I withdrew a
little, to see what would follow, for they seemed in some
consternation. After a few hurried words, they went off
together, and I pursued my way to the house, where I was as
kindly received by Mr. and Mrs. Raymond as I could have desired.
From them I learned something of Diamond, and was in consequence the
more glad to find him, when I returned, seated in the same place
as before.
"What did the boy and girl want with you, Diamond?" I
asked.
"They had seen a creature that frightened them."
"And they came to tell you about it?"
"They couldn't get water out of the well for it. So they
wanted me to go with them."
"They're both bigger than you."
"Yes, but they were frightened at it."
"And weren't you frightened at it?"
"No."
"Why?"
"Because I'm silly. I'm never frightened at things."
I could not help thinking of the old meaning of the word
silly.
"And what was it?" I asked.
"I think it was a kind of an angel -- a very little one. It
had a long body and great wings, which it drove about it so fast
that they grew a thin cloud all round it. It flew backwards and
forwards over the well, or hung right in the middle, making a
mist of its wings, as if its business was to take care of the
water.
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