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364 At the Back of the North Wind
"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.
"There's a tree struck!" I said; and when we looked round, after the blinding of the flash had left our eyes, we saw a huge bough of the beech-tree in which was Diamond's nest, hanging to the ground like the broken wing of a bird.
"There!" cried Nanny; "I told you so. If you had been up there you see what would have happened, you little silly!"
"No, I don't," said Diamond, and began to sing to Dulcimer. All I could hear of the song, for the other children were going on with their chatter, was—
The clock struck one,
And the mouse came down.
Dickery, dickery, dock!
Then there came a blast of wind, and the rain followed in straight-pouring lines, as if out of a watering-pot. Diamond jumped up with his little Dulcimer in his arms, and Nanny caught up the little boy, and they ran for the cottage. Jim vanished with a double shuffle, and I went into the house.
When I came out again to return home, the clouds |
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