 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. At the Back of the North Wind by George McDonald, Chapter 25, Diamonds Dream, recorded by Maria Cialano. There, baby, said Diamond. I'm so happy that I can only sing nonsense. Oh, Father, think if you had been a poor man and hadn't had a cab and old Diamond. What should I have done? I don't know indeed what you could have done, said his father from the bed. We should have all starved, my precious Diamond, said his mother, whose pride in her boy was even greater than her joy in the shillings. Both of them together made her heart ache, for pleasure can do that as well as pain. Oh, no, we shouldn't, said Diamond. I could have taken Nanny's crossing till she came back, and then the money instead of going for old Sal's gin would have gone for Father's beef tea. I wonder what Nanny will do when she gets well again. Somebody else will be sure to have taken the crossing by that time. I wonder if she will fight for it, and whether I shall have to help her. I won't bother my hand about that. Time enough yet. Hey, ditto, hey, ditto, hey, ditto, ditto. I wonder whether Mr. Raymond would take me to see Nanny. Hey, ditto, hey, ditto, hey, ditto, ditto, the baby in fiddle. Oh, Mother, I'm such a silly, but I can't help it. I wish I could think of something else, but there's nothing will come into my head but hey, ditto, ditto, the cat in the fiddle. I wonder what the angels do when they are extra happy. You know, when they've been driving cabs all day and taking home the money to their mothers, do you think they ever sing nonsense, Mother? I daresay they've got their own sort of it, answered his mother. Else they wouldn't be like other people. She was thinking more of her 21 shillings and sixpence, and of the nice dinner she would get for her sick husband next day than of the angels and their nonsense when she said it. But Diamond found her answer all right. Yes, to be sure, he replied, they wouldn't be like other people if they hadn't their nonsense sometimes. But it must be very pretty nonsense, and not like that silly hey, ditto, ditto, the cat in the fiddle. I wish I could get it out of my head. I wonder what the angels' nonsense is like. Nonsense is a very good thing, ain't it, Mother? A little of it now and then, more of it for baby, and not so much for grown people like Catman and their mothers. It's like the peppered salt that goes in the soup. That's it, isn't it, Mother? There's baby fast asleep. Oh, what a nonsense, baby, it is to sleep so much. Shall I put him down, Mother? Diamond shattered away what rose in his happy little heart ran out of his mouth and did his father and mother good. When he went to bed, which he did early, being more tired as you may suppose than usual, he was still thinking what the nonsense could be like, which the angels sang when they were too happy to sing sense. But before coming to any conclusion, he fell fast asleep, and no wonder, for it must be acknowledged a difficult question. That night he had a very curious dream which I think my readers would like to have told them. They would at least if they are as fond of nice dreams as I am, and don't have enough of them of their own. He dreamed that he was running about in the twilight in the old garden. He thought he was waiting for north wind, but she did not come, so he would run down to the back gate and see if she were there. He ran and ran. It was a good long garden out of his dream, but in his dream it had grown so long and spread out so wide that the gate he wanted was nowhere. He ran and ran, but instead of coming to the gate found himself in a beautiful country, not like any country he had ever been in before. There were no trees of any size, nothing bigger in fact than hawthorns, which were full of may blossom. The place in which they grew was wild and dry, mostly covered with grass, but having patches of heath. It extended on every side as far as he could see. But although it was so wild, yet wherever in an ordinary heath you might have expected furs, bushes or holly or broom, there grew roses, wild and rare, all kinds. On every side, far and near, roses were glowing. There too was the gumsistus, whose flowers fall every night and come again the next morning, lilacs and syringes and labyrinems, and many shrubs besides, of which he did not know the names. But the roses were everywhere. He wandered on and on, wondering when it would come to an end. It was of no use going back, for there was no house to be seen anywhere. But he was not frightened, for you know diamond was used to things that were rather out of the way. He threw himself down under a rose bush and fell asleep. He woke, not out of his dream, but into it. Thinking he heard a child's voice calling diamond, diamond, he jumped up, but all was still about him. The rose bushes were pouring out their odors in clouds. He could see the scent like mists of the same color as the rose, issuing like a slow fountain and spreading in the air till it joined the thin, rosy vapor, which hung over all the wilderness. But again came the voice calling him, and it seemed to come from over his head. He looked up, but saw only the deep blue sky full of stars, more brilliant however, than he had seen them before. And both sky and stars looked nearer to the earth. While he gazed up, again he heard the cry. At the same moment he saw one of the biggest stars over his head give a kind of twinkle and jump, as if it went out and came in again. He threw himself on his back and fixed his eyes upon it, nor had he gazed long before it went out, leaving something like a scar in the blue. But as he went on gazing, he saw a face where the star had been, a merry face with bright eyes. The eyes appeared not only to see Diamond, but to know that Diamond had caught sight of him, for the face withdrew the same moment. Again came the voice calling Diamond, Diamond, and in jumped the star to its place. Diamond called as loud as he could, right up into the sky. Here's Diamond! Down below you! What do you want him to do? The next instant many of the stars round about that one went out, and many voices shouted from the sky. Come up! We're so jolly! Diamond, Diamond! This was followed by a peel of the merriest, kindliest laughter, and all the stars jumped into their places again. How am I to come up? shouted Diamond. Go round the rose bush! It's got its foot in it! said the first voice. Diamond got up at once and walked to the other side of the rose bush. There he found what seemed the very opposite of what he wanted, a stare down into the earth. It was of turf and moss. It did not seem to promise well for getting into the sky. But Diamond had learned to look through the look of things. The voice must have meant that he was to go down this stare, and down this stare Diamond went, without waiting to think more about it. It was such a nice stare, so cool and soft, all the sides as well as the steps grown with moss and grass and ferns. Down and down Diamond went a long way, until at last he heard the gurgling and splashing of a little stream. Nor had he gone much farther before he met it. Yes, met it coming up the stairs to meet him, running up just as naturally as if it had been doing the other thing. Neither was Diamond in the least surprised to see it pitching itself from one step to another as it climbed towards him. He never thought it was odd and no more it was there. It would have been odd here. It made a merry tune as it came, and its voice was like the laughter he had heard from the sky. This appeared promising, and he went on. Down and down the stare, and up and up the stream, till at last he came where it hurried out from under a stone, and the stare stopped altogether. And as the stream bubbled up, the stone shook and swayed with its force, and Diamond thought he would try to lift it. Lightly it rose to his hand, forced up by the stream from below, and by what would have seemed an unaccountable perversion of things had he been awake, threatened it to come tumbling upon his head. But he avoided it, and when it fell, got upon it. He now saw that the opening through which the order came pouring in was over his head, and with the help of the stone he scrambled up by it, and found himself on the side of a grassy hill which rounded away from him in every direction, and down which came the brook which vanished in the hole. But scarcely had he noticed so much as this before a merry shouting and laughter burst upon him, and a number of naked little boys came running, everyone eager to get to him first. At the shoulders of each fluttered two little wings, which were of no use for flying as they were mere buds, only being made for it they could not help fluttering as if they were flying. Just as the foremost of the troop reached him, one or two of them fell, and the rest with shouts of laughter came tumbling over them till they heaped up a mound of struggling merry-mint. One after another they extricated themselves, and each as he got free through his arms round Diamond and kissed him. Diamond's heart was ready to melt within him from clear delight when they had all embraced him. Now let us have some fun, cried one, and with a shout they all scampered hither and thither and played the wildest gambles on the grassy slopes. They kept constantly coming back to Diamond, however, as the center of their enjoyment, rejoicing over him as if they had found a lost playmate. There was a wind on the hillside which blew like the very embodiment of living gladness, it blew into Diamond's heart and made him so happy that he was forced to sit down and cry. Now let's go and dig for stars, said one who seemed to be the captain of the troop. They all scurried away, but soon returned, one after another, each with a pick-ex on his shoulder and a spade in his hand. As soon as they were gathered, the captain led them in a straight line to another part of the hill. Diamond rose and followed. Here is where we begin our lesson for tonight, he said. Scatter and dig! There was no more fun. Each went by himself, walking slowly with bent shoulders and his eyes fixed on the ground. Every now and then one would stop, kneel down, and look intently, feeling with his hands and parting the grass. One would get up and walk on again, another spring to his feet, catch eagerly at his pick-ex and strike it into the ground once and again, then throw it aside, snatch up his spade, and commence digging at the loosened earth. Now one would sorrowfully shovel the earth into the hole again, trample it down with his little bare white feet, and walk on. But another would give a joyful shout, and after much tugging and loosening would draw from the hole a lump as big as his head, or no bigger than his fist, when the underside of it would pour such a blaze of golden or bluish light into diamond's eyes that he was quite dazzled. Gold and blue were the commoner colors, the jubilation was greater over red or green or purple. And every time a star was dug up, all the little angels dropped their tools and crowded about it, shouting and dancing and fluttering their wing buds. When they had examined it well, they would kneel down one after the other and peep through the hole, but they always stood back to give diamond the first look. All that diamond could report, however, was that through the star holes he saw a great many things and places, and people he knew quite well, only somehow they were different. There was something marvelous about them he could not tell what. Every time he rose from looking through a star hole, he felt as if his heart would break for joy, and he said that if he had not cried, he did not know what would have become of him. As soon as all had looked, the star was carefully fitted in again. A little mold was strewn over it, and the rest of the heap left as a sign that the star had been discovered. At length one dug up a small star of a most lovely color, a color diamond had never seen before. The moment the angel saw what it was, instead of showing it about, he handed it to one of his neighbors and seated himself on the edge of the hole, saying, This will do for me. Goodbye. I'm off. They crowded about him, hugging and kissing him, then stood back with a solemn stillness, their wings lying close to their shoulders. The little fellow looked round on them once with a smile, and then shot himself headlong through the star hole. Diamond, as privileged, threw himself on the ground to peep after him, but he saw nothing. It's no use, said the captain. I never saw anything more of one that went that way. His wings can't be much use, said Diamond, concerned and fearful yet comforted by the calm looks of the rest. That's true, said the captain. He's lost them by this time. They all do that go that way. You haven't got any, you see. No, said Diamond. I never did have any. Oh, didn't you, said the captain? Some people say, he added after a pause, that they come again. I don't know. I've never found the color I care about myself. I suppose I should someday. Then they looked again at the star, put it carefully into its hole, danced around it and over it but solemnly, and called it by the name of the finder. Will you know it again? asked Diamond. Oh, yes. We never forget a star that's been made a door of. Then they went on with their searching and digging. Diamond having neither pickaxe nor spade had the more time to think. I don't see any little girls, he said at last. The captain stopped his shoveling, leaned on his spade, rubbed his forehead thoughtfully with his left hand. The little angels were all left-handed, repeated the words little girls, and then, as if a thought had struck him, resumed his work saying, I think I know what you mean. I've never seen any of them, of course. But I suppose that's the sort you mean. I'm told, but mind I don't say it is so, for I don't know that when we fall asleep, a troop of angels very like ourselves, only quite different, goes round to all the stars we have discovered and discovers them after us. I suppose with our shoveling and handling, we spoil them a bit. And I daresay the clouds that come up from below make them smoky and dull sometimes. They say, mind I say they say, these other angels take them up one by one and pass each round as we do, and breathe over it and rub it with their white hands, which are softer than ours because they don't do any pick and spade work, and smile at it and put it in again, and that is what keeps them from growing dark. How jolly, thought Diamond, I should like to see them at their work too. When do you go to sleep? he asked the captain. When we grow sleepy, answered the captain. They do say, but mind I say they say, that it is when those others, what do you call them? I don't know if that is their name. I am only guessing that may be the sort you mean. When they're on their rounds and come near any troop of us, we fall asleep. They live on the west side of the hill. None of us have ever been to the top of it yet. Even as he spoke, he dropped his spade, he tumbled down beside it and lay fast asleep. One after the other, each of the troop dropped his pickaxe or shovel from his listless hands and lay fast asleep by his work. Ah, thought Diamond to himself with delight. Now the girl angels are coming, and I not being an angel shall not fall asleep like the rest, and I shall see the girl angels. But the same moment he felt himself growing sleepy, he struggled hard with the invading power. He put up his fingers to his eyelids and pulled them open, but it was of no use. He thought he saw a glimmer of pale, rosy light far up the green hill, and ceased to know. When he awoke, all the angels were starting up wide awake too. He expected to see them lift their tools, but no, the time for play had come. They looked happier than ever, and each began to sing where he stood. He had not heard them sing before. Now he thought, I shall know what kind of nonsense the angels sing when they are merry. They don't drive calves, I see, but they dig for stars, and they work hard enough to be merry afterward. And he did hear some of the angels' nonsense, for if it was all sense to them it had only just as much sense to Diamond as made good nonsense of it. He tried hard to set it down in his mind, listening as closely as he could, now to one, now to another, and now to all together. But while they were yet singing, he began to his dismay to find that he was coming awake faster and faster. And as he came awake, he found that for all the goodness of his memory, verse after verse of the angels' nonsense vanished from it. He always thought he could keep the last, but as the next began he lost the one before it, and at length awoke, struggling to keep hold of the last verse of all. He felt as if the effort to keep from forgetting that one verse of the vanishing song nearly killed him. And yet by the time he was wide awake, he could not be sure of that even. It was something like this. White hands of whiteness wash the star's faces till glitter glitter glit goes their brightness down to poor places. This, however, was it so near sense that he thought it could not be really what they did sing. End of Chapter 25, Diamond's Dream This is the Leap of Ox Recording. All Leap of Ox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to volunteer, please visit leapofox.org. Recording by Arktra. At the back of the North Wind by George MacDonald, Chapter 26. Diamond takes affair the wrong way right. The next morning Diamond was up almost as early as before. He had nothing to fear from his mother now and made no secret of what he was about. By the time he reached the stable, several of the men were there. They asked him a good many questions as to his luck the day before, and he told them all they wanted to know. But when he proceeded to harness the old horse, they pushed him aside with rough kindness, called him a baby, and began to do it all for him. So Diamond ran and had another mouthful of tea and bread and butter, and although he had never been so tired as he was the night before, he started quite fresh this morning. It was a cloudy day and the wind blew hard from the North. So hard sometimes that, perched on the box with just his toes touching the ground, Diamond wished that he had some kind of strap to fasten himself down with, lest he should be blown away. But he did not really mind it. His head was full of a dream he had dreamed, but did not make him neglect his work, for his work was not to dig stars but to drive old Diamond and pick up fares. There are not many people who can think about beautiful things and do common work at the same time, but then there are not many people who have been to the back of the North wind. There was not much business doing, and Diamond felt rather cold, notwithstanding his mother had herself put on his comforter and helped him with his great coat, but he was too well aware of his dignity to get inside his cab as some do. A cab man ought to be above minding the weather, at least so Diamond thought. At length he was called to a neighbouring house, where young woman with a heavy box had to be taken to Wapping for a co-steamer. He did not find it at all pleasant, so far east and so near the river, for the roughs were in great force. However there being no block, not even a nightingale lane, he reached the entrance of the wharf and sat down his passenger without annoyance. But as he turned to go back, some idlers, not content with chaffing him, showed a mind to the fare the young woman had given him. They were just pulling him off the box, and Diamond was shouting for the police, when a pale-faced man in very shabby clothes, with a look of a gentleman somewhere about him, came up, and making good use of his stick drove them off. Now my little man, he said, get on while you can, don't lose any time, this is not a place for you. But Diamond was not in the habit of thinking only of himself. He saw that his new friend looked weary, if not ill, and very poor. Won't you jump in, sir, he said, I will take you wherever you like. Thank you, my man, but I have no money, so I can't. Oh, I don't want any money, I shall be much happier if you will get in, you have saved me all I had, I owe you a lift, sir. Which way are you going? To Chiron Cross, but I don't mind where I go. Well, I am very tired, if you will take me to Chiron Cross, I shall be greatly obliged to you. I have walked from Gravesend, and had hardly a penny left to get through the tunnel. So, saying, he opened the door and got in, and Diamond drove away. But as he drove, he could not help fancying he had seen the gentleman, for Diamond knew he was a gentleman before. Do all he could, however, he could not recall where, or when. Meantime, his bear, if we may call him such, seeing he was to pay nothing, whom the relief of being carried had made less and less inclined to carry himself, had been turning over things in his mind, and as they passed the mint, called to Diamond, who stopped the horse, got down and went to the window. If you didn't mind taking me to Chiswick, I should be able to pay you when you got there. It's a long way, but you shall have the whole fare from the docks, and something over. Very well, sir, said Diamond, I shall be most happy. He was just clamoring up again, when the gentleman put his head out of the window and said, It's the wilderness, Mr. Coleman's place, but I'll direct you when we come into the neighborhood. It flashed upon Diamond who he was, but he got upon his box to arrange his thoughts before making any reply. The gentleman was Mr. Evans to whom Ms. Coleman was to have been married, and Diamond had seen him several times with her in the garden. I have said that he had not behaved very well to Ms. Coleman. He had put off the marriage more than once in a cowardly fashion, merely because he was ashamed to marry upon a low income and live in a humble way. When a man thinks of what people will say in such a case, he may love, but his love is but a poor affair. Mr. Coleman took him into the firm as a junior partner, and it was in a measure through his influence that he entered upon those speculations which ruined him. So his love had not been a blessing. The ship which North Wind had sunk was their last venture, and Mr. Evans had gone out with it in the hope of turning its cargo to the best advantage. He was one of the single boatload who managed to reach the desert island, and he had gone through a great many hardships and sufferings since then. But he was not past being taught, and his troubles had done him no end of good, for they had made him doubt himself and begin to think, so that he had come to see that he had been foolish as well as wicked. For, if he had had Ms. Coleman with him in the desert island to build her a hut and hunt for her food and make clothes for her, he would have thought himself the most fortunate of men, and when he was at home, he would not marry till he could afford a man's servant. Before he got home again, he had even begun to understand that no man can make haste to be rich without going against the will of God, in which case it is the one frightful thing to be successful. So he had come back a more humble man, and longing to ask Ms. Coleman to forgive him. But he had no idea what ruin had fallen upon them, for he had never made himself thoroughly acquainted with the firms of Ferris. Few speculated people do know their own affairs. Hence he never doubted he should find matters much as he left them, and expected to see them all at the wilderness as before. But if he had not fallen with Diamond, he would not have thought of going there first. What was Diamond to do? He had heard his father and mother drop some remarks concerning Mr. Evans, which made him doubtful of him. He understood that he had not been so considerate as he might have been. So he would rather slowly till he should make up his mind. It was, of course, of no use to drive Mr. Evans to Chiswick. But if he should tell him what had befallen them, and where they lived now, he might put up going to see them, and he was certain that Ms. Coleman, at least, must want very much to see Mr. Evans. He was pretty sure also that the best thing in any case was to bring them together, and let them set matters right for themselves. The moment he came to this conclusion, he changed his course from westward to northward, and went straight for Mr. Coleman's poor little house in Hoxton. Mr. Evans was too tired and too much occupied with his thoughts to take the least notice of the streets they passed through, and had no suspicion, therefore, of the change of direction. By this time the wind had increased almost to a hurricane, and as they had often to head it, it was no joke for either of the diamonds. The distance, however, was not great. Before they reached the street where Mr. Coleman lived, it blew so tremendously that when Ms. Coleman, who was going out a little way, opened the door, it dashed against the wall with such a bang that she was afraid to venture and went in again. In five minutes after, diamond drew up at the door. As soon as he had entered the street, however, the wind blew right behind them, and when he pulled up, old diamond had so much adieu to stop the cab against it, and the breaching broke. Young diamond jumped off his box, knocked loudly at the door, and turned to the cab and said, before Mr. Evans had quite begun to think something must be amiss. Please, sir, my harness is given away. Would you mind stepping in here for a few minutes? They're friends of mine. I'll take you where you like after I've got it mended. I shan't be many minutes, but you can't stand in this wind. Half-stupid with fatigue and want of food, Mr. Evans yielded to the boy's suggestion and walked in at a door which the maid held with difficulty against the wind. She took Mr. Evans for a visitor, as indeed he was, and showed him into the room on the ground floor. Diamond, who had followed into the hall, whispered to her as she closed the door. Tell Ms. Coleman, it's Ms. Coleman he wants to see. I don't know, said the maid. You don't look much like a gentleman. He is, though, and I know him, and so does Ms. Coleman. The maid could not but remember Diamond, having seen him when he and his father brought the ladies home, so she believed him and went to do what he told her. What passed in the little parlor when Ms. Coleman came down does not belong to my story, which is all about Diamond. If he had known that Ms. Coleman thought Mr. Evans was dead, perhaps he would have managed differently. There was a cry and a gunning two and fro in the house, and then all was quiet again. Almost as soon as Mr. Evans went in, the wind began to seize, and it was now still. Diamond found that by making the breeching used a little tighter than was quite comfortable for the old horse, he could do very well for the present, and thinking it better to let him have his bag in his quiet place, he sat on the box till the old horse should have eaten his dinner. In a little while Mr. Evans came out and asked him to come in. Diamond obeyed into his delight, Ms. Coleman put her arms round him and kissed him, and there was payment for him. Not to mention the five precious shillings she gave him, which he could not refuse because his mother wanted them so much at home for his father. He left them nearly as happy as they were themselves. The rest of the day he did better, and although he had not so much to take home as the day before, yet on the whole the result was satisfactory. In what a story he had to tell his father and mother about his adventures, and how he had done, and what was the result. They asked him such a multitude of questions, some of which he could answer, and some of which he could not answer, and his father seemed ever so much better from finding that his boy was already not only useful to his family, but useful to other people, and quite taking his place as a man who judged what was wise, and did work worth doing. For a fortnight Diamond went on driving his cab and keeping his family. He had begun to be known about some parts of London, and people would prefer taking his cab because they liked what they heard of him. One gentleman who lived near their muse engaged him to carry him to the city every morning in a certain hour, and Diamond was punctual as clockwork, though to effect that required a good deal of care, for his father's watch was not much to be depended on, and had to be watched itself by the clock of St. George's Church. Between the two, however, he did make a success of it. After that fortnight his father was able to go out again. Then Diamond went to make inquiries about Nanny, and this led to something else. At the back of the North Wind by George MacDonald. Chapter 27 The Children's Hospital The first day his father resumed his work, Diamond went with him as usual. In the afternoon, however, his father, having taken a fare to the neighborhood, went home, and Diamond drove the cab the rest of the day. It was hard for old Diamond to do all the work, but they could not afford to have another horse. They contrived to save him as much as possible, and fed him well, and he did bravely. The next morning his father was so much stronger that Diamond thought he might go and asked Mr. Raymond to take him to see Nanny. He found him at home. His servant had grown friendly by this time, and showed him in without any cross-questioning. Mr. Raymond received him with his usual kindness, consented at once, and walked with him to the hospital which was close at hand. It was a comfortable, old-fashioned house, built in the reign of Queen Anne, and in her day, no doubt, inhabited by rich and fashionable people. Now it was a home for poor sick children who were carefully tended for love's sake. There are regions in London where a hospital in every other street might be full of such children, whose fathers and mothers are dead, or unable to take care of them. When Diamond followed Mr. Raymond into the room where those children who had got over the worst of their illness and were growing better lay, he saw a number of little iron bedsteads with their heads to the walls, and in every one of them a child whose face was a story in itself. In some health had begun to appear in a tinge upon the cheeks, and a doubtful brightness in the eyes. Just as out of the cold dreary winter the spring comes in blushing buds and bright crocuses. In others there were more of the signs of winter left. Their faces reminded you of snow and keen cutting winds, more than of sunshine and soft breezes and butterflies. But even in them the signs of suffering told that the suffering was less, and that if the springtime had but arrived it had yet arrived. Diamond looked all round, but could see no Nanny. He turned to Mr. Raymond with a question in his eyes. Well, said Mr. Raymond, Nanny's not here, said Diamond. Oh, yes she is. I don't see her. I do, though. There she is. He pointed to a bed right in front of where Diamond was standing. That's not Nanny, he said. It is Nanny. I have seen her many times since you have. Illness makes a great difference. Why, that girl must have been to the back of the North Wind, thought Diamond, but he said nothing, only stared. And as he stared something of the old Nanny began to dawn through the face of the new Nanny. The old Nanny, though a good girl and a friendly girl, had been rough, blunt in her speech, and dirty in her person. Her face would always have reminded one who had already been to the back of the North Wind of something he had seen in the best of company, but it had been coarse notwithstanding. Partly from the weather, partly from her living amongst low people, and partly from having to defend herself. Now it was so sweet and gentle and refined that she might have had a lady and gentleman for a father and mother. And Diamond could not help thinking of words which he had heard in the church the day before. Surely it is good to be afflicted, or something like that. North Wind, somehow or other, must have had to do with her. She had grown from a rough girl into a gentle maiden. Mr. Raymond, however, was not surprised, for he was used to see such lovely changes, something like the change which passes upon the crawling many-footed creature, when it turns sick and ill, and revives a butterfly with two wings instead of many feet. Instead of her having to take care of herself, kind hands ministered to her, making her comfortable and sweet and clean, soothing her aching head, and giving her cooling drink when she was thirsty. And kind eyes the stars of the kingdom of heaven had shown upon her, so that, what with the fire of the fever and the dew of tenderness, that which was coarse in her had melted away, and her whole face had grown so refined and sweet that Diamond did not know her. But as he gazed, the best of the old face, all the true and good part of it, that which was Nanny herself, dawned upon him like the moon coming out of a cloud, until at length, instead of only believing Mr. Raymond that this was she, he saw for himself that it was Nanny indeed, very worn, but grown beautiful. He went up to her. She smiled. He had heard her laugh, but had never seen her smile before. Nanny, do you know me? said Diamond. She only smiled again, as if the question was amusing. She was not likely to forget him, for although she did not yet know it was he who had got her there, she had dreamed of him often, and had talked much about him when delirious. Nor was it much wonder, for he was the only boy, except Joe, who had ever shown her kindness. Meantime Mr. Raymond was going from bed to bed, talking to the little people. Everyone knew him, and everyone was eager to have a look, and a smile, and a kind word from him. Diamond sat down on a stool at the head of Nanny's bed. She laid her hand in his. No one else of her old acquaintance had been near her. Suddenly a little voice called aloud, won't Mr. Raymond tell us a story? Oh, yes, please do, please do! cried several little voices which also were stronger than the rest. For Mr. Raymond was in the habit of telling them a story when he went to see them, and they enjoyed it far more than the other nice things which the doctor permitted him to give them. Oh, very well, said Mr. Raymond. I will. What sort of a story shall it be? A true story, said one little girl. A fairytale, said a little boy. Well, said Mr. Raymond, I suppose as there is a difference I may choose. Hmm, I can't think of any true story just at this moment, so I will tell you a sort of a fairy one. Oh, jolly! exclaimed the little boy who had called out for a fairytale. It came into my head this morning as I got out of bed, continued Mr. Raymond, and if it turns out pretty well, I will write it down and get somebody to print it for me, and then you shall read it when you like. Then nobody ever heard it before? asked one older child. No, nobody. Oh, exclaimed several, thinking it was very grand to have the first telling, and I daresay there might be a peculiar freshness about it, because everything would be nearly as new to the storyteller himself as to the listeners. Some were only sitting up and some were lying down. So there could not be the same busy gathering, bustling and shifting to and fro, with which children generally prepare themselves to hear a story. But their faces, and the turning of their heads, and many feeble exclamations of expected pleasure showed that all such preparations were making within them. Mr. Raymond stood in the middle of the room that he might turn from side to side, and give each a share of seeing him. Diamond kept his place by Nanny's side with her hand in his. I do not know how much of Mr. Raymond's story the smaller children understood. Indeed, I don't quite know how much there was in it to be understood, for in such a story everyone has just to take what he can get. But they all listened with apparent satisfaction, and certainly with great attention. Mr. Raymond wrote it down afterwards, and here it is. Somewhat altered, no doubt, for a good storyteller tries to make his stories better every time he tells them. I cannot myself help thinking that he was somewhat indebted for this, to the old story of the Sleeping Beauty. Please visit LibriVox.org. No house of any pretension to be called a palace is in the least worthy of the name, except it has a wood near it, very near it, and the nearer the better. Not all around it, I don't mean that, for a palace ought to be open to the sun and wind, and stand high and brave, with weather-cocks glittering and flags flying. But on one side of every palace there must be a wood. And there was a very grand wood indeed, beside the palace of the king who was going to be Daylight's father, such a grand wood that nobody yet had got to the other end of it. Near the house it was kept very trim and nice, and it was free of brushwood for a long way in, but by degrees it got wild, and it grew wilder and wilder and wilder, until some said wild bees set last did what they liked in it. The king and his courtiers often hunted, however, and this kept the wild beasts far away from the palace. One glorious summer morning, when the wind and sun were out together, when the veins were flashing, and the flags frolicking against the blue sky, little Daylight made her appearance from somewhere nobody could tell where. A beautiful baby with such bright eyes that she might have come from the sun, only by and by she showed such lively ways that she might equally well have come out of the wind. There was great jubilation in the palace, for this was the first baby the queen had had, and there is as much happiness over a new baby in a palace, as in a cottage. But there is one disadvantage of living near a wood. You do not know quite who your neighbors may be. Everybody knew there were in it several fairies, living within a few miles of the palace, who always had something to do with each new baby that came. For fairies live so much longer than we, that they can have business with a good many generations of human mortals. The curious houses they lived in were well known also. One, a hollow oak, another, a birch tree, though nobody could ever find out how that fairy made a house of it. Another, a hut of growing trees intertwined, and patched up with turf and moss. But there was another fairy who had lately come to the place, and nobody even knew she was a fairy except the other fairies. A wicked old thing she was, always concealing her power, and being as disagreeable as she could, in order to tempt people to give her offence, that she might have the pleasure of taking vengeance upon them. The people about thought she was a witch, and those who knew her by sight, were careful to avoid offending her. She lived in a mud-house, in a swampy part of the forest. In all history we find that fairies give their remarkable gifts to prince or princess, or any child of sufficient importance in their eyes, always at the christening. Now this we can understand, because it is an ageing custom amongst human beings as well. And it is not hard to explain why wicked fairies should choose the same time to do unkind things. But it is difficult to understand how they should be able to do them, for you would fancy all wicked creatures would be powerless on such an occasion. But I never knew of any interference on the part of the wicked fairy that did not turn out a very good thing in the end. What a good thing, for instance, it was, that one princess should sleep for a hundred years. Was she not saved from all the plague of young men who were not worthy of her? And did she not come awake exactly at the right moment when the right prince kissed her? For my part, I cannot help wishing a good many girls would sleep until just the same fate overtook them. It would be happier for them, and more agreeable to their friends. Of course all the known fairies were invited to the christening. But the king and queen never thought of inviting an old witch. For the power of the fairies they have by nature, whereas a witch gets her power by wickedness. The other fairies, however, knowing the danger thus run, provided as well as they could against accidents from her quarter. But they could neither render her powerless, nor could they arrange their gifts in reference to hers beforehand, for they could not tell what those might be. Of course the old hag was there without being asked. Not to be asked was just what she wanted, that she might have a sort of reason for doing what she wished to do. For somehow, even the wickedest of creatures likes a pretext for doing the wrong thing. Five fairies had one after the other given the child such gifts as each counted best. And the fifth had just stepped back to her place in the surrounding splendor of ladies and gentlemen when, mumbling a laugh between her toothless gums, the wicked fairy hobbled out into the middle of the circle, and at the moment when the archbishop was handing the baby to the lady at the head of the nursery department of state affairs, addressed him thus, giving a bite or two to the every word before she could part with it. Please, your grace, I'm very deaf. Would your grace mind repeating the princess's name? With pleasure, my good woman, said the archbishop, stooping to shout in her ear. The infant's name is Little Daylight. And Little Daylight it shall be, cried the fairy in the tone of her voice, and Little Daylight it shall be, cried the fairy in the tone of a dry axle, and Little Good shall any of her gifts do her, for I bestow upon her the gift of sleeping all day long, whether she will or not. Ha-ha! Hee-hee! Ha-ha! Then out started the sixth fairy, who, of course, the others had arranged, should come after the wicked one, in order to undo as much as she might. If she sleep all day, she said mournfully, she shall at least wake all night. A nice prospect for her mother and me, thought the poor king, for they loved her far too much to give her up to nurses, especially at night, as most kings and queens do, and are sorry for it afterwards. You spoke before I had done, said the wicked fairy. That's against the law. It gives me another chance. I beg your pardon, said the other fairies altogether. She did. I hadn't done laughing, said the crone. I had only got to hi-hi, and I had to go through ho-ho and ho-ho. So I decree that if she wakes all night, she shall wax and wane with its mistress the moon. And what that may mean, I hope her royal parents will live to see. Ho-ho! Ho-ho! But out stepped another fairy, for they had been wise enough to keep two in reserve, because every fairy knew the trick of one. Until, said the seventh fairy, a prince comes who shall kiss her without knowing it. The wicked fairy made a horrid noise like an angry cat and hobbled away. She could not pretend that she had not finished her speech this time, for she had laughed, ho-ho! and ho-ho! I don't know what that means, said the poor king to the seventh fairy. Don't be afraid. The meaning will come with the thing itself, said she. The assembly broke up, miserable enough. The queen, at least, prepared for a good many sleepless nights, and the lady at the head of the nursery department, anything but comfortable in the prospect before her. For, of course, the queen could not do it all. As for the king, he made up his mind, with what courage he could summon, to meet the demands of the case, but wondered whether he could, with any propriety, require the first lord of the treasury to take a share in the burden laid upon him. I will not attempt to describe what they had to go through for some time, but at last the household settled into a regular system, a very irregular one in some respects. For at certain seasons the palace rang all night with bursts of laughter from little daylight, whose heart the old fairy's kerch could not reach. She was daylight still, only a little in the wrong place, for she always dropped asleep at the first hand of dawn in the east. But her merriment was of short duration. When the moon was at the full, she was in glorious spirits, and as beautiful as it was possible for a child of her age to be. But, as the moon waned, she faded, until at last she was wan and withered, like the porous, sickliest child you might come upon in the streets of a great city, in the arms of a homeless mother. Then the night was quiet as the day. For the little creature lay in her gorgeous cradle night and day with hardly emotion, and indeed at last, without even a moon, like one dead. At first they often thought she was dead, but at last they got used to it, and only consulted the almanac to find a moment when she would begin to revive, which, of course, was with the first appearance of the silver thread of the crescent moon. Then she would move her lips, and they would give her a little nourishment, and she would grow better and better and better, until for a few days she was splendidly well. When well, she was always merriest out in the moonlight, but even when near her worst, she seemed better when, in warm summer nights, they carried her cradle out into the light of the waning moon. Then in her sleep she would smile the faintest, most pitiful smile. For a long time very few people ever saw her awake. As she grew older she became such a favorite, however, that about the palace there were always some who would contrive to keep awake at night, in order to be near her. But she soon began to take every chance of getting away from her nurses and enjoying her moonlight alone. And thus things went on until she was nearly 17 years of age. Her father and mother had, by that time, got so used to the odd state of things that they had ceased to wonder at them. All their arrangements had reference to the state of the Princess Daylight, and it is amazing how things contrive to accommodate themselves. But how any Prince was ever to find and deliver her appeared inconceivable. As she grew older she had grown more and more beautiful, with the sunniest hair and the loveliest eyes of heavenly blue, brilliant and profound as the sky of a June day. But so much more painful and sad was the change as her bad time came on. The more beautiful she was in the full moon, the more withered and worn did she become as the moon waned. At the time at which my story has now arrived she looked when the moon was small or gone, like an old woman exhausted with suffering. This was the more painful that her appearance was unnatural, for her hair and eyes did not change. Her waned face was both drawn and wrinkled and had an eager, hungry look. Her skinny hands moved as if wishing but unable to lay hold of something. Her shoulders were bent forward. Her chest went in and she stooped as if she were eighty years old. At last she had to be put to bed and there await the flow of the tide of life. But she grew to dislike being seen, still more being touched by any hands during this season. One lovely summer evening, when the moon lay all but gone upon the verge of the horizon, she vanished from her attendance, and it was only after searching for her a long time in great terror that they found her fast asleep in the forest, at the foot of a silver birch, and carried her home. A little way from the palace there was a great open glade covered with the greenest and softest grass. This was her favorite haunt, for here the full moon shone free and glorious, while through a vista in the trees she could generally see more or less of the dying moon as it crossed the opening. Here she had a little rustic house built for her, and here she mostly resided. None of the court might go there without leave, and her own attendance had learned by this time not to be officious in waiting upon her, so that she was very much at liberty. Whether the good fairies had anything to do with it, or not, I cannot tell. But at last she got into the way of retreating further into the wood every night as the moon waned, so that sometimes they had great trouble in finding her. But as she was always very angry if she discovered they were watching her, they scarcely dared to do so. At length one night they thought they had lost her altogether. It was morning before they found her. Feeble as she was, she had wandered into a thicket a long way from the glade, and there she lay, fast of sleep, of course. Although the fame of her beauty and sweetness had gone abroad, yet as everybody knew she was under a bad spell, no king in the neighborhood had any desire to have her for a daughter-in-law. There were serious objections to such a relation. About this time in a neighboring kingdom, in consequence of the wickedness of the nobles, an insurrection took place upon the death of the old king, the greater part of the nobility was massacred, and the young prince was compelled to flee for his life disguised like a peasant. For some time until he had got out of the country, he suffered much from hunger and fatigue, but when he got into that rule by the princess's father, and had no longer any fear of being recognized, he feared better, for the people were kind. He did not abandon his disguise, however. One tolerable reason was that he had no other clothes to put on, and another that he had very little money, and did not know where to get any more. There was no good in telling everybody he met that he was a prince, for he felt that a prince ought to be able to get on like other people, else his rank only made a fool of him. He had read a princess setting out upon a ventures, and here he was out in similar case, only without having had a choice in the matter. He would go on and see what would come of it. For a day or two he had been walking through the palace wood, and had had next to nothing to eat, when he came upon the strangest little house inhabited by a very nice, tidy, motherly old woman. This was one of the good fairies. The moment she saw him she knew quite well who he was and what was going to come of it, but she was not at liberty to interfere with the orderly march of events. She received him with a kindness she would have shown to any other traveller, and gave him bread and milk, which he thought the most delicious food that he had ever tasted, wondering that they did not have it for dinner at the palace sometimes. The old woman pressed him to stay all night. When he awoke he was amazed to find how well and strong he felt. She would not take any of the money he offered, but begged him if he found occasion of continuing in the neighborhood to return and occupy the same quarters. Thank you, good mother, answered the prince, but there is little chance of that. The sooner I get out of this wood, the better. I don't know that, said the fairy. What do you mean? asked the prince. Why, how should I know? returned she. I can't tell, said the prince. Very well, said the fairy. How strangely you talk, said the prince. Do I, said the fairy. Yes you do, said the prince. Very well, said the fairy. The prince was not used to being spoken to in this fashion. So he felt a little angry and turned and walked away. But this did not offend the fairy. She stood at the door of her little house, looking after him till the trees hit him quite. Then she said, At last! and went in. The prince wandered and wandered and got nowhere. The sun sank and sank and went out of sight. And he seemed no nearer the end of the wood than ever. He sat down on a fallen tree, ate a bit of bread the old woman had given him, and waited for the moon. For although he was not much of an astronomer, he knew the moon would rise some time, because she had risen the night before. Up she came, slow and slow, but of a good size, pretty nearly round indeed. Whereupon, greatly refreshed with his piece of bread, he got up and went. He knew not with her. After walking a considerable distance, he thought he was coming to the outside of the forest. But when he reached what he thought the last of it, he found himself only upon the edge of a great open space in it covered with grass. The moon shone very bright, and he thought he had never seen a more lovely spot. Still it looked dreary because of its loneliness, for he could not see the house at the other side. He sat down weary again, and gazed into the glade. He had not seen so much room for several days. All at once he spied something in the middle of the grass. What could it be? It moved. It came nearer. Was it a human creature gliding across? A girl dressed in white, gleaming in the moonshine? She came nearer and nearer. He crept behind a tree and watched, wondering. It must be some strange being of the wood, a nymph whom the moonlight and the warm dusky air had enticed from her tree. But when she came close to where he stood he no longer doubted that she was human, for he had caught sight of her sunny hair and her clear blue eyes, and the loveliest face and form that he had ever seen. All at once she began singing like a nightingale and dancing to her own music, with her eyes ever turned towards the moon. She passed close to where he stood, dancing on by the edge of the trees in a way and a great circle towards the other side, until he could see but a spot of white in the yellow screen of the moonlit grass. But when he feared it would vanish quite, the spot grew and became a figure once more. She approached him again, singing and dancing, and waving her arms over her head, until she had completed the circle. Just opposite his tree she stood, ceased her song, dropped her arms, and broke out into a long, clear laugh, musical as a brook. Then, as if tired, she threw herself on the grass and lay gazing at the moon. The Prince was almost afraid to breathe lest they should startle her, and she should vanish from his sight. As to venturing near her, that never came into his head. She had lain for a long hour or longer. When the Prince began again to doubt concerning her, perhaps she was but a vision of his own fancy. Or was she a spirit of the wood, after all? If so, he too would haunt the wood, glad to have lost kingdom and everything for the hope of being near her. He would build him a hut in the forest, and there he would live for the pure chance of seeing her again. Upon nights like this at least she would come out and bask in the moonlight, and make his soul blessed. But while he thus dreamed, she sprang to her feet, turned her face full to the moon, and began singing as she would draw her down from the sky by the power of her entrancing voice. She looked more beautiful than ever. Again she began dancing to her own music, and danced away into the distance. Once more she returned in a similar manner. And although he was watching as eagerly as before, what with fatigue and what with gazing? He fell fast asleep before she came near him. When he awoke it was broad daylight, and the Princess was nowhere. He could not leave the place. What if she should come again the next night? He would gladly endure a day's hunger to see her yet again. He would buckle his belt quite tight. He walked round the glade to see if he could discover any prints of her feet. But the grass was so short, and her steps had been so light, that she had not left a single trace behind her. He walked halfway round the wood without seeing anything to account for her presence. Then he spied a lovely little house, with thatched roof and low eaves, surrounded by an exquisite garden, with doves and peacocks walking in it. Of course this must be where the gracious lady who loved the moonlight lived. Forgetting his appearance, he walked towards the door, determined to make inquiries. But as he passed a little pond full of gold and silver fishes, he caught sight of himself and turned to find the door to the kitchen. There he knocked and asked for a piece of bread. The good-natured cook brought him in, and gave him an excellent breakfast, which the Prince found nothing the worse for being served in the kitchen. While he ate, he talked with his entertainer, and learned that this was the favorite retreat of the Princess's daylight. But he learned nothing more, both because he was afraid of seeming inquisitive, and because the cook did not choose to be heard talking about her mistress to a peasant lad who had begged for his breakfast. As he rose to take his leave, it occurred to him that he might not be so far from the old woman's cottage as he had thought, and he asked the cook whether she knew anything of such a place, describing it as well as he could. She said she knew it well enough, adding with a smile. It's there you're going, is it? Oh, yes, if it's not too far off. It's not more than three miles. But mind what you are about, you know. Why do you say that? If you're after any mischief, she'll make you repent it. The best thing that could happen under the circumstances, remarked the Prince. What do you mean by that? asked the cook. Why, it stands to reason, answered the Prince, that if you wish to do anything wrong, the best thing for you is to be made to repent of it. I see, said the cook. Well, I think you may venture. She's a good old soul. Which way does it lie from here? asked the Prince. She gave him full instructions, and he left her with many thanks. Being now refreshed, however, the Prince did not go back to the cottage that day. He remained in the forest, amusing himself as best he could, but waiting anxiously for the night, in the hope that the Princess would again appear. Nor was he disappointed, for, directly the moon rose, he spied a glimmering shape far across the glade. As it drew nearer, he saw it was she indeed, not dressed in white as before. In a pale blue like the sky, she looked lovelier still. He thought it was that the blues suited her yet better than the white. He did not know that she was really more beautiful because the moon was nearer the full. In fact, the next night was full moon, and the Princess would then be at the zenith of her loveliness. The Prince feared for some time that she was not coming near his hiding place that night. But the circles in her dance ever widened as the moon rose, until at last they embraced the whole glade, and she came still closer to the trees where he was hiding than she had come the night before. He was entranced with her loveliness, for it was indeed a marvellous thing. All night long he watched her, but dared not go near her. He would have been ashamed of watching her, too, had he not become almost incapable of thinking of anything but how beautiful she was. He watched the whole night long, and saw that as the moon went down she retreated in smaller and smaller circles, until at last he could see her no more. Weary as he was, he set out for the old woman's cottage, where he arrived just in time for her breakfast, which she shared with him. He then went to bed and slept for many hours. When he awoke the sun was down, and he departed in great anxiety lest he should lose a glimpse of the lovely vision. But whether it was by the machinations of the swamp-fairy, or merely that it is one thing to go and another to return by the same road, he lost his way. I shall not attempt to describe his misery when the moon rose, and he saw nothing but trees, trees, trees. She was high in the heavens before he reached the glade. Then indeed his troubles vanished, for there was the princess coming dancing toward him, in a dress that shone like gold, and with shoes that glimmered through the grass, like fireflies. She was, of course, still more beautiful than before. Like an embodied sunbeam, she passed him and danced away into the distance. Before she returned in her circle, the clouds had begun to gather about the moon. The wind rose, the trees moaned, and their lighter branches leaned all one way before it. The prince feared that the princess would go in, and he should see her no more that night. But she came dancing on more jubilant than ever, her golden dress and her sunny hair streaming out upon the blast, waving her arms towards the moon, and in the exuberance of her delight ordering the clouds away from off her face. The prince could hardly believe she was not a creature of the elements after all. By the time she had completed another circle, the clouds had gathered deep, and there were growlings of distant thunder. Just as she passed the tree where he stood, a flash of lightning blinded him for a moment, and when he saw again, to his horror, the princess lay on the ground. He darted to her, thinking she had been struck. But when she heard him coming, she was on her feet in a moment. What do you want? she asked. I beg your pardon, I thought. The lightning, said the prince, hesitating. There's nothing the matter, said the princess, waving him off rather haughtily. The poor prince turned and walked towards the wood. Come back, said Daylight. I like you. You do what you are told. Are you good? Not so good as I should like to be, said the prince. Then go and grow better, said the princess. Again the disappointed prince turned and went. Come back, said the princess. He obeyed and stood before her waiting. Can you tell me what the sun is like? she asked. No, he answered. But where's the good of asking what you know? But I don't know, she rejoined. Why, everybody knows. That's the very thing. I'm not everybody. I've never seen the sun. And you can't know what it's like till you do see it. I think you must be a prince, said the princess. Do I look like one, said the prince? I can't quite say that. Then why do you think so? Because you both do what you are told and speak the truth. Is the sun so very bright? As bright as the lightning? But it doesn't go out like that, does it? Oh, no. It shines like the moon, rises and sets like the moon, is much the same shape as the moon, only so bright that you can't look at it for a moment. But I would look at it, said the princess. But you couldn't, said the prince. But I could, said the princess. Well, why don't you then? Because I can't. Why can't you? Because I can't wake, and I never shall wake until— Here she hit her face and her hands, turned away and walked in the slowest, stateliest manner towards the house. The prince ventured to follow her at a little distance, but she turned and made a repellent gesture, which, like a true gentleman prince, he obeyed at once. He waited a long time, but as she did not come near him again, and as the night had now cleared, he set off at last for the old woman's cottage. It was long past midnight when he reached it, but to his surprise the old woman was paring potatoes at the door. Ferries are fond of doing odd things. Indeed, however they may dissemble, the night is always their day, and so it is with all who have fairy blood in them. Why, what are you doing there, this time of the night, mother? said the prince, for that was the kind way in which any young man in his country would address the woman who was much older than himself. Getting your supper ready, my son, she answered. Oh, I don't want any supper, said the prince. Ah, you've seen daylight, said she. I've seen a princess who never saw it, said the prince. Do you like her? asked the fairy. Oh, don't I, said the prince, more than you would believe, mother. A fairy can't believe anything that ever was or ever could be, said the old woman. Then are you a fairy? asked the prince. Yes, said she. Then what do you do for things not to believe? asked the prince. There's plenty of them, everything that never was nor ever could be. Plenty, I grant you, said the prince. But do you believe there could be a princess who never saw the daylight? Do you believe that now? This the prince said. Not that he doubted the princess, but that he wanted the fairy to tell him more. She was too old a fairy, however, to be caught so easily. Of all people, fairies must not tell secrets. Besides, she's a princess. Well, I'll tell you a secret, I'm a prince. I know that. How do you know it? By the curl of the third eyelash on your left eyelid. Which corner do you count from? That's a secret. Another secret? Well, at least if I am a prince there can be no harm in telling me about a princess. It's just the princess I can't tell. There ain't any more of them, are there? said the prince. What? You don't think you're the only prince in the world to you? Oh, dear, no, not at all. But I know there's one too many just at present, except the prince has. Yes, yes, that's it, said the fairy. What's it? asked the prince. But he could not get anything more out of the fairy, and had to go to bed unanswered, which was something of a trial. Now, wicked fairies will not be bound by the law which the good fairies obey, and this always seems to give the bad the advantage over the good, for they use means to gain their ends which the others will not. But it is all of no consequence, for what they do never succeeds. Nay, in the end it brings about the very thing they are trying to prevent. So you see that somehow, for all their cleverness, wicked fairies are dreadfully stupid, for although from the beginning of the world they have really helped instead of forting the good fairies, not one of them is a bit wiser for it. She will try the bad thing just as they all did before her, and succeed no better, of course. The prince had so far stolen a march upon the swamp fairy that she did not know he was in the neighborhood until after he had seen the princess those three times. When she knew it she consoled herself by thinking that the princess must be far too proud and too modest for any young man to venture even to speak to her, before he had seen her six times at least. But there was even less danger than the wicked fairy thought, for however much the princess might desire to be set free, she was dreadfully afraid of the wrong prince. Now, however, the fairy was going to do all she could. She so contrived it by her deceitful spells, that the next night the prince could not by any endeavor find his way to the glade. It would take me too long to tell her tricks. They would be amusing to us who know that they could not do any harm, but they were something other than amusing to the poor prince. He wandered about the forest till daylight, and then fell fast asleep. The same thing occurred for seven following days, during which neither could he find the good fairy's cottage. After the third quarter of the moon, however, the bad fairy thought she might be at ease about the affair for a fortnight at least, for there was no chance the prince wishing to kiss the princess during that period. So the first day of the fourth quarter he did find the cottage, and the next day he found the glade, for nearly another week he haunted it, but the princess never came. I have little doubt she was on the farther edge of it some part of every night, but at this period she always wore black, and there being little or no light, the prince never saw her. Nor would he have known her if he had seen her. How could he have taken the warned, decrepit creature she now was, for the glorious princess daylight. At last, one night when there was no moon at all, he ventured near the house. There he heard voices talking, although it was past midnight, for her women were inconsiderable uneasiness because the one whose turn it was to watch her had fallen asleep and had not seen which way she went, and this was a night when she would probably wander very far, and describing a circle which did not touch the open glade at all, but stretched away from the back of the house, deep into that side of the forest, a part of which the prince knew nothing. When he understood from what they said that she had disappeared, and that she must have gone somewhere in the said direction, he plunged it once into the wood to see if he could find her. For hours he roamed with nothing to guide him, but the vague notion of a circle which on one side bordered on the house, for so much had he picked up from the talk he had overheard. It was getting towards the dawn, but as yet there was no streak of light in the sky, when he came to a great birch tree, and sat down weary at the foot of it. While he sat, very miserable you may be sure, full of fear for the princess, and wondering how her attendance could take it so quietly, he bethought himself that it would not be a bad plan to light a fire, which if she were anywhere near would attract her. This he managed with a tinder-box which the good fairy had given him. It was just beginning to blaze up when he heard a moan which seemed to come from the other side of the tree. He sprang to his feet, but his heart throbbed so that he had to lean for a moment against the tree before he could move. When he got round there lay a human form and a little dark heap on the earth. There was light enough from his fire to show that it was not the princess. He lifted it in his arms, hardly heavier than a child, and carried it to the flame. The countenance was that of an old woman, but it had a fearfully strange look. A black hood concealed her hair, and her eyes were closed. He laid her down as comfortably as he could, chafed her hands, put a little cordial from a bottle, also the gift of the fairy, into her mouth, took off his coat and wrapped it rounder, and in short did the best he could. In a little while she opened her eyes and looked at him so pitifully. The tears rose and flowed from her gray wrinkled cheeks, but she said, never a word. She closed her eyes again, but the tears kept on flowing, and her whole appearance was so utterly pitiful that the prince was near crying too. He begged her to tell him what was the matter, promising to do all he could to help her, but still she did not speak. He thought she was dying and took her in his arms again to carry her to the princess's house, where he thought the good-natured cook might be able to do something for her. When he lifted her, the tears flowed yet faster, and she gave such a sad moan that it went to his very heart. Mother, mother, he said, poor mother, and kissed her on the withered lips. She started and what eyes they were that opened upon him, but he did not see them, for it was still very dark, and he had enough to do to make his way through the trees towards the house. Just as he approached the door, feeling more tired than he could have imagined possible, she was such a little thin old thing, she began to move, and became so restless that, unable to carry her a moment longer, he thought to lay her upon the grass. But she stood upright on her feet. Her hood had dropped, and her hair fell about her. The first gleam of the morning was caught on her face. That face was bright as the never-aging dawn, and her eyes were lovely as the sky of darkness blue. The prince recoiled an overmastering wonder. It was daylight herself whom he had brought from the forest. He fell at her feet, nor dared to look up till she laid her hand upon his head. He rose then. You kissed me when I was an old woman. There. I kiss you when I am a young princess, murmured daylight. Is that the sun coming? End of chapter. Chapter 29 Ruby The children were delighted with the story and made many amusing remarks upon it. Mr. Raymond promised to search his brain for another, and when he had found one, to bring it to them. Diamond having taken leave of Nanny, and promised to go and see her again soon, went away with him. Now Mr. Raymond had been turning over in his mind what he could do both for Diamond and for Nanny. He had therefore made some acquaintance with Diamond's father, and had been greatly pleased with him. But he had come to the resolution before he did anything so good as he would like to do for them, to put them all to a certain test. So as they walked away together he began to talk with Diamond as follows. Nanny must leave the hospital soon, Diamond. I'm glad of that, sir. Why, don't you think it's a nice place? Yes, very. But it's better to be well and doing something, you know, even if it's not quite so comfortable. But they can't keep Nanny so long as they would like. They can't keep her till she's quite strong. There are always so many sick children they want to take in and make better. And the question is, what will she do when they send her out again? That's just what I can't tell, though I've been thinking of it over and over, sir. Her crossing was taken long ago, and I couldn't bear to see Nanny fighting for it, especially with such a poor fellow as has taken it. He's quite lame, sir. She doesn't look much like fighting, now does she, Diamond? No, sir, she looks too like an angel. Angels don't fight, do they, sir? Not to get things for themselves, at least, said Mr. Raymond. Besides, added Diamond, I don't quite see that she would have any better right to the crossing than the boy who has got it. Nobody gave it to her. She only took it. And now he has taken it. If she were to sweep up a crossing, soon at least, after the illness she has had, she would be laid up again the very first wet day, said Mr. Raymond. And there's hardly any money to be got except on the wet days, remarked Diamond reflectively. Is there nothing else she could do, sir? Not without being taught, I'm afraid. Well, couldn't somebody teach her something? Couldn't you teach her, Diamond? I don't know anything myself, sir. I could teach her to dress the baby, but nobody would give her anything for doing things like that. They are so easy. There wouldn't be much good in teaching her to drive a cab, for where would she get the cab to drive? There ain't fathers and old diamonds everywhere. At least poor Nanny can't find any of them, I doubt. Perhaps if she were taught to be nice and clean and only speak gentle words. Mother could teach her that, interrupted Diamond. And to dress babies and feed them and take care of them, Mr. Raymond proceeded. She might get a place as a nurse somewhere, you know. People do give money for that. Then I'll ask Mother, said Diamond. But you'll have to give her her food then, and your father, not being strong, has enough to do already without that. But here's me, said Diamond. I help him out with it. When he's tired of driving, up I get. It'll make any difference to old Diamond. I don't mean he likes me as well as my father. Of course, he can't, you know. Nobody could. But he does his duty all the same. It's got to be done, you know, sir. And Diamond's a good horse, isn't he, sir? From your description, I should say certainly. But I have not the pleasure of his acquaintance myself. Don't you think he'll go to heaven, sir? That I don't know anything about, said Mr. Raymond. I confess I should be glad to think so, he added, smiling thoughtfully. I'm sure he'll get to the back of the North Wind anyhow, said Diamond to himself. But he had learned to be very careful of saying such things aloud. Isn't it rather too much for him to go in the cab all day and every day? Resumed Mr. Raymond. So Father says when he feels his ribs of a morning. But then he says the old horse do eat well. And the moment he's had his supper down he goes and never gets up till he's called. And as for the legs of him, Father says that makes no end of a differ. Some horses, sir. They won't lie down all night long. But go to sleep on their four pins, like a haystack, Father says. I think it's very stupid of them. And so does old Diamond. But then I suppose they don't know better. And so they can't help it. We mustn't be too hard on them, Father says. Your father must be a good man, Diamond. Diamond looked up in Mr. Raymond's face, wondering what he could mean. I said your father must be a good man, Diamond. Of course, said Diamond. How could he drive a cab if he wasn't? There are some men who drive cabs who are not very good, objected Mr. Raymond. Diamond remembered the drunken cabman and saw that his friend was right. Ah! but he returned. He must be, you know, with such a horse as old Diamond. That does make a difference, said Mr. Raymond. But it is quite enough that he is a good man without our trying to account for it. Now, if you like, I will give you a proof that I think him a good man. I am going away on the Continent for a while, for three months, I believe, and to a gentleman who does not want the use of my broom. My horse is nearly as old I fancy as your Diamond, but I don't want to part with him, and I don't want him to be idle. For nobody, as you say, ought to be idle, but neither do I want him to work very hard. Now it has come into my head that perhaps your father would take charge of him and work him under certain conditions. My father will do what's right, said Diamond. I am sure of that. Well, so I think. Will you ask him when he comes home to call and have a little chat with me to-day some time? He must have his dinner first, said Diamond. No, he's got his dinner with him today. It must be after he's had his tea. Of course, of course, any time will do. I shall be at home all day. Very well, sir. I will tell him. You may be sure he will come. My father thinks you are a very kind gentleman, and I know he's right, for I know your very own self, sir. Mr. Raymond smiled, and as they had now reached his door they parted, and Diamond went home. As soon as his father entered the house, Diamond gave him Mr. Raymond's message, and recounted the conversation that had preceded it. His father said little, but took thoughts us to his bread and butter, and as soon as he had finished his meal rose, saying, I will go to your friend directly, Diamond. It would be a grand thing to get a little more money. We do want it. Diamond accompanied his father to Mr. Raymond's door, and there left him. He was shown at once into Mr. Raymond's study, where he gazed with some wonder at the multitude of books on the walls, and thought what a learned man Mr. Raymond must be. Presently Mr. Raymond entered, and after saying much the same about his old horse, made the following distinct proposal, one not overadvantageous to Diamond's father, but for which he had reasons. Namely, that Joseph should have the use of Mr. Raymond's horse while he was away, on condition that he never worked him more than six hours a day, and fed him well, and that besides he should take Nanny home as soon as she was able to leave the hospital, and provide for her, as one of his own children, neither better nor worse, so long that is, as he had the horse. Diamond's father could not help thinking it a pretty close bargain. He should have both the girl and the horse to feed, and only six hours work out of the horse. It will save your own horse, said Mr. Raymond. That is true, answered Joseph. But all I can get by my own horse is only enough to keep us, and if I save him and feed your horse and the girl—don't you see, sir? Well, you can go home and think about it, and let me know by the end of the week. I am in no hurry before then. So Joseph went home and recounted the proposal to his wife, adding that he did not think that there was much advantage to be got out of it. Not much that way, husband, said Diamond's mother. But there would be an advantage, and what matter who gets it? I don't see it, answered her husband. Mr. Raymond is a gentleman of property, and I don't discover any much good in helping him to save a little more. He won't easily get one to make such a bargain, and I don't mean he shall get me. It would be a loss rather than a gain, I do think, at least if I took less work out of our own horse. One hour would make a difference to old Diamond. But that's not the main point. You must think what an advantage it would be to the poor girl that hasn't a home to go to. She is one of Diamond's friends, thought his father. I could be kind to her, you know, the mother went on, and teach her housework, and how to handle a baby. And besides, she would help me, and I would be the stronger for it, and able to do an odd bit of chairing every now and then when I got the chance. I won't hear of that, said her husband, have the girl by all means. I'm ashamed I did not think of both sides of the thing at once. I wonder if the horse is a great eater. To be sure, if I gave Diamond two additional hours' rest, it would be all the better for the old bones of him, and there would be four hours extra out of the other horse. That would give Diamond something to do every day. He could drive old Diamond after dinner, and I could take the other horse out for six hours after tea, or in the morning as I found best. It might pay for the keep of both of them. That is, if I had good luck. I should like to oblige Mr. Raymond, though he be rather hard, for he has been very kind to our Diamond wife, hasn't he now? He has indeed, Joseph, said his wife, and there the conversation ended. Diamond's father went the very next day to Mr. Raymond, and accepted his proposal, so that the week after having gotten another stall in the same stable, he had two horses instead of one. Oddly enough, the name of the new horse was Ruby, for he was a very red chestnut. Diamond's name came from a white lozenge on his forehead. Young Diamond said they were rich now, with such a big Diamond and such a big Ruby. End of chapter 29