Chapter XXXIII. The Prospect Brightens

           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.