At the Back of the North Wind

began to doubt whether he had not really been abroad in the wind last night. He came to the conclusion that, if he had really been brought home to his mother by Mrs. Crump, she would say somet

ell as young Diamond, always got up the moment he woke, and now he w

aving as of many backs, young Diamond found himself hoisted up in the air, with both hands twisted in the horse's mane. The next instant old Diamond lashed out with both his hind legs, and giving one cry of terror young Diamond found himself lying on his neck, with his arms as far round it as they would go. But then

, and the boy began thinking. He had never mounted Diamond himself before, and he had never got off hi

o see her boy. She had visited him twice during the night, and found

Where are you, Diam

sat like a knight on his steed in

, mot

amond?" sh

er, on Diam

der, and peeping down, saw

, Diamond,

" answere

get up?" aske

ut when I got up, Diamond would

into a lion's den, not to say a horse's stall, to help her boy. So she went and lifted him off Diamond's back, and felt braver all her life after. She carried him in her arms up to her room; b

g into the loft several times a night-as often, in fa

ite saved up enough money to get him the new pair she so much wanted for him, she would not let him run out. He played all his games over and over indoors, especially that of driving two chairs harnesse

sooner did she find they fitted him than she told him he

ables to the house; above the fire in the sky lay a large lake of green light, above that a golden cloud, and over that the blue of the wintry heavens. And Diamond thought that, ne

nd in they came. Diamond was not in the least afraid of his father driving over him, but, careful not to spoil the grand show he made with his fine horses and his multitudinous cape, with a r

, he would go in and see whether things looked at all now as they did then. He opened the door, and passed through the little belt of shrubbery. Not a flower was to be seen

e lay still in the green hollow, looking up at the sky, and not seeming to know that the wind was blowing at all. It was just a one eye that the dull black wintry earth had opened to look at the sky with. All at once Diamond thought it was saying

the doctor with her to-day, and she looked very glum when she cam

look glum too?"

Mis'ess," returned th

ok at, and one of the best of drivers, but one of the most discreet of servants as well. Therefore he did not talk about family affairs to any one but his wife

and Diamond went to be

l at once,

dow, Diamond,

had once more pasted

said Diamond: "I don

ing. Open the window, for

ease, North Wind, where's the use

ver the hole in the wall. For now that North Wind spoke again, he remembered all

th Wind. "I had work to do; and, besides, a

n," said Diamond, scrat

't say so ten y

, and a coachman is not a g

a gentleman in our ho

ll himself one

very man ought to be a gentl

ke ten mice, and getting hold of the edge of it, tore it off. The nex

quite dismayed; "I didn't

North

you r

Make h

e no bigge

or how little I am? Didn't you se

here w

the primrose. Didn't

es

en, if you want

to take care of me. I think

the way, anyhow. But if you w

with a grown lady, but I couldn't go

other night. Dress as fast as you can, and I'll

t it," sai

as at a low ebb now-the gleam of something vanishing down the stair, and, springing out of bed, dressed himself as fast as ever he could. Then he crept out into th

id, jumping up and h

e, it was better than warm. She led him across the garden. With one

ied. "Please, I can

nd, who from the top looked d

again, and I will

hold of her hand, gave a grea

nice!"

ts depths, for it lay still, waiting for the turn to run down again to the sea. They walked along its side. But

her head, and the wind was blowing a breeze down the river. But she turned a

said, "before I get out to sea, and I must set about it a

ses. Once they ran through a hall where they found back and front doors open. At the foot of the stair North Wind stood still, and Diamond, hearing a great growl, started in terror, and there, instead of North Wind, was a huge wolf by his s

e ladies in long trains going up and down the stairs, and gentlemen in white neckties attending on them, who stared at him, but none of them were of the people of

a baby, North Wind!" sai

irled about her steps, and wherever it passed over withered leaves, they went fleeing

ou had not let go your hold of me. You would have seen how I served a nurse that was calling a child ba

htened her?"

, and she tumbled over on the floor with such a crash that they ran in. She

ou frighten t

would not have seen me either

Diamond,

hat you wouldn't understand or know what to do with?

you a ba

e looked down at him, and Diamond saw the loving eyes of t

If I had put on any other shape than a wolf's she would not have se

an," said Diamond, "but I

of it. The moment they reached the top, North Wind stood and turned her face towards London The stars were still sh

my hand go. I might have lost you the last time, on

od still fo