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."

"And what did you do to drive it away?"

"I didn't drive it away. I knew, whatever the creature was, the well
was to get water out of. So I took the jug, dipped it in, and drew the
water."

"And what did the creature do?"

"Flew about."

"And it didn't hurt you?"

"No. Why should it? I wasn't doing anything wrong."

"What did your companions say then?"

"They said--`Thank you, Diamond. What a dear silly you are!'"

"And weren't you angry with them?"

"No! Why should I? I should like if they would play with me a little;
but they always like better to go away together when their work is over.
They never heed me. I don't mind it much, though. The other creatures
are friendly. They don't run away from me. Only they're all so busy with
their own work, they don't mind me much."

"Do you feel lonely, then?"

"Oh, no! When nobody minds me, I get into my nest, and look up. And then
the sky does mind me, and thinks about me."

"Where is your nest?"

He rose, saying, "I will show you," and led me to the other side of the
tree.

There hung a little rope-ladder from one of the lower boughs. The boy
climbed up the ladder and got upon the bough. Then he climbed farther
into the leafy branches, and went ou