Afterthishesaidnothingforawhile，andIlaidmyselfonthefloorofhisgarret，andstaredupandaroundatthegreatbluebeautifulness。
Ihadforgottenhimalmost，whenatlasthesaid:`Ain’tyoudoneyet？’
`Donewhat？’Iasked。`Donesayingyourprayers，’sayshe。
’Iwasn’tsayingmyprayers，’Ianswered。`Oh，yes，youwere，’
saidhe，`thoughyoudidn’tknowit！AndnowImustshowyousomethingelse。’
“Hetookmyhandandledmedownthestairagain，andthroughanarrowpassage，andthroughanother，andanother，andanother。
Idon’tknowhowtherecouldberoomforsomanypassagesinsuchalittlehouse。Theheartofitmustbeeversomuchfartherfromthesidesthantheyarefromeachother。Howcouldithaveaninsidethatwassoindependentofitsoutside？There’sthepoint。
Itwasfunny——wasn’tit，Diamond？”
“No。”saidDiamond。Hewasgoingtosaythatthatwasverymuchthesortofthingatthebackofthenorthwind;buthecheckedhimselfandonlyadded，“Allright。Idon’tseeit。Idon’tseewhytheinsideshoulddependontheoutside。Itain’tsowiththecrabs。Theycreepoutoftheiroutsidesandmakenewones。
Mr。Raymondtoldmeso。”
“Idon’tseewhatthathasgottodowithit。”saidNanny。
“Thengoonwithyourstory，please。”saidDiamond。“Whatdidyoucometo，aftergoingthroughallthosewindingpassagesintotheheartofthemoon？”
“Ididn’tsaytheywerewindingpassages。Isaidtheywerelongandnarrow。Theydidn’twind。Theywentbycorners。”
“That’sworthknowing。”remarkedDiamond。“Forwhoknowshowsoonhemayhavetogothere？Butthemainthingis，whatdidyoucometoatlast？”
“Wecametoasmallboxagainstthewallofatinyroom。
Thelittlemantoldmetoputmyearagainstit。Ididso，andheardanoisesomethinglikethepurringofacat，onlynotsoloud，andmuchsweeter。`Whatisit？’Iasked。`Don’tyouknowthesound？’returnedthelittleman。`No，’Ianswered。
`Don’tyouknowthesoundofbees？’hesaid。Ihadneverheardbees，andcouldnotknowthesoundofthem。`Thosearemylady’sbees，’
hewenton。Ihadheardthatbeesgatherhoneyfromtheflowers。
`Butwherearetheflowersforthem？’Iasked。`Mylady’sbeesgathertheirhoneyfromthesunandthestars，’saidthelittleman。
`Doletmeseethem，’Isaid。`No。Idaren’tdothat，’heanswered。
`Ihavenobusinesswiththem。Idon’tunderstandthem。
Besides，theyaresobrightthatifoneweretoflyintoyoureye，itwouldblindyoualtogether。’`Thenyouhaveseenthem？’
`Oh，yes！Onceortwice，Ithink。ButIdon’tquiteknow:
theyaresoverybright——likebuttonsoflightning。NowI’veshowedyouallIcanto-night，andwe’llgobacktotheroom。’
Ifollowedhim，andhemademesitdownunderalampthathungfromtheroof，andgavemesomebreadandhoney。
“Theladyhadnevermoved。Shesatwithherforeheadleaningonherhand，gazingoutofthelittlewindow，hungliketherestwithwhitecloudycurtains。FromwhereIwassittingIlookedoutofittoo，butIcouldseenothing。Herfacewasverybeautiful，andverywhite，andverystill，andherhandwasaswhiteastheforeheadthatleanedonit。Ididnotseeherwholeface——
onlythesideofit，forshenevermovedtoturnitfulluponme，oreventolookatme。
“HowlongIsatafterIhadeatenmybreadandhoney，Idon’tknow。
Thelittlemanwasbusyabouttheroom，pullingastringhere，andastringthere，butchieflythestringatthebackofthedoor。
Iwasthinkingwithsomeuneasinessthathewouldsoonbewantingmetogooutandcleanthewindows，andIdidn’tfancythejob。
Atlasthecameuptomewithagreatarmfulofdusters。`It’stimeyousetaboutthewindows，’hesaid;`forthere’sraincoming，andifthey’requitecleanbefore，thentheraincan’tspoilthem。’
Igotupatonce。`Youneedn’tbeafraid，’hesaid。`Youwon’ttumbleoff。Onlyyoumustbecareful。Alwaysholdonwithonehandwhileyourubwiththeother。’Ashespoke，heopenedthedoor。
Istartedbackinaterriblefright，fortherewasnothingbutblueairtobeseenunderme，likeagreatwaterwithoutabottomatall。
Butwhatmustbemust，andtoliveupherewassomuchnicerthandowninthemudwithholesinmyshoes，thatIneverthoughtofnotdoingasIwastold。ThelittlemanshowedmehowandwheretolayholdwhileIputmyfootroundtheedgeofthedoorontothefirstroundofaladder。`Onceyou’reup，’hesaid，`you’llseehowyouhavetogowellenough。’Ididashetoldme，andcreptoutverycarefully。Thenthelittlemanhandedmethebundleofdusters，saying，`Ialwayscarrythemonmyreapinghook，butIdon’tthinkyoucouldmanageitproperly。Youshallhaveitifyoulike。’Iwouldn’ttakeit，however，foritlookeddangerous。
“IdidthebestIcouldwiththedusters，andcrawleduptothetopofthemoon。Butwhatagrandsightitwas！Thestarswereallovermyhead，sobrightandsonearthatIcouldalmosthavelaidholdofthem。TheroundballtowhichIclungwentbobbingandfloatingawaythroughthedarkblueaboveandbelowandoneveryside。Itwassobeautifulthatallfearleftme，andIsettoworkdiligently。Icleanedwindowafterwindow。
AtlengthIcametoaverylittleone，inatwhichIpeeped。
Therewastheroomwiththeboxofbeesinit！Ilaidmyeartothewindow，andheardthemusicalhumquitedistinctly。
Agreatlongingtoseethemcameuponme，andIopenedthewindowandcreptin。Thelittleboxhadadoorlikeacloset。Iopenedit——
thetiniestcrack——whenoutcamethelightwithsuchastingthatI
closeditagaininterror——not，however，beforethreebeeshadshotoutintotheroom，wheretheydartedaboutlikeflashesoflightning。
Terriblyfrightened，Itriedtogetoutofthewindowagain，butI
couldnot:therewasnowaytotheoutsideofthemoonbutthroughthedoor;andthatwasintheroomwheretheladysat。NosoonerhadIreachedtheroom，thanthethreebees，whichhadfollowedme，flewatoncetothelady，andsettleduponherhair。ThenfirstIsawhermove。Shestarted，putupherhand，andcaughtthem;
thenroseand，havingheldthemintotheflameofthelamponeaftertheother，turnedtome。Herfacewasnotsosadnowasstern。
Itfrightenedmemuch。`Nanny，youhavegotmeintotrouble，’
shesaid。`Youhavebeenlettingoutmybees，whichitisallIcandotomanage。Youhaveforcedmetoburnthem。Itisagreatloss，andtherewillbeastorm。’Asshespoke，thecloudshadgatheredallaboutus。Icouldseethemcomecrowdingupwhiteaboutthewindows。`Iamsorrytofind，’saidthelady，`thatyouarenottobetrusted。Youmustgohomeagain——youwon’tdoforus。’
Thencameagreatclapofthunder，andthemoonrockedandswayed。
Allgrewdarkaboutme，andIfellonthefloorandlayhalf-stunned。
Icouldheareverythingbutcouldseenothing。`ShallIthrowheroutofthedoor，mylady？’saidthelittleman。`No，’sheanswered;
`she’snotquitebadenoughforthat。Idon’tthinkthere’smuchharminher;onlyshe’llneverdoforus。Shewouldmakedreadfulmischiefuphere。She’sonlyfitforthemud。It’sagreatpity。
Iamsorryforher。Justtakethatringoffherfinger。Iamsadlyafraidshehasstolenit。’Thelittlemancaughtholdofmyhand，andIfelthimtuggingatthering。Itriedtospeakwhatwastrueaboutit，but，afteraterribleeffort，onlygaveagroan。
Otherthingsbegantocomeintomyhead。Somebodyelsehadaholdofme。Thelittlemanwasn’tthere。Iopenedmyeyesatlast，andsawthenurse。Ihadcriedoutinmysleep，andshehadcomeandwakedme。But，Diamond，forallitwasonlyadream，Icannothelpbeingashamedofmyselfyetforopeningthelady’sboxofbees。”
“Youwoudn’tdoitagain——wouldyou——ifsheweretotakeyouback？”
saidDiamond。
“No。Idon’tthinkanythingwouldevermakemedoitagain。
Butwhere’sthegood？Ishallneverhavethechance。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。
“Yousillybaby！Itwasonlyadream。”saidNanny。
“Iknowthat，Nanny，dear。Buthowcanyoutellyoumayn’tdreamitagain？”
“That’snotabitlikely。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidDiamond。
“You’realwayssayingthat。”saidNanny。“Idon’tlikeit。”
“ThenIwon’tsayitagain——ifIdon’tforget。”saidDiamond。
“Butitwassuchabeautifuldream！——wasn’tit，Nanny？Whatapityyouopenedthatdoorandletthebeesout！Youmighthavehadsuchalongdream，andsuchnicetalkswiththemoon-lady。Dotrytogoagain，Nanny。Idosowanttohearmore。”
Butnowthenursecameandtoldhimitwastimetogo;andDiamondwent，sayingtohimself，“Ican’thelpthinkingthatNorthWindhadsomethingtodowiththatdream。Itwouldbetiresometolietherealldayandallnighttoo——withoutdreaming。Perhapsifshehadn’tdonethat，themoonmighthavecarriedhertothebackofthenorthwind——
whoknows？”
CHAPTERXXXI
THENORTHWINDDOTHBLOW
ITWASagreatdelighttoDiamondwhenatlengthNannywaswellenoughtoleavethehospitalandgohometotheirhouse。Shewasnotverystrongyet，butDiamond’smotherwasveryconsiderateofher，andtookcarethatsheshouldhavenothingtodoshewasnotquitefitfor。IfNannyhadbeentakenstraightfromthestreet，itisveryprobableshewouldnothavebeensopleasantinadecenthousehold，orsoeasytoteach;butaftertherefininginfluencesofherillnessandthekindtreatmentshehadhadinthehospital，shemovedaboutthehousejustlikesomerathersadpleasurehauntingthemind。
Asshegotbetter，andthecolourcamebacktohercheeks，herstepgrewlighterandquicker，hersmileshoneoutmorereadily，anditbecamecertainthatshewouldsoonbeatreasureofhelp。
ItwasgreatfuntoseeDiamondteachingherhowtoholdthebaby，andwashanddresshim，andoftentheylaughedtogetheroverherawkwardness。ButshehadnotmanysuchlessonsbeforeshewasabletoperformthosedutiesquiteaswellasDiamondhimself。
ThingshoweverdidnotgowellwithJosephfromtheveryarrivalofRuby。
Italmostseemedasiftheredbeasthadbroughtillluckwithhim。
Thefareswerefewer，andthepayless。Ruby’sservicesdidindeedmaketheweek’sincomeatfirstalittlebeyondwhatitusedtobe，butthenthereweretwomoretofeed。Afterthefirstmonthhefelllame，andforthewholeofthenextJosephdarednotattempttoworkhim。
Icannotsaythathenevergrumbled，forhisownhealthwasfarfromwhatithadbeen;butIcansaythathetriedtodohisbest。
Duringallthatmonth，theylivedonveryshortcommonsindeed，seldomtastingmeatexceptonSundays，andpooroldDiamond，whoworkedhardestofall，noteventhen——sothatattheendofithewasasthinasaclothes-horse，whileRubywasasplumpandsleekasabishop’scob。
NorwasitmuchbetterafterRubywasabletoworkagain，foritwasaseasonofgreatdepressioninbusiness，andthatisverysoonfeltamongstthecabmen。Citymenlookmoreaftertheirshillings，andtheirwivesanddaughtershavelesstospend。Itwasbesidesawetautumn，andbreadrosegreatlyinprice。WhenIaddtothisthatDiamond’smotherwasbutpoorly，foranewbabywascoming，youwillseethatthesewerenotveryjollytimesforourfriendsinthemews。
Notwithstandingthedepressinginfluencesaroundhim，Josephwasabletokeepalittlehopealiveinhisheart;andwhenhecamehomeatnight，wouldgetDiamondtoreadtohim，andwouldalsomakeNannyproduceherbookthathemightseehowshewasgettingon。
ForDiamondhadtakenhereducationinhand，andasshewasacleverchild，shewasverysoonabletoputlettersandwordstogether。
Thusthethreemonthspassedaway，butMr。Raymonddidnotreturn。
Josephhadbeenlookinganxiouslyforhim，chieflywiththedesireofgettingridofRuby——notthathewasabsolutelyofnousetohim，butthathewasaconstantweightuponhismind。Indeed，asfarasprovisionwent，hewasratherworseoffwithRubyandNannythanhehadbeenbefore，butontheotherhand，Nannywasagreathelpinthehouse，anditwasacomforttohimtothinkthatwhenthenewbabydidcome，Nannywouldbewithhiswife。
OfGod’sgiftsababyisofthegreatest;thereforeitisnowonderthatwhenthisonecame，shewasasheartilywelcomedbythelittlehouseholdasifshehadbroughtplentywithher。
Ofcourseshemadeagreatdifferenceintheworktobedone——
farmoredifferencethanhersizewarranted，butNannywasnoendofhelp，andDiamondwasasmuchofasunbeamasever，andbegantosingtothenewbabythefirstmomenthegotherinhisarms。
Buthedidnotsingthesamesongstoherthathehadsungtohisbrother，for，hesaid，shewasanewbabyandmusthavenewsongs;
andbesides，shewasasister-babyandnotabrother-baby，andofcoursewouldnotlikethesamekindofsongs。Wherethedifferenceinhissongslay，however，Idonotpretendtobeabletopointout。
OnethingIamsureof，thattheynotonlyhadnosmallshareintheeducationofthelittlegirl，buthelpedthewholefamilyagreatdealmorethantheywereaware。
Howtheymanagedtogetthroughthelongdrearyexpensivewinter，Icanhardlysay。Sometimesthingswerebetter，sometimesworse。
Butatlastthespringcame，andthewinterwasoverandgone，andthatwasmuch。Still，Mr。Raymonddidnotreturn，andalthoughthemotherwouldhavebeenabletomanagewithoutNannynow，theycouldnotlookforaplaceforhersolongastheyhadRuby;
andtheywerenotaltogethersorryforthis。Oneweekatlastwasworsethantheyhadyethad。Theywerealmostwithoutbreadbeforeitwasover。Butthesadderhesawhisfatherandmotherlooking，themoreDiamondsethimselftosingtothetwobabies。
OnethingwhichhadincreasedtheirexpenseswasthattheyhadbeenforcedtohireanotherlittleroomforNanny。Whenthesecondbabycame，DiamondgaveuphisroomthatNannymightbeathandtohelphismother，andwenttohers，which，althoughafineplacetowhatshehadbeenaccustomedto，wasnotveryniceinhiseyes。
Hedidnotmindthechangethough，forwasnothismotherthemorecomfortableforit？AndwasnotNannymorecomfortabletoo？
AndindeedwasnotDiamondhimselfmorecomfortablethatotherpeopleweremorecomfortable？Andiftherewasmorecomforteveryway，thechangewasahappyone。
CHAPTERXXXII
DIAMONDANDRUBY
ITWASFridaynight，andDiamond，liketherestofthehousehold，hadhadverylittletoeatthatday。Themotherwouldalwayspaytheweek’srentbeforeshelaidoutanythingevenonfood。Hisfatherhadbeenverygloomy——sogloomythathehadactuallybeencrosstohiswife。Itisastrangethinghowpainofseeingthesufferingofthosewelovewillsometimesmakeusaddtotheirsufferingbybeingcrosswiththem。ThiscomesofnothavingfaithenoughinGod，andshowshownecessarythisfaithis，forwhenweloseit，weloseeventhekindnesswhichalonecansoothethesuffering。
Diamondinconsequencehadgonetobedveryquietandthoughtful——
alittletroubledindeed。
Ithadbeenaverystormywinter。andevennowthatthespringhadcome，thenorthwindoftenblew。WhenDiamondwenttohisbed，whichwasinatinyroomintheroof，hehearditliketheseamoaning;andwhenhefellasleephestillheardthemoaning。
Allatoncehesaidtohimself，“AmIawake，oramIasleep？”
Buthehadnotimetoanswerthequestion，fortherewasNorthWindcallinghim。Hisheartbeatveryfast，itwassuchalongtimesincehehadheardthatvoice。Hejumpedoutofbed，andlookedeverywhere，butcouldnotseeher。“Diamond，comehere。”
shesaidagainandagain;butwheretheherewashecouldnottell。
Tobesuretheroomwasallbutquitedark，andshemightbeclosebesidehim。
“DearNorthWind。”saidDiamond，“Iwantsomuchtogotoyou，butIcan’ttellwhere。”
“Comehere，Diamond。”wasallheranswer。
Diamondopenedthedoor，andwentoutoftheroom，anddownthestairandintotheyard。Hislittleheartwasinaflutter，forhehadlonggivenupallthoughtofseeingheragain。Neithernowwashetoseeher。Whenhegotout，agreatpuffofwindcameagainsthim，andinobediencetoitheturnedhisback，andwentasitblew。
Itblewhimrightuptothestable-door，andwentonblowing。
“Shewantsmetogointothestable。”saidDiamondtohimself。
“butthedoorislocked。”
Heknewwherethekeywas，inacertainholeinthewall——fartoohighforhimtogetat。Herantotheplace，however:justashereachedittherecameawildblast，anddownfellthekeyclangingonthestonesathisfeet。Hepickeditup，andranbackandopenedthestable-door，andwentin。Andwhatdoyouthinkhesaw？
Alittlelightcamethroughthedustywindowfromagas-lamp，sufficienttoshowhimDiamondandRubywiththeirtwoheadsup，lookingateachotheracrossthepartitionoftheirstalls。ThelightshowedthewhitemarkonDiamond’sforehead，butRuby’seyeshonesobright，thathethoughtmorelightcameoutofitthanwentin。
Thisiswhathesaw。
Butwhatdoyouthinkheheard？
Heheardthetwohorsestalkingtoeachother——inastrangelanguage，whichyet，somehoworother，hecouldunderstand，andturnoverinhismindinEnglish。ThefirstwordsheheardwerefromDiamond，whoapparentlyhadbeenalreadyquarrellingwithRuby。
“LookhowfatyouareRuby！“saidoldDiamond。“Youaresoplumpandyourskinshinesso，yououghttobeashamedofyourself。”
“There’snoharminbeingfat。”saidRubyinadeprecatingtone。
“No，norinbeingsleek。Imayaswellshineasnot。”
“Noharm？”retortedDiamond。“Isitnoharmtogoeatingupallpoormaster’soats，andtakingupsomuchofhistimegroomingyou，whenyouonlyworksixhours——no，notsixhoursaday，and，asIhear，getalongnofasterthanabigdray-horsewithtwotonsbehindhim？——
Sotheytellme。”
“Yourmaster’snotmine。”saidRuby。“Imustattendtomyownmaster’sinterests，andeatallthatisgivenme，andbesleekandfatasIcan，andgonofasterthanIneed。”
“Nowreallyiftherestofthehorsesweren’tallasleep，poorthings——
theyworktillthey’retired——Idobelievetheywouldgetupandkickyououtofthestable。Youmakemeashamedofbeingahorse。
Youdaretosaymymasterain’tyourmaster！That’syourgratitudeforthewayhefeedsyouandsparesyou！Praywherewouldyourcarcassbeifitweren’tforhim？”
“Hedoesn’tdoitformysake。IfIwerehisownhorse，hewouldworkmeashardashedoesyou。”
“AndI’mproudtobesoworked。Iwouldn’tbeasfatasyou——
notforallyou’reworth。You’readisgracetothestable。Lookatthehorsenextyou。He’ssomethinglikeahorse——allskinandbone。
Andhismasterain’toverkindtohimeither。Heputastinginglashonhiswhiplastweek。Butthatoldhorseknowshe’sgotthewifeandchildrentokeep——aswellashisdrunkenmaster——andheworkslikeahorse。Idaresayhegrudgeshismasterthebeerhedrinks，butIdon’tbelievehegrudgesanythingelse。”
“Well，Idon’tgrudgeyourswhathegetsbyme。”saidRuby。
“Gets！“retortedDiamond。“Whathegetsisn’tworthgrudging。
Itcomestonexttonothing——whatwithyourfatandshine。
“Well，atleastyououghttobethankfulyou’rethebetterforit。
Yougetatwohours’restadayoutofit。”
“Ithankmymasterforthat——notyou，youlazyfellow！Yougoalonglikeabuttockofbeefuponcastors——youdo。”
“Ain’tyouafraidI’llkick，ifyougoonlikethat，Diamond？”
“Kick！Youcouldn’tkickifyoutried。Youmightheaveyourrumpuphalfafoot，butforlashingout——oho！Ifyoudid，you’dbedownonyourbellybeforeyoucouldgetyourlegsunderyouagain。
It’smybelief，onceout，they’dstickoutforever。Talkofkicking！
Whydon’tyouputonefootbeforetheothernowandthenwhenyou’reinthecab？Theabusemastergetsforyoursakeisquiteshameful。
Nodecenthorsewouldbringitonhim。Dependuponit，Ruby，nocabmanlikestobeabusedanymorethanhisfare。Buthisfares，atleastwhenyouarebetweentheshafts，areverymuchtobeexcused。
Indeedtheyare。”
“Well，yousee，Diamond，Idon’twanttogolameagain。”
“Idon’tbelieveyouweresoverylameafterall——there！“
“Oh，butIwas。”
“ThenIbelieveitwasallyourownfault。I’mnotlame。
Ineverwaslameinallmylife。Youdon’ttakecareofyourlegs。
Youneverlaythemdownatnight。Thereyouarewithyourhugecarcasscrushingdownyourpoorlegsallnightlong。Youdon’tevencareforyourownlegs——solongasyoucaneat，eat，andsleep，sleep。
Youahorseindeed！“
“ButItellyouIwaslame。”
“I’mnotdenyingtherewasapuffylookaboutyouroff-pastern。
Butmybeliefis，itwasn’tevengrease——itwasfat。”
“ItellyouIputmyfootononeofthosehorridstonestheymaketheroadswith，anditgavemyanklesuchatwist。”
“Ankleindeed！Whyshouldyouapeyourbetters？Horsesain’tgotanyankles:they’reonlypasterns。Andsolongasyoudon’tliftyourfeetbetter，butfallasleepbetweeneverystep，you’llrunagoodchanceoflamingallyouranklesasyoucallthem，oneafteranother。It’snotyourlivelyhorsethatcomestogriefinthatway。ItellyouIbelieveitwasn’tmuch，andifitwas，itwasyourownfault。There！I’vedone。I’mgoingtosleep。
I’lltrytothinkaswellofyouasIcan。Ifyouwouldbutstepoutabitandrunoffalittleofyourfat！“HereDiamondbegantodoubleuphisknees;butRubyspokeagain，and，asyoungDiamondthought，inaratherdifferenttone。
“Isay，Diamond，Ican’tbeartohaveanhonestoldhorselikeyouthinkofmelikethat。Iwilltellyouthetruth:itwasmyownfaultthatIfelllame。”
“Itoldyouso。”returnedtheother，tumblingagainstthepartitionasherolledoveronhissidetogivehislegseverypossibleprivilegeintheirnarrowcircumstances。
“Imeanttodoit，Diamond。”
Atthewords，theoldhorsearosewithascramblelikethunder，shothisangryheadandglaringeyeoverintoRuby’sstall，andsaid——
“Keepoutofmyway，youunworthywretch，orI’llbiteyou。
Youahorse！Whydidyoudothat？”
“BecauseIwantedtogrowfat。”
“Yougrease-tub！Oh！myteethandtail！Ithoughtyouwereahumbug！
Whydidyouwanttogetfat？There’snotruthtobegotoutofyoubutbycross-questioning。Youain’tfittobeahorse。”
“BecauseonceIamfat，mynatureistokeepfatforalongtime;
andIdidn’tknowwhenmastermightcomehomeandwanttoseeme。”
“Youconceited，good-for-nothingbrute！You’reonlyfitfortheknacker’syard。Youwantedtolookhandsome，didyou？Holdyourtongue，orI’llbreakmyhalterandbeatyou——withyourhandsomefat！“
“Nevermind，Diamond。You’reagoodhorse。Youcan’thurtme。”
“Can’thurtyou！Justletmeoncetry。”
“No，youcan’t。”
“Whythen？”
“BecauseI’manangel。”
“What’sthat？”
“Ofcourseyoudon’tknow。”
“IndeedIdon’t。”
“Iknowyoudon’t。Anignorant，rudeoldhumanhorse，likeyou，couldn’tknowit。Butthere’syoungDiamondlisteningtoallwe’resaying;andheknowswellenoughtherearehorsesinheavenforangelstorideupon，aswellasotheranimals，lionsandeaglesandbulls，inmoreimportantsituations。Thehorsestheangelsride，mustbeangel-horses，elsetheangelscouldn’trideuponthem。
Well，I’moneofthem。”
“Youain’t。”
“Didyoueverknowahorsetellalie？”
“Neverbefore。Butyou’veconfessedtoshamminglame。”
“Nothingofthesort。ItwasnecessaryIshouldgrowfat，andnecessarythatgoodJoseph，yourmaster，shouldgrowlean。
Icouldhavepretendedtobelame，butthatnohorse，leastofallanangel-horsewoulddo。SoImustbelame，andsoIsprainedmyankle——
fortheangel-horseshaveankles——theydon’ttalkhorse-slangupthere——
andithurtmeverymuch，Iassureyou，Diamond，thoughyoumayn’tbegoodenoughtobeabletobelieveit。”
OldDiamondmadenoreply。Hehadlaindownagain，andasleepysnort，verylikeasnore，revealedthat，ifhewasnotalreadyasleep，hewaspastunderstandingawordthatRubywassaying。WhenyoungDiamondfoundthis，hethoughthemightventuretotakeupthedroptshuttlecockoftheconversation。
“I’mgoodenoughtobelieveit，Ruby。”hesaid。
ButRubyneverturnedhishead，ortookanynoticeofhim。
IsupposehedidnotunderstandmoreofEnglishthanjustwhatthecoachmanandstablemanwereinthehabitofaddressinghimwith。Finding，however，thathiscompanionmadenoreply，heshothisheadoverthepartitionandlookingdownathimsaid——
“Youjustwaittillto-morrow，andyou’llseewhetherI’mspeakingthetruthornot——Ideclaretheoldhorseisfastasleep！——
Diamond！——NoIwon’t。”
Rubyturnedaway，andbeganpullingathishayrackinsilence。
Diamondgaveashiver，andlookingroundsawthatthedoorofthestablewasopen。Hebegantofeelasifhehadbeendreaming，andafteraglanceaboutthestabletoseeifNorthWindwasanywherevisible，hethoughthehadbettergobacktobed。
CHAPTERXXXIII
THEPROSPECTBRIGHTENS
THEnextmorning，Diamond’smothersaidtohisfather，“I’mnotquitecomfortableaboutthatchildagain。”
“Whichchild，Martha？”askedJoseph。“You’vegotachoicenow。”
“Well，DiamondImean。I’mafraidhe’sgettingintohisqueerwaysagain。He’sbeenathisoldtrickofwalkinginhissleep。
Isawhimrunupthestairinthemiddleofthenight。”
“Didn’tyougoafterhim，wife？”
“OfcourseIdid——andfoundhimfastasleepinhisbed。It’sbecausehe’shadsolittlemeatforthelastsixweeks，I’mafraid。”
“Itmaybethat。I’mverysorry。Butifitdon’tpleaseGodtosendusenough，whatamItodo，wife？”
“Youcan’thelpit，Iknow，mydeargoodman。”returnedMartha。
“AndafterallIdon’tknow。Idon’tseewhyheshouldn’tgetonaswellastherestofus。ThereI’mnursingbabyallthistime，andIgetalongprettywell。I’msure，tohearthelittlemansinging，youwouldn’tthinktherewasmuchamisswithhim。”
ForatthatmomentDiamondwassinginglikealarkintheclouds。
Hehadthenewbabyinhisarms，whilehismotherwasdressingherself。
Josephwassittingathisbreakfast——alittleweaktea，drybread，andverydubiousbutter——whichNannyhadsetforhim，andwhichhewasenjoyingbecausehewashungry。Hehadgroomedbothhorses，andhadgotoldDiamondharnessedreadytoputto。
“Thinkofafatangel，Dulcimer！“saidDiamond。
Thebabyhadnotbeenchristenedyet，butDiamond，inreadinghisBible，hadcomeupontheworddulcimer，andthoughtitsoprettythateverafterhecalledhissisterDulcimer！
“Thinkofared，fatangel，Dulcimer！“herepeated;“forRuby’sanangelofahorse，Dulcimer。Hesprainedhisankleandgotfatonpurpose。”
“Whatpurpose，Diamond？”askedhisfather。
“Ah！thatIcan’ttell。Isupposetolookhandsomewhenhismastercomes。”answeredDiamond——“Whatdoyouthink，Dulcimer？
Itmustbeforsomegood，forRuby’sanangel。”
“IwishIwereridofhim，anyhow。”saidhisfather;“forheweighsheavyonmymind。”
“Nowonder，father:he’ssofat。”saidDiamond。“Butyouneedn’tbeafraid，foreverybodysayshe’sinbetterconditionthanwhenyouhadhim。”
“Yes，buthemaybeasthinasatinhorsebeforehisownercomes。
Itwastoobadtoleavehimonmyhandsthisway。”
“Perhapshecouldn’thelpit。”suggestedDiamond。“Idaresayhehassomegoodreasonforit。”
“SoIshouldhavesaid。”returnedhisfather，“ifhehadnotdrivensuchahardbargainwithmeatfirst。”
“Butwedon’tknowwhatmaycomeofityet，husband。”saidhiswife。
“Mr。Raymondmaygivealittletoboot，seeingyou’vehadmoreofthebargainthanyouwantedorreckonedupon。”
“I’mafraidnot:he’sahardman。”saidJoseph，asheroseandwenttogethiscabout。
Diamondresumedhissinging。Forsometimehecarolledsnatchesofeverythingoranything;butatlastitsettleddownintosomethinglikewhatfollows。Icannottellwhereorhowhegotit。
Wheredidyoucomefrom，babydear？
Outoftheeverywhereintohere。
Wheredidyougetyoureyessoblue？
OutoftheskyasIcamethrough。
Whatmakesthelightinthemsparkleandspin？
Someofthestarryspikesleftin。
Wheredidyougetthatlittletear？
IfounditwaitingwhenIgothere。
Whatmakesyourforeheadsosmoothandhigh？
AsofthandstrokeditasIwentby。
Whatmakesyourcheeklikeawarmwhiterose？
Isawsomethingbetterthananyoneknows。
Whencethatthree-corneredsmileofbliss？
Threeangelsgavemeatonceakiss。
Wheredidyougetthispearlyear？
Godspoke，anditcameouttohear。
Wheredidyougetthosearmsandhands？
Lovemadeitselfintohooksandbands。
Feet，whencedidyoucome，youdarlingthings？
Fromthesameboxasthecherubs’wings。
Howdidtheyalljustcometobeyou？
Godthoughtaboutme，andsoIgrew。
Buthowdidyoucometous，youdear？
Godthoughtaboutyou，andsoIamhere。
“Younevermadethatsong，Diamond。”saidhismother。
“No，mother。IwishIhad。No，Idon’t。Thatwouldbetotakeitfromsomebodyelse。Butit’smineforallthat。”
“Whatmakesityours？”
“Iloveitso。”
“Doeslovingathingmakeityours？”
“Ithinkso，mother——atleastmorethananythingelsecan。IfIdidn’tlovebabywhichcouldn’tbe，youknowshewouldn’tbemineabit。
ButIdolovebaby，andbabyismyveryownDulcimer。”
“Thebaby’smine，Diamond。”
“Thatmakesherthemoremine，mother。”
“Howdoyoumakethatout？”
“Becauseyou’remine，mother。”
“Isthatbecauseyouloveme？”
“Yes，justbecause。Lovemakestheonlymyness。”saidDiamond。
Whenhisfathercamehometohavehisdinner，andchangeDiamondforRuby，theysawhimlookverysad，andhetoldthemhehadnothadafareworthmentioningthewholemorning。
“Weshallallhavetogototheworkhouse，wife。”hesaid。
“Itwouldbebettertogotothebackofthenorthwind。”
saidDiamond，dreamily，notintendingtosayitaloud。
“Soitwould。”answeredhisfather。“Buthowarewetogetthere，Diamond？”
“Wemustwaittillwe’retaken。”returnedDiamond。
Beforehisfathercouldspeakagain，aknockcametothedoor，andinwalkedMr。Raymondwithasmileonhisface。Josephgotupandreceivedhimrespectfully，butnotverycordially。Marthasetachairforhim，buthewouldnotsitdown。
“Youarenotverygladtoseeme。”hesaidtoJoseph。“Youdon’twanttopartwiththeoldhorse。”
“Indeed，sir，youaremistakenthere。Whatwithanxietyabouthim，andbadluck，I’vewishedIwereridofhimathousandtimes。
Itwasonlytobeforthreemonths，andhereit’seightornine。”
“I’msorrytohearsuchastatement。”saidMr。Raymond。“Hasn’thebeenofservicetoyou？”
“Notmuch，notwithhislameness“
“Ah！“saidMr。Raymond，hastily——“you’vebeenlaminghim——haveyou？
Thataccountsforit。Isee，Isee。”
“Itwasn’tmyfault，andhe’sallrightnow。Idon’tknowhowithappened，but“
“Hediditonpurpose。”saidDiamond。“Heputhisfootonastonejusttotwisthisankle。”
“Howdoyouknowthat，Diamond？”saidhisfather，turningtohim。
“Ineversaidso，forIcouldnotthinkhowitcame。”
“Iheardit——inthestable。”answeredDiamond。
“Let’shavealookathim。”saidMr。Raymond。
“Ifyou’llstepintotheyard。”saidJoseph，“I’llbringhimout。”
Theywent，andJoseph，havingfirsttakenoffhisharness，walkedRubyintothemiddleoftheyard。
“Why。”saidMr。Raymond，“you’venotbeenusinghimwell。”
“Idon’tknowwhatyoumeanbythat，sir。Ididn’texpecttohearthatfromyou。He’ssoundinwindandlimb——assoundasabarrel。”
“Andasbig，youmightadd。Why，he’sasfatasapig！Youdon’tcallthatgoodusage！“
Josephwastooangrytomakeanyanswer。
“You’venotworkedhimenough，Isay。That’snotmakinggooduseofhim。That’snotdoingasyou’dbedoneby。”
“Ishouldn’tbesorryifIwasservedthesame，sir。”
“He’stoofat，Isay。”
“TherewasawholemonthIcouldn’tworkhimatall，andhedidnothingbuteathisheadoff。He’sanawfuleater。I’vetakenthebestpartofsixhoursadayoutofhimsince，butI’malwaysafraidofhiscomingtogriefagain，andsoIcouldn’tmakethemostevenofthat。Ideclaretoyou，sir，whenhe’sbetweentheshafts，IsitontheboxasmiserableasifI’dstolenhim。Helooksallthetimeasifhewasabottlingupofcomplaintstomakeofmetheminuteheseteyesonyouagain。There！lookathimnow，squintingroundatmewithoneeye！Ideclaretoyou，onmyword，Ihaven’tlaidthewhiponhimmorethanthreetimes。”
“I’mgladtohearit。Heneverdidwantthewhip。”
“Ididn’tsaythat，sir。Ifeverahorsewantedthewhip，hedo。
He’sbroughtmetobeggaryalmostwithhissnail’space。I’mverygladyou’vecometoridmeofhim。”
“Idon’tknowthat。”saidMr。Raymond。“SupposeIweretoaskyoutobuyhimofme——cheap。”
“Iwouldn’thavehiminapresent，sir。Idon’tlikehim。
AndIwouldn’tdriveahorsethatIdidn’tlike——no，notforgold。
Itcan’tcometogoodwherethere’snolovebetween’em。”
“Justbringoutyourownhorse，andletmeseewhatsortofapairthey’dmake。”
JosephlaughedratherbitterlyashewenttofetchDiamond。
Whenthetwowereplacedsidebyside，Mr。Raymondcouldhardlykeephiscountenance，butfromaminglingoffeelings。
Besidethegreat，red，roundbarrel，Ruby，allbodyandnolegs，Diamondlookedlikeaclothes-horsewithaskinthrownoverit。
Therewashardlyaspotofhimwhereyoucouldnotdescrysomesignofaboneunderneath。Gauntandgrimandwearyhestood，kissinghismaster，andheedingnooneelse。
“Youhaven’tbeenusinghimwell。”saidMr。Raymond。
“Imustsay。”returnedJoseph，throwinganarmroundhishorse’sneck，“thattheremarkhadbetterhavebeenspared，sir。Thehorseisworththreeoftheothernow。”
“Idon’tthinkso。Ithinktheymakeaverynicepair。
Iftheone’stoofat，theother’stoolean——sothat’sallright。
Andifyouwon’tbuymyRuby，ImustbuyyourDiamond。”
“Thankyou，sir。”saidJoseph，inatoneimplyinganythingbutthanks。
“Youdon’tseemtoliketheproposal。”saidMr。Raymond。
“Idon’t。”returnedJoseph。“Iwouldn’tpartwithmyoldDiamondforhisskinasfullofnuggetsasitisofbones。”
“Whosaidanythingaboutpartingwithhim？”
“Youdidnow，sir。”
“No;Ididn’t。IonlyspokeofbuyinghimtomakeapairwithRuby。
WecouldpareRubyandpatchDiamondabit。Andforheight，theyareasnearamatchasIcareabout。Ofcourseyouwouldbethecoachman——
ifonlyyouwouldconsenttobereconciledtoRuby。”
Josephstoodbewildered，unabletoanswer。
“I’veboughtasmallplaceinKent。”continuedMr。Raymond，“andI
musthaveapairtomycarriage，fortheroadsarehillythereabouts。
Idon’twanttomakeashowwithapairofhigh-steppers。Ithinkthesewilljustdo。Suppose，foraweekortwo，yousetyourselftotakeRubydownandbringDiamondup。IfwecouldonlylayapipefromRuby’ssidesintoDiamond’s，itwouldbetheworkofamoment。
ButIfearthatwouldn’tanswer。”
AstronginclinationtolaughintrudeduponJoseph’sinclinationtocry，andmadespeechstillharderthanbefore。
“Ibegyourpardon，sir。”hesaidatlength。“I’vebeensomiserable，andforsolong，thatIneverthoughtyouwasonlyachaffingofmewhenyousaidIhadn’tusedthehorseswell。Ididgrumbleatyou，sir，many’sthetimeinmytrouble;butwheneverIsaidanything，mylittleDiamondwouldlookatmewithasmile，asmuchastosay:
“Iknowhimbetterthanyou，father;“anduponmyword，Ialwaysthoughttheboymustberight。”
“WillyousellmeoldDiamond，then？”
“Iwill，sir，ononecondition——thatifeveryouwanttopartwithhimorme，yougivemetheoptionofbuyinghim。Icouldnotpartwithhim，sir。Astowhocallshimhis，that’snothing;
for，asDiamondsays，it’sonlylovingathingthatcanmakeityours——
andIdoloveoldDiamond，sir，dearly。”
“Well，there’sachequefortwentypounds，whichIwrotetoofferyouforhim，incaseIshouldfindyouhaddonethehandsomethingbyRuby。Willthatbeenough？”
“It’stoomuch，sir。Hisbodyain’tworthit——shoesandall。
It’sonlyhisheart，sir——that’sworthmillions——buthisheart’llbemineallthesame——soit’stoomuch，sir。”
“Idon’tthinkso。Itwon’tbe，atleast，bythetimewe’vegothimfedupagain。Youtakeitandwelcome。Justgoonwithyourcabbingforanothermonth，onlytakeitoutofRubyandletDiamondrest;
andbythattimeIshallbereadyforyoutogodownintothecountry。”
“Thankyou，sir。thankyou。Diamondsetyoudownforafriend，sir，themomenthesawyou。Idobelievethatchildofmineknowsmorethanotherpeople。”
“Ithinkso，too。”saidMr。Raymondashewalkedaway。
HehadmeanttotestJosephwhenhemadethebargainaboutRuby，buthadnointentionofsogreatlyprolongingthetrial。HehadbeentakenillinSwitzerland，andhadbeenquiteunabletoreturnsooner。
Hewentawaynowhighlygratifiedatfindingthathehadstoodthetest，andwasatrueman。
Josephrushedintohiswifewhohadbeenstandingatthewindowanxiouslywaitingtheresultofthelongcolloquy。Whensheheardthatthehorsesweretogotogetherindoubleharness，sheburstforthintoanimmoderatefitoflaughter。Diamondcameupwiththebabyinhisarmsandmadebiganxiouseyesather，saying——
“Whatisthematterwithyou，motherdear？Docryalittle。
Itwilldoyougood。Whenfathertakeseversosmalladropofspirits，heputswatertoit。”
“Yousillydarling！“saidhismother;“howcouldIbutlaughatthenotionofthatgreatfatRubygoingsidebysidewithourpooroldDiamond？”
“Butwhynot，mother？Withamonth’soats，andnothingtodo，Diamond’llbenearerRuby’ssizethanyouwillfather’s。Ithinkit’sverygoodfordifferentsortstogotogether。NowRubywillhaveachanceofteachingDiamondbettermanners。”
“Howdareyousaysuchathing，Diamond？”saidhisfather，angrily。
“Tocomparethetwoformanners，there’snocomparisonpossible。
OurDiamond’sagentleman。”
“Idon’tmeantosayheisn’t，father;forIdaresaysomegentlemenjudgetheirneighboursunjustly。That’sallImean。
Diamondshouldn’thavethoughtsuchbadthingsofRuby。Hedidn’ttrytomakethebestofhim。”
“Howdoyouknowthat，pray？”
“Iheardthemtalkingaboutitonenight。”
“Who？”
“WhyDiamondandRuby。Ruby’sanangel。”
Josephstaredandsaidnomore。Forallhisnewgladness，hewasverygloomyashere-harnessedtheangel，forhethoughthisdarlingDiamondwasgoingoutofhismind。
Hecouldnothelpthinkingratherdifferently，however，whenhefoundthechangethathadcomeoverRuby。Consideringhisfat，heexertedhimselfamazingly，andgotoverthegroundwithincrediblespeed。
Sowilling，evenanxious，washetogonow，thatJosephhadtoholdhimquitetight。
Thenashelaughedathisownfancies，anewfearcameuponhimlestthehorseshouldbreakhiswind，andMr。Raymondhavegoodcausetothinkhehadnotbeenusinghimwell。Hemightevensupposethathehadtakenadvantageofhisnewinstructions，toletoutuponthehorsesomeofhispent-updislike;whereasintruth，ithadsoutterlyvanishedthathefeltasifRuby，too，hadbeenhisfriendallthetime。
CHAPTERXXXIV
INTHECOUNTRY
BEFOREtheendofthemonth，Rubyhadgotrespectablythin，andDiamondrespectablystout。Theyreallybegantolookfitfordoubleharness。
Josephandhiswifegottheiraffairsinorder，andeverythingreadyformigratingattheshortestnotice;andtheyfeltsopeacefulandhappythattheyjudgedallthetroubletheyhadgonethroughwellworthenduring。AsforNanny，shehadbeensohappyeversincesheleftthehospital，thatsheexpectednothingbetter，andsawnothingattractiveinthenotionofthecountry。
Atthesametime，shehadnottheleastideaofwhatthewordcountrymeant，forshehadneverseenanythingaboutherbutstreetsandgas-lamps。Besides，shewasmoreattachedtoJimthantoDiamond:
Jimwasareasonablebeing，Diamondinhereyesatbestonlyanamiable，over-grownbaby，whomnoamountofexpostulationwouldeverbringtotalksense，nottosaythinkit。Nowthatshecouldmanagethebabyaswellashe，shejudgedherselfaltogetherhissuperior。
Towardshisfatherandmother，shewasalltheycouldwish。
DiamondhadtakenagreatdealofpainsandtroubletofindJim，andhadatlastsucceededthroughthehelpofthetallpoliceman，whowasgladtorenewhisacquaintancewiththestrangechild。
Jimhadmovedhisquarters，andhadnotheardofNanny’sillnesstillsometimeaftershewastakentothehospital，wherehewastooshytogoandinquireabouther。ButwhenatlengthshewenttolivewithDiamond’sfamily，Jimwaswillingenoughtogoandseeher。
Itwasafteroneofhisvisits，duringwhichtheyhadbeentalkingofhernewprospects，thatNannyexpressedtoDiamondheropinionofthecountry。
“Thereain’tnothinginitbutthesunandmoon，Diamond。”
“There’streesandflowers。”saidDiamond。
“Well，theyain’tnocount。”returnedNanny。
“Ain’tthey？They’resobeautiful，theymakeyouhappytolookatthem。”
“That’sbecauseyou’resuchasilly。”
Diamondsmiledwithafar-awaylook，asifheweregazingthroughcloudsofgreenleavesandthevisioncontentedhim。
ButhewasthinkingwithhimselfwhatmorehecoulddoforNanny;
andthatsameeveninghewenttofindMr。Raymond，forhehadheardthathehadreturnedtotown。
“Ah！howdoyoudo，Diamond？”saidMr。Raymond;“Iamgladtoseeyou。”
Andhewasindeed，forhehadgrownveryfondofhim。HisopinionofhimwasverydifferentfromNanny’s。
“Whatdoyouwantnow，mychild？”heasked。
“I’malwayswantingsomething，sir。”answeredDiamond。
“Well，that’squiteright，solongaswhatyouwantisright。
Everybodyisalwayswantingsomething;onlywedon’tmentionitintherightplaceoftenenough。Whatisitnow？”
“There’safriendofNanny’s，alameboy，calledJim。”
“I’veheardofhim。”saidMr。Raymond。“Well？”
“Nannydoesn’tcaremuchaboutgoingtothecountry，sir。”
“Well，whathasthattodowithJim？”
“Youcouldn’tfindacornerforJimtoworkin——couldyou，sir？”
“Idon’tknowthatIcouldn’t。Thatis，ifyoucanshowgoodreasonforit。”
“He’sagoodboy，sir。”
“Well，somuchthebetterforhim。”
“Iknowhecanshineboots，sir。”
“Somuchthebetterforus。”
“Youwantyourbootsshinedinthecountry——don’tyou，sir？”
“Yes，tobesure。”
“Itwouldn’tbenicetowalkovertheflowerswithdirtyboots——
wouldit，sir？”
“No，indeed。”
“Theywouldn’tlikeit——wouldthey？”
“No，theywouldn’t。”
“ThenNannywouldbebetterpleasedtogo，sir。”
“Iftheflowersdidn’tlikedirtybootstowalkoverthem，Nannywouldn’tmindgoingtothecountry？Isthatit？Idon’tquiteseeit。”
“No，sir;Ididn’tmeanthat。Imeant，ifyouwouldtakeJimwithyoutocleanyourboots，anddooddjobs，youknow，sir，thenNannywouldlikeitbetter。She’ssofondofJim！“
“Nowyoucometothepoint，Diamond。Iseewhatyoumean，exactly。
Iwillturnitoverinmymind。CouldyoubringJimtoseeme？”
“I’lltry，sir。Buttheydon’tmindmemuch。TheythinkI’msilly。”
addedDiamond，withoneofhissweetestsmiles。