At the Back of the North Wind, page 129 by George MacDonald
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o-morrow; But the mother sat outside, making her moan -- She'll soon have to beg, or steal, or borrow. For she never can tell the night before, Where she shall find one red worm more.
The fact, as I say, was, she'd had too many; She couldn't sleep, and she called it virtue, Motherly foresight, affection, any Name you may call it that will not hurt you, So it was late ere she tucked her head in, And she slept so late it was almost a sin.
But the little fellow who knew of five Nor troubled his head about any more, Woke very early, felt quite alive, And wanted a sixth to add to his store: He pushed his mother, the greedy elf, Then thought he had better try for himself.
When his mother awoke and had rubbed her eyes, Feeling less like a bird, and more like a mole, She saw him -- fancy with what surprise -- Dragging a huge worm out of a hole! 'Twas of this same hero the proverb took form: 'Tis the early bird that catches the worm.
"There, mother!" said Diamond, as he finished; "ain't it funny?"
"I wish you were like that little bird, Diamond, and could catch worms for yourself," said his mother, as she rose to go and look after her husband.
Diamond lay awake for a few minutes, thinking what he could do to catch worms. It was very little trouble to make up his mind, however, and still less to go to sleep after it.
CHAPTER XXIV
ANOTHER EARLY BIRD
HE GOT up in the morning as soon as he heard the men moving in the yard. He tucked in his little brother so that he could not tumble out of bed, and then went out, leaving the door open, so that if he should cry his mother might hear him at once. When he got into the yard he found the stable-door just opened.
"I'm the early bird, I think," he said to himself. "I hope I shall catch the worm."
He would not ask any one to help him, fearing his project might meet with disapproval and opposition. With great difficulty, but with the help of a br