for one moment that it was North Wind, and, pulling his hand from
Mrs. Crump's, he stretched out his arms and ran towards Miss Coleman.
She was so pleased that she threw down her brush, and almost knelt
on the floor to receive him in her arms. He saw the next moment
that she was not Lady North Wind, but she looked so like her he could
not help running into her arms and bursting into tears afresh.
Mrs. Crump said the poor child had walked out in his sleep, and Diamond
thought she ought to know, and did not contradict her for anything
he knew, it might be so indeed. He let them talk on about him,
and said nothing; and when, after their astonishment was over,
and Miss Coleman had given him a sponge-cake, it was decreed
that Mrs. Crump should take him to his mother, he was quite satisfied.

His mother had to get out of bed to open the door when Mrs. Crump
knocked. She was indeed surprised to see her, boy; and having
taken him in her arms and carried him to his bed, returned and
had a long confabulation with Mrs. Crump, for they were still
talking when Diamond fell fast asleep, and could hear them no longer.



CHAPTER III

OLD DIAMOND


DIAMOND woke very early in the morning, and thought what a curious
dream he had had. But the memory grew brighter and brighter
in his head, until it did not look altogether like a dream, and he
began to doubt whether he had not really been abroad in the wind