Chapter XXXVI. Diamond Questions North Wind

           MYREADERSwillnotwonderthat,afterthis,IdidmyverybesttogainthefriendshipofDiamond.NordidIfindthisatalldifficult,thechildwassoreadytotrust.Upononesubjectalonewashereticent—thestoryofhisrelationswithNorthWind.Ifancyhecouldnotquitemakeuphismindwhattothinkofthem.Atalleventsitwassomelittletimebeforehetrustedmewiththis,onlythenhetoldmeeverything.IfIcouldnotregarditallinexactlythesamelightashedid,Iwas,whileguiltlessoftheleastpretence,fullysympathetic,andhewassatisfiedwithoutdemandingofmeanytheoryofdifficultpointsinvolved.Ilethimseeplainlyenough,thatwhatevermightbetheexplanationofthemarvellousexperience,Iwouldhavegivenmuchforasimilaronemyself.

           Onaneveningsoonafterthethunderstorm,inalatetwilight,withahalf-moonhighintheheavens,IcameuponDiamondintheactofclimbingbyhislittleladderintothebeech-tree.

           “Whatareyoualwaysgoinguptherefor,Diamond?”IheardNannyask,ratherrudely,Ithought.

           “Sometimesforonething,sometimesforanother,Nanny,”answeredDiamond,lookingskywardsasheclimbed.

           “You’llbreakyournecksomeday,”shesaid.

           “I’mgoinguptolookatthemoonto-night,”headded,withoutheedingherremark.

           “You’llseethemoonjustaswelldownhere,”shereturned.

           “Idon’tthinkso.”

           “You’llbenonearertoherupthere.”

           “Oh,yes!Ishall.Imustbenearerher,youknow.IwishIcoulddreamasprettydreamsaboutherasyoucan,Nanny.”

           “Yousilly!youneverhavedoneaboutthatdream.