don't be frightened. If you see me flapping wings like a bat's, as big
as the whole sky, don't be frightened. If you hear me raging ten times
worse than Mrs. Bill, the blacksmith's wife--even if you see me looking
in at people's windows like Mrs. Eve Dropper, the gardener's wife--
you must believe that I am doing my work. Nay, Diamond, if I change
into a serpent or a tiger, you must not let go your hold of me,
for my hand will never change in yours if you keep a good hold.
If you keep a hold, you will know who I am all the time, even when
you look at me and can't see me the least like the North Wind.
I may look something very awful. Do you understand?"

"Quite well," said little Diamond.

"Come along, then," said North Wind, and disappeared behind
the mountain of hay.

Diamond crept out of bed and followed her.



CHAPTER II

THE LAWN


WHEN Diamond got round the corner of the hay, for a moment he hesitated.
The stair by which he would naturally have gone down to the door
was at the other side of the loft, and looked very black indeed;
for it was full of North Wind's hair, as she descended before him.
And just beside him was the ladder going straight down into the stable,