’Yes，love-a-duck，’saidmother。
’Aboutcook，’saidAnthea。’_I_knowwheresheis。’
’Doyou，dear？’saidmother。’Well，Iwouldn’ttakeherbackafterthewayshehasbehaved。’
’It’snotherfault，’saidAnthea。’MayItellyouaboutitfromthebeginning？’
Motherlaiddownherpen，andhernicefacehadaresignedexpression。Asyouknow，aresignedexpressionalwaysmakesyouwantnottotellanybodyanything。
’It’slikethis，’saidAnthea，inahurry：’thategg，youknow，thatcameinthecarpet；weputitinthefireandithatchedintothePhoenix，andthecarpetwasawishingcarpet——and——’
’Averynicegame，darling，’saidmother，takingupherpen。’Nowdobequiet。I’vegotalotofletterstowrite。I’mgoingtoBournemouthto-morrowwiththeLamb——andthere’sthatbazaar。’
Antheawentbacktoxyz，andmother’spenscratchedbusily。
’But，mother，’saidAnthea，whenmotherputdownthepentolickanenvelope，’thecarpettakesuswhereverwelike——and——’
’IwishitwouldtakeyouwhereyoucouldgetafewniceEasternthingsformybazaar，’saidmother。’Ipromisedthem，andI’venotimetogotoLiberty’snow。’
’Itshall，’saidAnthea，’but，mother——’
’Well，dear，’saidmother，alittleimpatiently，forshehadtakenupherpenagain。
’Thecarpettookustoaplacewhereyoucouldn’thavewhooping-cough，andtheLambhasn’twhoopedsince，andwetookcookbecauseshewassotiresome，andthenshewouldstayandbequeenofthesavages。Theythoughthercapwasacrown，and——’
’Darlingone，’saidmother，’youknowIlovetohearthethingsyoumakeup——butIammostawfullybusy。’
’Butit’strue，’saidAnthea，desperately。
’Youshouldn’tsaythat，mysweet，’saidmother，gently。AndthenAntheaknewitwashopeless。
’Areyougoingawayforlong？’askedAnthea。
’I’vegotacold，’saidmother，’anddaddy’sanxiousaboutit，andtheLamb’scough。’
’Hehasn’tcoughedsinceSaturday，’theLamb’seldestsisterinterrupted。
’IwishIcouldthinkso，’motherreplied。’Anddaddy’sgottogotoScotland。Idohopeyou’llbegoodchildren。’
’Wewill，wewill，’saidAnthea，fervently。’When’sthebazaar？’
’OnSaturday，’saidmother，’attheschools。Oh，don’ttalkanymore，there’satreasure！Myhead’sgoinground，andI’veforgottenhowtospellwhooping-cough。’
MotherandtheLambwentaway，andfatherwentaway，andtherewasanewcookwholookedsolikeafrightenedrabbitthatnoonehadthehearttodoanythingtofrightenheranymorethanseemednaturaltoher。
ThePhoenixbeggedtobeexcused。Itsaiditwantedaweek’srest，andaskedthatitmightnotbedisturbed。Andithiditsgoldengleamingself，andnobodycouldfindit。
SothatwhenWednesdayafternoonbroughtanunexpectedholiday，andeveryonedecidedtogosomewhereonthecarpet，thejourneyhadtobeundertakenwithoutthePhoenix。Theyweredebarredfromanycarpetexcursionsintheeveningbyasuddenpromisetomother，exactedintheagitationofparting，thattheywouldnotbeoutaftersixatnight，exceptonSaturday，whentheyweretogotothebazaar，andwerepledgedtoputontheirbestclothes，towashthemselvestotheuttermost，andtocleantheirnails——notwithscissors，whicharescratchyandbad，butwithflat-sharpenedendsofwoodenmatches，whichdonoharmtoanyone’snails。
’Let’sgoandseetheLamb，’saidJane。
ButeveryonewasagreedthatiftheyappearedsuddenlyinBournemouthitwouldfrightenmotheroutofherwits，ifnotintoafit。Sotheysatonthecarpet，andthoughtandthoughtandthoughttilltheyalmostbegantosquint。
’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’Iknow。Pleasecarpet，takeussomewherewherewecanseetheLambandmotherandnoonecanseeus。’
’ExcepttheLamb，’saidJane，quickly。
Andthenextmomenttheyfoundthemselvesrecoveringfromtheupside-downmovement——andtheretheyweresittingonthecarpet，andthecarpetwaslaidoutoveranotherthicksoftcarpetofbrownpine-needles。Thereweregreenpine-treesoverhead，andaswiftclearlittlestreamwasrunningasfastaseveritcouldbetweensteepbanks——andthere，sittingonthepine-needlecarpet，wasmother，withoutherhat；andthesunwasshiningbrightly，althoughitwasNovember——andtherewastheLamb，asjollyasjollyandnotwhoopingatall。
’Thecarpet’sdeceivedus，’saidRobert，gloomily；’motherwillseeusdirectlysheturnsherhead。’
Butthefaithfulcarpethadnotdeceivedthem。
Motherturnedherdearheadandlookedstraightatthem，andDIDNOTSEE
THEM！
’We’reinvisible，’Cyrilwhispered：’whatawfullarks！’
Buttothegirlsitwasnotlarksatall。Itwashorribletohavemotherlookingstraightatthem，andherfacekeepingthesame，justasthoughtheyweren’tthere。
’Idon’tlikeit，’saidJane。’Motherneverlookedatuslikethatbefore。Justasifshedidn’tloveus——asifweweresomebodyelse’schildren，andnotveryniceoneseither——asifshedidn’tcarewhethershesawusornot。’
’Itishorrid，’saidAnthea，almostintears。
ButatthismomenttheLambsawthem，andplungedtowardsthecarpet，shrieking，’Panty，ownPanty——an’Pussy，an’Squiggle——an’
Bobs，oh，oh！’
Antheacaughthimandkissedhim，sodidJane；theycouldnothelpit——helookedsuchadarling，withhisbluethree-corneredhatallononeside，andhispreciousfacealldirty——quiteintheoldfamiliarway。
’Iloveyou，Panty；Iloveyou——andyou，andyou，andyou，’criedtheLamb。
Itwasadeliciousmoment。Eventheboysthumpedtheirbabybrotherjoyouslyontheback。
ThenAntheaglancedatmother——andmother’sfacewasapalesea-greencolour，andshewasstaringattheLambasifshethoughthehadgonemad。And，indeed，thatwasexactlywhatshedidthink。
’MyLamb，myprecious！Cometomother，’shecried，andjumpedupandrantothebaby。
Shewassoquickthattheinvisiblechildrenhadtoleapback，orshewouldhavefeltthem；andtofeelwhatyoucan’tseeistheworstsortofghost-feeling。MotherpickeduptheLambandhurriedawayfromthepinewood。
’Let’sgohome，’saidJane，afteramiserablesilence。’Itfeelsjustexactlyasifmotherdidn’tloveus。’
Buttheycouldn’tbeartogohometilltheyhadseenmothermeetanotherlady，andknewthatshewassafe。Youcannotleaveyourmothertogogreeninthefaceinadistantpinewood，farfromallhumanaid，andthengohomeonyourwishingcarpetasthoughnothinghadhappened。
Whenmotherseemedsafethechildrenreturnedtothecarpet，andsaid’Home’——andhometheywent。
’Idon’tcareaboutbeinginvisiblemyself，’saidCyril，’atleast，notwithmyownfamily。Itwouldbedifferentifyouwereaprince，orabandit，oraburglar。’
Andnowthethoughtsofallfourdweltfondlyonthedeargreenishfaceofmother。
’Iwishshehadn’tgoneaway，’saidJane；’thehouseissimplybeastlywithouther。’
’Ithinkweoughttodowhatshesaid，’Antheaputin。’Isawsomethinginabooktheotherdayaboutthewishesofthedepartedbeingsacred。’
’Thatmeanswhenthey’vedepartedfartheroff，’saidCyril。
’India’scoralorGreenland’sicy，don’tyouknow；notBournemouth。
Besides，wedon’tknowwhatherwishesare。’
’SheSAID’——Antheawasverymuchinclinedtocry——’shesaid，"GetIndianthingsformybazaar；"butIknowshethoughtwecouldn’t，anditwasonlyplay。’
’Let’sgetthemallthesame，’saidRobert。’We’llgothefirstthingonSaturdaymorning。’
AndonSaturdaymorning，thefirstthing，theywent。
TherewasnofindingthePhoenix，sotheysatonthebeautifulwishingcarpet，andsaid——
’WewantIndianthingsformother’sbazaar。WillyoupleasetakeuswherepeoplewillgiveusheapsofIndianthings？’
Thedocilecarpetswirledtheirsensesaway，andrestoredthemontheoutskirtsofagleamingwhiteIndiantown。TheyknewitwasIndianatonce，bytheshapeofthedomesandroofs；andbesides，amanwentbyonanelephant，andtwoEnglishsoldierswentalongtheroad，talkinglikeinMrKipling’sbooks——soafterthatnoonecouldhaveanydoubtastowheretheywere。TheyrolledupthecarpetandRobertcarriedit，andtheywalkedbodilyintothetown。
Itwasverywarm，andoncemoretheyhadtotakeofftheirLondon-in-Novembercoats，andcarrythemontheirarms。
Thestreetswerenarrowandstrange，andtheclothesofthepeopleinthestreetswerestrangerandthetalkofthepeoplewasstrangestofall。
’Ican’tunderstandaword，’saidCyril。’Howoneartharewetoaskforthingsforourbazaar？’
’Andthey’repoorpeople，too，’saidJane；’I’msuretheyare。
Whatwewantisarajahorsomething。’
Robertwasbeginningtounrollthecarpet，buttheothersstoppedhim，imploringhimnottowasteawish。
’WeaskedthecarpettotakeuswherewecouldgetIndianthingsforbazaars，’saidAnthea，’anditwill。’
Herfaithwasjustified。
Justasshefinishedspeakingaverybrowngentlemaninaturbancameuptothemandboweddeeply。Hespoke，andtheythrilledtothesoundofEnglishwords。
’Myranee，shethinkyouverynicechilds。Sheasksdoyouloseyourselves，anddoyoudesiretosellcarpet？Sheseeyoufromherpalkee。Youcomeseeher——yes？’
Theyfollowedthestranger，whoseemedtohaveagreatmanymoreteethinhissmilethanareusual，andheledthemthroughcrookedstreetstotheranee’spalace。Iamnotgoingtodescribetheranee’spalace，becauseIreallyhaveneverseenthepalaceofaranee，andMrKiplinghas。Soyoucanreadaboutitinhisbooks。
ButIknowexactlywhathappenedthere。
Theoldraneesatonalow-cushionedseat，andtherewerealotofotherladieswithher——allintrousersandveils，andsparklingwithtinselandgoldandjewels。Andthebrown，turbanedgentlemanstoodbehindasortofcarvedscreen，andinterpretedwhatthechildrensaidandwhatthequeensaid。Andwhenthequeenaskedtobuythecarpet，thechildrensaid’No。’
’Why？’askedtheranee。
AndJanebrieflysaidwhy，andtheinterpreterinterpreted。Thequeenspoke，andthentheinterpretersaid——
’Mymistresssaysitisagoodstory，andyoutellitallthroughwithoutthoughtoftime。’
Andtheyhadto。Itmadealongstory，especiallyasithadalltobetoldtwice——oncebyCyrilandoncebytheinterpreter。Cyrilratherenjoyedhimself。Hewarmedtohiswork，andtoldthetaleofthePhoenixandtheCarpet，andtheLoneTower，andtheQueen-Cook，inlanguagethatgrewinsensiblymoreandmoreArabianNightsy，andtheraneeandherladieslistenedtotheinterpreter，androlledaboutontheirfatcushionswithlaughter。
Whenthestorywasendedshespoke，andtheinterpreterexplainedthatshehadsaid，’Littleone，thouartaheaven-borntelleroftales，’andshethrewhimastringofturquoisesfromroundherneck。
’OH，howlovely！’criedJaneandAnthea。
Cyrilbowedseveraltimes，andthenclearedhisthroatandsaid——
’Thankhervery，verymuch；butIwouldmuchrathershegavemesomeofthecheapthingsinthebazaar。TellherIwantthemtosellagain，andgivethemoneytobuyclothesforpoorpeoplewhohaven’tany。’
’Tellhimhehasmyleavetosellmygiftandclothethenakedwithitsprice，’saidthequeen，whenthiswastranslated。
ButCyrilsaidveryfirmly，’No，thankyou。Thethingshavegottobesoldto-dayatourbazaar，andnoonewouldbuyaturquoisenecklaceatanEnglishbazaar。They’dthinkitwassham，orelsethey’dwanttoknowwherewegotit。’
Sothenthequeensentoutforlittleprettythings，andherservantspiledthecarpetwiththem。
’Imustneedslendyouanelephanttocarrythemaway，’shesaid，laughing。
ButAntheasaid，’Ifthequeenwilllendusacombandletuswashourhandsandfaces，sheshallseeamagicthing。Weandthecarpetandallthesebrasstraysandpotsandcarvedthingsandstuffsandthingswilljustvanishawaylikesmoke。’
Thequeenclappedherhandsatthisidea，andlentthechildrenasandal-woodcombinlaidwithivorylotus-flowers。Andtheywashedtheirfacesandhandsinsilverbasins。
ThenCyrilmadeaverypolitefarewellspeech，andquitesuddenlyheendedwiththewords——
’AndIwishwewereatthebazaaratourschools。’
Andofcoursetheywere。Andthequeenandherladieswereleftwiththeirmouthsopen，gazingatthebarespaceontheinlaidmarblefloorwherethecarpetandthechildrenhadbeen。
’Thatismagic，ifevermagicwas！’saidthequeen，delightedwiththeincident；which，indeed，hasgiventheladiesofthatcourtsomethingtotalkaboutonwetdayseversince。
Cyril’sstorieshadtakensometime，sohadthemealofstrangesweetfoodsthattheyhadhadwhilethelittleprettythingswerebeingbought，andthegasintheschoolroomwasalreadylighted。
Outside，thewinterduskwasstealingdownamongtheCamdenTownhouses。
’I’mgladwegotwashedinIndia，’saidCyril。’Weshouldhavebeenawfullylateifwe’dhadtogohomeandscrub。’
’Besides，’Robertsaid，’it’smuchwarmerwashinginIndia。I
shouldn’tminditsomuchifwelivedthere。’
Thethoughtfulcarpethaddumpedthechildrendowninaduskyspacebehindthepointwherethecornersoftwostallsmet。Thefloorwaslitteredwithstringandbrownpaper，andbasketsandboxeswereheapedalongthewall。
Thechildrencreptoutunderastallcoveredwithallsortsoftable-coversandmatsandthings，embroideredbeautifullybyidleladieswithnorealworktodo。Theygotoutattheend，displacingasideboard-clothadornedwithatastefulpatternofbluegeraniums。Thegirlsgotoutunobserved，sodidCyril；butRobert，ashecautiouslyemerged，wasactuallywalkedonbyMrsBiddle，whokeptthestall。Herlarge，solidfootstoodfirmlyonthesmall，solidhandofRobertandwhocanblameRobertifheDID
yellalittle？
Acrowdinstantlycollected。Yellsareveryunusualatbazaars，andeveryonewasintenselyinterested。ItwasseveralsecondsbeforethethreefreechildrencouldmakeMrsBiddleunderstandthatwhatshewaswalkingonwasnotaschoolroomfloor，oreven，asshepresentlysupposed，adroppedpin-cushion，butthelivinghandofasufferingchild。Whenshebecameawarethatshereallyhadhurthim，shegrewveryangryindeed。Whenpeoplehavehurtotherpeoplebyaccident，theonewhodoesthehurtingisalwaysmuchtheangriest。Iwonderwhy。
’I’mverysorry，I’msure，’saidMrsBiddle；butshespokemoreinangerthaninsorrow。’Comeout！whateverdoyoumeanbycreepingaboutunderthestalls，likeearwigs？’
’Wewerelookingatthethingsinthecorner。’
’Suchnasty，pryingways，’saidMrsBiddle，’willnevermakeyousuccessfulinlife。There’snothingtherebutpackinganddust。’
’Oh，isn’tthere！’saidJane。’That’sallyouknow。’
’Littlegirl，don’tberude，’saidMrsBiddle，flushingviolet。
’Shedoesn’tmeantobe；butthereAREsomenicethingsthere，allthesame，’saidCyril；whosuddenlyfelthowimpossibleitwastoinformthelisteningcrowdthatallthetreasurespiledonthecarpetweremother’scontributionstothebazaar。Noonewouldbelieveit；andiftheydid，andwrotetothankmother，shewouldthink——well，goodnessonlyknewwhatshewouldthink。Theotherthreechildrenfeltthesame。
’Ishouldliketoseethem，’saidaverynicelady，whosefriendshaddisappointedher，andwhohopedthatthesemightbebelatedcontributionstoherpoorlyfurnishedstall。
ShelookedinquiringlyatRobert，whosaid，’Withpleasure，don’tmentionit，’anddivedbackunderMrsBiddle’sstall。
’Iwonderyouencouragesuchbehaviour，’saidMrsBiddle。’I
alwaysspeakmymind，asyouknow，MissPeasmarsh；and，Imustsay，Iamsurprised。’Sheturnedtothecrowd。’Thereisnoentertainmenthere，’shesaidsternly。’Averynaughtylittleboyhasaccidentallyhurthimself，butonlyslightly。Willyoupleasedisperse？Itwillonlyencouragehiminnaughtinessifhefindshimselfthecentreofattraction。’
Thecrowdslowlydispersed。Anthea，speechlesswithfury，heardanicecuratesay，’Poorlittlebeggar！’andlovedthecurateatonceandforever。
ThenRobertwriggledoutfromunderthestallwithsomeBenaresbrassandsomeinlaidsandalwoodboxes。
’Liberty！’criedMissPeasmarsh。’ThenCharleshasnotforgotten，afterall。’
’Excuseme，’saidMrsBiddle，withfiercepoliteness，’theseobjectsaredepositedbehindMYstall。Someunknowndonorwhodoesgoodbystealth，andwouldblushifhecouldhearyouclaimthethings。Ofcoursetheyareforme。’
’Mystalltouchesyoursatthecorner，’saidpoorMissPeasmarsh，timidly，’andmycousindidpromise——’
Thechildrensidledawayfromtheunequalcontestandmingledwiththecrowd。Theirfeelingsweretoodeepforwords——tillatlastRobertsaid——
’Thatstiff-starchedPIG！’
’Andafterallourtrouble！I’mhoarsewithgassingtothattrouseredladyinIndia。’
’Thepig-lady’svery，verynasty，’saidJane。
ItwasAntheawhosaid，inahurriedundertone，’Sheisn’tverynice，andMissPeasmarshisprettyandnicetoo。Who’sgotapencil？’
itwasalongcrawl，underthreestalls，butAntheadidit。A
largepieceofpalebluepaperlayamongtherubbishinthecorner。
Shefoldedittoasquareandwroteuponit，lickingthepencilateverywordtomakeitmarkquiteblackly：’AlltheseIndianthingsareforpretty，niceMissPeasmarsh’sstall。’Shethoughtofadding，’ThereisnothingforMrsBiddle；’butshesawthatthismightleadtosuspicion，soshewrotehastily：’Fromanunknowndonna，’andcreptbackamongtheboardsandtrestlestojointheothers。
SothatwhenMrsBiddleappealedtothebazaarcommittee，andthecornerofthestallwasliftedandshifted，sothatstoutclergymenandheavyladiescouldgettothecornerwithoutcreepingunderstalls，thebluepaperwasdiscovered，andallthesplendid，shiningIndianthingsweregivenovertoMissPeasmarsh，andshesoldthemall，andgotthirty-fivepoundsforthem。
’Idon’tunderstandaboutthatbluepaper，’saidMrsBiddle。’Itlookstomeliketheworkofalunatic。Andsayingyouwereniceandpretty！It’snottheworkofasaneperson。’
AntheaandJanebeggedMissPeasmarshtoletthemhelphertosellthethings，becauseitwastheirbrotherwhohadannouncedthegoodnewsthatthethingshadcome。MissPeasmarshwasverywilling，fornowherstall，thathadbeenSOneglected，wassurroundedbypeoplewhowantedtobuy，andshewasgladtobehelped。ThechildrennotedthatMrsBiddlehadnotmoretodointhewayofsellingthanshecouldmanagequitewell。Ihopetheywerenotglad——foryoushouldforgiveyourenemies，eveniftheywalkonyourhandsandthensayitisallyournaughtyfault。ButIamafraidtheywerenotsosorryastheyoughttohavebeen。
Ittooksometimetoarrangethethingsonthestall。Thecarpetwasspreadoverit，andthedarkcoloursshowedupthebrassandsilverandivorythings。Itwasahappyandbusyafternoon，andwhenMissPeasmarshandthegirlshadsoldeverysingleoneofthelittleprettythingsfromtheIndianbazaar，far，faraway，AntheaandJanewentoffwiththeboystofishinthefishpond，anddiveintothebran-pie，andhearthecardboardband，andthephonograph，andthechorusofsingingbirdsthatwasdonebehindascreenwithglasstubesandglassesofwater。
Theyhadabeautifultea，suddenlypresentedtothembythenicecurate，andMissPeasmarshjoinedthembeforetheyhadhadmorethanthreecakeseach。Itwasamerryparty，andthecuratewasextremelypleasanttoeveryone，’eventoMissPeasmarsh，’asJanesaidafterwards。
’Weoughttogetbacktothestall，’saidAnthea，whennoonecouldpossiblyeatanymore，andthecuratewastalkinginalowvoicetoMissPeasmarshabout’afterEaster’。
’There’snothingtogobackfor，’saidMissPeasmarshgaily；
’thankstoyoudearchildrenwe’vesoldeverything。’
’There——there’sthecarpet，’saidCyril。
’Oh，’saidMissPeasmarsh，radiantly，’don’tbotheraboutthecarpet。I’vesoldeventhat。MrsBiddlegavemetenshillingsforit。Shesaiditwoulddoforherservant’sbedroom。’
’Why，’saidJane，’herservantsdon’tHAVEcarpets。Wehadcookfromher，andshetoldusso。’
’NoscandalaboutQueenElizabeth，ifYOUplease，’saidthecurate，cheerfully；andMissPeasmarshlaughed，andlookedathimasthoughshehadneverdreamedthatanyoneCOULDbesoamusing。Buttheotherswerestruckdumb。Howcouldtheysay，’Thecarpetisours！’
Forwhobringscarpetstobazaars？
Thechildrenwerenowthoroughlywretched。ButIamgladtosaythattheirwretchednessdidnotmakethemforgettheirmanners，asitdoessometimes，evenwithgrown-uppeople，whooughttoknoweversomuchbetter。
Theysaid，’Thankyouverymuchforthejollytea，’and’Thanksforbeingsojolly，’and’Thanksawfullyforgivingussuchajollytime；’forthecuratehadstoodfish-ponds，andbran-pies，andphonographs，andthechorusofsingingbirds，andhadstoodthemlikeaman。ThegirlshuggedMissPeasmarsh，andastheywentawaytheyheardthecuratesay——
’Jollylittlekids，yes，butwhatabout——youwillletitbedirectlyafterEaster。Ah，dosayyouwill——’
AndJaneranbackandsaid，beforeAntheacoulddragheraway，’WhatareyougoingtodoafterEaster？’
MissPeasmarshsmiledandlookedveryprettyindeed。Andthecuratesaid——
’IhopeIamgoingtotakeatriptotheFortunateIslands。’
’Iwishwecouldtakeyouonthewishingcarpet，’saidJane。
’Thankyou，’saidthecurate，’butI’mafraidIcan’twaitforthat。ImustgototheFortunateIslandsbeforetheymakemeabishop。Ishouldhavenotimeafterwards。’
’I’vealwaysthoughtIshouldmarryabishop，’saidJane：’hisapronswouldcomeinsouseful。Wouldn’tYOUliketomarryabishop，MissPeasmarsh？’
Itwasthenthattheydraggedheraway。
AsitwasRobert’shandthatMrsBiddlehadwalkedon，itwasdecidedthathehadbetternotrecalltheincidenttohermind，andsomakeherangryagain。AntheaandJanehadhelpedtosellthingsattherivalstall，sotheywerenotlikelytobepopular。
AhastycounciloffourdecidedthatMrsBiddlewouldhateCyrillessthanshewouldhatetheothers，sotheothersmingledwiththecrowd，anditwashewhosaidtoher——
’MrsBiddle，WEmeanttohavethatcarpet。Wouldyousellittous？Wewouldgiveyou——’
’Certainlynot，’saidMrsBiddle。’Goaway，littleboy。’
TherewasthatinhertonewhichshowedCyril，alltooplainly，thehopelessnessofpersuasion。Hefoundtheothersandsaid——
’It’snouse；she’slikealionessrobbedofitspuppies。Wemustwatchwhereitgoes——and——Anthea，Idon’tcarewhatyousay。It’sourowncarpet。Itwouldn’tbeburglary。Itwouldbeasortofforlornhoperescueparty——heroicanddaringanddashing，andnotwrongatall。’
Thechildrenstillwanderedamongthegaycrowd——buttherewasnopleasurethereforthemanymore。Thechorusofsingingbirdssoundedjustlikeglasstubesbeingblownthroughwater，andthephonographsimplymadeahorridnoise，sothatyoucouldhardlyhearyourselfspeak。Andthepeoplewerebuyingthingstheycouldn’tpossiblywant，anditallseemedverystupid。AndMrsBiddlehadboughtthewishingcarpetfortenshillings。Andthewholeoflifewassadandgreyanddusty，andsmeltofslightgasescapes，andhotpeople，andcakeandcrumbs，andallthechildrenwereverytiredindeed。
Theyfoundacornerwithinsightofthecarpet，andtheretheywaitedmiserably，tillitwasfarbeyondtheirproperbedtime。Andwhenitwastenthepeoplewhohadboughtthingswentaway，butthepeoplewhohadbeensellingstayedtocountuptheirmoney。
’Andtojawaboutit，’saidRobert。’I’llnevergotoanotherbazaaraslongaseverIlive。Myhandisswollenasbigasapudding。Iexpectthenailsinherhorriblebootswerepoisoned。’
Justthensomeonewhoseemedtohavearighttointerferesaid——
’Everythingisovernow；youhadbettergohome。’
Sotheywent。Andthentheywaitedonthepavementunderthegaslamp，whereraggedchildrenhadbeenstandingalltheeveningtolistentotheband，andtheirfeetslippedaboutinthegreasymudtillMrsBiddlecameoutandwasdrivenawayinacabwiththemanythingsshehadn’tsold，andthefewthingsshehadbought——amongothersthecarpet。Theotherstall-holderslefttheirthingsattheschooltillMondaymorning，butMrsBiddlewasafraidsomeonewouldstealsomeofthem，soshetooktheminacab。
Thechildren，nowtoodesperatetocareformudorappearances，hungonbehindthecabtillitreachedMrsBiddle’shouse。WhensheandthecarpethadgoneinandthedoorwasshutAntheasaid——
’Don’tlet’sburgle——Imeandodaringanddashingrescueacts——tillwe’vegivenherachance。Let’sringandasktoseeher。’
Theothershatedtodothis，butatlasttheyagreed，onconditionthatAntheawouldnotmakeanysillyfussabouttheburglaryafterwards，ifitreallyhadtocometothat。
Sotheyknockedandrang，andascared-lookingparlourmaidopenedthefrontdoor。WhiletheywereaskingforMrsBiddletheysawher。Shewasinthedining-room，andshehadalreadypushedbackthetableandspreadoutthecarpettoseehowitlookedonthefloor。
’Iknewshedidn’twantitforherservants’bedroom，’Janemuttered。
Antheawalkedstraightpasttheuncomfortableparlourmaid，andtheothersfollowedher。MrsBiddlehadherbacktothem，andwassmoothingdownthecarpetwiththesamebootthathadtrampledonthehandofRobert。Sothattheywereallintheroom，andCyril，withgreatpresenceofmind，hadshuttheroomdoorbeforeshesawthem。
’Whoisit，Jane？’sheaskedinasourvoice；andthenturningsuddenly，shesawwhoitwas。Oncemoreherfacegrewviolet——adeep，darkviolet。’Youwickeddaringlittlethings！’shecried，’howdareyoucomehere？Atthistimeofnight，too。Beoff，orI’llsendforthepolice。’
’Don’tbeangry，’saidAnthea，soothingly，’weonlywantedtoaskyoutoletushavethecarpet。Wehavequitetwelveshillingsbetweenus，and——’
’HowDAREyou？’criedMrsBiddle，andhervoiceshookwithangriness。
’Youdolookhorrid，’saidJanesuddenly。
MrsBiddleactuallystampedthatbootedfootofhers。’Yourude，barefacedchild！’shesaid。
AntheaalmostshookJane；butJanepushedforwardinspiteofher。
’ItreallyISournurserycarpet，’shesaid，’youaskANYONEifitisn’t。’
’Let’swishourselveshome，’saidCyrilinawhisper。
’Nogo，’Robertwhisperedback，’she’dbetheretoo，andravingmadaslikelyasnot。Horridthing，Ihateher！’
’IwishMrsBiddlewasinanangelicgoodtemper，’criedAnthea，suddenly。’It’sworthtrying，’shesaidtoherself。
MrsBiddle’sfacegrewfrompurpletoviolet，andfromviolettomauve，andfrommauvetopink。Thenshesmiledquiteajollysmile。
’Why，soIam！’shesaid，’whatafunnyidea！Whyshouldn’tIbeinagoodtemper，mydears。’
Oncemorethecarpethaddoneitswork，andnotonMrsBiddlealone。Thechildrenfeltsuddenlygoodandhappy。
’You’reajollygoodsort，’saidCyril。’Iseethatnow。I’msorrywevexedyouatthebazaarto-day。’
’Notanotherword，’saidthechangedMrsBiddle。’Ofcourseyoushallhavethecarpet，mydears，ifyou’vetakensuchafancytoit。No，no；Iwon’thavemorethanthetenshillingsIpaid。’
’Itdoesseemhardtoaskyouforitafteryouboughtitatthebazaar，’saidAnthea；’butitreallyISournurserycarpet。Itgottothebazaarbymistake，withsomeotherthings。’
’Diditreally，now？Howvexing！’saidMrsBiddle，kindly。’Well，mydears，Icanverywellgivetheextratenshillings；soyoutakeyourcarpetandwe’llsaynomoreaboutit。Haveapieceofcakebeforeyougo！I’msosorryIsteppedonyourhand，myboy。Isitallrightnow？’
’Yes，thankyou，’saidRobert。’Isay，youAREgood。’
’Notatall，’saidMrsBiddle，heartily。’I’mdelightedtobeabletogiveanylittlepleasuretoyoudearchildren。’
Andshehelpedthemtorollupthecarpet，andtheboyscarrieditawaybetweenthem。
’YouAREadear，’saidAnthea，andsheandMrsBiddlekissedeachotherheartily。
’WELL！’saidCyrilastheywentalongthestreet。
’Yes，’saidRobert，’andtheoddpartisthatyoufeeljustasifitwasREAL——herbeingsojolly，Imean——andnotonlythecarpetmakinghernice。’
’PerhapsitISreal，’saidAnthea，’onlyitwascoveredupwithcrossnessandtirednessandthings，andthecarpettookthemaway。’
’Ihopeit’llkeepthemaway，’saidJane；’sheisn’tuglyatallwhenshelaughs。’
Thecarpethasdonemanywondersinitsday；butthecaseofMrsBiddleis，Ithink，themostwonderful。Forfromthatdayshewasneveranythinglikesodisagreeableasshewasbefore，andshesentalovelysilvertea-potandakindlettertoMissPeasmarshwhentheprettyladymarriedthenicecurate；justafterEasteritwas，andtheywenttoItalyfortheirhoneymoon。
CHAPTER5
THETEMPLE
’IwishwecouldfindthePhoenix，’saidJane。’It’smuchbettercompanythanthecarpet。’
’Beastlyungrateful，littlekidsare，’saidCyril。
’No，I’mnot；onlythecarpetneversaysanything，andit’ssohelpless。Itdoesn’tseemabletotakecareofitself。Itgetssold，andtakenintothesea，andthingslikethat。Youwouldn’tcatchthePhoenixgettingsold。’
Itwastwodaysafterthebazaar。Everyonewasalittlecross——somedaysarelikethat，usuallyMondays，bytheway。AndthiswasaMonday。
’Ishouldn’twonderifyourpreciousPhoenixhadgoneoffforgood，’saidCyril；’andIdon’tknowthatIblameit。Lookattheweather！’
’It’snotworthlookingat，’saidRobert。Andindeeditwasn’t。
’ThePhoenixhasn’tgone——I’msureithasn’t，’saidAnthea。’I’llhaveanotherlookforit。’
Anthealookedundertablesandchairs，andinboxesandbaskets，inmother’swork-bagandfather’sportmanteau，butstillthePhoenixshowednotsomuchasthetipofoneshiningfeather。
ThensuddenlyRobertrememberedhowthewholeoftheGreekinvocationsongofseventhousandlineshadbeencondensedbyhimintooneEnglishhexameter，sohestoodonthecarpetandchanted——
’Oh，comealong，comealong，yougoodoldbeautifulPhoenix，’
andalmostatoncetherewasarustleofwingsdownthekitchenstairs，andthePhoenixsailedinonwidegoldwings。
’WhereonearthHAVEyoubeen？’askedAnthea。’I’velookedeverywhereforyou。’
’NotEVERYWHERE，’repliedthebird，’becauseyoudidnotlookintheplacewhereIwas。Confessthatthathallowedspotwasoverlookedbyyou。’
’WHAThallowedspot？’askedCyril，alittleimpatiently，fortimewashasteningon，andthewishingcarpetstillidle。
’Thespot，’saidthePhoenix，’whichIhallowedbymygoldenpresencewastheLutron。’
’TheWHAT？’
’Thebath——theplaceofwashing。’
’I’msureyouweren’t，’saidJane。’Ilookedtherethreetimesandmovedallthetowels。’
’Iwasconcealed，’saidthePhoenix，’onthesummitofametalcolumn——enchanted，Ishouldjudge，foritfeltwarmtomygoldentoes，asthoughtheglorioussunofthedesertshoneeveruponit。’
’Oh，youmeanthecylinder，’saidCyril：’itHASratheracomfortingfeel，thisweather。Andnowwhereshallwego？’
Andthen，ofcourse，theusualdiscussionbrokeoutastowheretheyshouldgoandwhattheyshoulddo。Andnaturally，everyonewantedtodosomethingthattheothersdidnotcareabout。
’Iamtheeldest，’Cyrilremarked，’let’sgototheNorthPole。’
’Thisweather！Likely！’Robertrejoined。’Let’sgototheEquator。’
’IthinkthediamondminesofGolcondawouldbenice，’saidAnthea；
’don’tyouagree，Jane？’
’No，Idon’t，’retortedJane，’Idon’tagreewithyou。Idon’tagreewithanybody。’
ThePhoenixraisedawarningclaw。
’Ifyoucannotagreeamongyourselves，IfearIshallhavetoleaveyou，’itsaid。
’Well，whereshallwego？Youdecide！’saidall。
’IfIwereyou，’saidthebird，thoughtfully，’Ishouldgivethecarpetarest。Besides，you’lllosetheuseofyourlegsifyougoeverywherebycarpet。Can’tyoutakemeoutandexplainyouruglycitytome？’
’Wewillifitclearsup，’saidRobert，withoutenthusiasm。’Justlookattherain。Andwhyshouldwegivethecarpetarest？’
’Areyougreedyandgrasping，andheartlessandselfish？’askedthebird，sharply。
’NO！’saidRobert，withindignation。
’Wellthen！’saidthePhoenix。’Andastotherain——well，Iamnotfondofrainmyself。Ifthesunknew_I_washere——he’sveryfondofshiningonmebecauseIlooksobrightandgolden。HealwayssaysIrepayalittleattention。Haven’tyousomeformofwordssuitableforuseinwetweather？’
’There’s"Rain，rain，goaway，"’saidAnthea；’butitneverDOES
go。’
’Perhapsyoudon’tsaytheinvocationproperly，’saidthebird。
’Rain，rain，goaway，Comeagainanotherday，Littlebabywantstoplay，’
saidAnthea。
’That’squitewrong；andifyousayitinthatsortofdullway，I
canquiteunderstandtherainnottakinganynotice。Youshouldopenthewindowandshoutasloudasyoucan——
’Rain，rain，goaway，Comeagainanotherday；
Nowwewantthesun，andso，Prettyrain，bekindandgo！
’Youshouldalwaysspeakpolitelytopeoplewhenyouwantthemtodothings，andespeciallywhenit’sgoingawaythatyouwantthemtodo。Andto-dayyoumightadd——
’Shine，greatsun，thelovelyPhoe-
Nixishere，andwantstobeShoneon，splendidsun，bythee！’
’That’spoetry！’saidCyril，decidedly。
’It’slikeit，’saidthemorecautiousRobert。
’Iwasobligedtoputin"lovely"，’saidthePhoenix，modestly，’tomakethelinelongenough。’
’Thereareplentyofnastywordsjustthatlength，’saidJane；buteveryoneelsesaid’Hush！’Andthentheyopenedthewindowandshoutedthesevenlinesasloudastheycould，andthePhoenixsaidallthewordswiththem，except’lovely’，andwhentheycametothatitlookeddownandcoughedbashfully。
Therainhesitatedamomentandthenwentaway。
’There’struepoliteness，’saidthePhoenix，andthenextmomentitwasperchedonthewindow-ledge，openingandshuttingitsradiantwingsandflappingoutitsgoldenfeathersinsuchafloodofglorioussunshineasyousometimeshaveatsunsetinautumntime。
PeoplesaidafterwardsthattherehadnotbeensuchsunshineinDecemberforyearsandyearsandyears。
’Andnow，’saidthebird，’wewillgooutintothecity，andyoushalltakemetoseeoneofmytemples。’
’Yourtemples？’
’IgatherfromthecarpetthatIhavemanytemplesinthisland。’
’Idon’tseehowyouCANfindanythingoutfromit，’saidJane：’itneverspeaks。’
’Allthesame，youcanpickupthingsfromacarpet，’saidthebird；’I’veseenYOUdoit。AndIhavepickedupseveralpiecesofinformationinthisway。Thatpapyrusonwhichyoushowedmemypicture——Iunderstandthatitbearsonitthenameofthestreetofyourcityinwhichmyfinesttemplestands，withmyimagegravedinstoneandinmetaloveragainstitsportal。’
’Youmeanthefireinsuranceoffice，’saidRobert。’It’snotreallyatemple，andtheydon’t——’
’Excuseme，’saidthePhoenix，coldly，’youarewhollymisinformed。
ItISatemple，andtheydo。’
’Don’tlet’swastethesunshine，’saidAnthea；’wemightargueaswegoalong，tosavetime。’
SothePhoenixconsentedtomakeitselfanestinthebreastofRobert’sNorfolkjacket，andtheyallwentoutintothesplendidsunshine。ThebestwaytothetempleofthePhoenixseemedtobetotakethetram，andonthetopofitthechildrentalked，whilethePhoenixnowandthenputoutawarybeak，cockedacautiouseye，andcontradictedwhatthechildrenweresaying。
Itwasadeliciousride，andthechildrenfelthowluckytheyweretohavehadthemoneytopayforit。Theywentwiththetramasfarasitwent，andwhenitdidnotgoanyfarthertheystoppedtoo，andgotoff。ThetramstopsattheendoftheGray’sInnRoad，anditwasCyrilwhothoughtthatonemightwellfindashortcuttothePhoenixOfficethroughthelittlestreetsandcourtsthatlietightlypackedbetweenFetterLaneandLudgateCircus。Ofcourse，hewasquitemistaken，asRoberttoldhimatthetime，andafterwardsRobertdidnotforbeartoremindhisbrotherhowhehadsaidso。Thestreetsthereweresmallandstuffyandugly，andcrowdedwithprinters’boysandbinders’girlscomingoutfromwork；andthesestaredsohardattheprettyredcoatsandcapsofthesistersthattheywishedtheyhadgonesomeotherway。Andtheprintersandbindersmadeverypersonalremarks，advisingJanetogetherhaircut，andinquiringwhereAntheahadboughtthathat。
JaneandAntheascornedtoreply，andCyrilandRobertfoundthattheywerehardlyamatchfortheroughcrowd。Theycouldthinkofnothingnastyenoughtosay。Theyturnedacornersharply，andthenAntheapulledJaneintoanarchway，andtheninsideadoor；
CyrilandRobertquicklyfollowed，andthejeeringcrowdpassedbywithoutseeinthem。
Antheadrewalongbreath。
’Howawful！’shesaid。’Ididn’tknowthereweresuchpeople，exceptinbooks。’
’Itwasabitthick；butit’spartlyyougirls’fault，comingoutinthoseflashycoats。’
’Wethoughtweoughtto，whenweweregoingoutwiththePhoenix，’
saidJane；andthebirdsaid，’Quiteright，too’——andincautiouslyputouthisheadtogiveherawinkofencouragement。
AndatthesameinstantadirtyhandreachedthroughthegrimbalustradeofthestaircasebesidethemandclutchedthePhoenix，andahoarsevoicesaid——
’Isay，Urb，blowedifthisain’tourPollparrotwhatwelost。
Thankyouverymuch，lidy，forbringin’’imhometoroost。’
Thefourturnedswiftly。Twolargeandraggedboyswerecrouchedamidthedarkshadowsofthestairs。TheyweremuchlargerthanRobertandCyril，andoneofthemhadsnatchedthePhoenixawayandwasholdingithighabovetheirheads。
’Givemethatbird，’saidCyril，sternly：’it’sours。’
’Goodarternoon，andthankin’you，’theboywenton，withmaddeningmockery。’SorryIcan’tgiveyertuppenceforyertrouble——butI’ve’adtospendmyfortuneadvertisingformyvallyablebirdinallthenewspapers。Youcancallfortherewardnextyear。’
’Lookout，Ike，’saidhisfriend，alittleanxiously；’it’aveabeakonit。’
’It’sotherpartiesas’llhavetheBeakonto’empresently，’saidIke，darkly，’iftheycomea-tryingtolayclaimsonmyPollparrot。Youjustshutup，Urb。Nowthen，youfourlittlegells，getouterthis。’
’Littlegirls！’criedRobert。’I’lllittlegirlyou！’
Hesprangupthreestairsandhitout。
Therewasasquawk——themostbird-likenoiseanyonehadeverheardfromthePhoenix——andafluttering，andalaughinthedarkness，andIkesaid——
’Therenow，you’vebeenandgoneandstrookmyPollparrotrightinthefevvers——strook’imsomethingcrool，you’ave。’
Robertstampedwithfury。Cyrilfelthimselfgrowingpalewithrage，andwiththeeffortofscrewinguphisbraintomakeitcleverenoughtothinkofsomewayofbeingevenwiththoseboys。
AntheaandJanewereasangryastheboys，butitmadethemwanttocry。YetitwasAntheawhosaid——
’Do，PLEASE，letushavethebird。’
’Dew，PLEASE，getalongandleaveusan’ourbirdalone。’
’Ifyoudon’t，’saidAnthea，’Ishallfetchthepolice。’
’Youbetter！’saidhewhowasnamedUrb。’Say，Ike，youtwistthebloomin’pigeon’sneck；heain’tworthtuppence。’
’Oh，no，’criedJane，’don’thurtit。Oh，don’t；itissuchapet。’
’Iwon’thurtit，’saidIke；’I’m’shamedofyou，Urb，fortothinkofsuchathing。Arfashiner，miss，andthebirdisyoursforlife。’
’HalfaWHAT？’askedAnthea。
’Arfashiner，quid，thick’un——halfasov，then。’
’Ihaven’tgotit——and，besides，it’sOURbird，’saidAnthea。
’Oh，don’ttalktohim，’saidCyrilandthenJanesaidsuddenly——
’Phoenix——dearPhoenix，wecan’tdoanything。YOUmustmanageit。’
’Withpleasure，’saidthePhoenix——andIkenearlydroppeditinhisamazement。
’Isay，itdotalk，suthin’like，’saidhe。
’Youths，’saidthePhoenix，’sonsofmisfortune，hearmywords。’
’Myeyes！’saidIke。
’Lookout，Ike，’saidUrb，’you’llthrottlethejoker——andIseeatwunst’ewaswuth’isweightinflimsies。’00
’Hearken，OEikonoclastes，despiserofsacredimages——andthou，Urbanus，dwellerinthesordidcity。Forbearthisadventurelestaworsethingbefall。’
’Luv’us！’saidIke，’ain’titbeentaughtitsschoolin’just！’
’Restoremetomyyoungacolytesandescapeunscathed。Retainme——and——’
’Theymustha’gotallthisup，casethePollygotpinched，’saidIke。’Lor’lumme，theartfulnessofthemyounguns！’
’Isay，slosh’eminthegeseechandgetclearoffwiththeswag’swotIsay，’urgedHerbert。
’RightO，’saidIsaac。
’Forbear，’repeatedthePhoenix，sternly。’WhopinchedtheclickoffoftheoldblokeinAldermanbury？’itadded，inachangedtone。
’Whosneakedthenose-ragoutoftheyounggell’s’andinBellCourt？Who——’
’Stowit，’saidIke。’You！ugh！yah！——leavegoofme。Bashhimoff，Urb；’e’llhavemybloomin’eyesoutermyed。’
Therewerehowls，ascuffle，aflutter；IkeandUrbfledupthestairs，andthePhoenixsweptoutthroughthedoorway。ThechildrenfollowedandthePhoenixsettledonRobert，’likeabutterflyonarose，’asAntheasaidafterwards，andwriggledintothebreastofhisNorfolkjacket，’likeaneelintomud，’asCyrillatersaid。
’Whyeverdidn’tyouburnhim？Youcouldhave，couldn’tyou？’
askedRobert，whenthehurriedflightthroughthenarrowcourtshadendedinthesafewidenessofFarringdonStreet。
’Icouldhave，ofcourse，’saidthebird，’butIdidn’tthinkitwouldbedignifiedtoallowmyselftogetwarmaboutalittlethinglikethat。TheFates，afterall，havenotbeenilliberaltome。
IhaveagoodmanyfriendsamongtheLondonsparrows，andIhaveabeakandclaws。’
Thesehappeningshadsomewhatshakentheadventuroustemperofthechildren，andthePhoenixhadtoexertitsgoldenselftoheartenthemup。
PresentlythechildrencametoagreathouseinLombardStreet，andthere，oneachsideofthedoor，wastheimageofthePhoenixcarvedinstone，andsetforthonshiningbrasswerethewords——
PHOENIXFIREOFFICE
’Onemoment，’saidthebird。’Fire？Foraltars，Isuppose？’
’_I_don’tknow，’saidRobert；hewasbeginningtofeelshy，andthatalwaysmadehimrathercross。
’Oh，yes，youdo，’Cyrilcontradicted。’Whenpeople’shousesareburntdownthePhoenixgivesthemnewhouses。Fathertoldme；I
askedhim。’
’Thehouse，then，likethePhoenix，risesfromitsashes？Wellhavemypriestsdealtwiththesonsofmen！’
’Thesonsofmenpay，youknow，’saidAnthea；’butit’sonlyalittleeveryyear。’
’Thatistomaintainmypriests，’saidthebird，’who，inthehourofaffliction，healsorrowsandrebuildhouses。Leadon；inquirefortheHighPriest。Iwillnotbreakuponthemtoosuddenlyinallmyglory。Nobleandhonour-deservingaretheywhomakeasnoughttheevildeedsofthelame-footedandunpleasingHephaestus。’
’Idon’tknowwhatyou’retalkingabout，andIwishyouwouldn’tmuddleuswithnewnames。Firejusthappens。Nobodydoesit——notasadeed，youknow，’Cyrilexplained。’IftheydidthePhoenixwouldn’thelpthem，becauseitsacrimetosetfiretothings。
Arsenic，orsomethingtheycallit，becauseit’sasbadaspoisoningpeople。ThePhoenixwouldn’thelpTHEM——fathertoldmeitwouldn’t。’
’Mypriestsdowell，’saidthePhoenix。’Leadon。’
’Idon’tknowwhattosay，’saidCyril；andtheOtherssaidthesame。
’AskfortheHighPriest，’saidthePhoenix。’Saythatyouhaveasecrettounfoldthatconcernsmyworship，andhewillleadyoutotheinnermostsanctuary。’
Sothechildrenwentin，allfourofthem，thoughtheydidn’tlikeit，andstoodinalargeandbeautifulhalladornedwithDoultontiles，likealargeandbeautifulbathwithnowaterinit，andstatelypillarssupportingtheroof。AnunpleasingrepresentationofthePhoenixinbrownpotterydisfiguredonewall。Therewerecountersanddesksofmahoganyandbrass，andclerksbentoverthedesksandwalkedbehindthecounters。Therewasagreatclockoveraninnerdoorway。
’InquirefortheHighPriest，’whisperedthePhoenix。
Anattentiveclerkindecentblack，whocontrolledhismouthbutnothiseyebrows，nowcametowardsthem。Heleanedforwardonthecounter，andthechildrenthoughthewasgoingtosay，’WhatcanI
havethepleasureofshowingyou？’likeinadraper’s；insteadofwhichtheyoungmansaid——
’AndwhatdoYOUwant？’
’WewanttoseetheHighPriest。’
’Getalongwithyou，’saidtheyoungman。
Anelderman，alsodecentinblackcoat，advanced。
’Perhapsit’sMrBlank’（notforworldswouldIgivethename）。
’He’saMasonicHighPriest，youknow。’
AporterwassentawaytolookforMrAsterisk（Icannotgivehisname），andthechildrenwerelefttheretolookonandbelookedonbyallthegentlemenatthemahoganydesks。AntheaandJanethoughtthattheylookedkind。Theboysthoughttheystared，andthatitwasliketheircheek。
TheporterreturnedwiththenewsthatMrDotDashDot（Idarenotrevealhisname）wasout，butthatMr——
Hereareallydelightfulgentlemanappeared。Hehadabeardandakindandmerryeye，andeachoneofthefourknewatoncethatthiswasamanwhohadkiddiesofhisownandcouldunderstandwhatyouweretalkingabout。Yetitwasadifficultthingtoexplain。
’Whatisit？’heasked。’Mr’——henamedthenamewhichIwillneverreveal——’isout。CanIdoanything？’
’Innersanctuary，’murmuredthePhoenix。
’Ibegyourpardon，’saidthenicegentleman，whothoughtitwasRobertwhohadspoken。
’Wehavesomethingtotellyou，’saidCyril，’but’——heglancedattheporter，whowaslingeringmuchnearerthanheneedhavedone——’thisisaverypublicplace。’
Thenicegentlemanlaughed。
’Comeupstairsthen，’hesaid，andledthewayupawideandbeautifulstaircase。Antheasaysthestairswereofwhitemarble，butIamnotsure。Onthecorner-postofthestairs，atthetop，wasabeautifulimageofthePhoenixindarkmetal，andonthewallateachsidewasaflatsortofimageofit。
Thenicegentlemanledthemintoaroomwherethechairs，andeventhetables，werecoveredwithreddishleather。Helookedatthechildreninquiringly。
’Don’tbefrightened，’hesaid；’tellmeexactlywhatyouwant。’
’MayIshutthedoor？’askedCyril。
Thegentlemanlookedsurprised，butheshutthedoor。
’Now，’saidCyril，firmly，’Iknowyou’llbeawfullysurprised，andyou’llthinkit’snottrueandwearelunatics；butwearen’t，anditis。Robert’sgotsomethinginsidehisNorfolk——that’sRobert，he’smyyoungbrother。Nowdon’tbeupsetandhaveafitoranythingsir。Ofcourse，Iknowwhenyoucalledyourshopthe"Phoenix"youneverthoughttherewasone；butthereis——andRobert’sgotitbuttonedupagainsthischest！’
’Ifit’sanoldcuriointheformofaPhoenix，IdaresaytheBoard——’saidthenicegentleman，asRobertbegantofumblewithhisbuttons。
’It’soldenough，’saidAnthea，’goingbywhatitsays，but——’
’Mygoodnessgracious！’saidthegentleman，asthePhoenix，withonelastwrigglethatmeltedintoaflutter，gotoutofitsnestinthebreastofRobertandstoodupontheleather-coveredtable。
’Whatanextraordinarilyfinebird！’hewenton。’Idon’tthinkI
eversawonejustlikeit。’
’Ishouldthinknot，’saidthePhoenix，withpardonablepride。Andthegentlemanjumped。
’Oh，it’sbeentaughttospeak！Somesortofparrot，perhaps？’
’Iam，’saidthebird，simply，’theHeadofyourHouse，andIhavecometomytempletoreceiveyourhomage。Iamnoparrot’——itsbeakcurvedscornfully——’IamtheoneandonlyPhoenix，andI
demandthehomageofmyHighPriest。’
’Intheabsenceofourmanager，’thegentlemanbegan，exactlyasthoughhewereaddressingavaluedcustomer——’intheabsenceofourmanager，Imightperhapsbeable——WhatamIsaying？’Heturnedpale，andpassedhishandacrosshisbrow。’Mydears，’hesaid，’theweatherisunusuallywarmforthetimeofyear，andIdon’tfeelquitemyself。Doyouknow，foramomentIreallythoughtthatthatremarkablebirdofyourshadspokenandsaiditwasthePhoenix，and，what’smore，thatI’dbelievedit。’
’Soitdid，sir，’saidCyril，’andsodidyou。’
’Itreally——Allowme。’
Abellwasrung。Theporterappeared。