"Both are easier than to blow a tulip open. But I scarcely know
the difference between hard and easy. I am always able for what I
have to do. When I see my work, I just rush at it--and it is done.
But I mustn't chatter. I have got to sink a ship to-night."

"Sink a ship! What! with men in it?"

"Yes, and women too."

"How dreadful! I wish you wouldn't talk so."

"It is rather dreadful. But it is my work. I must do it."

"I hope you won't ask me to go with you."

"No, I won't ask you. But you must come for all that."

"I won't then."

"Won't you?" And North Wind grew a tall lady, and looked him
in the eyes, and Diamond said--

"Please take me. You cannot be cruel."

"No; I could not be cruel if I would. I can do nothing cruel,
although I often do what looks like cruel to those who do not know
what I really am doing. The people they say I drown, I only carry
away to--to--to--well, the back of the North Wind--that is what they
used to call it long ago, only I never saw the place."