’Oh，glory！’saidRobert，’thatwasasqueak。Youdon’tknowhowIfelt。Isay，I’vehadaboutenoughforabit。Let’swishourselvesathomeagainandhaveagoatthatjamtartandmutton。
　　Wecangooutagainafterwards。’
　　’Righto！’saideveryone，fortheadventurehadshakenthenervesofall。Sotheyallgotontothecarpetagain，andsaid——
　　’Iwishwewereathome。’
　　Andloandbehold，theywerenomoreathomethanbefore。Thecarpetnevermoved。ThePhoenixhadtakentheopportunitytogotosleep。Antheawokeitupgently。
　　’Lookhere，’shesaid。
　　’I’mlooking，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’WeWISHEDtobeathome，andwe’restillhere，’complainedJane。
　　’No，’saidthePhoenix，lookingaboutitatthehighdarkwallsofthetower。’No；Iquiteseethat。’
　　’Butwewishedtobeathome，’saidCyril。
　　’Nodoubt，’saidthebird，politely。
　　’Andthecarpethasn’tmovedaninch，’saidRobert。
　　’No，’saidthePhoenix，’Iseeithasn’t。’
　　’ButIthoughtitwasawishingcarpet？’
　　’Soitis，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’Thenwhy——？’askedthechildren，altogether。
　　’Ididtellyou，youknow，’saidthePhoenix，’onlyyouaresofondoflisteningtothemusicofyourownvoices。Itis，indeed，themostlovelymusictoeachofus，andtherefore——’
　　’YoudidtellusWHAT？’interruptedanExasperated。
　　’Why，thatthecarpetonlygivesyouthreewishesadayandYOU’VE
　　HADTHEM。’
　　Therewasaheartfeltsilence。
　　’Thenhowarewegoingtogethome？’saidCyril，atlast。
　　’Ihaven’tanyidea，’repliedthePhoenix，kindly。’CanIflyoutandgetyouanylittlething？’
　　’Howcouldyoucarrythemoneytopayforit？’
　　’Itisn’tnecessary。Birdsalwaystakewhattheywant。Itisnotregardedasstealing，exceptinthecaseofmagpies。’
　　Thechildrenweregladtofindtheyhadbeenrightinsupposingthistobethecase，onthedaywhentheyhadwings，andhadenjoyedsomebodyelse’sripeplums。
　　’Yes；letthePhoenixgetussomethingtoeat，anyway，’Roberturged——’（’Ifitwillbesokindyoumean，’correctedAnthea，inawhisper）；’ifitwillbesokind，andwecanbethinkingwhileit’sgone。’
　　SothePhoenixflutteredupthroughthegreyspaceofthetowerandvanishedatthetop，anditwasnottillithadquitegonethatJanesaid——
　　’Supposeitnevercomesback。’
　　Itwasnotapleasantthought，andthoughAntheaatoncesaid，’Ofcourseitwillcomeback；I’mcertainit’sabirdofitsword，’afurthergloomwascastbytheidea。For，curiouslyenough，therewasnodoortothetower，andallthewindowswerefar，fartoohightobereachedbythemostadventurousclimber。Itwascold，too，andAntheashivered。
　　’Yes，’saidCyril，’it’slikebeingatthebottomofawell。’
　　Thechildrenwaitedinasadandhungrysilence，andgotlittlestiffneckswithholdingtheirlittleheadsbacktolookuptheinsideofthetallgreytower，toseeifthePhoenixwerecoming。
　　Atlastitcame。Itlookedverybigasitfluttereddownbetweenthewalls，andasitnearedthemthechildrensawthatitsbignesswascausedbyabasketofboiledchestnutswhichitcarriedinoneclaw。Intheotheritheldapieceofbread。Andinitsbeakwasaverylargepear。Thepearwasjuicy，andasgoodasaverysmalldrink。Whenthemealwasovereveryonefeltbetter，andthequestionofhowtogethomewasdiscussedwithoutanydisagreeableness。Butnoonecouldthinkofanywayoutofthedifficulty，orevenoutofthetower；forthePhoenix，thoughitsbeakandclawshadfortunatelybeenstrongenoughtocarryfoodforthem，wasplainlynotequaltoflyingthroughtheairwithfourwell-nourishedchildren。
　　’Wemuststayhere，Isuppose，’saidRobertatlast，’andshoutouteverynowandthen，andsomeonewillhearusandbringropesandladders，andrescueuslikeoutofmines；andthey’llgetupasubscriptiontosendushome，likecastaways。’
　　’Yes；butweshan’tbehomebeforemotheris，andthenfather’lltakeawaythecarpetandsayit’sdangerousorsomething，’saidCyril。
　　’IDOwishwehadn’tcome，’saidJane。
　　Andeveryoneelsesaid’Shutup，’exceptAnthea，whosuddenlyawokethePhoenixandsaid——
　　’Lookhere，IbelieveYOUcanhelpus。Oh，Idowishyouwould！’
　　’Iwillhelpyouasfarasliesinmypower，’saidthePhoenix，atonce。’Whatisityouwantnow？’
　　’Why，wewanttogethome，’saideveryone。
　　’Oh，’saidthePhoenix。’Ah，hum！Yes。Home，yousaid？
　　Meaning？’
　　’Wherewelive——wherewesleptlastnight——wherethealtaristhatyoureggwashatchedon。’
　　’Oh，there！’saidthePhoenix。’Well，I’lldomybest。’Itflutteredontothecarpetandwalkedupanddownforafewminutesindeepthought。Thenitdrewitselfupproudly。
　　’ICANhelpyou，’itsaid。’IamalmostsureIcanhelpyou。
　　UnlessIamgrosslydeceivedIcanhelpyou。Youwon’tmindmyleavingyouforanhourortwo？’andwithoutwaitingforareplyitsoaredupthroughthedimnessofthetowerintothebrightnessabove。
　　’Now，’saidCyril，firmly，’itsaidanhourortwo。ButI’vereadaboutcaptivesandpeopleshutupindungeonsandcatacombsandthingsawaitingrelease，andIknoweachmomentisaneternity。
　　Thosepeoplealwaysdosomethingtopassthedesperatemoments。
　　It’snouseourtryingtotamespiders，becauseweshan’thavetime。’
　　’IHOPEnot，’saidJane，doubtfully。
　　’Butweoughttoscratchournamesonthestonesorsomething。’
　　’Isay，talkingofstones，’saidRobert，’youseethatheapofstonesagainstthewalloverinthatcorner。Well，I’mcertainthere’saholeinthewallthere——andIbelieveit’sadoor。Yes，lookhere——thestonesareroundlikeanarchinthewall；andhere’sthehole——it’sallblackinside。’
　　Hehadwalkedovertotheheapashespokeandclimbeduptoit——dislodgedthetopstoneoftheheapanduncoveredalittledarkspace。
　　Nextmomenteveryonewashelpingtopulldowntheheapofstones，andverysooneveryonethrewoffitsjacket，foritwaswarmwork。
　　’ItISadoor，’saidCyril，wipinghisface，’andnotabadthingeither，if——’
　　Hewasgoingtoadd’ifanythinghappenstothePhoenix，’buthedidn’tforfearoffrighteningJane。Hewasnotanunkindboywhenhehadleisuretothinkofsuchthings。
　　Thearchedholeinthewallgrewlargerandlarger。Itwasvery，veryblack，evencomparedwiththesortoftwilightatthebottomofthetower；itgrewlargerbecausethechildrenkeptpullingoffthestonesandthrowingthemdownintoanotherheap。Thestonesmusthavebeenthereaverylongtime，fortheywerecoveredwithmoss，andsomeofthemwerestucktogetherbyit。Soitwasfairlyhardwork，asRobertpointedout。
　　Whentheholereachedtoabouthalfwaybetweenthetopofthearchandthetower，RobertandCyrilletthemselvesdowncautiouslyontheinside，andlitmatches。Howthankfultheyfeltthenthattheyhadasensiblefather，whodidnotforbidthemtocarrymatches，assomeboys’fathersdo。ThefatherofRobertandCyrilonlyinsistedonthematchesbeingofthekindthatstrikeonlyonthebox。
　　’It’snotadoor，it’sasortoftunnel，’Robertcriedtothegirls，afterthefirstmatchhadflaredup，flickered，andgoneout。’Standoff——we’llpushsomemorestonesdown！’
　　Theydid，amiddeepexcitement。Andnowthestoneheapwasalmostgone——andbeforethemthegirlssawthedarkarchwayleadingtounknownthings。Alldoubtsandfearsastogettinghomewereforgotteninthisthrillingmoment。ItwaslikeMonteCristo——itwaslike——
　　’Isay，’criedAnthea，suddenly，’comeout！There’salwaysbadairinplacesthathavebeenshutup。Itmakesyourtorchesgoout，andthenyoudie。It’scalledfire-damp，Ibelieve。Comeout，I
　　tellyou。’
　　Theurgencyofhertoneactuallybroughttheboysout——andtheneveryonetookupitsjacketandfannedthedarkarchwithit，soastomaketheairfreshinside。WhenAntheathoughttheairinside’mustbefreshenedbynow，’Cyrilledthewayintothearch。
　　Thegirlsfollowed，andRobertcamelast，becauseJanerefusedtotailtheprocessionlest’something’shouldcomeinafterher，andcatchatherfrombehind。Cyriladvancedcautiously，lightingmatchaftermatch，andpeerIngbeforehim。
　　’It’savaultingroof，’hesaid，’andit’sallstone——allright，Panther，don’tkeeppullingatmyjacket！Theairmustbeallrightbecauseofthematches，silly，andthereare——lookout——therearestepsdown。’
　　’Oh，don’tlet’sgoanyfarther，’saidJane，inanagonyofreluctance（averypainfulthing，bytheway，tobein）。’I’msuretherearesnakes，ordensoflions，orsomething。Dolet’sgoback，andcomesomeothertime，withcandles，andbellowsforthefire-damp。’
　　’Letmegetinfrontofyou，then，’saidthesternvoiceofRobert，frombehind。’Thisisexactlytheplaceforburiedtreasure，andI’mgoingon，anyway；youcanstaybehindifyoulike。’
　　Andthen，ofcourse，Janeconsentedtogoon。
　　So，veryslowlyandcarefully，thechildrenwentdownthesteps——therewereseventeenofthem——andatthebottomofthestepsweremorepassagesbranchingfourways，andasortoflowarchontheright-handsidemadeCyrilwonderwhatitcouldbe，foritwastoolowtobethebeginningofanotherpassage。
　　Sohekneltdownandlitamatch，andstoopingverylowhepeepedin。
　　’There’sSOMETHING，’hesaid，andreachedouthishand。IttouchedsomethingthatfeltmorelikeadampbagofmarblesthananythingelsethatCyrilhadevertouched。
　　’IbelieveitISaburiedtreasure，’hecried。
　　Anditwas；forevenasAntheacried，’Oh，hurryup，Squirrel——fetchitout！’Cyrilpulledoutarottingcanvasbag——aboutasbigasthepaperonesthegreengrocergivesyouwithBarcelonanutsinforsixpence。
　　’There’smoreofit，alotmore，’hesaid。
　　Ashepulledtherottenbaggaveway，andthegoldcoinsranandspanandjumpedandbumpedandchinkedandclinkedonthefloorofthedarkpassage。
　　Iwonderwhatyouwouldsayifyousuddenlycameuponaburiedtreasure？WhatCyrilsaidwas，’Oh，bother——I’veburntmyfingers！’andashespokehedroppedthematch。’ANDITWASTHELAST！’
　　headded。
　　Therewasamomentofdesperatesilence。ThenJanebegantocry。
　　’Don’t，’saidAnthea，’don’t，Pussy——you’llexhausttheairifyoucry。Wecangetoutallright。’
　　’Yes，’saidJane，throughhersobs，’andfindthePhoenixhascomebackandgoneawayagain——becauseitthoughtwe’dgonehomesomeotherway，and——Oh，IWISHwehadn’tcome。’
　　Everyonestoodquitestill——onlyAntheacuddledJaneuptoherandtriedtowipehereyesinthedark。
　　’D-DON’T，’saidJane；’that’smyEAR——I’mnotcryingwithmyears。’
　　’Come，let’sgetonout，’saidRobert；butthatwasnotsoeasy，fornoonecouldrememberexactlywhichwaytheyhadcome。Itisverydifficulttorememberthingsinthedark，unlessyouhavematcheswithyou，andthenofcourseitisquitedifferent，evenifyoudon’tstrikeone。
　　EveryonehadcometoagreewithJane’sconstantwish——anddespairwasmakingthedarknessblackerthanever，whenquitesuddenlythefloorseemedtotipup——andastrongsensationofbeinginawhirlingliftcameuponeveryone。Alleyeswereclosed——one’seyesalwaysareinthedark，don’tyouthink？Whenthewhirlingfeelingstopped，Cyrilsaid’Earthquakes！’andtheyallopenedtheireyes。
　　Theywereintheirowndingybreakfast-roomathome，andoh，howlightandbrightandsafeandpleasantandaltogetherdelightfulitseemedafterthatdarkundergroundtunnel！Thecarpetlayonthefloor，lookingascalmasthoughithadneverbeenforanexcursioninitslife。OnthemantelpiecestoodthePhoenix，waitingwithanairofmodestyetsterlingworthforthethanksofthechildren。
　　’ButhowDIDyoudoit？’theyasked，wheneveryonehadthankedthePhoenixagainandagain。
　　’Oh，IjustwentandgotawishfromyourfriendthePsammead。’
　　’ButhowDIDyouknowwheretofindit？’
　　’Ifoundthatoutfromthecarpet；thesewishingcreaturesalwaysknowallabouteachother——they’resoclannish；liketheScots，youknow——allrelated。’
　　’But，thecarpetcan’ttalk，canit？’
　　’No。’
　　’Thenhow——’
　　’HowdidIgetthePsammead’saddress？ItellyouIgotitfromthecarpet。’
　　’DIDitspeakthen？’
　　’No，’saidthePhoenix，thoughtfully，’itdidn’tspeak，butI
　　gatheredmyinformationfromsomethinginitsmanner。Iwasalwaysasingularlyobservantbird。’
　　itwasnottillafterthecoldmuttonandthejamtart，aswellastheteaandbread-and-butter，thatanyonefoundtimetoregretthegoldentreasurewhichhadbeenleftscatteredontheflooroftheundergroundpassage，andwhich，indeed，noonehadthoughtoftillnow，sincethemomentwhenCyrilburnthisfingersattheflameofthelastmatch。
　　’Whatowlsandgoatswewere！’saidRobert。’Lookhowwe’vealwayswantedtreasure——andnow——’
　　’Nevermind，’saidAnthea，tryingasusualtomakethebestofit。
　　’We’llgobackagainandgetitall，andthenwe’llgiveeverybodypresents。’
　　Morethanaquarterofanhourpassedmostagreeablyinarrangingwhatpresentsshouldbegiventowhom，and，whentheclaimsofgenerosityhadbeensatisfied，thetalkranforfiftyminutesonwhattheywouldbuyforthemselves。
　　ItwasCyrilwhobrokeinonRobert’salmosttootechnicalaccountofthemotor-caronwhichhemeanttogotoandfromschool——
　　’There！’hesaid。’Dryup。It’snogood。Wecan’tevergoback。
　　Wedon’tknowwhereitis。’
　　’Don’tYOUknow？’JaneaskedthePhoenix，wistfully。
　　’Notintheleast，’thePhoenixreplied，inatoneofamiableregret。
　　’Thenwe’velostthetreasure，’saidCyril。Andtheyhad。
　　’Butwe’vegotthecarpetandthePhoenix，’saidAnthea。
　　’Excuseme，’saidthebird，withanairofwoundeddignity，’IdoSOHATEtoseemtointerfere，butsurelyyouMUSTmeanthePhoenixandthecarpet？’
　　CHAPTER3
　　THEQUEENCOOK
　　ItwasonaSaturdaythatthechildrenmadetheirfirstgloriousjourneyonthewishingcarpet。Unlessyouaretooyoungtoreadatall，youwillknowthatthenextdaymusthavebeenSunday。
　　Sundayat18，CamdenTerrace，CamdenTown，wasalwaysaveryprettyday。FatheralwaysbroughthomeflowersonSaturday，sothatthebreakfast-tablewasextrabeautiful。InNovember，ofcourse，theflowerswerechrysanthemums，yellowandcopperycoloured。Thentherewerealwayssausagesontoastforbreakfast，andthesearerapture，aftersixdaysofKentishTownRoadeggsatfourteenashilling。
　　OnthisparticularSundaytherewerefowlsfordinner，akindoffoodthatisgenerallykeptforbirthdaysandgrandoccasions，andtherewasanangelpudding，whenriceandmilkandorangesandwhiteicingdotheirbesttomakeyouhappy。
　　Afterdinnerfatherwasverysleepyindeed，becausehehadbeenworkinghardalltheweek；buthedidnotyieldtothevoicethatsaid，’Goandhaveanhour’srest。’HenursedtheLamb，whohadahorridcoughthatcooksaidwaswhooping-coughassureaseggs，andhesaid——
　　’Comealong，kiddies；I’vegotarippingbookfromthelibrary，calledTheGoldenAge，andI’llreadittoyou。’
　　Mothersettledherselfonthedrawing-roomsofa，andsaidshecouldlistenquitenicelywithhereyesshut。TheLambsnuggedintothe’armchaircorner’ofdaddy’sarm，andtheothersgotintoahappyheaponthehearth-rug。Atfirst，ofcourse，thereweretoomanyfeetandkneesandshouldersandelbows，butrealcomfortwasactuallysettlingdownonthem，andthePhoenixandthecarpetwereputawayonthebacktopshelfoftheirminds（beautifulthingsthatcouldbetakenoutandplayedwithlater），whenasurlysolidknockcameatthedrawing-roomdoor。Itopenedanangryinch，andthecook’svoicesaid，’Please，m’，mayIspeaktoyouamoment？’
　　Motherlookedatfatherwithadesperateexpression。ThensheputherprettysparklySundayshoesdownfromthesofa，andstoodupinthemandsighed。
　　’Asgoodfishinthesea，’saidfather，cheerfully，anditwasnottillmuchlaterthatthechildrenunderstoodwhathemeant。
　　Motherwentoutintothepassage，whichiscalled’thehall’，wheretheumbrella-standis，andthepictureofthe’MonarchoftheGlen’
　　inayellowshiningframe，withbrownspotsontheMonarchfromthedampinthehousebeforelast，andtherewascook，veryredanddampintheface，andwithacleanaprontiedonallcrookedoverthedirtyonethatshehaddishedupthosedeardelightfulchickensin。Shestoodthereandsheseemedtogetredderanddamper，andshetwistedthecornerofherapronroundherfingers，andshesaidveryshortlyandfiercely——
　　’Ifyoupleasema’am，Ishouldwishtoleaveatmydaymonth。’
　　Motherleanedagainstthehatstand。Thechildrencouldseeherlookingpalethroughthecrackofthedoor，becauseshehadbeenverykindtothecook，andhadgivenheraholidayonlythedaybefore，anditseemedsoveryunkindofthecooktowanttogolikethis，andonaSundaytoo。
　　’Why，what’sthematter？’mothersaid。
　　’It’sthemchildren，’thecookreplied，andsomehowthechildrenallfeltthattheyhadknownitfromthefirst。Theydidnotrememberhavingdoneanythingextrawrong，butitissofrightfullyeasytodispleaseacook。’It’sthemchildren：there’sthattherenewcarpetintheirroom，coveredthickwithmud，bothsides，beastlyyellowmud，andsakesaliveknowswheretheygotit。AndallthatmucktocleanuponaSunday！It’snotmyplace，andit’snotmyintentions，soIdon’tdeceiveyou，ma’am，andbutforthemlimbs，whichtheyisifevertherewas，it’snotabadplace，thoughIsaysit，andIwouldn’twishtoleave，but——’
　　’I’mverysorry，’saidmother，gently。’Iwillspeaktothechildren。Andyouhadbetterthinkitover，andifyouREALLYwishtogo，tellmeto-morrow。’
　　Nextdaymotherhadaquiettalkwithcook，andcooksaidshedidn’tmindifshestayedonabit，justtosee。
　　Butmeantimethequestionofthemuddycarpethadbeengoneintothoroughlybyfatherandmother。Jane’scandidexplanationthatthemudhadcomefromthebottomofaforeigntowerwheretherewasburiedtreasurewasreceivedwithsuchchillingdisbeliefthattheotherslimitedtheirdefencetoanexpressionofsorrow，andofadetermination’nottodoitagain’。Butfathersaid（andmotheragreedwithhim，becausemothershavetoagreewithfathers，andnotbecauseitwasherownidea）thatchildrenwhocoatedacarpetonbothsideswiththickmud，andwhentheywereaskedforanexplanationcouldonlytalksillynonsense——thatmeantJane’struthfulstatement——werenotfittohaveacarpetatall，and，indeed，SHOULDN’Thaveoneforaweek！
　　Sothecarpetwasbrushed（withtea-leaves，too）whichwastheonlycomfortAntheacouldthinkof）andfoldedupandputawayinthecupboardatthetopofthestairs，anddaddyputthekeyinhistrouserspocket。’TillSaturday，’saidhe。
　　’Nevermind，’saidAnthea，’we’vegotthePhoenix。’
　　But，asithappened，theyhadn’t。ThePhoenixwasnowheretobefound，andeverythinghadsuddenlysettleddownfromtherosywildbeautyofmagichappeningstothecommondampbrownnessofordinaryNovemberlifeinCamdenTown——andtherewasthenurseryfloorallbareboardsinthemiddleandbrownoilclothroundtheoutside，andthebarenessandyellownessofthemiddlefloorshoweduptheblackbeetleswithterribledistinctness，whenthepoorthingscameoutintheevening，asusual，totrytomakefriendswiththechildren。Butthechildrenneverwould。
　　TheSundayendedingloom，whichevenjunketforsupperintheblueDresdenbowlcouldhardlylightenatall。NextdaytheLamb’scoughwasworse。Itcertainlyseemedverywhoopy，andthedoctorcameinhisbroughamcarriage。
　　EveryonetriedtobearupundertheweightofthesorrowwhichitwastoknowthatthewishingcarpetwaslockedupandthePhoenixmislaid。AgooddealoftimewasspentinlookingforthePhoenix。
　　’It’sabirdofitsword，’saidAnthea。’I’msureit’snotdesertedus。ButyouknowithadamostawfullylongflyfromwhereveritwastonearRochesterandback，andIexpectthepoorthing’sfeelingtiredoutandwantsrest。Iamsurewemaytrustit。’
　　Theotherstriedtofeelsureofthis，too，butitwashard。
　　Noonecouldbeexpectedtofeelverykindlytowardsthecook，sinceitwasentirelythroughhermakingsuchafussaboutalittleforeignmudthatthecarpethadbeentakenaway。
　　’Shemighthavetoldus，’saidJane，’andPantherandIwouldhavecleaneditwithtea-leaves。’
　　’She’sacantankerouscat，’saidRobert。
　　’Ishan’tsaywhatIthinkabouther，’saidAnthea，primly，’becauseitwouldbeevilspeaking，lying，andslandering。’
　　’It’snotlyingtosayshe’sadisagreeablepig，andabeastlyblue-nosedBozwoz，’saidCyril，whohadreadTheEyesofLight，andintendedtotalklikeTonyassoonashecouldteachRoberttotalklikePaul。
　　Andallthechildren，evenAnthea，agreedthatevenifshewasn’tablue-nosedBozwoz，theywishedcookhadneverbeenborn。
　　ButIaskyoutobelievethattheydidn’tdoallthethingsonpurposewhichsoannoyedthecookduringthefollowingweek，thoughIdaresaythethingswouldnothavehappenedifthecookhadbeenafavourite。Thisisamystery。Explainitifyoucan。Thethingsthathadhappenedwereasfollows：
　　Sunday。——Discoveryofforeignmudonbothsidesofthecarpet。
　　Monday。——Liquoriceputontoboilwithaniseedballsinasaucepan。
　　Antheadidthis，becauseshethoughtitwouldbegoodfortheLamb’scough。Thewholethingforgotten，andbottomofsaucepanburnedout。Itwasthelittlesaucepanlinedwithwhitethatwaskeptforthebaby’smilk。
　　Tuesday。——Adeadmousefoundinpantry。Fish-slicetakentodiggravewith。Byregrettableaccidentfish-slicebroken。Defence：
　　’Thecookoughtn’ttokeepdeadmiceinpantries。’
　　Wednesday。——Choppedsuetleftonkitchentable。Robertaddedchoppedsoap，buthesayshethoughtthesuetwassoaptoo。
　　Thursday。——Brokethekitchenwindowbyfallingagainstitduringaperfectlyfairgameofbanditsinthearea。
　　Friday。——Stoppedupgratingofkitchensinkwithputtyandfilledsinkwithwatertomakealaketosailpaperboatsin。Wentawayandleftthetaprunning。Kitchenhearthrugandcook’sshoesruined。
　　OnSaturdaythecarpetwasrestored。Therehadbeenplentyoftimeduringtheweektodecidewhereitshouldbeaskedtogowhentheydidgetitback。
　　Motherhadgoneovertogranny’s，andhadnottakentheLambbecausehehadabadcough，which，cookrepeatedlysaid，waswhooping-coughassureaseggsiseggs。
　　’Butwe’lltakehimout，aduckydarling，’saidAnthea。’We’lltakehimsomewherewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-cough。Don’tbesosilly，Robert。IfheDOEStalkaboutitnoone’lltakeanynotice。He’salwaystalkingaboutthingshe’sneverseen。’
　　SotheydressedtheLambandthemselvesinout-of-doorsclothes，andtheLambchuckledandcoughed，andlaughedandcoughedagain，poordear，andallthechairsandtablesweremovedoffthecarpetbytheboys，whileJanenursedtheLamb，andAnthearushedthroughthehouseinonelastwildhuntforthemissingPhoenix。
　　’It’snousewaitingforit，’shesaid，reappearingbreathlessinthebreakfast-room。’ButIknowithasn’tdesertedus。It’sabirdofitsword。’
　　’Quiteso，’saidthegentlevoiceofthePhoenixfrombeneaththetable。
　　Everyonefellonitskneesandlookedup，andtherewasthePhoenixperchedonacrossbarofwoodthatranacrossunderthetable，andhadoncesupportedadrawer，inthehappydaysbeforethedrawerhadbeenusedasaboat，anditsbottomunfortunatelytroddenoutbyRaggett’sReallyReliableSchoolBootsonthefeetofRobert。
　　’I’vebeenhereallthetime，’saidthePhoenix，yawningpolitelybehinditsclaw。’Ifyouwantedmeyoushouldhaverecitedtheodeofinvocation；it’sseventhousandlineslong，andwritteninverypureandbeautifulGreek。’
　　’Couldn’tyoutellitusinEnglish？’askedAnthea。
　　’It’sratherlong，isn’tit？’saidJane，jumpingtheLambonherknee。
　　’Couldn’tyoumakeashortEnglishversion，likeTateandBrady？’
　　’Oh，comealong，do，’saidRobert，holdingouthishand。’Comealong，goodoldPhoenix。’
　　’GoodoldBEAUTIFULPhoenix，’itcorrectedshyly。
　　’GoodoldBEAUTIFULPhoenix，then。Comealong，comealong，’saidRobert，impatiently，withhishandstillheldout。
　　ThePhoenixflutteredatonceontohiswrist。
　　’Thisamiableyouth，’itsaidtotheothers，’hasmiraculouslybeenabletoputthewholemeaningoftheseventhousandlinesofGreekinvocationintooneEnglishhexameter——alittlemisplacedsomeofthewords——but’Oh，comealong，comealong，goodoldbeautifulPhoenix！’
　　’Notperfect，Iadmit——butnotbadforaboyofhisage。’
　　’Well，nowthen，’saidRobert，steppingbackontothecarpetwiththegoldenPhoenixonhiswrist。
　　’Youlookliketheking’sfalconer，’saidJane，sittingdownonthecarpetwiththebabyonherlap。
　　Roberttriedtogoonlookinglikeit。CyrilandAntheastoodonthecarpet。
　　’Weshallhavetogetbackbeforedinner，’saidCyril，’orcookwillblowthegaff。’
　　’Shehasn’tsneakedsinceSunday，’saidAnthea。
　　’She——’Robertwasbeginning，whenthedoorburstopenandthecook，fierceandfurious，cameinlikeawhirlwindandstoodonthecornerofthecarpet，withabrokenbasininonehandandathreatintheother，whichwasclenched。
　　’Look’ere！’shecried，’myonlybasin；andwhatthepowersamItomakethebeefsteakandkidneypuddinginthatyourmaorderedforyourdinners？Youdon’tdeservenodinners，soyerdon’t。’
　　’I’mawfullysorry，cook，’saidAntheagently；’itwasmyfault，andIforgottotellyouaboutit。Itgotbrokenwhenweweretellingourfortuneswithmeltedlead，youknow，andImeanttotellyou。’
　　’Meanttotellme，’repliedthecook；shewasredwithanger，andreallyIdon’twonder——’meanttotell！Well，_I_meantotell，too。
　　I’veheldmytonguethisweekthrough，becausethemissusshesaidtomequietlike，"Wemustn’texpectoldheadsonyoungshoulders，"
　　butnowIshan’tholditnolonger。Therewasthesoapyouputinourpudding，andmeandElizaneversomuchasbreathedittoyourma——thoughwellwemight——andthesaucepan，andthefish-slice，and——Mygraciouscatsalive！what’aveyougotthatblessedchilddressedupinhisoutdoorsfor？’
　　’Wearen’tgoingtotakehimout，’saidAnthea；’atleast——’Shestoppedshort，forthoughtheyweren’tgoingtotakehimoutintheKentishTownRoad，theycertainlyintendedtotakehimelsewhere。
　　Butnotatallwherecookmeantwhenshesaid’out’。ThisconfusedthetruthfulAnthea。
　　’Out！’saidthecook，’thatI’lltakecareyoudon’t；’andshesnatchedtheLambfromthelapofJane，whileAntheaandRobertcaughtherbytheskirtsandapron。’Lookhere，’saidCyril，insterndesperation，’willyougoaway，andmakeyourpuddinginapie-dish，oraflower-pot，orahot-watercan，orsomething？’
　　’Notme，’saidthecook，briefly；’andleavethispreciouspoppetforyoutogivehisdeathercoldto。’
　　’Iwarnyou，’saidCyril，solemnly。’Beware，ereyetitbetoolate。’
　　’Lateyourselfthelittlepopsey-wopsey，’saidthecook，withangrytenderness。’Theyshan’ttakeitout，nomoretheyshan’t。
　　And——Wheredidyougetthatthereyellowfowl？’ShepointedtothePhoenix。
　　EvenAntheasawthatunlessthecooklosthersituationthelosswouldbetheirs。
　　’Iwish，’shesaidsuddenly，’wewereonasunnysouthernshore，wheretherecan’tbeanywhooping-cough。’
　　ShesaiditthroughthefrightenedhowlsoftheLamb，andthesturdyscoldingsofthecook，andinstantlythegiddy-go-round-and-falling-liftfeelingsweptoverthewholeparty，andthecooksatdownflatonthecarpet，holdingthescreamingLambtighttoherstoutprint-coveredself，andcallingonStBridgettohelpher。ShewasanIrishwoman。
　　Themomentthetipsy-topsy-turvyfeelingstopped，thecookopenedhereyes，gaveonesoundingscreechandshutthemagain，andAntheatooktheopportunitytogetthedesperatelyhowlingLambintoherownarms。
　　’It’sallright，’shesaid；’ownPanther’sgotyou。Lookatthetrees，andthesand，andtheshells，andthegreatbigtortoises。
　　OhDEAR，howhotitis！’
　　Itcertainlywas；forthetrustycarpethadlaiditselfoutonasouthernshorethatwassunnyandnomistake，asRobertremarked。
　　Thegreenestofgreenslopesleduptogloriousgroveswherepalm-treesandallthetropicalflowersandfruitsthatyoureadofinWestwardHo！andFairPlayweregrowinginrichprofusion。
　　Betweenthegreen，greenslopeandtheblue，bluesealayastretchofsandthatlookedlikeacarpetofjewelledclothofgold，foritwasnotgreyishasournorthernsandis，butyellowandchanging——opal-colouredlikesunshineandrainbows。Andattheverymomentwhenthewild，whirling，blinding，deafening，tumblingupside-downnessofthecarpet-movingstopped，thechildrenhadthehappinessofseeingthreelargeliveturtleswaddledowntotheedgeoftheseaanddisappearinthewater。Anditwashotterthanyoucanpossiblyimagine，unlessyouthinkofovensonabaking-day。
　　Everyonewithoutaninstant’shesitationtoreoffitsLondon-in-Novemberoutdoorclothes，andAntheatookofftheLamb’shighwaymanbluecoatandhisthree-corneredhat，andthenhisjersey，andthentheLambhimselfsuddenlyslippedoutofhislittlebluetightbreechesandstooduphappyandhotinhislittlewhiteshirt。
　　’I’msureit’smuchwarmerthantheseasideinthesummer，’saidAnthea。’Motheralwaysletsusgobarefootthen。’
　　SotheLamb’sshoesandsocksandgaiterscameoff，andhestooddigginghishappynakedpinktoesintothegoldensmoothsand。
　　’I’malittlewhiteduck-dickie，’saidhe——’alittlewhiteduck-dickiewhatswims，’andsplashedquackingintoasandypool。
　　’Lethim，’saidAnthea；’itcan’thurthim。Oh，howhotitis！’
　　Thecooksuddenlyopenedhereyesandscreamed，shutthem，screamedagain，openedhereyesoncemoreandsaid——
　　’Why，dratmycatsalive，what’sallthis？It’sadream，Iexpect。
　　Well，it’sthebestIeverdreamed。I’lllookitupinthedream-bookto-morrow。Seasideandtreesandacarpettositon。
　　Ineverdid！’
　　’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’itisn’tadream；it’sreal。’
　　’Hoyes！’saidthecook；’theyalwayssaysthatindreams。’
　　’It’sREAL，Itellyou，’Robertsaid，stampinghisfoot。’I’mnotgoingtotellyouhowit’sdone，becausethat’soursecret。’Hewinkedheavilyateachoftheothersinturn。’Butyouwouldn’tgoawayandmakethatpudding，soweHADtobringyou，andIhopeyoulikeit。’
　　’Idothat，andnomistake，’saidthecookunexpectedly；’anditbeingadreamitdon’tmatterwhatIsay；andIWILLsay，ifit’smylastword，thatofalltheaggravatinglittlevarmints——’
　　’Calmyourself，mygoodwoman，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’Goodwoman，indeed，’saidthecook；’goodwomanyourself’Thenshesawwhoitwasthathadspoken。’Well，ifIever，’saidshe；’thisissomethinglikeadream！Yellowfowlsa-talkingandall！I’veheardofsuch，butneverdidIthinktoseetheday。’
　　’Well，then，’saidCyril，impatiently，’sithereandseethedaynow。It’sajollyfineday。Here，youothers——acouncil！’
　　Theywalkedalongtheshoretilltheywereoutofearshotofthecook，whostillsatgazingaboutherwithahappy，dreamy，vacantsmile。
　　’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’wemustrollthecarpetupandhideit，sothatwecangetatitatanymoment。TheLambcanbegettingridofhiswhooping-coughallthemorning，andwecanlookabout；
　　andifthesavagesonthisislandarecannibals，we’llhookit，andtakeherback。Andifnot，we’llLEAVEHERHERE。’
　　’Isthatbeingkindtoservantsandanimals，liketheclergymansaid？’askedJane。
　　’Norsheisn’tkind，’retortedCyril。
　　’Well——anyway，’saidAnthea，’thesafestthingistoleavethecarpettherewithhersittingonit。Perhapsit’llbealessontoher，andanyway，ifshethinksit’sadreamitwon’tmatterwhatshesayswhenshegetshome。’
　　Sotheextracoatsandhatsandmufflerswerepiledonthecarpet。
　　CyrilshoulderedthewellandhappyLamb，thePhoenixperchedonRobert’swrist，and’thepartyofexplorerspreparedtoentertheinterior’。
　　Thegrassyslopewassmooth，butunderthetreesthereweretangledcreeperswithbright，strange-shapedflowers，anditwasnoteasytowalk。
　　’Weoughttohaveanexplorer’saxe，’saidRobert。’IshallaskfathertogivemeoneforChristmas。’
　　Therewerecurtainsofcreeperswithscentedblossomshangingfromthetrees，andbrilliantbirdsdartedaboutquiteclosetotheirfaces。
　　’Now，tellmehonestly，’saidthePhoenix，’arethereanybirdsherehandsomerthanIam？Don’tbeafraidofhurtingmyfeelings——I’mamodestbird，Ihope。’
　　’Notoneofthem，’saidRobert，withconviction，’isapatchuponyou！’
　　’Iwasneveravainbird，’saidthePhoenix，’butIownthatyouconfirmmyownimpression。Iwilltakeaflight。’Itcircledintheairforamoment，and，returningtoRobert’swrist，wenton，’Thereisapathtotheleft。’
　　Andtherewas。Sonowthechildrenwentonthroughthewoodmorequicklyandcomfortably，thegirlspickingflowersandtheLambinvitingthe’prettydickies’toobservethathehimselfwasa’littlewhitereal-water-wetduck！’
　　Andallthistimehehadn’twhooping-coughedonce。
　　Thepathturnedandtwisted，and，alwaysthreadingtheirwayamidatangleofflowers，thechildrensuddenlypassedacornerandfoundthemselvesinaforestclearing，wheretherewerealotofpointedhuts——thehuts，astheyknewatonce，ofSAVAGES。
　　Theboldestheartbeatmorequickly。SupposetheyWEREcannibals。
　　Itwasalongwaybacktothecarpet。
　　’Hadn’twebettergoback？’saidJane。’GoNOW，’shesaid，andhervoicetrembledalittle。’Supposetheyeatus。’
　　’Nonsense，Pussy，’saidCyril，firmly。’Look，there’sagoattiedup。Thatshowstheydon’teatPEOPLE。’
　　’Let’sgoonandsaywe’remissionaries，’Robertsuggested。
　　’Ishouldn’tadviseTHAT，’saidthePhoenix，veryearnestly。
　　’Whynot？’
　　’Well，foronething，itisn’ttrue，’repliedthegoldenbird。
　　Itwaswhiletheystoodhesitatingontheedgeoftheclearingthatatallmansuddenlycameoutofoneofthehuts。Hehadhardlyanyclothes，andhisbodyalloverwasadarkandbeautifulcopperycolour——justlikethechrysanthemumsfatherhadbroughthomeonSaturday。Inhishandheheldaspear。Thewhitesofhiseyesandthewhiteofhisteethweretheonlylightthingsabouthim，exceptthatwherethesunshoneonhisshinybrownbodyitlookedwhite，too。Ifyouwilllookcarefullyatthenextshinysavageyoumeetwithnexttonothingon，youwillseeatonce——ifthesunhappenstobeshiningatthetime——thatIamrightaboutthis。
　　Thesavagelookedatthechildren。Concealmentwasimpossible。Heutteredashoutthatwasmorelike’Oogoggerybag-wag’thananythingelsethechildrenhadeverheard，andatoncebrowncopperypeopleleaptoutofeveryhut，andswarmedlikeantsabouttheclearing。Therewasnotimefordiscussion，andnoonewantedtodiscussanything，anyhow。Whetherthesecopperypeoplewerecannibalsornotnowseemedtomatterverylittle。
　　Withoutaninstant’shesitationthefourchildrenturnedandranbackalongtheforestpath；theonlypausewasAnthea’s。ShestoodbacktoletCyrilpass，becausehewascarryingtheLamb，whoscreamedwithdelight。（Hehadnotwhooping-coughedasingleoncesincethecarpetlandedhimontheisland。）
　　’Gee-up，Squirrel；gee-gee，’heshouted，andCyrildidgee-up。Thepathwasashortercuttothebeachthanthecreeper-coveredwaybywhichtheyhadcome，andalmostdirectlytheysawthroughthetreestheshiningblue-and-gold-and-opalofsandandsea。
　　’Sticktoit，’criedCyril，breathlessly。
　　Theydidsticktoit；theytoredownthesands——theycouldhearbehindthemastheyranthepatteroffeetwhichtheyknew，toowell，werecopper-coloured。
　　Thesandsweregoldenandopal-coloured——andBARE。Therewerewreathsoftropicseaweed，therewererichtropicshellsofthekindyouwouldnotbuyintheKentishTownRoadunderatleastfifteenpenceapair。Therewereturtlesbaskinglumpilyonthewater’sedge——butnocook，noclothes，andnocarpet。
　　’On，on！Intothesea！’gaspedCyril。’TheyMUSThatewater。
　　I’ve——heard——savagesalways——dirty。’
　　Theirfeetweresplashinginthewarmshallowsbeforehisbreathlesswordswereended。Thecalmbaby-waveswereeasytogothrough。Itiswarmworkrunningforyourlifeinthetropics，andthecoolnessofthewaterwasdelicious。Theywereuptotheirarm-pitsnow，andJanewasuptoherchin。
　　’Look！’saidthePhoenix。’Whataretheypointingat？’
　　Thechildrenturned；andthere，alittletothewestwasahead——aheadtheyknew，withacrookedcapuponit。Itwastheheadofthecook。
　　Forsomereasonorotherthesavageshadstoppedatthewater’sedgeandwerealltalkingatthetopoftheirvoices，andallwerepointingcopper-colouredfingers，stiffwithinterestandexcitement，attheheadofthecook。
　　Thechildrenhurriedtowardsherasquicklyasthewaterwouldletthem。
　　’Whatonearthdidyoucomeoutherefor？’Robertshouted；’andwhereonearth’sthecarpet？’
　　’It’snotonearth，blessyou，’repliedthecook，happily；’it’sUNDERME——inthewater。Igotabitwarmsettingthereinthesun，andIjustsays，"IwishIwasinacoldbath"——justlikethat——andnextminutehereIwas！It’sallpartofthedream。’
　　Everyoneatoncesawhowextremelyfortunateitwasthatthecarpethadhadthesensetotakethecooktothenearestandlargestbath——thesea，andhowterribleitwouldhavebeenifthecarpethadtakenitselfandhertothestuffylittlebath-roomofthehouseinCamdenTown！
　　’Excuseme，’saidthePhoenix’ssoftvoice，breakinginonthegeneralsighofrelief，’butIthinkthesebrownpeoplewantyourcook。’
　　’To——toeat？’whisperedJane，aswellasshecouldthroughthewaterwhichtheplungingLambwasdashinginherfacewithhappyfathandsandfeet。
　　’Hardly，’rejoinedthebird。’WhowantscookstoEAT？CooksareENGAGED，noteaten。Theywishtoengageher。’
　　’Howcanyouunderstandwhattheysay？’askedCyril，doubtfully。
　　’It’saseasyaskissingyourclaw，’repliedthebird。’IspeakandunderstandALLlanguages，eventhatofyourcook，whichisdifficultandunpleasing。It’squiteeasy，whenyouknowhowit’sdone。Itjustcomestoyou。Ishouldadviseyoutobeachthecarpetandlandthecargo——thecook，Imean。Youcantakemywordforit，thecopper-colouredoneswillnotharmyounow。’
　　ItisimpossiblenottotakethewordofaPhoenixwhenittellsyouto。Sothechildrenatoncegotholdofthecornersofthecarpet，and，pullingitfromunderthecook，toweditslowlyinthroughtheshallowingwater，andatlastspreaditonthesand。
　　Thecook，whohadfollowed，instantlysatdownonit，andatoncethecopper-colourednatives，nowstrangelyhumble，formedaringroundthecarpet，andfellontheirfacesontherainbow-and-goldsand。Thetallestsavagespokeinthisposition，whichmusthavebeenveryawkwardforhim；andJanenoticedthatittookhimquitealongtimetogetthesandoutofhismouthafterwards。
　　’Hesays，’thePhoenixremarkedaftersometime，’thattheywishtoengageyourcookpermanently。’
　　’Withoutacharacter？’askedAnthea，whohadheardhermotherspeakofsuchthings。
　　’Theydonotwishtoengageherascook，butasqueen；andqueensneednothavecharacters。’
　　Therewasabreathlesspause。
　　’WELL，’saidCyril，’ofallthechoices！Butthere’snoaccountingfortastes。’
　　Everyonelaughedattheideaofthecook’sbeingengagedasqueen；
　　theycouldnothelpit。
　　’Idonotadviselaughter，’warnedthePhoenix，rufflingouthisgoldenfeathers，whichwereextremelywet。’Andit’snottheirownchoice。Itseemsthatthereisanancientprophecyofthiscopper-colouredtribethatagreatqueenshouldsomedayariseoutoftheseawithawhitecrownonherhead，and——and——well，yousee！
　　There’sthecrown！’
　　Itpointeditsclawatcook’scap；andaverydirtycapitwas，becauseitwastheendoftheweek。
　　’That’sthewhitecrown，’itsaid；’atleast，it’snearlywhite——verywhiteindeedcomparedtothecolourTHEYare——andanyway，it’squitewhiteenough。’
　　Cyriladdressedthecook。’Lookhere！’saidhe，’thesebrownpeoplewantyoutobetheirqueen。They’reonlysavages，andtheydon’tknowanybetter。Nowwouldyoureallyliketostay？or，ifyou’llpromisenottobesojollyaggravatingathome，andnottotellanyoneawordaboutto-day，we’lltakeyoubacktoCamdenTown。’
　　’No，youdon’t，’saidthecook，infirm，undoubtingtones。’I’vealwayswantedtobetheQueen，Godblessher！andIalwaysthoughtwhatagoodoneIshouldmake；andnowI’mgoingto。IFit’sonlyinadream，it’swellworthwhile。AndIdon’tgobacktothatnastyundergroundkitchen，andmeblamedforeverything；thatI
　　don’t，nottillthedream’sfinishedandIwakeupwiththatnastybellarang-tanginginmyears——soItellyou。’
　　’AreyouSURE，’AntheaanxiouslyaskedthePhoenix，’thatshewillbequitesafehere？’
　　’Shewillfindthenestofaqueenaverypreciousandsoftthing，’
　　saidthebird，solemnly。
　　’There——youhear，’saidCyril。’You’reinforaprecioussoftthing，somindyou’reagoodqueen，cook。It’smorethanyou’danyrighttoexpect，butlongmayyoureign。’
　　Someofthecook’scopper-colouredsubjectsnowadvancedfromtheforestwithlonggarlandsofbeautifulflowers，whiteandsweet-scented，andhungthemrespectfullyroundtheneckoftheirnewsovereign。
　　’What！allthemlovelybokaysforme！’exclaimedtheenrapturedcook。’Well，thishereissomethingLIKEadream，Imustsay。’
　　Shesatupverystraightonthecarpet，andthecopper-colouredones，themselveswreathedingarlandsofthegayestflowers，madlystuckparrotfeathersintheirhairandbegantodance。Itwasadancesuchasyouhaveneverseen；itmadethechildrenfeelalmostsurethatthecookwasright，andthattheywereallinadream。
　　Small，strange-shapeddrumswerebeaten，odd-soundingsongsweresung，andthedancegotfasterandfasterandodderandodder，tillatlastallthedancersfellonthesandtiredout。
　　Thenewqueen，withherwhitecrown-capallononeside，clappedwildly。
　　’Brayvo！’shecried，’brayvo！It’sbetterthantheAlbertEdwardMusic-hallintheKentishTownRoad。Goitagain！’
　　ButthePhoenixwouldnottranslatethisrequestintothecopper-colouredlanguage；andwhenthesavageshadrecoveredtheirbreath，theyimploredtheirqueentoleaveherwhiteescortandcomewiththemtotheirhuts。
　　’Thefinestshallbeyours，Oqueen，’saidthey。
　　’Well——solong！’saidthecook，gettingheavilyontoherfeet，whenthePhoenixhadtranslatedthisrequest。’Nomorekitchensandatticsforme，thankyou。I’mofftomyroyalpalace，Iam；
　　andIonlywishthisheredreamwouldkeeponforeverandever。’
　　Shepickeduptheendsofthegarlandsthattrailedroundherfeet，andthechildrenhadonelastglimpseofherstripedstockingsandwornelastic-sidebootsbeforeshedisappearedintotheshadowoftheforest，surroundedbyherduskyretainers，singingsongsofrejoicingastheywent。
　　’WELL！’saidCyril，’Isupposeshe’sallright，buttheydon’tseemtocountusformuch，onewayortheother。’
　　’Oh，’saidthePhoenix，’theythinkyou’remerelydreams。Theprophecysaidthatthequeenwouldarisefromthewaveswithawhitecrownandsurroundedbywhitedream-children。That’saboutwhattheythinkYOUare！’
　　’Andwhataboutdinner？’saidRobert，abruptly。
　　’Therewon’tbeanydinner，withnocookandnopudding-basin，’
　　Anthearemindedhim；’butthere’salwaysbread-and-butter。’
　　’Let’sgethome，’saidCyril。
　　TheLambwasfuriouslyunwishfultobedressedinhiswarmclothesagain，butAntheaandJanemanagedit，byforcedisguisedascoaxing，andheneveroncewhooping-coughed。
　　Theneveryoneputonitsownwarmthingsandtookitsplaceonthecarpet。
　　Asoundofuncouthsingingstillcamefrombeyondthetreeswherethecopper-colourednativeswerecrooningsongsofadmirationandrespecttotheirwhite-crownedqueen。ThenAntheasaid’Home，’
　　justasduchessesandotherpeopledototheircoachmen，andtheintelligentcarpetinonewhirlingmomentlaiditselfdowninitsproperplaceonthenurseryfloor。AndatthatverymomentElizaopenedthedoorandsaid——
　　’Cook’sgone！Ican’tfindheranywhere，andthere’snodinnerready。Shehasn’ttakenherboxnoryetheroutdoorthings。Shejustranouttoseethetime，Ishouldn’twonder——thekitchenclockneverdidgivehersatisfaction——andshe’sgotrunoverorfelldowninafitaslikelyasnot。You’llhavetoputupwiththecoldbaconforyourdinners；andwhatonearthyou’vegotyouroutdoorthingsonforIdon’tknow。AndthenI’llslipoutandseeiftheyknowanythingaboutheratthepolice-station。’
　　Butnobodyeverknewanythingaboutthecookanymore，exceptthechildren，and，later，oneotherperson。
　　Motherwassoupsetatlosingthecook，andsoanxiousabouther，thatAntheafeltmostmiserable，asthoughshehaddonesomethingverywrongindeed。Shewokeseveraltimesinthenight，andatlastdecidedthatshewouldaskthePhoenixtolethertellhermotherallaboutit。Buttherewasnoopportunitytodothisnextday，becausethePhoenix，asusual，hadgonetosleepinsomeout-of-the-wayspot，afterasking，asaspecialfavour，nottobedisturbedfortwenty-fourhours。
　　TheLambneverwhooping-coughedonceallthatSunday，andmotherandfathersaidwhatgoodmedicineitwasthatthedoctorhadgivenhim。Butthechildrenknewthatitwasthesouthernshorewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-coughthathadcuredhim。TheLambbabbledofcolouredsandandwater，butnoonetookanynoticeofthat。Heoftentalkedofthingsthathadn’thappened。
　　ItwasonMondaymorning，veryearlyindeed，thatAntheawokeandsuddenlymadeuphermind。Shecreptdownstairsinhernight-gown（itwasverychilly），satdownonthecarpet，andwithabeatingheartwishedherselfonthesunnyshorewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-cough，andnextmomentthereshewas。
　　Thesandwassplendidlywarm。Shecouldfeelitatonce，eventhroughthecarpet。Shefoldedthecarpet，andputitoverhershoulderslikeashawl，forshewasdeterminednottobepartedfromitforasingleinstant，nomatterhowhotitmightbetowear。
　　Thentremblingalittle，andtryingtokeepuphercouragebysayingoverandover，’ItismyDUTY，itISmyduty，’shewentuptheforestpath。
　　’Well，hereyouareagain，’saidthecook，directlyshesawAnthea。
　　’Thisdreamdoeskeepon！’
　　Thecookwasdressedinawhiterobe；shehadnoshoesandstockingsandnocapandshewassittingunderascreenofpalm-leaves，foritwasafternoonintheisland，andblazinghot。
　　Sheworeaflowerwreathonherhair，andcopper-colouredboyswerefanningherwithpeacock’sfeathers。
　　’They’vegotthecapputaway，’shesaid。’Theyseemtothinkalotofit。Neversawonebefore，Iexpect。’
　　’Areyouhappy？’askedAnthea，panting；thesightofthecookasqueenquitetookherbreathaway。
　　’Ibelieveyou，mydear，’saidthecook，heartily。’Nothingtodounlessyouwantto。ButI’mgettingrestednow。TomorrowI’mgoingtostartcleaningoutmyhut，ifthedreamkeepson，andI
　　shallteachthemcooking；theyburnseverythingtoacindernowunlesstheyeatsitraw。’
　　’Butcanyoutalktothem？’
　　’Lor’loveaduck，yes！’thehappycook-queenreplied；’it’squiteeasytopickup。IalwaysthoughtIshouldbequickatforeignlanguages。I’vetaughtthemtounderstand"dinner，"and"Iwantadrink，"and"Youleavemebe，"already。’
　　’Thenyoudon’twantanything？’Antheaaskedearnestlyandanxiously。
　　’Notme，miss；exceptifyou’donlygoaway。I’mafraidofmewakingupwiththatbella-goingifyoukeeponstoppingherea-talkingtome。LongasthisheredreamkeepsupI’mashappyasaqueen。’
　　’Goodbye，then，’saidAnthea，gaily，forherconsciencewasclearnow。
　　Shehurriedintothewood，threwherselfontheground，andsaid’Home’——andthereshewas，rolledinthecarpetonthenurseryfloor。
　　’SHE’Sallright，anyhow，’saidAnthea，andwentbacktobed。’I’mgladsomebody’spleased。ButmotherwillneverbelievemewhenI
　　tellher。’
　　Thestoryisindeedalittledifficulttobelieve。Still，youmighttry。
　　CHAPTER4
　　TWOBAZAARS
　　Motherwasreallyagreatdear。Shewasprettyandshewasloving，andmostfrightfullygoodwhenyouwereill，andalwayskind，andalmostalwaysjust。Thatis，shewasjustwhensheunderstoodthings。Butofcourseshedidnotalwaysunderstandthings。Nooneunderstandseverything，andmothersarenotangels，thoughagoodmanyofthemcomeprettynearit。ThechildrenknewthatmotheralwaysWANTEDtodowhatwasbestforthem，evenifshewasnotcleverenoughtoknowexactlywhatwasthebest。Thatwaswhyallofthem，butmuchmoreparticularlyAnthea，feltratheruncomfortableatkeepingthegreatsecretfromherofthewishingcarpetandthePhoenix。AndAnthea，whoseinsidemindwasmadesothatshewasabletobemuchmoreuncomfortablethantheothers，haddecidedthatsheMUSTtellhermotherthetruth，howeverlittlelikelyitwasthathermotherwouldbelieveit。
　　’ThenIshallhavedonewhat’sright，’saidshetothePhoenix；
　　’andifshedoesn’tbelievemeitwon’tbemyfault——willit？’
　　’Notintheleast，’saidthegoldenbird。’Andshewon’t，soyou’requitesafe。’
　　Antheachoseatimewhenshewasdoingherhome-lessons——theywereAlgebraandLatin，German，English，andEuclid——andsheaskedhermotherwhethershemightcomeanddotheminthedrawing-room——’soastobequiet，’shesaidtohermother；andtoherselfshesaid，’Andthat’snottherealreason。IhopeIshan’tgrowupaLIAR。’
　　Mothersaid，’Ofcourse，dearie，’andAntheastartedswimmingthroughaseaofx’sandy’sandz’s。Motherwassittingatthemahoganybureauwritingletters。
　　’Motherdear，’saidAnthea。