"Do be careful," I insisted--foolishly, seeing the boy was as careful
as he could be already.

"I'm coming," he returned. "I've got all the moon I want to-night."


I heard a rustling and a rustling drawing nearer and nearer.
Three or four minutes elapsed, and he appeared at length creeping
down his little ladder. I took him in my arms, and set him on
the ground.

"Thank you, sir," he said. "That's the north wind blowing,
isn't it, sir?"

"I can't tell," I answered. "It feels cool and kind, and I think
it may be. But I couldn't be sure except it were stronger, for a
gentle wind might turn any way amongst the trunks of the trees."

"I shall know when I get up to my own room," said Diamond.
"I think I hear my mistress's bell. Good-night, sir."

He ran to the house, and I went home.

His mistress had rung for him only to send him to bed, for she was
very careful over him and I daresay thought he was not looking well.
When he reached his own room, he opened both his windows,
one of which looked to the north and the other to the east, to find
how the wind blew. It blew right in at the northern window.
Diamond was very glad, for he thought perhaps North Wind herself