Chapter VII. The Cathedral

           IMUSTnotgoondescribingwhatcannotbedescribed,fornothingismorewearisome.

           Beforetheyreachedthesea,DiamondfeltNorthWind’shairjustbeginningtofallabouthim.

           “Isthestormover,NorthWind?”hecalledout.

           “No,Diamond.Iamonlywaitingamomenttosetyoudown.Youwouldnotliketoseetheshipsunk,andIamgoingtogiveyouaplacetostopintillIcomebackforyou.”

           “Oh!thankyou,”saidDiamond.“Ishallbesorrytoleaveyou,NorthWind,butIwouldrathernotseetheshipgodown.AndI’mafraidthepoorpeoplewillcry,andIshouldhearthem.Oh,dear!”

           “Thereareagoodmanypassengersonboard;andtotellthetruth,Diamond,Idon’tcareaboutyourhearingthecryyouspeakof.Iamafraidyouwouldnotgetitoutofyourlittleheadagainforalongtime.”

           “Buthowcanyoubearitthen,NorthWind?ForIamsureyouarekind.Ishallneverdoubtthatagain.”

           “IwilltellyouhowIamabletobearit,Diamond:Iamalwayshearing,througheverynoise,throughallthenoiseIammakingmyselfeven,thesoundofafar-offsong.Idonotexactlyknowwhereitis,orwhatitmeans;andIdon’thearmuchofit,onlytheodourofitsmusic,asitwere,flittingacrossthegreatbillowsoftheoceanoutsidethisairinwhichImakesuchastorm;butwhatIdohearisquiteenoughtomakemeabletobearthecryfromthedrowningship.Soitwouldyouifyoucouldhearit.”

           “No,itwouldn’t,”returnedDiamond,stoutly.“Fortheywouldn’thearthemusicofthefar-awaysong;andiftheydid,itwouldn’tdothemanygood.