Andtheshadowsbegantoflickerandflee，Andtheyflewthroughthewoodallflatteringandfluttering，Overthedeadleavesflickeringandmuttering。
Andhesaidtothewind，“Come，follow;come，follow，Withwhistleandpipe，andrustleandhollo。”
Andthewindwoundroundathisdesire，Asifhehadbeenthegoldcockonthespire。
Andthecockitselfflewdownfromthechurch，Andleftthefarmersallinthelurch。
Theyrunandtheyfly，theycreepandtheycome，Everything，everything，allandsome。
Theverytreestheytuggedattheirroots，Onlytheirfeetweretoofastintheirboots，Afterhimleaningandstrainingandbending，Asonthroughtheirboleshekeptwalkingandwending，Tilloutofthewoodheburstonalea，Shoutingandcalling，“Comeafterme！“
Andthentheyroseupwithaleafyhiss，Andstoodasifnothinghadbeenamiss。
LittleBoyBluesatdownonastone，Andthecreaturescameroundhimeveryone。
Andhesaidtotheclouds，“Iwantyouthere。”
Anddowntheysankthroughthethinblueair。
AndhesaidtothesunsetfarintheWest，“Comehere;Iwantyou;Iknowbest。”
Andthesunsetcameandstooduponthewold，Andburnedandglowedinpurpleandgold。
ThenLittleBoyBluebegantoponder:
“What’stobedonewiththemall，Iwonder。”
ThenLittleBoyBlue，hesaid，quitelow，“WhattodowithyouallIamsureIdon’tknow。”
Thenthecloudscloddeddowntilldismalitgrew;
Thesnakesneakedclose;roundBirdieBrownflew;
Thebrooksatuplikeasnakeonitstail;
Andthewindcameupwithawhat-will-youwail;
Andallthecreaturessatandstared;
Themoleopenedhisveryeyesandglared;
Andforratsandbatsandtheworldandhiswife，LittleBoyBluewasafraidofhislife。
ThenBirdieBrownbegantosing，Andwhathesangwastheverything:
“Youhavebroughtusallhither，LittleBoyBlue，Praywhatdoyouwantusalltodo？”
“Goaway！goaway！“saidLittleBoyBlue;
“I’msureIdon’twantyou——getaway——do。”
“No，no;no，no;no，yes，andno，no。”
SangBirdieBrown，“itmustn’tbeso。
“Wecannotfornothingcomehere，andaway。
Giveussomework，orelsewestay。”
“Ohdear！andohdear！“withsobandwithsigh，SaidLittleBoyBlue，andbegantocry。
Butbeforehegotfar，hethoughtofathing;
Anduphestood，andspokelikeaking。
“Whydoyouhustleandjostleandbother？
Offwithyouall！Takemebacktomymother。”
Thesunsetstoodatthegatesofthewest。
“Followme，followme“camefromBirdieBrown’sbreast。
“IamgoingthatwayasfastasIcan。”
Saidthebrook，asitsankandturnedandran。
Backtothewoodsfledtheshadowslikeghosts:
“Ifwestay，weshallallbemissedfromourposts。”
Saidthewindwithavoicethathadchangeditscheer，“Iwasjustgoingthere，whenyoubroughtmehere。”
“That’swhereIlive。”saidthesack-backedsquirrel，Andheturnedhissackwithaswingandaswirl。
Saidthecockofthespire，“Hisfather’schurchwarden。”
Saidthebrookrunningfaster，“Irunthroughhisgarden。”
Saidthemole，“Twohundredworms——thereIcaught’emLastyear，andI’mgoingagainnextautumn。”
Saidtheyall，“Ifthat’swhereyouwantustosteerfor，Whatinearthorinwaterdidyoubringusherefor？”
“Neveryoumind。”saidLittleBoyBlue;
“That’swhatItellyou。Ifthatyouwon’tdo，“I’llgetupatonce，andgohomewithoutyou。
IthinkIwill;Ibegintodoubtyou。”
Herose;anduprosethesnakeonitstail，Andhissedthreetimes，halfahiss，halfawail。
LittleBoyBluehetriedtogopasthim;
Butwhereverheturned，satthesnakeandfacedhim。
“Ifyoudon’tgetoutofmyway。”hesaid，“Itellyou，snake，Iwillbreakyourhead。”
Thesnakeheneitherwouldgonorcome;
Sohehithimhardwiththestickofhisdrum。
Thesnakefelldownasifheweredead，AndLittleBoyBluesethisfootonhishead。
Andallthecreaturestheymarchedbeforehim，Andmarshalledhimhomewithahighcockolorum。
AndBirdieBrownsangTwirrrrtwittertwirrrrtwee——
Applesandcherries，rosesandhoney;
LittleBoyBluehaslistenedtome——
Allsojollyandfunny。
CHAPTERXXI
SAL’SNANNY
DIAMONDmanagedwithmanyblunderstoreadthisrhymetohismother。
“Isn’titnice，mother？”hesaid。
“Yes，it’spretty。”sheanswered。
“Ithinkitmeanssomething。”returnedDiamond。
“I’msureIdon’tknowwhat。”shesaid。
“Iwonderifit’sthesameboy——yes，itmustbethesame——
LittleBoyBlue，youknow。Letmesee——howdoesthatrhymego？
LittleBoyBlue，comeblowmeyourhorn——
Yes，ofcourseitis——forthisonewent`blowinghishornandbeatinghisdrum。’Hehadadrumtoo。
LittleBoyBlue，comeblowmeyourhorn;
Thesheep’sinthemeadow，thecow’sinthecorn，Hehadtokeepthemout，youknow。Buthewasn’tmindinghiswork。
Itgoes——
Where’sthelittleboythatlooksafterthesheep？
He’sunderthehaystack，fastasleep。
There，yousee，mother！Andthen，letmesee——
Who’llgoandwakehim？No，notI;
ForifIdo，he’llbesuretocry。
SoIsupposenobodydidwakehim。Hewasarathercrosslittleboy，Idaresay，whenwokeup。Andwhenhedidwakeofhimself，andsawthemischiefthecowhaddonetothecorn，insteadofrunninghometohismother，heranawayintothewoodandlosthimself。
Don’tyouthinkthat’sverylikely，mother？”
“Ishouldn’twonder。”sheanswered。
“Soyouseehewasnaughty;forevenwhenhelosthimselfhedidnotwanttogohome。Anyofthecreatureswouldhaveshownhimthewayifhehadaskedit——allbutthesnake。Hefollowedthesnake，youknow，andhetookhimfartheraway。IsupposeitwasayoungoneofthesameserpentthattemptedAdamandEve。
FatherwastellingusaboutitlastSunday，youremember。”
“Blessthechild！“saidhismothertoherself;andthenaddedaloud，findingthatDiamonddidnotgoon，“Well，whatnext？”
“Idon’tknow，mother。I’msurethere’sagreatdealmore，butwhatitisIcan’tsay。Ionlyknowthathekilledthesnake。
Isupposethat’swhathehadadrumstickfor。Hecouldn’tdoitwithhishorn。”
“Butsurelyyou’renotsuchasillyastotakeitallfortrue，Diamond？”
“Ithinkitmustbe。Itlookstrue。Thatkillingofthesnakelookstrue。It’swhatI’vegottodosooften。”
Hismotherlookeduneasy。Diamondsmiledfullinherface，andadded——
“Whenbabycriesandwon’tbehappy，andwhenfatherandyoutalkaboutyourtroubles，Imean。”
Thisdidlittletoreassurehismother;andlestmyreadershouldhavehisqualmsaboutittoo，IventuretoremindhimoncemorethatDiamondhadbeentothebackofthenorthwind。
Findingshemadenoreply，Diamondwenton——
“Inaweekorso，IshallbeabletogotothetallgentlemanandtellhimIcanread。AndI’llaskhimifhecanhelpmetounderstandtherhyme。”
Butbeforetheweekwasout，hehadanotherreasonforgoingtoMr。Raymond。
Forthreedays，oneachofwhich，atonetimeorother，Diamond’sfatherwasonthesamestandneartheNationalGallery，thegirlwasnotathercrossing，andDiamondgotquiteanxiousabouther，fearingshemustbeill。Onthefourthday，notseeingheryet，hesaidtohisfather，whohadthatmomentshutthedoorofhiscabuponafare——
“Father，Iwanttogoandlookafterthegirl，Shecan’tbewell。”
“Allright。”saidhisfather。“Onlytakecareofyourself，Diamond。”
Sosayingheclimbedonhisboxanddroveoff。
Hehadgreatconfidenceinhisboy，yousee，andwouldtrusthimanywhere。Butifhehadknownthekindofplaceinwhichthegirllived，hewouldperhapshavethoughttwicebeforeheallowedhimtogoalone。Diamond，whodidknowsomethingofit，hadnot，however，anyfear。Fromtalkingtothegirlhehadagoodnotionofwhereaboutitwas，andherememberedtheaddresswellenough;sobyaskinghiswaysometwentytimes，mostlyofpolicemen，hecameatlengthprettyneartheplace。
Thelastpolicemanhequestionedlookeddownuponhimfromthesummitofsixfeettwoinches，andrepliedwithanotherquestion，butkindly:
“Whatdoyouwantthere，mysmallkid？Itain’twhereyouwasbred，Iguess。”
“Nosir“answeredDiamond。“IliveinBloomsbury。”
“That’salongwayoff。”saidthepoliceman。
“Yes，it’sagooddistance。”answeredDiamond;“butIfindmywayaboutprettywell。Policemenarealwayskindtome。”
“Butwhatonearthdoyouwanthere？”
Diamondtoldhimplainlywhathewasabout，andofcoursethemanbelievedhim，fornobodyeverdisbelievedDiamond。Peoplemightthinkhewasmistaken，buttheyneverthoughthewastellingastory。
“It’sanuglyplace。”saidthepoliceman。
“Isitfaroff？”askedDiamond。
“No。It’snextdooralmost。Butit’snotsafe。”
“Nobodyhurtsme。”saidDiamond。
“Imustgowithyou，Isuppose。”
“Oh，no！pleasenot。”saidDiamond。“TheymightthinkIwasgoingtomeddlewiththem，andIain’t，youknow。”
“Well，doasyouplease。”saidtheman，andgavehimfulldirections。
Diamondsetoff，neversuspectingthatthepoliceman，whowasakind-heartedman，withchildrenofhisown，wasfollowinghimclose，andwatchinghimroundeverycorner。Ashewenton，allatoncehethoughtherememberedtheplace，andwhetheritreallywasso，oronlythathehadlaidupthepoliceman’sinstructionswellinhismind，hewentstraightforthecellarofoldSal。
“He’sasharplittlekid，anyhow，forassimpleashelooks。”
saidthemantohimself。“Notawrongturndoeshetake！
ButoldSal’sarumunforsuchachildtopayamorningvisitto。
She’sworsewhenshe’ssoberthanwhenshe’shalfdrunk。I’veseenherwhenshe’dhavetornhiminpieces。”
HappilythenforDiamond，oldSalhadgoneouttogetsomegin。
Whenhecametoherdooratthebottomofthearea-stairandknocked，hereceivednoanswer。Helaidhiseartothedoor，andthoughtheheardamoaningwithin。Sohetriedthedoor，andfounditwasnotlocked！
Itwasadrearyplaceindeed，——andverydark，forthewindowwasbelowthelevelofthestreet，andcoveredwithmud，whileoverthegratingwhichkeptpeoplefromfallingintothearea，stoodachestofdrawers，placedtherebyadealerinsecond-handfurniture，whichshutoutalmostallthelight。Andthesmellintheplacewasdreadful。
Diamondstoodstillforawhile，forhecouldseenexttonothing，butheheardthemoaningplainlyenoughnow，Whenhegotusedtothedarkness，hediscoveredhisfriendlyingwithclosedeyesandawhitesufferingfaceonaheapoflittlebetterthanragsinacorneroftheden。Hewentuptoherandspoke;butshemadehimnoanswer。Indeed，shewasnotintheleastawareofhispresence，andDiamondsawthathecoulddonothingforherwithouthelp。
Sotakingalumpofbarley-sugarfromhispocket，whichhehadboughtforherashecamealong，andlayingitbesideher，helefttheplace，havingalreadymadeuphismindtogoandseethetallgentleman，Mr。Raymond，andaskhimtodosomethingforSal’sNanny，asthegirlwascalled。
Bythetimehegotupthearea-steps，threeorfourwomenwhohadseenhimgodownwerestandingtogetheratthetopwaitingforhim。
Theywantedhisclothesfortheirchildren;buttheydidnotfollowhimdownlestSalshouldfindthemthere。Themomentheappeared，theylaidtheirhandsonhim，andallbegantalkingatonce，foreachwantedtogetsomeadvantageoverherneighbours。
Hetoldthemquitequietly，forhewasnotfrightened，thathehadcometoseewhatwasthematterwithNanny。
“WhatdoyouknowaboutNanny？”saidoneofthemfiercely。“WaittilloldSalcomeshome，andyou’llcatchit，forgoingpryingintoherhousewhenshe’sout。Ifyoudon’tgivemeyourjacketdirectly，I’llgoandfetchher。”
“Ican’tgiveyoumyjacket。”saidDiamond。“Itbelongstomyfatherandmother，youknow。It’snotminetogive。Isitnow？
Youwouldnotthinkitrighttogiveawaywhatwasn’tyours——
wouldyounow？”
“Giveitaway！No，thatIwouldn’t;I’dkeepit。”shesaid，witharoughlaugh。“Butifthejacketain’tyours，whatrighthaveyoutokeepit？Here，Cherry，makehaste。It’llbeonegoapiece。”
Theyallbegantotugatthejacket，whileDiamondstoopedandkepthisarmsbenttoresistthem。Beforetheyhaddonehimorthejacketanyharm，however，suddenlytheyallscamperedaway;andDiamond，lookingintheoppositedirection，sawthetallpolicemancomingtowardshim。
“Youhadbetterhaveletmecomewithyou，littleman。”hesaid，lookingdowninDiamond’sface，whichwasflushedwithhisresistance。
“Youcamejustintherighttime，thankyou。”returnedDiamond。
“They’vedonemenoharm。”
“TheywouldhaveifIhadn’tbeenathand，though。”
“Yes;butyouwereathand，youknow，sotheycouldn’t。”
PerhapstheanswerwasdeeperinpurportthaneitherDiamondorthepolicemanknew。Theywalkedawaytogether，DiamondtellinghisnewfriendhowillpoorNannywas，andthathewasgoingtoletthetallgentlemanknow。ThepolicemanputhiminthenearestwayforBloomsbury，andsteppingoutingoodearnest，DiamondreachedMr。Raymond’sdoorinlessthananhour。Whenheaskedifhewasathome，theservant，inreturn，askedwhathewanted。
“Iwanttotellhimsomething。”
“ButIcan’tgoandtroublehimwithsuchamessageasthat。”
“Hetoldmetocometohim——thatis，whenIcouldread——andIcan。”
“HowamItoknowthat？”
Diamondstaredwithastonishmentforonemoment，thenanswered:
“Why，I’vejusttoldyou。That’showyouknowit。”
Butthismanwasmadeofcoarsergrainthanthepoliceman，and，insteadofseeingthatDiamondcouldnottellalie，heputhisanswerdownasimpudence，andsaying，“DoyouthinkI’mgoingtotakeyourwordforit？”shutthedoorinhisface。
Diamondturnedandsatdownonthedoorstep，thinkingwithhimselfthatthetallgentlemanmusteithercomeinorcomeout，andhewasthereforeinthebestpossiblepositionforfindinghim。
Hehadnotwaitedlongbeforethedooropenedagain;butwhenhelookedround，itwasonlytheservantoncemore。
“Get，away“hesaid。“Whatareyoudoingonthedoorstep？”
“WaitingforMr。Raymond。”answeredDiamond，gettingup。
“He’snotathome。”
“ThenI’llwaittillhecomes。”returnedDiamond，sittingdownagainwithasmile。
WhatthemanwouldhavedonenextIdonotknow，butastepsoundedfromthehall，andwhenDiamondlookedroundyetagain，therewasthetallgentleman。
“Who’sthis，John？”heasked。
“Idon’tknow，sir。Animperentlittleboyaswillsitonthedoorstep。”
“Pleasesir“saidDiamond，“hetoldmeyouweren’tathome，andI
satdowntowaitforyou。”
“Eh，what！“saidMr。Raymond。“John！John！Thiswon’tdo。
Isitahabitofyourstoturnawaymyvisitors？There’llbesomeoneelsetoturnaway，I’mafraid，ifIfindanymoreofthiskindofthing。Comein，mylittleman。Isupposeyou’vecometoclaimyoursixpence？”
“No，sir，notthat。”
“What！can’tyoureadyet？”
“Yes，Icannow，alittle。ButI’llcomeforthatnexttime。
IcametotellyouaboutSal’sNanny。”
“Who’sSal’sNanny？”
“Thegirlatthecrossingyoutalkedtothesameday。”
“Oh，yes;Iremember。What’sthematter？Hasshegotrunover？”
ThenDiamondtoldhimall。
NowMr。RaymondwasoneofthekindestmeninLondon。Hesentatoncetohavethehorseputtothebrougham，tookDiamondwithhim，anddrovetotheChildren’sHospital。Therehewaswellknowntoeverybody，forhewasnotonlyalargesubscriber，butheusedtogoandtellthechildrenstoriesofanafternoon。OneofthedoctorspromisedtogoandfindNanny，anddowhatcouldbedone——
haveherbroughttothehospital，ifpossible。
Thatsamenighttheysentalitterforher，andasshecouldbeofnousetooldSaluntilshewasbetter，shedidnotobjecttohavingherremoved。Soshewassoonlyinginthefeverward——
forthefirsttimeinherlifeinanicecleanbed。Butsheknewnothingofthewholeaffair。Shewastooilltoknowanything。
CHAPTERXXII
MR。RAYMOND’SRIDDLE
MR。RAYMONDtookDiamondhomewithhim，stoppingattheMewstotellhismotherthathewouldsendhimbacksoon。Diamondraninwiththemessagehimself，andwhenhereappearedhehadinhishandthetornandcrumpledbookwhichNorthWindhadgivenhim。
“Ah！Isee。”saidMr。Raymond:“youaregoingtoclaimyoursixpencenow。”
“Iwasn’tthinkingofthatsomuchasofanotherthing。”saidDiamond。
“There’sarhymeinthisbookIcan’tquiteunderstand。Iwantyoutotellmewhatitmeans，ifyouplease。”
“IwillifIcan。”answeredMr。Raymond。“Youshallreadittomewhenwegethome，andthenIshallsee。”
Stillwithagoodmanyblunders，Diamonddidreaditafterafashion。
Mr。Raymondtookthelittlebookandreaditoveragain。
NowMr。Raymondwasapoethimself，andso，althoughhehadneverbeenatthebackofthenorthwind，hewasabletounderstandthepoemprettywell。Butbeforesayinganythingaboutit，hereaditoveraloud，andDiamondthoughtheunderstooditmuchbetteralready。
“I’lltellyouwhatIthinkitmeans。”hethensaid。“Itmeansthatpeoplemayhavetheirwayforawhile，iftheylike，butitwillgetthemintosuchtroublesthey’llwishtheyhadn’thadit。”
“Iknow，Iknow！“saidDiamond。“Likethepoorcabmannextdoor。
Hedrinkstoomuch。”
“Justso。”returnedMr。Raymond。“Butwhenpeoplewanttodoright，thingsaboutthemwilltrytohelpthem。Onlytheymustkillthesnake，youknow。”
“Iwassurethesnakehadsomethingtodowithit。”
criedDiamondtriumphantly。
Agooddealmoretalkfollowed，andMr。RaymondgaveDiamondhissixpence。
“Whatwillyoudowithit？”heasked。
“Takeithometomymother。”heanswered。“Shehasateapot——
suchablackone！——withabrokenspout，andshekeepsallhermoneyinit。Itain’tmuch;butshesavesituptobuyshoesforme。
Andthere’sbabycomingonfamously，andhe’llwantshoessoon。
Andeverysixpenceissomething——ain’tit，sir？”
“Tobesure，myman。Ihopeyou’llalwaysmakeasgoodauseofyourmoney。”
“Ihopeso，sir。”saidDiamond。
“Andhere’sabookforyou，fullofpicturesandstoriesandpoems。
Iwroteitmyself，chieflyforthechildrenofthehospitalwhereIhopeNannyisgoing。Idon’tmeanIprintedit，youknow。
Imadeit。”addedMr。Raymond，wishingDiamondtounderstandthathewastheauthorofthebook。
“Iknowwhatyoumean。Imakesongsmyself。They’reawfullysilly，buttheypleasebaby，andthat’sallthey’remeantfor。”
“Couldn’tyouletmehearoneofthemnow？”saidMr。Raymond。
“No，sir，Icouldn’t。IforgetthemassoonasI’vedonewiththem。
Besides，Icouldn’tmakealinewithoutbabyonmyknee。Wemakethemtogether，youknow。They’rejustasmuchbaby’sasmine。
It’shethatpullsthemoutofme。”
“Isuspectthechild’sagenius。”saidthepoettohimself，“andthat’swhatmakespeoplethinkhimsilly。”
Nowifanyofmychildreaderswanttoknowwhatageniusis——
shallItrytotellthem，orshallInot？Iwillgivethemoneveryshortanswer:itmeansonewhounderstandsthingswithoutanyotherbodytellinghimwhattheymean。Godmakesafewsuchnowandthentoteachtherestofus。
“Doyoulikeriddles？”askedMr。Raymond，turningovertheleavesofhisownbook。
“Idon’tknowwhatariddleis。”saidDiamond。
“It’ssomethingthatmeanssomethingelse，andyou’vegottofindoutwhatthesomethingelseis。”
Mr。Raymondlikedtheold-fashionedriddlebest，andhadwrittenafew——
oneofwhichhenowread。
Ihaveonlyonefoot，butthousandsoftoes;
Myonefootstands，butnevergoes。
Ihavemanyarms，andthey’remightyall;
Andhundredsoffingers，largeandsmall。
Fromtheendsofmyfingersmybeautygrows。
Ibreathewithmyhair，andIdrinkwithmytoes。
Igrowbiggerandbiggeraboutthewaist，AndyetIamalwaysverytightlaced。
Nonee’ersawmeeat——I’venomouthtobite;
YetIeatalldayinthefullsunlight。
InthesummerwithsongIshaveandquiver，ButinwinterIfastandgroanandshiver。
“Doyouknowwhatthatmeans，Diamond？”heasked，whenhehadfinished。
“No，indeed，Idon’t。”answeredDiamond。
“Thenyoucanreaditforyourself，andthinkoverit，andseeifyoucanfindout。”saidMr。Raymond，givinghimthebook。
“Andnowyouhadbettergohometoyourmother。Whenyou’vefoundtheriddle，youcancomeagain。”
IfDiamondhadhadtofindouttheriddleinordertoseeMr。Raymondagain，Idoubtifhewouldeverhaveseenhim。
“Ohthen。”IthinkIhearsomelittlereadersay，“hecouldnothavebeenagenius，forageniusfindsoutthingswithoutbeingtold。”
Ianswer，“Geniusfindsouttruths，nottricks。”Andifyoudonotunderstandthat，Iamafraidyoumustbecontenttowaittillyougrowolderandknowmore。
CHAPTERXXIII
THEEARLYBIRD
WHENDiamondgothomehefoundhisfatherathomealready，sittingbythefireandlookingrathermiserable，forhisheadachedandhefeltsick。Hehadbeendoingnightworkoflate，andithadnotagreedwithhim，sohehadgivenitup，butnotintime，forhehadtakensomekindoffever。Thenextdayhewasforcedtokeephisbed，andhiswifenursedhim，andDiamondattendedtothebaby。Ifhehadnotbeenill，itwouldhavebeendelightfultohavehimathome;
andthefirstdayDiamondsangmoresongsthanevertothebaby，andhisfatherlistenedwithsomepleasure。ButthenexthecouldnotbearevenDiamond’ssweetvoice，andwasveryillindeed;
soDiamondtookthebabyintohisownroom，andhadnoendofquietgameswithhimthere。Ifhedidpullallhisbeddingonthefloor，itdidnotmatter，forhekeptbabyveryquiet，andmadethebedhimselfagain，andsleptinitwithbabyallthenextnight，andmanynightsafter。
Butlongbeforehisfathergotwell，hismother’ssavingswereallbutgone。Shedidnotsayawordaboutitinthehearingofherhusband，lestsheshoulddistresshim;andonenight，whenshecouldnothelpcrying，shecameintoDiamond’sroomthathisfathermightnothearher。ShethoughtDiamondwasasleep，buthewasnot。Whenheheardhersobbing，hewasfrightened，andsaid——
“Isfatherworse，mother？”
“No，Diamond。”sheanswered，aswellasshecould;“he’sagoodbitbetter。”
“Thenwhatareyoucryingfor，mother？”
“Becausemymoneyisalmostallgone。”shereplied。
“Omammy，youmakemethinkofalittlepoembabyandIlearnedoutofNorthWind’sbookto-day。Don’tyourememberhowIbotheredyouaboutsomeofthewords？”
“Yes，child。”saidhismotherheedlessly，thinkingonlyofwhatsheshoulddoafterto-morrow。
Diamondbeganandrepeatedthepoem，forhehadawonderfulmemory。
Alittlebirdsatontheedgeofhernest;
Heryellow-beakssleptassoundastops;
Thatdayshehaddoneherverybest，Andhadfilledeveryoneoftheirlittlecrops。
Shehadfilledherownjustover-full，Andhenceshewasfeelingalittledull。
“Oh，dear！“shesighed，asshesatwithherheadSunkinherchest，andnoneckatall，WhilehercropstuckoutlikeafeatherbedTurnedinsideout，andrathersmall;
“WhatshallIdoifthingsdon’treform？
Idon’tknowwherethere’sasingleworm。
“I’vehadtwentyto-day，andthechildrenfiveeach，Besidesafewflies，andsomeveryfatspiders:
NoonewillsayIdon’tdoasIpreach——
I’moneofthebestofbird-providers;
Butwhere’stheuse？Wewantastorm——
Idon’tknowwherethere’sasingleworm。”
“There’sfiveinmycrop。”saidawee，weebird，Whichwokeatthevoiceofhismother’spain;
“Iknowwherethere’sfive。”AndwiththewordHetuckedinhishead，andwentoffagain。
“Thefollyofchildhood。”sighedhismother，“Hasalwaysbeenmyespecialbother。”
Theyellow-beakstheysleptonandon——
TheyneverhadheardofthebogyTo-morrow;
Butthemothersatoutside，makinghermoan——
She’llsoonhavetobeg，orsteal，orborrow。
Forshenevercantellthenightbefore，Wheresheshallfindoneredwormmore。
Thefact，asIsay，was，she’dhadtoomany;
Shecouldn’tsleep，andshecalleditvirtue，Motherlyforesight，affection，anyNameyoumaycallitthatwillnothurtyou，Soitwaslateereshetuckedherheadin，Andshesleptsolateitwasalmostasin。
ButthelittlefellowwhoknewoffiveNortroubledhisheadaboutanymore，Wokeveryearly，feltquitealive，Andwantedasixthtoaddtohisstore:
Hepushedhismother，thegreedyelf，Thenthoughthehadbettertryforhimself。
Whenhismotherawokeandhadrubbedhereyes，Feelinglesslikeabird，andmorelikeamole，Shesawhim——fancywithwhatsurprise——
Draggingahugewormoutofahole！
’Twasofthissameherotheproverbtookform:
’Tistheearlybirdthatcatchestheworm。
“There，mother！“saidDiamond，ashefinished;“ain’titfunny？”
“Iwishyouwerelikethatlittlebird，Diamond，andcouldcatchwormsforyourself。”saidhismother，assherosetogoandlookafterherhusband。
Diamondlayawakeforafewminutes，thinkingwhathecoulddotocatchworms。Itwasverylittletroubletomakeuphismind，however，andstilllesstogotosleepafterit。
CHAPTERXXIV
ANOTHEREARLYBIRD
HEGOTupinthemorningassoonasheheardthemenmovingintheyard。Hetuckedinhislittlebrothersothathecouldnottumbleoutofbed，andthenwentout，leavingthedooropen，sothatifheshouldcryhismothermighthearhimatonce。
Whenhegotintotheyardhefoundthestable-doorjustopened。
“I’mtheearlybird，Ithink。”hesaidtohimself。“IhopeIshallcatchtheworm。”
Hewouldnotaskanyonetohelphim，fearinghisprojectmightmeetwithdisapprovalandopposition。Withgreatdifficulty，butwiththehelpofabrokenchairhebroughtdownfromhisbedroom，hemanagedtoputtheharnessonDiamond。Iftheoldhorsehadhadtheleastobjectiontotheproceeding，ofcoursehecouldnothavedoneit;
butevenwhenitcametothebridle，heopenedhismouthforthebit，justasifhehadbeentakingtheapplewhichDiamondsometimesgavehim。
Hefastenedthecheek-strapverycarefully，justintheusualhole，forfearofchokinghisfriend，orelselettingthebitgetamongsthisteeth。Itwasajobtogetthesaddleon;butwiththechairhemanagedit。IfoldDiamondhadhadaneducationinphysicstoequalthatofthecamel，hewouldhavekneltdowntolethimputitonhisback，butthatwasmorethancouldbeexpectedofhim，andthenDiamondhadtocreepquiteunderhimtogetholdofthegirth。Thecollarwasalmosttheworstpartofthebusiness;
butthereDiamondcouldhelpDiamond。Heheldhisheadverylowtillhislittlemasterhadgotitoverandturneditround，andthenheliftedhishead，andshookitontohisshoulders。
Theyokewasratherdifficult;butwhenhehadlaidthetracesoverthehorse’sneck，theweightwasnottoomuchforhim。
Hegothimrightatlast，andledhimoutofthestable。
Bythistimetherewereseveralofthemenwatchinghim，buttheywouldnotinterfere，theyweresoanxioustoseehowhewouldgetoverthevariousdifficulties。Theyfollowedhimasfarasthestable-door，andtherestoodwatchinghimagainasheputthehorsebetweentheshafts，gotthemuponeaftertheotherintotheloops，fastenedthetraces，thebelly-band，thebreeching，andthereins。
Thenhegothiswhip。Themomenthemountedthebox，themenbrokeintoaheartycheerofdelightathissuccess。Buttheywouldnotlethimgowithoutageneralinspectionoftheharness;
andalthoughtheyfounditright，fornotabucklehadtobeshifted，theyneverallowedhimtodoitforhimselfagainallthetimehisfatherwasill。
Thecheerbroughthismothertothewindow，andthereshesawherlittleboysettingoutalonewiththecabinthegrayofmorning。
Shetuggedatthewindow，butitwasstiff;andbeforeshecouldopenit，Diamond，whowasinagreathurry，wasoutofthemews，andalmostoutofthestreet。Shecalled“Diamond！Diamond！“buttherewasnoanswerexceptfromJack。
“Neverfearforhim，ma’am。”saidJack。“It’udbeonlyadevilaswouldhurthim，andthereain’tsomanyo’themassomefolk’udhaveyoubelieve。Aboyo’Diamond’ssizeascan’arnessa’osst’otherDiamond’ssize，andputhimto，rightasatrivet——
ifhedoupsetthekeb——’llfallonhisfeet，ma’am。”
“Buthewon’tupsetthecab，willhe，Jack？”
“Nothe，ma’am。Leastwayshewon’tgofortodoit。”
“Iknowasmuchasthatmyself。Whatdoyoumean？”
“Imeanhe’salittlelikelytodoitastheoldestmaninthestable。
How’sthegov’norto-day，ma’am？”
“Agooddealbetter，thankyou。”sheanswered，closingthewindowinsomefearlestherhusbandshouldhavebeenmadeanxiousbythenewsofDiamond’sexpedition。Heknewprettywell，however，whathisboywascapableof，andalthoughnotquiteeasywaslessanxiousthanhismother。Butastheeveningdrewon，theanxietyofbothofthemincreased，andeverysoundofwheelsmadehisfatherraisehimselfinhisbed，andhismotherpeepoutofthewindow。
Diamondhadresolvedtogostraighttothecab-standwherehewasbestknown，andnevertocrawlforfearofgettingannoyedbyidlers。
BeforehegotacrossOxfordStreet，however，hewashailedbyamanwhowantedtocatchatrain，andwasintoogreatahurrytothinkaboutthedriver。HavingcarriedhimtoKing’sCrossingoodtime，andgotagoodfareinreturn，hesetoffagainingreatspirits，andreachedthestandinsafety。Hewasthefirstthereafterall。
Asthemenarrivedtheyallgreetedhimkindly，andinquiredafterhisfather。
“Ain’tyouafraidoftheold’ossrunningawaywithyou？”askedone。
“No，hewouldn’trunawaywithme。”answeredDiamond。“HeknowsI’mgettingtheshillingsforfather。Orifhedidhewouldonlyrunhome。”
“Well，you’reapluckyone，forallyourgirl’slooks！“saidtheman;
“andIwishyeluck。”
“Thankyou，sir。”saidDiamond。“I’lldowhatIcan。Icametotheoldplace，yousee，becauseIknewyouwouldletmehavemyturnhere。”
Inthecourseofthedayonemandidtrytocuthimout，buthewasastranger;andtheshouttherestofthemraisedlethimseeitwouldnotdo，andmadehimsofarashamedbesides，thathewentawaycrawling。
Once，inablock，apolicemancameuptohim，andaskedhimforhisnumber。Diamondshowedhimhisfather’sbadge，sayingwithasmile:
“Father’sillathome，andsoIcameoutwiththecab。There’snofearofme。Icandrive。Besides，theoldhorsecouldgoalone。”
“Justaswell，Idaresay。You’reapairof’em。Butyouarearum’unforacabby——ain’tyounow？”saidthepoliceman。
“Idon’tknowasIoughttoletyougo。”
“Iain’tdonenothing。”saidDiamond。“It’snotmyfaultI’mnobigger。I’mbigenoughformyage。”
“That’swhereitis。”saidtheman。“Youain’tfit。”
“Howdoyouknowthat？”askedDiamond，withhisusualsmile，andturninghisheadlikealittlebird。
“Why，howareyoutogetoutofthisrucknow，whenitbeginstomove？”
“Justyougetuponthebox。”saidDiamond，“andI’llshowyou。
There，thatvan’sa-movingnow。Jumpup。”
ThepolicemandidasDiamondtoldhim，andwassoonsatisfiedthatthelittlefellowcoulddrive。
“Well。”hesaid，ashegotdownagain，“Idon’tknowasIshouldberighttointerfere。Goodlucktoyou，mylittleman！“
“Thankyou，sir。”saidDiamond，anddroveaway。
Inafewminutesagentlemanhailedhim。
“Areyouthedriverofthiscab？”heasked。
“Yes，sir“saidDiamond，showinghisbadge，ofwhich，hewasproud。
“You’retheyoungestcabmanIeversaw。HowamItoknowyouwon’tbreakallmybones？”
“Iwouldratherbreakallmyown。”saidDiamond。“Butifyou’reafraid，nevermindme;Ishallsoongetanotherfare。”
“I’llriskit。”saidthegentleman;and，openingthedoorhimself，hejumpedin。
Hewasgoingagooddistance，andsoonfoundthatDiamondgothimoverthegroundwell。NowwhenDiamondhadonlytogostraightahead，andhadnottomindsomuchwhathewasabout，histhoughtsalwaysturnedtotheriddleMr。Raymondhadsethim;andthisgentlemanlookedsocleverthathefanciedhemustbeabletoreaditforhim。
Hehadgivenupallhopeoffindingitoutforhimself，andhecouldnotplaguehisfatheraboutitwhenhewasill。Hehadthoughtoftheanswerhimself，butfancieditcouldnotbetherightone，fortoseehowitallfittedrequiredsomeknowledgeofphysiology。
So，whenhereachedtheendofhisjourney，hegotdownveryquickly，andwithhisheadjustlookinginatthewindow，said，asthegentlemangatheredhisglovesandnewspapers:
“Please，sir，canyoutellmethemeaningofariddle？”
“Youmusttellmetheriddlefirst。”answeredthegentleman，amused。
Diamondrepeatedtheriddle。
“Oh！that’seasyenough。”hereturned。“It’satree。”
“Well，itain’tgotnomouth，sureenough;buthowthendoesiteatalldaylong？”
“Itsucksinitsfoodthroughthetiniestholesinitsleaves。”
heanswered。“Itsbreathisitsfood。Anditcan’tdoitexceptinthedaylight。”
“Thankyou，sir，thankyou。”returnedDiamond。“I’msorryI
couldn’tfinditoutmyself;Mr。Raymondwouldhavebeenbetterpleasedwithme。”
“Butyouneedn’ttellhimanyonetoldyou。”
Diamondgavehimastarewhichcamefromtheverybackofthenorthwind，wherethatkindofthingisunknown。
“Thatwouldbecheating。”hesaidatlast。
“Ain’tyouacabby，then？”
“Cabbiesdon’tcheat。”
“Don’tthey？Iamofadifferentopinion。”
“I’msuremyfatherdon’t。”
“What’syourfare，younginnocent？”
“Well，Ithinkthedistanceisagooddealoverthreemiles——
that’stwoshillings。Onlyfathersayssixpenceamileistoolittle，thoughwecan’taskformore。”
“You’readeepone。ButIthinkyou’rewrong。It’soverfourmiles——
notmuch，butitis。”
“Thenthat’shalf-a-crown。”saidDiamond。
“Well，here’sthreeshillings。Willthatdo？”
“Thankyoukindly，sir。I’lltellmyfatherhowgoodyouweretome——
firsttotellmemyriddle，thentoputmerightaboutthedistance，andthentogivemesixpenceover。It’llhelpfathertogetwellagain，itwill。”
“Ihopeitmay，myman。Ishouldn’twonderifyou’reasgoodasyoulook，afterall。”
AsDiamondreturned，hedrewupatastandhehadneverbeenonbefore:
itwastimetogiveDiamondhisbagofchoppedbeansandoats。
Themengotabouthim，andbegantochaffhim。Hetookitallgood-humouredly，untiloneofthem，whowasanill-conditionedfellow，begantoteaseoldDiamondbypokinghimroughlyintheribs，andmakinggeneralgameofhim。Thathecouldnotbear，andthetearscameinhiseyes。Heundidthenose-bag，putitintheboot，andwasjustgoingtomountanddriveaway，whenthefellowinterfered，andwouldnotlethimgetup。Diamondendeavouredtopersuadehim，andwasverycivil，buthewouldhavehisfunoutofhim，ashesaid。Inafewminutesagroupofidleboyshadassembled，andDiamondfoundhimselfinaveryuncomfortableposition。
Anothercabdrewupatthestand，andthedrivergotoffandapproachedtheassemblage。
“What’suphere？”heasked，andDiamondknewthevoice。Itwasthatofthedrunkencabman。
“Doyouseethisyoungoyster？Hepretendstodriveacab。”
saidhisenemy。
“Yes，Idoseehim。AndIseesyoutoo。You’dbetterleavehimalone。
Heain’tnooyster。He’saangelcomedownonhisownbusiness。
Youbeoff，orI’llbeneareryouthanquiteagreeable。”
Thedrunkencabmanwasatall，stoutman，whodidnotlookonetotakelibertieswith。
“Oh！ifhe’safriendofyours。”saidtheother，drawingback。
Diamondgotoutthenose-bagagain。OldDiamondshouldhavehisfeedoutnow。
“Yes，heisafriendo’mine。Oneo’thebestIeverhad。
It’sapityheain’tafriendo’yourn。You’dbethebetterforit，butitain’tnofaultofhisn。”
WhenDiamondwenthomeatnight，hecarriedwithhimonepoundoneshillingandsixpence，besidesafewcoppersextra，whichhadfollowedsomeofthefares。
Hismotherhadgotveryanxiousindeed——somuchsothatshewasalmostafraid，whenshedidhearthesoundofhiscab，togoandlook，lestsheshouldbeyetagaindisappointed，andshouldbreakdownbeforeherhusband。Buttherewastheoldhorse，andtherewasthecaballright，andtherewasDiamondinthebox，hispalefacelookingtriumphantasafullmooninthetwilight。
Whenhedrewupatthestable-door，Jackcameout，andafteragoodmanyfriendlyquestionsandcongratulations，said:
“Yougointoyourmother，Diamond。I’llputuptheold’oss。
I’lltakecareonhim。Hedodeservesomesmallattention，hedo。”
“Thankyou，Jack。”saidDiamond，andboundedintothehouse，andintothearmsofhismother，whowaswaitinghimatthetopofthestair。
Thepoor，anxiouswomanledhimintohisownroom，satdownonhisbed，tookhimonherlapasifhehadbeenababy，andcried。
“How’sfather？”askedDiamond，almostafraidtoask。
“Better，mychild。”sheanswered，“butuneasyaboutyou，mydear。”
“Didn’tyoutellhimIwastheearlybirdgoneouttocatchtheworm？”
“Thatwaswhatputitinyourhead，wasit，youmonkey？”
saidhismother，beginningtogetbetter。
“Thatorsomethingelse。”answeredDiamond，soveryquietlythathismotherheldhisheadbackandstaredinhisface。
“Well！ofallthechildren！“shesaid，andsaidnomore。
“Andhere’smyworm。”resumedDiamond。
Buttoseeherfaceashepouredtheshillingsandsixpencesandpenceintoherlap！Sheburstoutcryingasecondtime，andranwiththemoneytoherhusband。
Andhowpleasedhewas！Itdidhimnoendofgood。Butwhilehewascountingthecoins，Diamondturnedtobaby，whowaslyingawakeinhiscradle，suckinghispreciousthumb，andtookhimup，saying:
“Baby，baby！Ihaven’tseenyouforawholeyear。”
Andthenhebegantosingtohimasusual。Andwhathesangwasthis，forhewastoohappyeithertomakeasongofhisownortosingsense。
ItwasoneoutofMr。Raymond’sbook。
THETRUESTORYOFTHECATANDTHEFIDDLE
Hey，diddle，diddle！
Thecatandthefiddle！
Heplayedsuchamerrytune，ThatthecowwentmadWiththepleasureshehad，Andjumpedrightoverthemoon。
Butthen，don’tyousee？
Beforethatcouldbe，Themoonhadcomedownandlistened。
Thelittledoghearkened，Soloudthathebarkened，“There’snothinglikeit，thereisn’t。”
Hey，diddle，diddle！
Wentthecatandthefiddle，Heydiddle，diddle，dee，dee！
ThedoglaughedatthesportTillhiscoughcuthimshort，Itwasheydiddle，diddle，ohme！
AndbackcamethecowWithamerry，merrylow，Forshe’dhumbledthemaninthemoon。
Thedishgotexcited，Thespoonwasdelighted，Andthedishwaltzedawaywiththespoon。
Butthemaninthemoon，ComingbacktoosoonFromthefamoustownofNorwich，Caughtupthedish，Said，“It’sjustwhatIwishToholdmycoldplum-porridge！“
Gavethecowarat-tat，Flungwateronthecat，Andsenthimawaylikearocket。
Said，“OMoonthereyouare！“
Gotintohercar，AndwentoffwiththespooninhispocketHeyho！diddle，diddle！
Thewetcatandwetfiddle，Theymadesuchacaterwauling，ThatthecowinafrightStoodboltuprightBellowingnow，andbawling;
Andthedogonhistail，Stretchedhisneckwithawail。
But“Ho！ho！“saidthemaninthemoon——
“NomoreintheSouthShallIburnmymouth，ForI’vefoundadishandaspoon。”