At the Back of the North Wind

his going anywhere with the lady of the wind. At the same time he doubted whether he might not appear to be telling stories if he told all, especially as he could hardly believe it himself w

efused to believe him. Besides, he felt sure tha

d Diamond's father took him out of the stable, and was just getting on his back to ride him to the forge, when he saw his little boy standing by the pump, and looking at him wistfully. Then the coachman took hi

ter had said to him, "Come up, Diamond," stepped out faster. For both the Diamonds were just grandly obedient. And Diamond soon found that, as he was obedient to his father, so the horse was obedient to him. For he had not ridden far before he found courage to reach forward and catch hold of the bridle, and when his father, whose hand was upon it, felt the boy pull it towards him, he looked up and smiled,

ould gather a penny from Mrs. Coleman. But she had given one at the last crossing, and the hand returned only to grasp its broom. Diamond could not bear it. He had a penny in his pocket, a gift of the same lady the day before, and he tumbled off his horse to give it to the girl. He tumbled off, I say, for he did tumble when he reached the ground. But he got up in an instant, and ran, searching his pocket as he ran. She made him a pretty courtesy when he offered his treasure, b

Diamond. "They n

little girl, and

k bare, suffered a pang of awful dread, but the next moment

amond. The horse might h

d the boy, and rode o

d called him. He talked to her so frankly that she often sent for him after that, and by degrees it came about that he had leave to run in the garden as he pleased. He never tou

life, that Diamond had begun once more to feel a

le window in the side of it was made of coloured glass. It grew dusky, and the lady began to feel chill, and went in, leaving the boy in the summer-house. He sat there gazing out at a bed of

y, childish voice, but so tiny. "At last it was. I thought h

so clear. He had never seen a fairy, but he had heard of such, and he began to look a

ked, going out of the summer-house, and down o

," answered the

you kn

u better to ask how

just t

of knowing a thing only

you are not a fairy? You

fairies are much bi

lectively; "I thought

he size I am, and not be very huge. Besides, a fairy can't grow big and little at will, though the

to the ground, and the creature laid her hand on Diamon

ever saw you so small before, not eve

e that can be measured bef

was you taking care of a

to open the door, he was nearly dated; and when it opened in the morning to let the sun see the tul

have time to l

had this one to look after

low a chimney down, or-or a

n hard and easy. I am always able for what I have to do. When I see my work, I just r

! What! with

nd wome

I wish you wo

ful. But it is my w

on't ask me t

ou. But you must c

n't t

ew a tall lady, and looked him

me. You can

to those who do not know what I really am doing. The people they say I drown, I only carry away to-to-to

y them there if y

ow th

it you nev

it is b

can loo

ook before me. In fact, I grow quite blind and dea

oes it be

w how much to believe of what she says, for she is very naughty sometimes-she says it is all managed by a baby; but whether she is good or naughty when she says that

nt to see a

se I had t

of course

u must go to bed first. I can't take you till you're in bed. That's the

Diamond. "What are you going

ou. Jump up on the to

can

yet, you see. Come out to the road with me, just

call a yellow auricula. Diamond could not even see the blades of grass move as she flitted along by his foot. They left the la

this wall, Diamon

mother has

t," said N

see over,"

be sure.

ood on the top of the wall. She was just about th

nd, seeing what a lovely

e way you humans judge things by their size. I am quite as respectable now as I shall be six hours after this, when I tak

eat, grand woman. She was only having her own beautifu

"Do you see a boat with one man

quite

's a

ou said it w

on't you know

to sail on t

oets do carry people over the sea. But I have

s a boat,"

pell?" asked

very

it. A poet is a man who is glad of something,

Like the man in

ent to tell you, and so I can't tell you. I m

Diamond-"paddling first with o

ere!" said

ext moment the man in the boat glanced about him, and bent to his oars. The boat flew over the rippling wat

do that?" a

e how that could do it," said Diamond. "I daresay not.

nd. I know you too wel

his face, and t

was the go

at him-how he is pulling.

was t

t what I can

you d

thousand things without

ke that," s

boat. Hearing no answer,

he edge of a great cloud, and the sail began to shine white. Diamond rubbed his eyes, and wondered what it was all about. Things seemed going on around him, and all to und

well to-night, Diam

er," returned Diamond,

d better go to

mother," h

moon the clouds were going different ways. Somehow or other t

the sky. For a while he could not come quite awake, for the noise kept beating him down, so that his heart was troubled and fluttered painfully. A second peal of thunder burst over his head, and almost choked him with fear. Nor did he recover until

said. "It's all ready

ss ladylike that they could have strangled a boa-constrictor, or choked a tigress off its prey-stretched down through a b