and a number of naked little boys came running, every one 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 merriment.
One after another they extricated themselves, and each as he got
free threw 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 gambols on the grassy slopes.
They kept constantly coming back to Diamond, however, as the centre 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 pickaxe 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 to-night," he said.