What would you get in the top of the tree
For all your crying and grief?
Not a star would you clutch of all you see --
You could only gather a leaf.
But when you had lost your greedy grief,
Content to see from afar,
You would find in your hand a withering leaf,
In your heart a shining star.
As Diamond went on singing, it grew very dark, and just as
he ceased there came a great flash of lightning, that blinded us
all for a moment. Dulcimer crowed with pleasure; but when the
roar of thunder came after it, the little brother gave a loud
cry of terror. Nanny and Jim came running up to us, pale with
fear. Diamond's face, too, was paler than usual, but
with delight. Some of the glory seemed to have clung to it, and
remained shining.
"You're not frightened -- are you, Diamond?" I said.
"No. Why should I be?" he answered with his usual question,
looking up in my face with calm shining eyes.
"He ain't got sense to be frightened," said Nanny, going up
to him and giving him a pitying hug.
"Perhaps there's more sense in not being frightened,
Nanny," I returned. "Do you think the lightning can do as it
likes?"
"It might kill you," said Jim.
"Oh, no, it mightn't!" said Diamond.
As he spoke there came another great flash, and a tearing
crack.
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