I have to
shape myself varous ways to various people. But the heart of me
is true. People call me by dreadful names, and think they know
all about me. But they don't. Sometimes
they call me Bad Fortune, sometimes Evil Chance, sometimes Ruin;
and they have another name for me which they think the most
dreadful of all."
"What is that?" asked Diamond, smiling up in her face.
"I won't tell you that name. Do you remember having to go
through me to get into the country at my back?"
"Oh yes, I do. How cold you were, North Wind! and so white,
all but your lovely eyes! My heart grew like a lump of ice, and
then I forgot for a while."
"You were very near knowing what they call me then. Would
you be afraid of me if you had to go through me again?"
"No. Why should I? Indeed I should be glad enough, if it
was only to get another peep of the country at your back."
"You've never seen it yet."
"Haven't I, North Wind? Oh! I'm so sorry! I thought I had.
What did I see then?"
"Only a picture of it. The real country at my real back is
ever so much more beautiful than that. You shall see it one day
-- perhaps before very long."
"Do they sing songs there?"
"Don't you remember the dream you had about the little boys
that dug for the stars?"
"Yes, that I do.
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