CHAPTERX
ATTHEBACKOFTHENORTHWIND
IHAVEnowcometothemostdifficultpartofmystory。Andwhy？
BecauseIdonotknowenoughaboutit。AndwhyshouldInotknowasmuchaboutthispartasaboutanyotherpart？ForofcourseIcouldknownothingaboutthestoryexceptDiamondhadtoldit;
andwhyshouldnotDiamondtellaboutthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind，aswellasabouthisadventuresingettingthere？
Because，whenhecameback，hehadforgottenagreatdeal，andwhathedidrememberwasveryhardtotell。Thingstherearesodifferentfromthingshere！Thepeopletheredonotspeakthesamelanguageforonething。Indeed，Diamondinsistedthattheretheydonotspeakatall。Idonotthinkhewasright，butitmaywellhaveappearedsotoDiamond。Thefactis，wehavedifferentreportsoftheplacefromthemosttrustworthypeople。
Thereforeweareboundtobelievethatitappearssomewhatdifferenttodifferentpeople。All，however，agreeinageneralwayaboutit。
Iwilltellyousomethingofwhattwoverydifferentpeoplehavereported，bothofwhomknewmoreaboutit，Ibelieve，thanHerodotus。
Oneofthemspeaksfromhisownexperience，forhevisitedthecountry;
theotherfromthetestimonyofayoungpeasantgirlwhocamebackfromitforamonth’svisittoherfriends。TheformerwasagreatItalianofnoblefamily，whodiedmorethanfivehundredyearsago;
thelatteraScotchshepherdwhodiednotfortyyearsago。
TheItalian，then，informsusthathehadtoenterthatcountrythroughafiresohotthathewouldhavethrownhimselfintoboilingglasstocoolhimself。ThiswasnotDiamond’sexperience，butthenDurante——thatwasthenameoftheItalian，anditmeansLasting，forhisbookswilllastaslongasthereareenoughmenintheworldworthyofhavingthem——Durantewasanelderlyman，andDiamondwasalittleboy，andsotheirexperiencemustbealittledifferent。
Thepeasantgirl，ontheotherhand，fellfastasleepinawood，andwokeinthesamecountry。
Indescribingit，Durantesaysthatthegroundeverywheresmeltsweetly，andthatagentle，even-temperedwind，whichneverblewfasterorslower，breathedinhisfaceashewent，makingalltheleavespointoneway，notsoastodisturbthebirdsinthetopsofthetrees，but，onthecontrary，soundingabasstotheirsong。
Hedescribesalsoalittleriverwhichwassofullthatitslittlewaves，asithurriedalong，bentthegrass，fullofredandyellowflowers，throughwhichitflowed。Hesaysthatthepureststreamintheworldbesidethisonewouldlookasifitweremixedwithsomethingthatdidnotbelongtoit，evenalthoughitwasflowingeverinthebrownshadowofthetrees，andneithersunnormooncouldshineuponit。
HeseemstoimplythatitisalwaysthemonthofMayinthatcountry。
Itwouldbeoutofplacetodescribeherethewonderfulsightshesaw，forthemusicofthemisinanotherkeyfromthatofthisstory，andIshallthereforeonlyaddfromtheaccountofthistraveller，thatthepeopletherearesofreeandsojustandsohealthy，thateveryoneofthemhasacrownlikeakingandamitrelikeapriest。
Thepeasantgirl——Kilmenywashername——couldnotreportsuchgrandthingsasDurante，for，astheshepherdsays，tellingherstoryasItellDiamond’s——
“Kilmenyhadbeensheknewnotwhere，AndKilmenyhadseenwhatshecouldnotdeclare;
Kilmenyhadbeenwherethecocknevercrew，Wheretherainneverfell，andthewindneverblew。
Butitseemedastheharpoftheskyhadrung，Andtheairsofheavenplayedroundhertongue，Whenshespokeofthelovelyformsshehadseen，Andalandwheresinhadneverbeen;
Alandofloveandalandoflight，Withoutensun，ormoon，ornight;
Wheretheriverswayedalivingstream，Andthelightapureandcloudlessbeam:
Thelandofvisionitwouldseem，Andstillaneverlastingdream。”
Thelasttwolinesaretheshepherd’sownremark，andamatterofopinion。Butitisclear，Ithink，thatKilmenymusthavedescribedthesamecountryasDurantesaw，though，nothavinghisexperience，shecouldneitherunderstandnordescribeitsowell。
NowImustgiveyousuchfragmentsofrecollectionasDiamondwasabletobringbackwithhim。
Whenhecametohimselfafterhefell，hefoundhimselfatthebackofthenorthwind。NorthWindherselfwasnowheretobeseen。
Neitherwasthereavestigeofsnoworoficewithinsight。
Thesuntoohadvanished;butthatwasnomatter，fortherewasplentyofacertainstillraylesslight。Whereitcamefromheneverfoundout;buthethoughtitbelongedtothecountryitself。
Sometimeshethoughtitcameoutoftheflowers，whichwereverybright，buthadnostrongcolour。Hesaidtheriver——forallagreethatthereisariverthere——flowednotonlythrough，butovergrass:itschannel，insteadofbeingrock，stones，pebbles，sand，oranythingelse，wasofpuremeadowgrass，notoverlong。Heinsistedthatifitdidnotsingtunesinpeople’sears，itsungtunesintheirheads，inproofofwhichImaymentionthat，inthetroubleswhichfollowed，Diamondwasoftenheardsinging;andwhenaskedwhathewassinging，wouldanswer，“Oneofthetunestheriveratthebackofthenorthwindsung。”AndImayaswellsayatoncethatDiamondnevertoldthesethingstoanyonebut——no，Ihadbetternotsaywhoitwas;
butwhoeveritwastoldme，andIthoughtitwouldbewelltowritethemformychild-readers。
Hecouldnotsayhewasveryhappythere，forhehadneitherhisfathernormotherwithhim，buthefeltsostillandquietandpatientandcontented，that，asfarasthemerefeelingwent，itwassomethingbetterthanmerehappiness。Nothingwentwrongatthebackofthenorthwind。Neitherwasanythingquiteright，hethought。Onlyeverythingwasgoingtoberightsomeday。
HisaccountdisagreedwiththatofDurante，andagreedwiththatofKilmeny，inthis，thatheprotestedtherewasnowindthereatall。
Ifancyhemissedit。Atalleventswecouldnotdowithoutwind。
Italldependsonhowbigourlungsarewhetherthewindistoostrongforusornot。
Whenthepersonhetoldaboutitaskedhimwhetherhesawanybodyheknewthere，heanswered，“Onlyalittlegirlbelongingtothegardener，whothoughthehadlosther，butwasquitemistaken，forthereshewassafeenough，andwastocomebacksomeday，asIcameback，iftheywouldonlywait。”
“Didyoutalktoher，Diamond？”
“No。Nobodytalksthere。Theyonlylookateachother，andunderstandeverything。”
“Isitcoldthere？”
“No。”
“Isithot？”
“No。”
“Whatisitthen？”
“Youneverthinkaboutsuchthingsthere。”
“Whataqueerplaceitmustbe！“
“It’saverygoodplace。”
“Doyouwanttogobackagain？”
“No;Idon’tthinkIhaveleftit;Ifeelithere，somewhere。”
“Didthepeopletherelookpleased？”
“Yes——quitepleased，onlyalittlesad。”
“Thentheydidn’tlookglad？”
“Theylookedasiftheywerewaitingtobegladdersomeday。”
ThiswashowDiamondusedtoanswerquestionsaboutthatcountry。
AndnowIwilltakeupthestoryagain，andtellyouhowhegotbacktothiscountry。
CHAPTERXI
HOWDIAMONDGOTHOMEAGAIN
WHENoneatthebackofthenorthwindwantedtoknowhowthingsweregoingwithanyoneheloved，hehadtogotoacertaintree，climbthestem，andsitdowninthebranches。Inafewminutes，ifhekeptverystill，hewouldseesomethingatleastofwhatwasgoingonwiththepeopleheloved。
OnedaywhenDiamondwassittinginthistree，hebegantolongverymuchtogethomeagain，andnowonder，forhesawhismothercrying。
Durantesaysthatthepeopletheremayalwaysfollowtheirwishes，becausetheyneverwishbutwhatisgood。Diamond’swishwastogethome，andhewouldfainfollowhiswish。
Buthowwashetosetaboutit？IfhecouldonlyseeNorthWind！
Butthemomenthehadgottoherback，shewasgonealtogetherfromhissight。Hehadneverseenherback。Shemightbesittingonherdoorstepstill，lookingsouthwards，andwaiting，whiteandthinandblue-eyed，untilshewaswanted。Orshemighthaveagainbecomeamightycreature，withpowertodothatwhichwasdemandedofher，andgonefarawayuponmanymissions。Shemustbesomewhere，however。
Hecouldnotgohomewithouther，andthereforehemustfindher。
Shecouldneverhaveintendedtoleavehimalwaysawayfromhismother。
Iftherehadbeenanydangerofthat，shewouldhavetoldhim，andgivenhimhischoiceaboutgoing。ForNorthWindwasrighthonest。
HowtofindNorthWind，therefore，occupiedallhisthoughts。
Inhisanxietyabouthismother，heusedtoclimbthetreeeveryday，andsitinitsbranches。Howevermanyofthedwellerstheredidso，theyneverincommodedoneanother;forthemomentonegotintothetree，hebecameinvisibletoeveryoneelse;anditwassuchawide-spreadingtreethattherewasroomforeveryoneofthepeopleofthecountryinit，withouttheleastinterferencewitheachother。Sometimes，ongettingdown，twoofthemwouldmeetattheroot，andthentheywouldsmiletoeachothermoresweetlythanatanyothertime，asmuchastosay，“Ah，you’vebeenuptheretoo！“
Onedayhewassittingononeoftheouterbranchesofthetree，lookingsouthwardsafterhishome。Farawaywasablueshiningsea，dottedwithgleamingandsparklingspecksofwhite。Thoseweretheicebergs。Nearerhesawagreatrangeofsnow-cappedmountains，anddownbelowhimthelovelymeadow-grassofthecountry，withthestreamflowingandflowingthroughit，awaytowardsthesea。
Ashelookedhebegantowonder，forthewholecountrylaybeneathhimlikeamap，andthatwhichwasnearhimlookedjustassmallasthatwhichheknewtobemilesaway。Theridgeoficewhichencircleditappearedbutafewyardsoff，andnolargerthantherowofpebbleswithwhichachildwillmarkouttheboundariesofthekingdomhehasappropriatedonthesea-shore。HethoughthecoulddistinguishthevapouryformofNorthWind，seatedashehadlefther，ontheotherside。Hastilyhedescendedthetree，andtohisamazementfoundthatthemapormodelofthecountrystilllayathisfeet。
Hestoodinit。Withonestridehehadcrossedtheriver;
withanotherhehadreachedtheridgeofice;withthethirdhesteppedoveritspeaks，andsankwearilydownatNorthWind’sknees。
Forthereshesatonherdoorstep。Thepeaksofthegreatridgeoficewereasloftyaseverbehindher，andthecountryatherbackhadvanishedfromDiamond’sview。
NorthWindwasasstillasDiamondhadlefther。Herpalefacewaswhiteasthesnow，andhermotionlesseyeswereasblueasthecavernsintheice。ButtheinstantDiamondtouchedher，herfacebegantochangelikethatofonewakingfromsleep。
Lightbegantoglimmerfromtheblueofhereyes。
Amomentmore，andshelaidherhandonDiamond’shead，andbeganplayingwithhishair。Diamondtookholdofherhand，andlaidhisfacetoit。Shegavealittlestart。
“Howveryaliveyouare，child！“shemurmured。“Comenearertome。”
Bythehelpofthestonesallaroundheclamberedupbesideher，andlaidhimselfagainstherbosom。Shegaveagreatsigh，slowlyliftedherarms，andslowlyfoldedthemabouthim，untilsheclaspedhimclose。Yetamoment，andsherousedherself，andcamequiteawake;andthecoldofherbosom，whichhadpiercedDiamond’sbones，vanished。
“HaveyoubeensittinghereeversinceIwentthroughyou，dearNorthWind？”askedDiamond，strokingherhand。
“Yes。”sheanswered，lookingathimwithheroldkindness。
“Ain’tyouverytired？”
“No;I’veoftenhadtositlonger。Doyouknowhowlongyouhavebeen？”
“Oh！yearsandyears。”answeredDiamond。
“Youhavejustbeensevendays。”returnedNorthWind。
“IthoughtIhadbeenahundredyears！“exclaimedDiamond。
“Yes，Idaresay。”repliedNorthWind。“You’vebeenawayfromheresevendays;buthowlongyoumayhavebeeninthereisquiteanotherthing。Behindmybackandbeforemyfacethingsaresodifferent！Theydon’tgoatallbythesamerule。”
“I’mveryglad。”saidDiamond，afterthinkingawhile。
“Why？”askedNorthWind。
“BecauseI’vebeensuchalongtimethere，andsuchalittlewhileawayfrommother。Why，shewon’tbeexpectingmehomefromSandwichyet！“
“No。Butwemustn’ttalkanylonger。I’vegotmyordersnow，andwemustbeoffinafewminutes。”
NextmomentDiamondfoundhimselfsittingaloneontherock。
NorthWindhadvanished。Acreaturelikeagreathumble-beeorcockchaferflewpasthisface;butitcouldbeneither，fortherewerenoinsectsamongsttheice。Itpassedhimagainandagain，flyingincirclesaroundhim，andheconcludedthatitmustbeNorthWindherself，nobiggerthanTomThumbwhenhismotherputhiminthenutshelllinedwithflannel。Butshewasnolongervapouryandthin。Shewassolid，althoughtiny。Amomentmore，andsheperchedonhisshoulder。
“Comealong，Diamond。”shesaidinhisear，inthesmallestandhighestoftreblevoices;“itistimeweweresettingoutforSandwich。”
Diamondcouldjustseeher，byturninghisheadtowardshisshoulderasfarashecould，butonlywithoneeye，forhisnosecamebetweenherandtheother。
“Won’tyoutakemeinyourarmsandcarryme？”hesaidinawhisper，forheknewshedidnotlikealoudvoicewhenshewassmall。
“Ah！youungratefulboy。”returnedNorthWind，smiling“howdareyoumakegameofme？Yes，Iwillcarryyou，butyoushallwalkabitforyourimpertinencefirst。Comealong。”
Shejumpedfromhisshoulder，butwhenDiamondlookedforherupontheground，hecouldseenothingbutalittlespiderwithlonglegsthatmadeitswayovertheicetowardsthesouth。Itranveryfastindeedforaspider，butDiamondranalongwaybeforeit，andthenwaitedforit。Itwasupwithhimsoonerthanhehadexpected，however，andithadgrownagooddeal。Andthespidergrewandgrewandwentfasterandfaster，tillallatonceDiamonddiscoveredthatitwasnotaspider，butaweasel;andawayglidedtheweasel，andawaywentDiamondafterit，andittookalltheruntherewasinhimtokeepupwiththeweasel。Andtheweaselgrew，andgrew，andgrew，tillallatonceDiamondsawthattheweaselwasnotaweaselbutacat。Andawaywentthecat，andDiamondafterit。
Andwhenhehadrunhalfamile，hefoundthecatwaitingforhim，sittingupandwashingherfacenottolosetime。Andawaywentthecatagain，andDiamondafterit。Butthenexttimehecameupwiththecat，thecatwasnotacat，butahunting-leopard。
Andthehunting-leopardgrewtoajaguar，allcoveredwithspotslikeeyes。AndthejaguargrewtoaBengaltiger。AndatnoneofthemwasDiamondafraid，forhehadbeenatNorthWind’sback，andhecouldbeafraidofhernolongerwhatevershedidorgrew。
Andthetigerflewoverthesnowinastraightlineforthesouth，growinglessandlesstoDiamond’seyestillitwasonlyablackspeckuponthewhiteness;andthenitvanishedaltogether。
AndnowDiamondfeltthathewouldrathernotrunanyfarther，andthattheicehadgotveryrough。Besides，hewasneartheprecipicesthatboundedthesea，soheslackenedhispacetoawalk，sayingaloudtohimself:
“WhenNorthWindhaspunishedmeenoughformakinggameofher，shewillcomebacktome;Iknowshewill，forIcan’tgomuchfartherwithouther。”
“Youdearboy！Itwasonlyinfun。HereIam！“saidNorthWind’svoicebehindhim。
Diamondturned，andsawherashelikedbesttoseeher，standingbesidehim，atalllady。
“Where’sthetiger？”heasked，forheknewallthecreaturesfromapicturebookthatMissColemanhadgivenhim。“But，ofcourse。”
headded，“youwerethetiger。Iwaspuzzledandforgot。Isawitsuchalongwayoffbeforeme，andthereyouwerebehindme。
It’ssoodd，youknow。”
“Itmustlookveryoddtoyou，Diamond:Iseethat。Butitisnomoreoddtomethantobreakanoldpineintwo。”
“Well，that’soddenough。”remarkedDiamond。
“Soitis！Iforgot。Well，noneofthesethingsareoddertomethanitistoyoutoeatbreadandbutter。”
“Well，that’soddtoo，whenIthinkofit。”persistedDiamond。
“Ishouldjustlikeasliceofbreadandbutter！I’mafraidtosayhowlongitis——howlongitseemstome，thatis——sinceIhadanythingtoeat。”
“Comethen。”saidNorthWind，stoopingandholdingoutherarms。
“Youshallhavesomebreadandbutterverysoon。Iamgladtofindyouwantsome。”
Diamondhelduphisarmstomeethers，andwassafeuponherbosom。
NorthWindboundedintotheair。Hertressesbegantoliftandriseandspreadandstreamandflowandflutter;andwitharoarfromherhairandanansweringroarfromoneofthegreatglaciersbesidethem，whoseslowtorrenttumbledtwoorthreeicebergsatonceintothewavesattheirfeet，NorthWindandDiamondwentflyingsouthwards。
CHAPTERXII
WHOMETDIAMONDATSANDWICH
AsTHEYflew，sofasttheywentthattheseaslidawayfromunderthemlikeagreatwebofshotsilk，blueshotwithgrey，andgreenshotwithpurple。Theywentsofastthatthestarsthemselvesappearedtosailawaypastthemoverhead，“likegoldenboats。”
onablueseaturnedupsidedown。AndtheywentsofastthatDiamondhimselfwenttheotherwayasfast——ImeanhewentfastasleepinNorthWind’sarms。
Whenhewoke，afacewasbendingoverhim;butitwasnotNorthWind’s;
itwashismother’s。Heputouthisarmstoher，andsheclaspedhimtoherbosomandburstoutcrying。Diamondkissedheragainandagaintomakeherstop。Perhapskissingisthebestthingforcrying，butitwillnotalwaysstopit。
“Whatisthematter，mother？”hesaid。
“Oh，Diamond，mydarling！youhavebeensoill！“shesobbed。
“No，motherdear。I’veonlybeenatthebackofthenorthwind。”
returnedDiamond。
“Ithoughtyouweredead。”saidhismother。
Butthatmomentthedoctorcamein。
“Oh！there！“saidthedoctorwithgentlecheerfulness;“we’rebetterto-day，Isee。”
Thenhedrewthemotheraside，andtoldhernottotalktoDiamond，ortomindwhathemightsay;forhemustbekeptasquietaspossible。
AndindeedDiamondwasnotmuchinclinedtotalk，forhefeltverystrangeandweak，whichwaslittlewonder，seeingthatallthetimehehadbeenawayhehadonlysuckedafewlumpsofice，andtherecouldnotbemuchnourishmentinthem。
Nowwhileheislyingthere，gettingstrongagainwithchickenbrothandothernicethings，Iwilltellmyreaderswhathadbeentakingplaceathishome，fortheyoughttobetoldit。
TheymayhaveforgottenthatMissColemanwasinaverypoorstateofhealth。Nowtherewerethreereasonsforthis。
Inthefirstplace，herlungswerenotstrong。Inthesecondplace，therewasagentlemansomewherewhohadnotbehavedverywelltoher。
Inthethirdplace，shehadnotanythingparticulartodo。
Thesethreenotstogetherareenoughtomakealadyveryillindeed。
Ofcourseshecouldnothelpthefirstcause;butiftheothertwocauseshadnotexisted，thatwouldhavebeenoflittleconsequence;
shewouldonlyhavetobealittlecareful。Thesecondshecouldnothelpquite;butifshehadhadanythingtodo，andhaddoneitwell，itwouldhavebeenverydifficultforanymantobehavebadlytoher。
Andforthisthirdcauseofherillness，ifshehadhadanythingtodothatwasworthdoing，shemighthavebornehisbadbehavioursothateventhatwouldnothavemadeherill。Itisnotalwayseasy，Iconfess，tofindsomethingtodothatisworthdoing，butthemostdifficultthingsareconstantlybeingdone，andshemighthavefoundsomethingifshehadtried。Herfaultlayinthis，thatshehadnottried。But，tobesure，herfatherandmotherweretoblamethattheyhadneversethergoing。Onlythenagain，nobodyhadtoldherfatherandmotherthattheyoughttosethergoinginthatdirection。Soasnoneofthemwouldfinditoutofthemselves，NorthWindhadtoteachthem。
WeknowthatNorthWindwasverybusythatnightonwhichsheleftDiamondinthecathedral。ShehadinasensebeenblowingthroughandthroughtheColemans’housethewholeofthenight。
First，MissColeman’smaidhadleftachinkofhermistress’swindowopen，thinkingshehadshutit，andNorthWindhadwoundafewofherhairsroundthelady’sthroat。Shewasconsiderablyworsethenextmorning。Again，theshipwhichNorthWindhadsunkthatverynightbelongedtoMr。Coleman。NorwillmyreadersunderstandwhataheavylossthiswastohimuntilIhaveinformedthemthathehadbeengettingpoorerandpoorerforsometime。
Hewasnotsosuccessfulinhisspeculationsashehadbeen，forhespeculatedagreatdealmorethanwasright，anditwastimeheshouldbepulledup。Itisahardthingforarichmantogrowpoor;
butitisanawfulthingforhimtogrowdishonest，andsomekindsofspeculationleadamandeepintodishonestybeforehethinkswhatheisabout。Povertywillnotmakeamanworthless——hemaybeworthagreatdealmorewhenheispoorthanhewaswhenhewasrich;
butdishonestygoesveryfarindeedtomakeamanofnovalue——
athingtobethrownoutinthedust-holeofthecreation，likeabitofabrokenbasin，oradirtyrag。SoNorthWindhadtolookafterMr。Coleman，andtrytomakeanhonestmanofhim。
Soshesanktheshipwhichwashislastventure，andhewaswhathimselfandhiswifeandtheworldcalledruined。
Norwasthisallyet。ForonboardthatvesselMissColeman’sloverwasapassenger;andwhenthenewscamethatthevesselhadgonedown，andthatallonboardhadperished，wemaybesureshedidnotthinkthelossoftheirfinehouseandgardenandfurniturethegreatestmisfortuneintheworld。
Ofcourse，thetroubledidnotendwithMr。Colemanandhisfamily。
Nobodycansufferalone。Whenthecauseofsufferingismostdeeplyhiddenintheheart，andnobodyknowsanythingaboutitbutthemanhimself，hemustbeagreatandagoodmanindeed，suchasfewofushaveknown，ifthepaininsidehimdoesnotmakehimbehavesoastocauseallabouthimtobemoreorlessuncomfortable。
Butwhenamanbringsmoney-troublesonhimselfbymakinghastetoberich，thenmostofthepeoplehehastodowithmustsufferinthesamewaywithhimself。Theelm-treewhichNorthWindblewdownthatverynight，asifsmallandgreattrialsweretobegatheredinoneheap，crushedMissColeman’sprettysummer-house:
justsothefallofMr。Colemancrushedthelittlefamilythatlivedoverhiscoach-houseandstable。BeforeDiamondwaswellenoughtobetakenhome，therewasnohomeforhimtogoto。
Mr。Coleman——orhiscreditors，forIdonotknowtheparticulars——
hadsoldhouse，carriage，horses，furniture，andeverything。
HeandhiswifeanddaughterandMrs。CrumphadgonetoliveinasmallhouseinHoxton，wherehewouldbeunknown，andwhencehecouldwalktohisplaceofbusinessintheCity。
Forhewasnotanoldman，andhopedyettoretrievehisfortunes。
Letushopethathelivedtoretrievehishonesty，thetailofwhichhadslippedthroughhisfingerstotheverylastjoint，ifnotbeyondit。
Ofcourse，Diamond’sfatherhadnothingtodoforatime，butitwasnotsohardforhimtohavenothingtodoasitwasforMissColeman。
Hewrotetohiswifethat，ifhersisterwouldkeephertheretillhegotaplace，itwouldbebetterforthem，andhewouldbegreatlyobligedtoher。Meantime，thegentlemanwhohadboughtthehousehadallowedhisfurnituretoremainwhereitwasforalittlewhile。
Diamond’sauntwasquitewillingtokeepthemaslongasshecould。
AndindeedDiamondwasnotyetwellenoughtobemovedwithsafety。
Whenhehadrecoveredsofarastobeabletogoout，onedayhismothergothersister’shusband，whohadalittlepony-cart，tocarrythemdowntothesea-shore，andleavethemthereforafewhours。
HehadsomebusinesstodofurtheronatRamsgate，andwouldpickthemupashereturned。Awhiffofthesea-airwoulddothembothgood，shesaid，andshethoughtbesidesshecouldbesttellDiamondwhathadhappenedifshehadhimquitetoherself。
CHAPTERXIII
THESEASIDE
DIAMONDandhismothersatdownupontheedgeoftheroughgrassthatborderedthesand。Thesunwasjustfarenoughpastitshighestnottoshineintheireyeswhentheylookedeastward。
Asweetlittlewindblewontheirleftside，andcomfortedthemotherwithoutlettingherknowwhatitwasthatcomfortedher。
Awaybeforethemstretchedthesparklingwatersoftheocean，everywaveofwhichflashedoutitsowndelightbackinthefaceofthegreatsun，whichlookeddownfromthestillnessofitsbluehousewithglorioussilentfaceuponitsflashingchildren。
Oneachhandtheshoreroundedoutwards，formingalittlebay。
Therewerenowhitecliffshere，asfurthernorthandsouth，andtheplacewasratherdreary，buttheskygotatthemsomuchthebetter。
Notahouse，notacreaturewaswithinsight。Drysandwasabouttheirfeet，andunderthemthinwirygrass，thatjustmanagedtogrowoutofthepoverty-strickenshore。
“Ohdear！“saidDiamond’smother，withadeepsigh，“it’sasadworld！“
“Isit？”saidDiamond。“Ididn’tknow。”
“Howshouldyouknow，child？You’vebeentoowelltakencareof，Itrust。”
“Ohyes，Ihave。”returnedDiamond。“I’msorry！Ithoughtyouweretakencareoftoo。Ithoughtmyfathertookcareofyou。
Iwillaskhimaboutit。Ithinkhemusthaveforgotten。”
“Dearboy！“saidhismother。“yourfather’sthebestmanintheworld。”
“SoIthought！“returnedDiamondwithtriumph。“Iwassureofit！——Well，doesn’thetakeverygoodcareofyou？”
“Yes，yes，hedoes。”answeredhismother，burstingintotears。
“Butwho’stotakecareofhim？Andhowishetotakecareofusifhe’sgotnothingtoeathimself？”
“Ohdear！“saidDiamondwithagasp;“hasn’thegotanythingtoeat？Oh！Imustgohometohim。”
“No，no，child。He’snotcometothatyet。Butwhat’stobecomeofus，Idon’tknow。”
“Areyouveryhungry，mother？There’sthebasket。Ithoughtyouputsomethingtoeatinit。”
“Oyoudarlingstupid！Ididn’tsayIwashungry。”returnedhismother，smilingthroughhertears。
“ThenIdon’tunderstandyouatall。”saidDiamond。“Dotellmewhat’sthematter。”
“Therearepeopleintheworldwhohavenothingtoeat，Diamond。”
“ThenIsupposetheydon’tstopinitanylonger。They——they——
whatyoucall——die——don’tthey？”
“Yes，theydo。Howwouldyoulikethat？”
“Idon’tknow。Inevertried。ButIsupposetheygowheretheygetsomethingtoeat。”
“Likeenoughtheydon’twantit。”saidhismother，petulantly。
“That’sallrightthen。”saidDiamond，thinkingIdaresaymorethanhechosetoputinwords。
“Isitthough？Poorboy！howlittleyouknowaboutthings！
Mr。Coleman’slostallhismoney，andyourfatherhasnothingtodo，andweshallhavenothingtoeatbyandby。”
“Areyousure，mother？”
“Sureofwhat？”
“Surethatweshallhavenothingtoeat。”
“No，thankHeaven！I’mnotsureofit。Ihopenot。”
“ThenIcan’tunderstandit，mother。There’sapieceofgingerbreadinthebasket，Iknow。”
“Oyoulittlebird！Youhavenomoresensethanasparrowthatpickswhatitwants，andneverthinksofthewinterandthefrostand，thesnow。”
“Ah——yes——Isee。Butthebirdsgetthroughthewinter，don’tthey？”
“Someofthemfalldeadontheground。”
“Theymustdiesometime。Theywouldn’tliketobebirdsalways。
Wouldyou，mother？”
“Whatachilditis！“thoughthismother，butshesaidnothing。
“Oh！nowIremember。”Diamondwenton。“FathertoldmethatdayIwenttoEppingForestwithhim，thattherose-bushes，andthemay-bushes，andtheholly-busheswerethebird’sbarns，fortherewerethehips，andthehaws，andtheholly-berries，allreadyforthewinter。”
“Yes;that’sallverytrue。Soyouseethebirdsareprovidedfor。
Buttherearenosuchbarnsforyouandme，Diamond。”
“Ain’tthere？”
“No。We’vegottoworkforourbread。”
“Thenlet’sgoandwork。”saidDiamond，gettingup。
“It’snouse。We’venotgotanythingtodo。”
“Thenlet’swait。”
“Thenweshallstarve。”
“No。There’sthebasket。Doyouknow，mother，IthinkIshallcallthatbasketthebarn。”
“It’snotaverybigone。Andwhenit’sempty——wherearewethen？”
“Atauntie’scupboard。”returnedDiamondpromptly。
“Butwecan’teatauntie’sthingsallupandleavehertostarve。”
“No，no。We’llgobacktofatherbeforethat。He’llhavefoundacupboardsomewherebythattime。”
“Howdoyouknowthat？”
“Idon’tknowit。ButIhaven’tgotevenacupboard，andI’vealwayshadplentytoeat。I’veheardyousayIhadtoomuch，sometimes。”
“ButItellyouthat’sbecauseI’vehadacupboardforyou，child。”
“Andwhenyourswasempty，auntieopenedhers。”
“Butthatcan’tgoon。”
“Howdoyouknow？Ithinktheremustbeabigcupboardsomewhere，outofwhichthelittlecupboardsarefilled，youknow，mother。”
“Well，IwishIcouldfindthedoorofthatcupboard。”saidhismother。
Butthesamemomentshestopped，andwassilentforagoodwhile。
IcannottellwhetherDiamondknewwhatshewasthinking，butI
thinkIknow。Shehadheardsomethingatchurchthedaybefore，whichcamebackuponher——somethinglikethis，thatshehadn’ttoeatfortomorrowaswellasforto-day;andthatwhatwasnotwantedcouldn’tbemissed。So，insteadofsayinganythingmore，shestretchedoutherhandforthebasket，andsheandDiamondhadtheirdinner。
AndDiamonddidenjoyit。Forthedriveandthefreshairhadmadehimquitehungry;andhedidnot，likehismother，troublehimselfaboutwhattheyshoulddineoffthatdayweek。Thefactwashehadlivedsolongwithoutanyfoodatallatthebackofthenorthwind，thatheknewquitewellthatfoodwasnotessentialtoexistence;
thatinfact，undercertaincircumstances，peoplecouldlivewithoutitwellenough。
Hismotherdidnotspeakmuchduringtheirdinner。Afteritwasovershehelpedhimtowalkaboutalittle，buthewasnotableformuchandsoongottired。Hedidnotgetfretful，though。
Hewastoogladofhavingthesunandthewindagain，tofretbecausehecouldnotrunabout。Helaydownonthedrysand，andhismothercoveredhimwithashawl。Shethensatbyhisside，andtookabitofworkfromherpocket。ButDiamondfeltrathersleepy，andturnedonhissideandgazedsleepilyoverthesand。
Afewyardsoffhesawsomethingfluttering。
“Whatisthat，mother？”hesaid。
“Onlyabitofpaper。”sheanswered。
“Itfluttersmorethanabitofpaperwould，Ithink。”saidDiamond。
“I’llgoandseeifyoulike。”saidhismother。“Myeyesarenoneofthebest。”
Sosheroseandwentandfoundthattheywerebothright，foritwasalittlebook，partlyburiedinthesand。Butseveralofitsleaveswereclearofthesand，andthesethewindkeptblowingaboutinaveryflutterfulmanner。ShetookitupandbroughtittoDiamond。
“Whatisit，mother？”heasked。
“Somenurseryrhymes，Ithink。”sheanswered。
“I’mtoosleepy。”saidDiamond。“Doreadsomeofthemtome。”
“Yes，Iwill。”shesaid，andbeganone——“Butthisissuchnonsense！“
shesaidagain。“Iwilltrytofindabetterone。”
Sheturnedtheleavessearching，butthreetimes，withsuddenpuffs，thewindblewtheleavesrustlingbacktothesameverses。
“Doreadthatone。”saidDiamond，whoseemedtobeofthesamemindasthewind。“Itsoundedverynice。Iamsureitisagoodone。”
Sohismotherthoughtitmightamusehim，thoughshecouldn’tfindanysenseinit。Sheneverthoughthemightunderstandit，althoughshecouldnot。
NowIdonotexactlyknowwhatthemotherread，butthisiswhatDiamondheard，orthoughtafterwardsthathehadheard。
Hewas，however，asIhavesaid，verysleepy。Andwhenhethoughtheunderstoodtheverseshemayhavebeenonlydreamingbetterones。
Thisishowtheywent——
Iknowariverwhosewatersrunasleeprunruneversingingintheshallowsdumbinthehollowssleepingsodeepandalltheswallowsthatdiptheirfeathersinthehollowsorintheshallowsarethemerriestswallowsofallfortheneststheybakewiththeclaytheycakewiththewatertheyshakefromtheirwingsthatrakethewateroutoftheshallowsorthehollowswillholdtogetherinanyweatherandsotheswallowsarethemerriestfellowsandhavethemerriestchildrenandarebuiltsonarrowliketheheadofanarrowtocuttheairandgojustwherethenicestwaterisflowingandthenicestdustisblowingforeachsonarrowlikeheadofanarrowisonlyabarrowtocarrythemudhemakesfromthenicestwaterflowingandthenicestdustthatisblowingtobuildhisnestforherhelovesbestwiththenicestcakeswhichthesunshinebakesallfortheirmerrychildrenallsocallowwithbeaksthatfollowgapingandhollowwiderandwideraftertheirfatheroraftertheirmotherthefood-providerwhobringsthemaspiderorawormthepoorhiderdownintheearthsothere’snodearthfortheirbeaksasyellowasthebuttercupsgrowingbesidetheflowingofthesingingriveralwaysandevergrowingandblowingforfastasthesheepawakeorasleepcropthemandcropthemtheycannotstopthembutuptheycreepandontheygoblowingandsowiththedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisestheygrowandtheyblowandtheyspreadouttheircrownandtheypraisethesunandwhenhegoesdowntheirpraisingisdoneandtheyfolduptheircrownandtheysleepeveryonetillovertheplainhe’sshiningamainandthey’reatitagainpraisingandpraisingsuchlowsongsraisingthatnoonehearsthembutthesunwhorearsthemandthesheepthatbitethemarethequietestsheepawakeorasleepwiththemerriestbleatandthelittlelambsarethemerriestlambstheyforgettoeatforthefrolicintheirfeetandthelambsandtheirdamsarethewhitestsheepwiththewoolliestwoolandthelongestwoolandthetrailingesttailsandtheyshinelikesnowinthegrassesthatgrowbythesingingriverthatsingsforeverandthesheepandthelambsaremerryforeverbecausetheriversingsandtheydrinkitandthelambsandtheirdamsarequietandwhitebecauseoftheirdietforwhattheybiteisbuttercupsyellowanddaisieswhiteandgrassasgreenastherivercanmakeitwithwindasmellowtokissitandshakeitasneverwasseenbuthereinthehollowsbesidetheriverwherealltheswallowsaremerriestoffellowsfortheneststheymakewiththeclaytheycakeinthesunshinebaketilltheyarelikeboneasdryinthewindasamarblestonesofirmtheybindthegrassintheclaythatdriesinthewindthesweetestwindthatblowsbytheriverflowingforeverbutneveryoufindwhencecomesthewindthatblowsonthehollowsandovertheshallowswherediptheswallowsaliveitblowsthelifeasitgoesawakeorasleepintotheriverthatsingsasitflowsandthelifeitblowsintothesheepawakeorasleepwiththewoolliestwoolandthetrailingesttailsanditneverfailsgentleandcooltowavethewoolandtotossthegrassasthelambsandthesheepoveritpassandtugandbitewiththeirteethsowhiteandthenwiththesweepoftheirtrailingtailssmoothitagainanditgrowsamainandamainitgrowsandthewindasitblowstossestheswallowsoverthehollowsanddownontheshallowstilleveryfeatherdothshakeandquiverandalltheirfeathersgoalltogetherblowingthelifeandthejoysorifeintotheswallowsthatskimtheshallowsandhavetheyellowestchildrenforthewindthatblowsisthelifeoftheriverflowingforeverthatwashesthegrassesstillasitpassesandfeedsthedaisiesthelittlewhitepraisesandbuttercupsbonnysogoldenandsunnywithbutterandhoneythatwhitenthesheepawakeorasleepthatnibbleandbiteandgrowwhiterthanwhiteandmerryandquietonthesweetdietfedbytheriverandtossedforeverbythewindthattossestheswallowthatcrossesovertheshallowsdippinghiswingstogatherthewaterandbakethecakethatthewindshallmakeashardasaboneasdryasastoneit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindandallintheriverthatflowsforeverandallinthegrassesandthewhitedaisiesandthemerrysheepawakeorasleepandthehappyswallowsskimmingtheshallowsandit’sallinthewindthatblowsfrombehindHereDiamondbecameawarethathismotherhadstoppedreading。
“Whydon’tyougoon，motherdear？”heasked。
“It’ssuchnonsense！“saidhismother。“Ibelieveitwouldgoonforever。”
“That’sjustwhatitdid。”saidDiamond。
“Whatdid？”sheasked。
“Why，theriver。That’salmosttheverytuneitusedtosing。”
Hismotherwasfrightened，forshethoughtthefeverwascomingonagain。Soshedidnotcontradicthim。
“Whomadethatpoem？”askedDiamond。
“Idon’tknow。”sheanswered。“Somesillywomanforherchildren，Isuppose——andthenthoughtitgoodenoughtoprint。”
“Shemusthavebeenatthebackofthenorthwindsometimeorother，anyhow。”saidDiamond。“Shecouldn’thavegotaholdofitanywhereelse。That’sjusthowitwent。”Andhebegantochantbitsofithereandthere;buthismothersaidnothingforfearofmakinghim，worse;andshewasverygladindeedwhenshesawherbrother-in-lawjoggingalonginhislittlecart。TheyliftedDiamondin，andgotupthemselves，andawaytheywent，“homeagain，homeagain，homeagain。”asDiamondsang。Buthesoongrewquiet，andbeforetheyreachedSandwichhewasfastasleepanddreamingofthecountryatthebackofthenorthwind。
CHAPTERXIV
OLDDIAMOND
AFTERthisDiamondrecoveredsofast，thatinafewdayshewasquiteabletogohomeassoonashisfatherhadaplaceforthemtogo。
Nowhisfatherhavingsavedalittlemoney，andfindingthatnosituationoffereditself，hadbeenthinkingoveranewplan。
Astrangeoccurrenceitwaswhichturnedhisthoughtsinthatdirection。
HehadafriendintheBloomsburyregion，wholivedbylettingoutcabsandhorsestothecabmen。Thisman，happeningtomeethimonedayashewasreturningfromanunsuccessfulapplication，saidtohim:
“Whydon’tyousetupforyourselfnow——inthecabline，Imean？”
“Ihaven’tenoughforthat。”answeredDiamond’sfather。
“Youmusthavesavedagoodishbit，Ishouldthink。JustcomehomewithmenowandlookatahorseIcanletyouhavecheap。Iboughthimonlyafewweeksago，thinkinghe’ddoforaHansom，butIwaswrong。
He’sgotboneenoughforawaggon，butawaggonain’taHansom。
Heain’tgotgoenoughforaHansom。YouseepartiesastakesHansomswantstogolikethewind，andheain’tgotwindenough，forheain’tsoyoungasheoncewas。Butforafour-wheelerastakesfamiliesandtheirluggages，he’stheveryhorse。
He’dcarryasmallhouseanyday。Iboughthimcheap，andI’llsellhimcheap。”
“Oh，Idon’twanthim。”saidDiamond’sfather。“Abodymusthavetimetothinkoveranaffairofsomuchimportance。Andthere’sthecabtoo。Thatwouldcometoadealofmoney。”
“Icouldfityouthere，Idaresay。”saidhisfriend。“Butcomeandlookattheanimal，anyhow。”
“SinceIlostmyownoldpair，aswasMr。Coleman’s。”
saidDiamond’sfather，turningtoaccompanythecab-master，“Iain’talmostgotthehearttolookahorseintheface。
It’sathousandpitiestopartmanandhorse。”
“Soitis。”returnedhisfriendsympathetically。
Butwhatwastheex-coachman’sdelight，when，ongoingintothestablewherehisfriendledhim，hefoundthehorsehewantedhimtobuywasnootherthanhisownoldDiamond，grownverythinandbonyandlong-legged，asifthey，hadbeendoingwhattheycouldtofithimforHansomwork！
“Heain’taHansomhorse。”saidDiamond’sfatherindignantly。
“Well，you’reright。Heain’thandsome，buthe’sagoodun“
saidhisowner。
“Whosaysheain’thandsome？He’soneofthehandsomesthorsesagentleman’scoachmaneverdruv。”saidDiamond’sfather;
remarkingtohimselfunderhisbreath——“thoughIsaysitasshouldn’t“——
forhedidnotfeelinclinedallatoncetoconfessthathisownoldhorsecouldhavesunksolow。
“Well。”saidhisfriend，“allIsayis——There’saanimalforyou，asstrongasachurch;an’llgolikeatrain，leastwaysaparly。”
headded，correctinghimself。
Butthecoachmanhadalumpinhisthroatandtearsinhiseyes。
Fortheoldhorse，hearinghisvoice，hadturnedhislongneck，andwhenhisoldfriendwentuptohimandlaidhishandonhisside，hewhinniedforjoy，andlaidhisbigheadonhismaster’sbreast。
Thissettledthematter。Thecoachman’sarmswereroundthehorse’sneckinamoment，andhefairlybrokedownandcried。
Thecab-masterhadneverbeensofondofahorsehimselfastohughimlikethat，buthesawinamomenthowitwas。Andhemusthavebeenagood-heartedfellow，forIneverheardofsuchanideacomingintotheheadofanyothermanwithahorsetosell:
insteadofputtingsomethingontothepricebecausehewasnowprettysureofsellinghim，heactuallytookapoundoffwhathehadmeanttoaskforhim，sayingtohimselfitwasashametopartoldfriends。
Diamond’sfather，assoonashecametohimself，turnedandaskedhowmuchhewantedforthehorse。
“Iseeyou’reoldfriends。”saidtheowner。
“It’smyownoldDiamond。Ilikedhimfarthebestofthepair，thoughtheotherwasgood。Youain’tgothimtoo，haveyou？”
“No;nothinginthestabletomatchhimthere。”
“Ibelieveyou。”saidthecoachman。“Butyou’llbewantingalongpriceforhim，Iknow。”
“No，notsomuch。Iboughthimcheap，andasIsay，heain’tformywork。”
TheendofitwasthatDiamond’sfatherboughtoldDiamondagain，alongwithafour-wheeledcab。Andasthereweresomeroomstobehadoverthestable，hetookthem，wrotetohiswifetocomehome，andsetupasacabman。
CHAPTERXV
THEMEWS
ITWASlateintheafternoonwhenDiamondandhismotherandthebabyreachedLondon。IwassofullofDiamondthatIforgottotellyouababyhadarrivedinthemeantime。Hisfatherwaswaitingforthemwithhisowncab，buttheyhadnottoldDiamondwhothehorsewas;
forhisfatherwantedtoenjoythepleasureofhissurprisewhenhefounditout。Hegotinwithhismotherwithoutlookingatthehorse，andhisfatherhavingputupDiamond’scarpet-bagandhismother’slittletrunk，gotupontheboxhimselfanddroveoff;andDiamondwasquiteproudofridinghomeinhisfather’sowncarriage。
Butwhenhegottothemews，hecouldnothelpbeingalittledismayedatfirst;andifhehadneverbeentothebackofthenorthwind，Iamafraidhewouldhavecriedalittle。Butinsteadofthat，hesaidtohimselfitwasafinethingalltheoldfurniturewasthere。
Andinsteadofhelpinghismothertobemiserableatthechange，hebegantofindoutalltheadvantagesoftheplace;foreveryplacehassomeadvantages，andtheyarealwaysbetterworthknowingthanthedisadvantages。Certainlytheweatherwasdepressing，forathick，dull，persistentrainwasfallingbythetimetheyreachedhome。Buthappilytheweatherisverychangeable;
andbesides，therewasagoodfireburningintheroom，whichtheirneighbourwiththedrunkenhusbandhadattendedtoforthem;andthetea-thingswereputout，andthekettlewasboilingonthefire。
Andwithagoodfire，andteaandbreadandbutter，thingscannotbesaidtobemiserable。
Diamond’sfatherandmotherwere，notwithstanding，rathermiserable，andDiamondbegantofeelakindofdarknessbeginningtospreadoverhisownmind。Butthesamemomenthesaidtohimself，“Thiswillneverdo。Ican’tgiveintothis。I’vebeentothebackofthenorthwind。Thingsgorightthere，andsoImusttrytogetthingstogorighthere。I’vegottofightthemiserablethings。
Theyshan’tmakememiserableifIcanhelpit。”Idonotmeanthathethoughttheseverywords。Theyareperhapstoogrown-upforhimtohavethought，buttheyrepresentthekindofthingthatwasinhisheartandhishead。Andwhenheartandheadgotogether，nothingcanstandbeforethem。
“Whatnicebreadandbutterthisis！“saidDiamond。
“I’mgladyoulikeit，mydear“saidhisfather。“Iboughtthebuttermyselfatthelittleshoproundthecorner。”
“It’sverynice，thankyou，father。Oh，there’sbabywaking！
I’lltakehim。”
“Sitstill，Diamond。”saidhismother。“Goonwithyourbreadandbutter。You’renotstrongenoughtolifthimyet。”
Soshetookthebabyherself，andsethimonherknee。ThenDiamondbegantoamusehim，andwentontillthelittlefellowwasshriekingwithlaughter。Forthebaby’sworldwashismother’sarms;
andthedrizzlingrain，andthedrearymews，andevenhisfather’stroubledfacecouldnottouchhim。Whatcaredbabyforthelossofahundredsituations？Yetneitherfathernormotherthoughthimhard-heartedbecausehecrowedandlaughedinthemiddleoftheirtroubles。Onthecontrary，hiscrowingandlaughingwereinfectious。Hislittleheartwassofullofmerrimentthatitcouldnotholditall，anditranoverintotheirs。Fatherandmotherbegantolaughtoo，andDiamondlaughedtillhehadafitofcoughingwhichfrightenedhismother，andmadethemallstop。
Hisfathertookthebaby，andhismotherputhimtobed。
Butitwasindeedachangetothemall，notonlyfromSandwich，butfromtheiroldplace，insteadofthegreatriverwherethehugebargeswiththeirmightybrownandyellowsailswenttackingfromsidetosidelikelittlepleasure-skiffs，andwherethelongthinboatsshotpastwitheightandsometimestwelverowers，theirwindowsnowlookedoutuponadirtypavedyard。AndtherewasnogardenmoreforDiamondtorunintowhenhepleased，withgayflowersabouthisfeet，andsolemnsun-filledtreesoverhishead。
NeitherwasthereawoodenwallatthebackofhisbedwithaholeinitforNorthWindtocomeinatwhensheliked。Indeed，therewassuchahighwall，andthereweresomanyhousesaboutthemews，thatNorthWindseldomgotintotheplaceatall，exceptwhensomethingmustbedone，andshehadagrandcleaningoutlikeotherhousewives;
whilethepartitionattheheadofDiamond’snewbedonlydivideditfromtheroomoccupiedbyacabmanwhodranktoomuchbeer，andcamehomechieflytoquarrelwithhiswifeandpinchhischildren。
ItwasdreadfultoDiamondtohearthescoldingandthecrying。
Butitcouldnotmakehimmiserable，becausehehadbeenatthebackofthenorthwind。
IfmyreaderfindithardtobelievethatDiamondshouldbesogood，hemustrememberthathehadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。
Ifheneverknewaboysogood，didheeverknowaboythathadbeentothebackofthenorthwind？ItwasnotintheleaststrangeofDiamondtobehaveashedid;onthecontrary，itwasthoroughlysensibleofhim。
Weshallseehowhegoton。
CHAPTERXVI
DIAMONDMAKESABEGINNING
THEwindblewloud，butDiamondsleptadeepsleep，andneverheardit。
MyownimpressionisthateverytimewhenDiamondsleptwellandrememberednothingaboutitinthemorning，hehadbeenallthatnightatthebackofthenorthwind。Iamalmostsurethatwashowhewokesorefreshed，andfeltsoquietandhopefulalltheday。
Indeedhesaidthismuch，thoughnottome——thatalwayswhenhewokefromsuchasleeptherewasasomethinginhismind，hecouldnottellwhat——couldnottellwhetheritwasthelastfar-offsoundsoftheriverdyingawayinthedistance，orsomeofthewordsoftheendlesssonghismotherhadreadtohimonthesea-shore。
Sometimeshethoughtitmusthavebeenthetwitteringoftheswallows——
overtheshallows，you，know;butitmayhavebeenthechirpingofthedingysparrowspickinguptheirbreakfastintheyard——
howcanItell？Idon’tknowwhatIknow，IonlyknowwhatIthink;
andtotellthetruth，Iammorefortheswallowsthanthesparrows。
Whenheknewhewascomingawake，hewouldsometimestryhardtokeepholdofthewordsofwhatseemedanewsong，onehehadnotheardbefore——asonginwhichthewordsandthemusicsomehowappearedtobeallone;butevenwhenhethoughthehadgotthemwellfixedinhismind，everashecameawaker——ashewouldsay——
onelinefadedawayoutofit，andthenanother，andthenanother，tillatlasttherewasnothingleftbutsomelovelypictureofwaterorgrassordaisies，orsomethingelseverycommon，butwithallthecommonnesspolishedoffit，andthelovelysoulofit，whichpeoplesoseldomsee，and，alas！yetseldomerbelievein，shiningout。
Butafterthathewouldsingtheoddest，loveliestlittlesongstothebaby——ofhisownmaking，hismothersaid;butDiamondsaidhedidnotmakethem;theyweremadesomewhereinsidehim，andheknewnothingaboutthemtilltheywerecomingout。
Whenhewokethatfirstmorninghegotupatonce，sayingtohimself，“I’vebeenilllongenough，andhavegivenagreatdealoftrouble;
Imusttryandbeofusenow，andhelpmymother。”Whenhewentintoherroomhefoundherlightingthefire，andhisfatherjustgettingoutofbed。Theyhadonlytheoneroom，besidesthelittleone，notmuchmorethanacloset，inwhichDiamondslept。Hebeganatoncetosetthingstorights，butthebabywakingup，hetookhim，andnursedhimtillhismotherhadgotthebreakfastready。
Shewaslookinggloomy，andhisfatherwassilent;andindeedexceptDiamondhaddoneallhepossiblycouldtokeepoutthemiserythatwastryingtogetinatdoorsandwindows，hetoowouldhavegrownmiserable，andthentheywouldhavebeenallmiserabletogether。
Buttotrytomakeotherscomfortableistheonlywaytogetrightcomfortableourselves，andthatcomespartlyofnotbeingabletothinksomuchaboutourselveswhenwearehelpingotherpeople。