ut
again three times."

"You can't mean this little hole! It isn't a window; it's a hole in my
bed."

"I did not say it was a window: I said it was my window."

"But it can't be a window, because windows are holes to see out of."

"Well, that's just what I made this window for."

"But you are outside: you can't want a window."

"You are quite mistaken. Windows are to see out of, you say. Well, I'm
in my house, and I want windows to see out of it."

"But you've made a window into my bed."

"Well, your mother has got three windows into my dancing room, and you
have three into my garret."

"But I heard father say, when my mother wanted him to make a window
through the wall, that it was against the law, for it would look into
Mr. Dyves's garden."

The voice laughed.

"The law would have some trouble to catch me!" it said.

"But if it's not right, you know," said Diamond, "that's no matter. You
shouldn't do it."

"I am so tall I am above that law," said the voice.

"You must have a tall house, then," said Diamond.

"Yes; a tall house: the clouds are inside it."

"Dear me!" said Diamond, and thought a minute. "I think, then, you can
hardly expect me to keep a window in my bed for you. Why don't you make
a window into Mr. Dyves's bed?"

"Nobody makes a window into an ash-pit," said the voice, rather sadly.
"I like to see nice things out of my windows."

"But he must have a nicer bed than I have, though mine is very nice--so
nice that I couldn't wish a better."

"It's not the bed I care about: it's what is in it.--But you just open
that window."

"Well, mother says I shouldn't be disobliging; but it's rather hard. You
see the north wind will blow right in my face if I do."

"I am the North Wind."

"O-o-oh!" said Diamond, thoughtfully. "Then will you promise not to blow
on my face if I open your window?"

"I can't promise that."

"But you'll give me the toothache. Mother's got it already."

"But what's to become of me without a window?"

"I'm sure I don't know. All I say is, it will be worse for me than for
you."

"No; it will not. You shall not be the worse for it--I promise you that.
You will be much the better for it. Just you believe what I say, and do
as I tell you."

"Well, I can pull the clothes over my head," said Diamond, and feeling
with his little sharp nails, he got hold of the open edge of the paper
and tore it off at once.

In came a long whistling spear of cold, and struck h