# II: The Lawn explained — At the Back of the North Wind > Chapter companion for At the Back of the North Wind by George MacDonald. ## What happens Diamond, after meeting North Wind in the hayloft, descends into the stable to visit his horse, then goes out to the yard expecting to find North Wind waiting. She is gone, and he feels lonely and disappointed. He wanders onto the lawn in his nightgown, where he is found by the old nurse Mrs. Crump, who assumes he is sleepwalking. She brings him into the drawing-room, where Miss Coleman, with her long hair, briefly reminds Diamond of North Wind. After being given a sponge-cake, Mrs. Crump takes him home to his mother, who puts him to bed. ## Themes in this chapter ### Innocence and Wisdom Diamond's innocent trust in North Wind and his quiet acceptance of the adults' sleepwalking explanation reflect a child's blend of naivety and intuitive understanding. ### Dreams and Reality The chapter blurs the line between waking and dreaming, as Diamond's nighttime adventure is interpreted by adults as sleepwalking. ### Home and Belonging Diamond's sense of loneliness on the lawn is contrasted with the comfort of the lighted drawing-room and his eventual return to his mother's care. ## Character check-ins ### Diamond Diamond ventures out in his nightgown, feels disappointed at North Wind's absence, and is found by Mrs. Crump on the lawn. ### North Wind North Wind descends the stair ahead of Diamond but disappears before he reaches the yard. ### Miss Coleman Miss Coleman is brushing her hair by the drawing-room fire; Diamond briefly mistakes her for North Wind. ### Mrs. Crump The old nurse discovers Diamond on the lawn and leads him into the drawing-room. ### Mother Diamond's mother is woken by Mrs. Crump and puts Diamond back to bed. ## Key lines > Now it is always a dreadful thing to think there is somebody and find nobody. Children in particular have not made up their minds to it; they generally cry at nobody, especially when they wake up at night. It is always upsetting to expect someone and find no one there, and children especially struggle with this disappointment, often crying when they realize they are alone at night. _The narrator reflects on the universal childhood experience of disappointment and fear of abandonment._ > But it can’t be denied that a little gentle crying does one good. It did Diamond good; for as soon as it was over he was a brave boy again. A modest amount of quiet crying can be beneficial, and for Diamond it helped him regain his courage. _The narrator validates emotional release as a healthy response to disappointment._ > She was so pleased that she threw down her brush, and almost knelt on the floor to receive him in her arms. Miss Coleman was delighted and immediately dropped her brush, nearly kneeling to embrace Diamond. _Miss Coleman's warm reaction contrasts with the earlier coldness of the night._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters/ii-the-lawn - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/at_the_back_of_the_north_wind_se/chapters