andsaid——
“How’syourhead，dear？”
“Better，auntie，Ithink。”
“Wouldyoulikesomethingtodrink？”
“Oh，yes！Ishould，please。”
Sohisauntgavehimsomelemonade，forshehadbeenusedtonursingsickpeople，andDiamondfeltverymuchrefreshed，andlaidhisheaddownagaintogoveryfastasleep，ashethought。
Andsohedid，butonlytocomeawakeagain，asafreshburstofwindblewthelatticeopenasecondtime。ThesamemomenthefoundhimselfinacloudofNorthWind’shair，withherbeautifulface，setinitlikeamoon，bendingoverhim。
“Quick，Diamond！“shesaid。“Ihavefoundsuchachance！“
“ButI’mnotwell。”saidDiamond。
“Iknowthat，butyouwillbebetterforalittlefreshair。
Youshallhaveplentyofthat。”
“Youwantmetogo，then？”
“Yes，Ido。Itwon’thurtyou。”
“Verywell。”saidDiamond;andgettingoutofthebed-clothes，hejumpedintoNorthWind’sarms。
“Wemustmakehastebeforeyourauntcomes。”saidshe，assheglidedoutoftheopenlatticeandleftitswinging。
ThemomentDiamondfeltherarmsfoldaroundhimhebegantofeelbetter。Itwasamoonlessnight，andverydark，withglimpsesofstarswhenthecloudsparted。
“Iusedtodashthewavesabouthere。”saidNorthWind，“wherecowsandsheeparefeedingnow;butweshallsoongettothem。
Theretheyare。”
AndDiamond，lookingdown，sawthewhiteglimmerofbreakingwaterfarbelowhim。
“Yousee，Diamond。”saidNorthWind，“itisverydifficultformetogetyoutothebackofthenorthwind，forthatcountryliesintheverynorthitself，andofcourseIcan’tblownorthwards。”
“Whynot？”askedDiamond。
“Youlittlesilly！“saidNorthWind。“Don’tyouseethatifI
weretoblownorthwardsIshouldbeSouthWind，andthatisasmuchastosaythatonepersoncouldbetwopersons？”
“Buthowcanyouevergethomeatall，then？”
“Youarequiteright——thatismyhome，thoughInevergetfartherthantheouterdoor。Isitonthedoorstep，andhearthevoicesinside。
Iamnobodythere，Diamond。”
“I’mverysorry。”
“Why？”
“Thatyoushouldbenobody。”
“Oh，Idon’tmindit。Dearlittleman！youwillbeverygladsomedaytobenobodyyourself。Butyoucan’tunderstandthatnow，andyouhadbetternottry;forifyoudo，youwillbecertaintogofancyingsomeegregiousnonsense，andmakingyourselfmiserableaboutit。”
“ThenIwon’t。”saidDiamond。
“There’sagoodboy。Itwillallcomeingoodtime。”
“Butyouhaven’ttoldmehowyougettothedoorstep，youknow。”
“Itiseasyenoughforme。Ihaveonlytoconsenttobenobody，andthereIam。IdrawintomyselfandthereIamonthedoorstep。
Butyoucaneasilysee，oryouhavelesssensethanIthink，thattodragyou，youheavything，alongwithme，wouldtakecenturies，andIcouldnotgivethetimetoit。”
“Oh，I’msosorry！“saidDiamond。
“Whatfornow，pet？”
“ThatI’msoheavyforyou。IwouldbelighterifIcould，butI
don’tknowhow。”
“Yousillydarling！Why，IcouldtossyouahundredmilesfrommeifIliked。ItisonlywhenIamgoinghomethatIshallfindyouheavy。”
“Thenyouaregoinghomewithme？”
“Ofcourse。DidInotcometofetchyoujustforthat？”
“Butallthistimeyoumustbegoingsouthwards。”
“Yes。OfcourseIam。”
“Howcanyoubetakingmenorthwards，then？”
“Averysensiblequestion。Butyoushallsee。Iwillgetridofafewoftheseclouds——onlytheydocomeupsofast！
It’sliketryingtoblowabrookdry。There！Whatdoyouseenow？”
“IthinkIseealittleboat，awaythere，downbelow。”
“Alittleboat，indeed！Well！She’sayachtoftwohundredtons;
andthecaptainofitisafriendofmine;forheisamanofgoodsense，andcansailhiscraftwell。I’vehelpedhimmanyatimewhenhelittlethoughtit。I’veheardhimgrumblingatme，whenIwasdoingtheverybestIcouldforhim。Why，I’vecarriedhimeightymilesaday，againandagain，rightnorth。”
“Hemusthavedodgedforthat。”saidDiamond，whohadbeenwatchingthevessels，andhadseenthattheywentotherwaysthanthewindblew。
“Ofcoursehemust。Butdon’tyousee，itwasthebestIcoulddo？
Icouldn’tbeSouthWind。Andbesidesitgavehimashareinthebusiness。Itisnotgoodatall——mindthat，Diamond——todoeverythingforthoseyoulove，andnotgivethemashareinthedoing。
It’snotkind。It’smakingtoomuchofyourself，mychild。
IfIhadbeenSouthWind，hewouldonlyhavesmokedhispipeallday，andmadehimselfstupid。”
“Buthowcouldhebeamanofsenseandgrumbleatyouwhenyouweredoingyourbestforhim？”
“Oh！youmustmakeallowances。”saidNorthWind，“oryouwillneverdojusticetoanybody——Youdounderstand，then，thatacaptainmaysailnorth——“
“Inspiteofanorthwind——yes。”supplementedDiamond。
“Now，Idothinkyoumustbestupid，my，dear“saidNorthWind。
“Supposethenorthwinddidnotblowwherewouldhebethen？”
“Whythenthesouthwindwouldcarryhim。”
“Soyouthinkthatwhenthenorthwindstopsthesouthwindblows。
Nonsense。IfIdidn’tblow，thecaptaincouldn’tsailhiseightymilesaday。NodoubtSouthWindwouldcarryhimfaster，butSouthWindissittingonherdoorstepthen，andifIstoppedtherewouldbeadeadcalm。Soyouareallwrongtosayhecansailnorthinspiteofme;hesailsnorthbymyhelp，andmyhelpalone。
Youseethat，Diamond？”
“Yes，Ido，NorthWind。Iamstupid，butIdon’twanttobestupid。”
“Goodboy！Iamgoingtoblowyounorthinthatlittlecraft，oneofthefinestthateversailedthesea。Hereweare，rightoverit。
Ishallbeblowingagainstyou;youwillbesailingagainstme;
andallwillbejustaswewantit。Thecaptainwon’tgetonsofastashewouldlike，buthewillgeton，andsoshallwe。
I’mjustgoingtoputyouonboard。Doyouseeinfrontofthetiller——
thatthingthemanisworking，nowtooneside，nowtotheother——
aroundthinglikethetopofadrum？”
“Yes。”saidDiamond。
“Belowthatiswheretheykeeptheirsparesails，andsomestoresofthatsort。Iamgoingtoblowthatcoveroff。ThesamemomentIwilldropyouondeck，andyoumusttumblein。Don’tbeafraid，itisofnodepth，andyouwillfallonsail-cloth。Youwillfinditniceandwarmanddry-onlydark;andyouwillknowIamnearyoubyeveryrollandpitchofthevessel。Coilyourselfupandgotosleep。
Theyachtshallbemycradleandyoushallbemybaby。”
“Thankyou，dearNorthWind。Iamnotabitafraid。”saidDiamond。
Inamomenttheywereonalevelwiththebulwarks，andNorthWindsentthehatchoftheafter-storerattlingawayoverthedecktoleeward。Thenext，Diamondfoundhimselfinthedark，forhehadtumbledthroughtheholeasNorthWindhadtoldhim，andthecoverwasreplacedoverhishead。Awayhewentrollingtoleeward，forthewindbeganallatoncetoblowhard。Heheardthecallofthecaptain，andtheloudtramplingofthemenoverhishead，astheyhauledatthemainsheettogettheboomonboardthattheymighttakeinareefinthemainsail。Diamondfeltaboutuntilhehadfoundwhatseemedthemostcomfortableplace，andtherehesnuggleddownandlay。
Hoursafterhours，agreatmanyofthem，wentby;andstillDiamondlaythere。Heneverfeltintheleasttiredorimpatient，forastrangepleasurefilledhisheart。Thestrainingofthemasts，thecreakingoftheboom，thesingingoftheropes，thebangingoftheblocksastheyputthevesselabout，allfellinwiththeroaringofthewindabove，thesurgeofthewavespasthersides，andthethudwithwhicheverynowandthenonewouldstrikeher;
whilethroughitallDiamondcouldhearthegurgling，rippling，talkingflowofthewateragainstherplanks，assheslippedthroughit，lyingnowonthisside，nowonthat——likeasubduedairrunningthroughthegrandmusichisNorthWindwasmakingabouthimtokeephimfromtiringastheyspedontowardsthecountryatthebackofherdoorstep。
HowlongthislastedDiamondhadnoidea。Heseemedtofallasleepsometimes，onlythroughthesleepheheardthesoundsgoingon。
Atlengththeweatherseemedtogetworse。Theconfusionandtramplingoffeetgrewmorefrequentoverhishead;thevessellayovermoreandmoreonherside，andwentroaringthroughthewaves，whichbangedandthumpedatherasifinanger。Allatoncearoseaterribleuproar。Thehatchwasblownoff;acoldfiercewindsweptinuponhim;andalongarmcamewithitwhichlaidholdofhimandliftedhimout。Thesamemomenthesawthelittlevesselfarbelowhimrightingherself。Shehadtakeninallhersailsandlaynowtossingonthewaveslikeasea-birdwithfoldedwings。
Ashortdistancetothesouthlayamuchlargervessel，withtwoorthreesailsset，andtowardsitNorthWindwascarryingDiamond。
ItwasaGermanship，onitswaytotheNorthPole。
“Thatvesseldowntherewillgiveusaliftnow。”saidNorthWind;
“andafterthatImustdothebestIcan。”
Shemanagedtohidehimamongsttheflagsofthebigship，whichwereallsnuglystowedaway，andonandontheyspedtowardsthenorth。Atlengthonenightshewhisperedinhisear，“Comeondeck，Diamond;“andhegotupatonceandcreptondeck。
Everythinglookedverystrange。Hereandthereonallsideswerehugemassesoffloatingice，lookinglikecathedrals，andcastles，andcrags，whileawaybeyondwasabluesea。
“Isthesunrisingorsetting？”askedDiamond。
“Neitherorboth，whichyouplease。Icanhardlytellwhichmyself。
Ifheissettingnow，hewillberisingthenextmoment。”
“Whatastrangelightitis！“saidDiamond。“Ihaveheardthatthesundoesn’tgotobedallthesummerintheseparts。
MissColemantoldmethat。Isupposehefeelsverysleepy，andthatiswhythelighthesendsoutlookssolikeadream。”
“Thatwillaccountforitwellenoughforallpracticalpurposes。”
saidNorthWind。
Someoftheicebergsweredriftingnorthwards;onewaspassingveryneartheship。NorthWindseizedDiamond，andwithasingleboundlightedononeofthem——ahugething，withsharppinnaclesandgreatclefts。Thesameinstantawindbegantoblowfromthesouth。
NorthWindhurriedDiamonddownthenorthsideoftheiceberg，steppingbyitsjagsandsplintering;forthisberghadnevergotfarenoughsouthtobemeltedandsmoothedbythesummersun。
Shebroughthimtoacavenearthewater，wheresheentered，and，lettingDiamondgo，satdownasifwearyonaledgeofice。
Diamondseatedhimselfontheotherside，andforawhilewasenrapturedwiththecolouroftheairinsidethecave。Itwasadeep，dazzling，lovelyblue，deeperthanthedeepestblueofthesky。
Theblueseemedtobeinconstantmotion，liketheblacknesswhenyoupressyoureyeballswithyourfingers，boilingandsparkling。
ButwhenhelookedacrosstoNorthWindhewasfrightened;
herfacewaswornandlivid。
“Whatisthematterwithyou，dearNorthWind？”hesaid。
“Nothingmuch。Ifeelveryfaint。Butyoumustn’tmindit，forIcanbearitquitewell。SouthWindalwaysblowsmefaint。
Ifitwerenotforthecoolofthethickicebetweenmeandher，Ishouldfaintaltogether。Indeed，asitis，IfearImustvanish。”
Diamondstaredatherinterror，forhesawthatherformandfaceweregrowing，notsmall，buttransparent，likesomethingdissolving，notinwater，butinlight。Hecouldseethesideofthebluecavethroughherveryheart。Andshemeltedawaytillallthatwasleftwasapaleface，likethemooninthemorning，withtwogreatlucideyesinit。
“Iamgoing，Diamond。”shesaid。
“Doesithurtyou？”askedDiamond。
“It’sveryuncomfortable。”sheanswered;“butIdon’tmindit，forIshallcomeallrightagainbeforelong。IthoughtIshouldbeabletogowithyoualltheway，butIcannot。Youmustnotbefrightenedthough。Justgostraighton，andyouwillcomeallright。
You’llfindmeonthedoorstep。”
Asshespoke，herfacetoofadedquiteaway，onlyDiamondthoughthecouldstillseehereyesshiningthroughtheblue。
Whenhewentcloser，however，hefoundthatwhathethoughthereyeswereonlytwohollowsintheice。NorthWindwasquitegone;
andDiamondwouldhavecried，ifhehadnottrustedhersothoroughly。
Sohesatstillintheblueairofthecavernlisteningtothewashandrippleofthewaterallaboutthebaseoftheiceberg，asitspedonandonintotheopenseanorthwards。Itwasanexcellentcrafttogowiththecurrent，fortherewastwiceasmuchofitbelowwaterasabove。Butalightsouthwindwasblowingtoo，andsoitwentfast。
AfteralittlewhileDiamondwentoutandsatontheedgeofhisfloatingisland，andlookeddownintotheoceanbeneathhim。
Thewhitesidesofthebergreflectedsomuchlightbelowthewater，thathecouldseefardownintothegreenabyss。SometimeshefanciedhesawtheeyesofNorthWindlookingupathimfrombelow，butthefancyneverlastedbeyondthemomentofitsbirth。Andthetimepassedhedidnotknowhow，forhefeltasifhewereinadream。
Whenhegottiredofthegreenwater，hewentintothebluecave;
andwhenhegottiredofthebluecavehewentoutandgazedallabouthimonthebluesea，eversparklinginthesun，whichkeptwheelingaboutthesky，nevergoingbelowthehorizon。Buthechieflygazednorthwards，toseewhetheranylandwereappearing。
Allthistimeheneverwantedtoeat。Hebrokeofflittlebitsofthebergnowandthenandsuckedthem，andhethoughtthemverynice。
Atlength，onetimehecameoutofhiscave，hespiedfaroffonthehorizon，ashiningpeakthatroseintotheskylikethetopofsometremendousiceberg;andhisvesselwasbearinghimstraighttowardsit。Asitwentonthepeakroseandrosehigherandhigherabovethehorizon;andotherpeaksroseafterit，withsharpedgesandjaggedridgesconnectingthem。Diamondthoughtthismustbetheplacehewasgoingto;andhewasright;forthemountainsroseandrose，tillhesawthelineofthecoastattheirfeetandatlengththeicebergdroveintoalittlebay，allaroundwhichwereloftyprecipiceswithsnowontheirtops，andstreaksoficedowntheirsides。Thebergfloatedslowlyuptoaprojectingrock。
Diamondsteppedonshore，andwithoutlookingbehindhimbegantofollowanaturalpathwhichledwindinglytowardsthetopoftheprecipice。
Whenhereachedit，hefoundhimselfonabroadtableofice，alongwhichhecouldwalkwithoutmuchdifficulty。Beforehim，ataconsiderabledistance，rosealoftyridgeofice，whichshotupintofantasticpinnaclesandtowersandbattlements。Theairwasverycold，andseemedsomehowdead，fortherewasnottheslightestbreathofwind。
Inthecentreoftheridgebeforehimappearedagapliketheopeningofavalley。Butashewalkedtowardsit，gazing，andwonderingwhetherthatcouldbethewayhehadtotake，hesawthatwhathadappearedagapwastheformofawomanseatedagainsttheicefrontoftheridge，leaningforwardswithherhandsinherlap，andherhairhangingdowntotheground。
“ItisNorthWindonherdoorstep。”saidDiamondjoyfully，andhurriedon。
Hesooncameuptotheplace，andtheretheformsat，likeoneofthegreatfiguresatthedoorofanEgyptiantemple，motionless，withdroopingarmsandhead。ThenDiamondgrewfrightened，becauseshedidnotmovenorspeak。HewassureitwasNorthWind，buthethoughtshemustbedeadatlast。Herfacewaswhiteasthesnow，hereyeswereblueastheairintheice-cave，andherhairhungdownstraight，likeicicles。Shehadonagreenishrobe，likethecolourinthehollowsofaglacierseenfromfaroff。
Hestoodupbeforeher，andgazedfearfullyintoherfaceforafewminutesbeforeheventuredtospeak。Atlength，withagreateffortandatremblingvoice，hefalteredout——
“NorthWind！“
“Well，child？”saidtheform，withoutliftingitshead。
“Areyouill，dearNorthWind？”
“No。Iamwaiting。”
“Whatfor？”
“TillI’mwanted。”
“Youdon’tcareformeanymore。”saidDiamond，almostcryingnow。
“YesIdo。OnlyIcan’tshowit。Allmyloveisdownatthebottomofmyheart。ButIfeelitbubblingthere。”
“Whatdoyouwantmetodonext，dearNorthWind？”saidDiamond，wishingtoshowhislovebybeingobedient。
“Whatdoyouwanttodoyourself？”
“Iwanttogointothecountryatyourback。”
“Thenyoumustgothroughme。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumean。”
“ImeanjustwhatIsay。YoumustwalkonasifIwereanopendoor，andgorightthroughme。”
“Butthatwillhurtyou。”
“Notintheleast。Itwillhurtyou，though。”
“Idon’tmindthat，ifyoutellmetodoit。”
“Doit。”saidNorthWind。
Diamondwalkedtowardsherinstantly。Whenhereachedherknees，heputouthishandtolayitonher，butnothingwastheresaveanintensecold。Hewalkedon。Thenallgrewwhiteabouthim;
andthecoldstunghimlikefire。Hewalkedonstill，gropingthroughthewhiteness。Itthickenedabouthim。Atlast，itgotintohisheart，andhelostallsense。Iwouldsaythathefainted——onlywhereasincommonfaintsallgrowsblackaboutyou，hefeltswallowedupinwhiteness。ItwaswhenhereachedNorthWind’sheartthathefaintedandfell。Butashefell，herolledoverthethreshold，anditwasthusthatDiamondgottothebackofthenorthwind。