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"Ah, but there's another thing, Diamond," the lady said. "what if I should look ugly without being bad? You may see me with my face all black, or flapping wings like a bat's, as big as the whole sky. If you hear me raging ten times worse than the blacksmith's wife or peering into people's windows, you must just believe that I'm doing my work. And if I change into a snake or tiger, you must not let go of my hand. 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 if I may look like something awful. Do you understand?"

Little Diamond, in his nightgown, crept after her. As Diamond turned the corner of the hay mound, he hesitated for a moment. The stairway ahead was invisible to him. North Wind's long, dark hair spread out behind her as she went down the stairs. But right beside Diamond was the trap door. That way looked inviting, so Diamond climbed down the ladder.

There the horse nuzzled the boy with his big velvety nose, and the boy patted the horse's neck and kissed his great furry cheek. Being a little boy, Diamond soon forget all about North Wind. Soon he was petting the horse and pulling bits of straw from his mane.

This went on for several minutes. Suddenly Diamond remembered. North Wind! She must be waiting for him He ran out into the yard.

But there was no lady. She was gone. It was a clear night, and the stars were glittering. The air was frosty. Standing in his nightgown, his bare feet on the icy cobblestones of the paved yard, Diamond began shivering.

Maybe she's hiding, he thought. He went around the corner of the stable. But as soon as he rounded the corner, a sharp wind struck him in the chest. He decided to go forward to look in the little garden just off the kitchen. But with each step, the wind seemed to blow stronger. Diamond's teeth began to chatter. After a few more steps, he could go no farther. So he turned his back to the wind and trotted back toward the yard.

Strange! Now that he was going in this direction the wind had dropped. It felt almost warm now as it came gently on his bare calves. Diamond stopped and turned around again, and the wind raged into his face, stinging his eyes and plastering his nightgown against him. He turned his back to the wind again, and the wind became a gentle breeze once more.

This must be North Wind, he thought. She wants me to go this way. Soon he came to a little doorway ina stonewall. This led into the little garden of the Colemans. The Coleman family owned a large house and the stables and the coach house where Diamond and his mother and father lived. Diamond's father was the coachman for the Colemans.

Diamond had never been in this garden before. Nor had he ever been outside late at night. He stood in the middle of the lawn, the soft, warm grass under his bare feet, the stars twinkling overhead, and he looked around in wonder. It's fairyland, he thought.

Just then the Colemans's maid, Mrs. Crump, walked by a large window facing the garden and saw little Diamond standing in the garden in his nightgown. He must be walking in his sleep, she thought. She rushed into the garden, took him by the hand, and led him inside the house.

She took him to the drawing room, where young Miss Coleman sat by a dressing table, brushing her hair. She stood up as the maid and Diamond entered the room, and her long, dark hair fell to her knees. She was very beautiful. Through his tears Diamond thought she looked just like North Wind. He ran to her with his arms out.

Miss Coleman's heart melted on seeing the little boy rush to her. She dropped to her knees and scooped him into her arms, where he clung, sobbing.

Mrs. Crump took Diamond home a little while later. His mother put him to bed and sat watching him as he slept. She was worried. Her little Diamond had never walked in his sleep before. Was he sick?

She scooped him into her arms.