’Hush！’saidthePhoenix；’howcanyou？Don’ttrampleonitsfeelingsjustbecauseit’sonlyacarpet。’
　　’Buthowcanitdoit——unlessoneofusisonittodothewishing？’askedRobert。HespokewitharisinghopethatitMIGHT
　　benecessaryforonetogoandwhynotRobert？ButthePhoenixquicklythrewcoldwateronhisnew-borndream。
　　’Why，youjustwriteyourwishonapaper，andpinitonthecarpet。’
　　SoaleafwastornfromAnthea’sarithmeticbook，andonitCyrilwroteinlargeround-handthefollowing：
　　Wewishyoutogotoyourdearnativehome，andbringbackthemostbeautifulanddelightfulproductionsofityoucan——andnottobegonelong，please。
　　（Signed）CYRIL。
　　ROBERT。
　　ANTHEA。
　　JANE。
　　Thenthepaperwaslaidonthecarpet。
　　’Writingdown，please，’saidthePhoenix；’thecarpetcan’treadapaperwhosebackisturnedtoit，anymorethanyoucan。’
　　Itwaspinnedfast，andthetableandchairshavingbeenmoved，thecarpetsimplyandsuddenlyvanished，ratherlikeapatchofwateronahearthunderafiercefire。Theedgesgotsmallerandsmaller，andthenitdisappearedfromsight。
　　’Itmaytakeitsometimetocollectthebeautifulanddelightfulthings，’saidthePhoenix。’Ishouldwashup——Imeanwashdown。’
　　Sotheydid。Therewasplentyofhotwaterleftinthekettle，andeveryonehelped——eventhePhoenix，whotookupcupsbytheirhandleswithitscleverclawsanddippedtheminthehotwater，andthenstoodthemonthetablereadyforAntheatodrythem。Butthebirdwasratherslow，because，asitsaid，thoughitwasnotaboveanysortofhonestwork，messingaboutwithdish-waterwasnotexactlywhatithadbeenbroughtupto。Everythingwasnicelywashedup，anddried，andputinitsproperplace，andthedish-clothwashedandhungontheedgeofthecoppertodry，andthetea-clothwashungonthelinethatgoesacrossthescullery。
　　（Ifyouareaduchess’schild，oraking’s，orapersonofhighsocialposition’schild，youwillperhapsnotknowthedifferencebetweenadish-clothandatea-cloth；butinthatcaseyournursehasbeenbetterinstructedthanyou，andshewilltellyouallaboutit。）Andjustaseighthandsandonepairofclawswerebeingdriedontheroller-towelbehindthescullerydoortherecameastrangesoundfromtheothersideofthekitchenwall——thesidewherethenurserywas。Itwasaverystrangesound，indeed——mostodd，andunlikeanyothersoundsthechildrenhadeverheard。Atleast，theyhadheardsoundsasmuchlikeitasatoyengine’swhistleislikeasteamsiren’s。
　　’Thecarpet’scomeback，’saidRobert；andtheothersfeltthathewasright。
　　’Butwhathasitbroughtwithit？’askedJane。’ItsoundslikeLeviathan，thatgreatbeast。’
　　’Itcouldn’thavebeenmadeinIndia，andhavebroughtelephants？
　　Evenbabyoneswouldberatherawfulinthatroom，’saidCyril。’I
　　votewetakeitinturnstosquintthroughthekeyhole。’
　　Theydid——intheorderoftheirages。ThePhoenix，beingtheeldestbysomethousandsofyears，wasentitledtothefirstpeep。
　　But——
　　’Excuseme，’itsaid，rufflingitsgoldenfeathersandsneezingsoftly；’lookingthroughkeyholesalwaysgivesmeacoldinmygoldeneyes。’
　　SoCyrillooked。
　　’Iseesomethinggreymoving，’saidhe。
　　’It’sazoologicalgardenofsomesort，Ibet，’saidRobert，whenhehadtakenhisturn。Andthesoftrustling，bustling，ruffling，scuffling，shuffling，flufflingnoisewentoninside。
　　’_I_can’tseeanything，’saidAnthea，’myeyeticklesso。’
　　ThenJane’sturncame，andsheputhereyetothekeyhole。
　　’It’sagiantkitty-cat，’shesaid；’andit’sasleepalloverthefloor。’
　　’Giantcatsaretigers——fathersaidso。’
　　’No，hedidn’t。Hesaidtigersweregiantcats。It’snotatallthesamething。’
　　’It’snousesendingthecarpettofetchpreciousthingsforyouifyou’reafraidtolookatthemwhentheycome，’saidthePhoenix，sensibly。AndCyril，beingtheeldest，said——
　　’Comeon，’andturnedthehandle。
　　Thegashadbeenleftfullonaftertea，andeverythingintheroomcouldbeplainlyseenbytheteneyesatthedoor。Atleast，noteverything，forthoughthecarpetwasthereitwasinvisible，becauseitwascompletelycoveredbythehundredandninety-ninebeautifulobjectswhichithadbroughtfromitsbirthplace。
　　’Myhat！’Cyrilremarked。’IneverthoughtaboutitsbeingaPERSIANcarpet。’
　　Yetitwasnowplainthatitwasso，forthebeautifulobjectswhichithadbroughtbackwerecats——Persiancats，greyPersiancats，andtherewere，asIhavesaid，199ofthem，andtheyweresittingonthecarpetascloseastheycouldgettoeachother。
　　Butthemomentthechildrenenteredtheroomthecatsroseandstretched，andspreadandoverflowedfromthecarpettothefloor，andinaninstantthefloorwasaseaofmoving，mewingpussishness，andthechildrenwithoneaccordclimbedtothetable，andgathereduptheirlegs，andthepeoplenextdoorknockedonthewall——and，indeed，nowonder，forthemewswerePersianandpiercing。
　　’Thisisprettypoorsport，’saidCyril。’What’sthematterwiththebounders？’
　　’Iimaginethattheyarehungry，’saidthePhoenix。’Ifyouweretofeedthem——’
　　’Wehaven’tanythingtofeedthemwith，’saidAntheaindespair，andshestrokedthenearestPersianback。’Oh，pussies，dobequiet——wecan’thearourselvesthink。’
　　Shehadtoshoutthisentreaty，forthemewsweregrowingdeafening，’anditwouldtakepounds’andpounds’worthofcat’s-meat。’
　　’Let’saskthecarpettotakethemaway，’saidRobert。Butthegirlssaid’No。’
　　’Theyaresosoftandpussy，’saidJane。
　　’Andvaluable，’saidAnthea，hastily。’Wecansellthemforlotsandlotsofmoney。’
　　’Whynotsendthecarpettogetfoodforthem？’suggestedthePhoenix，anditsgoldenvoicecameharshandcrackedwiththeeffortithadtobemaketobeheardabovetheincreasingfiercenessofthePersianmews。
　　Soitwaswrittenthatthecarpetshouldbringfoodfor199Persiancats，andthepaperwaspinnedtothecarpetasbefore。
　　Thecarpetseemedtogatheritselftogether，andthecatsdroppedoffit，asraindropsdofromyourmackintoshwhenyoushakeit。
　　Andthecarpetdisappeared。
　　Unlessyouhavehadone-hundredandninety-ninewell-grownPersiancatsinonesmallroom，allhungry，andallsayingsoinunmistakablemews，youcanformbutapoorideaofthenoisethatnowdeafenedthechildrenandthePhoenix。Thecatsdidnotseemtohavebeenatallproperlybroughtup。Theyseemedtohavenoideaofitsbeingamistakeinmannerstoaskformealsinastrangehouse——letalonetohowlforthem——andtheymewed，andtheymewed，andtheymewed，andtheymewed，tillthechildrenpokedtheirfingersintotheirearsandwaitedinsilentagony，wonderingwhythewholeofCamdenTowndidnotcomeknockingatthedoortoaskwhatwasthematter，andonlyhopingthatthefoodforthecatswouldcomebeforetheneighboursdid——andbeforeallthesecretofthecarpetandthePhoenixhadtobegivenawaybeyondrecalltoanindignantneighbourhood。
　　ThecatsmewedandmewedandtwistedtheirPersianformsinandoutandunfoldedtheirPersiantails，andthechildrenandthePhoenixhuddledtogetheronthetable。
　　ThePhoenix，Robertnoticedsuddenly，wastrembling。
　　’Somanycats，’itsaid，’andtheymightnotknowIwasthePhoenix。Theseaccidentshappensoquickly。Itquiteun-mansme。’
　　Thiswasadangerofwhichthechildrenhadnotthought。
　　’Creepin，’criedRobert，openinghisjacket。
　　AndthePhoenixcreptin——onlyjustintime，forgreeneyeshadglared，pinknoseshadsniffed，whitewhiskershadtwitched，andasRobertbuttonedhiscoathedisappearedtothewaistinawaveofeagergreyPersianfur。Andontheinstantthegoodcarpetslappeditselfdownonthefloor。Anditwascoveredwithrats——threehundredandninety-eightofthem，Ibelieve，twoforeachcat。
　　’Howhorrible！’criedAnthea。’Oh，takethemaway！’
　　’Takeyourselfaway，’saidthePhoenix，’andme。’
　　’Iwishwe’dneverhadacarpet，’saidAnthea，intears。
　　Theyhustledandcrowdedoutofthedoor，andshutit，andlockedit。Cyril，withgreatpresenceofmind，litacandleandturnedoffthegasatthemain。
　　’Therats’llhaveabetterchanceinthedark，’hesaid。
　　Themewinghadceased。Everyonelistenedinbreathlesssilence。
　　Weallknowthatcatseatrats——itisoneofthefirstthingswereadinourlittlebrownreadingbooks；butallthosecatseatingallthoserats——itwouldn’tbearthinkingof。
　　SuddenlyRobertsniffed，inthesilenceofthedarkkitchen，wheretheonlycandlewasburningallononeside，becauseofthedraught。
　　’Whatafunnyscent！’hesaid。
　　Andashespoke，alanternflasheditslightthroughthewindowofthekitchen，afacepeeredin，andavoicesaid——
　　’What’sallthisrowabout？Youletmein。’
　　Itwasthevoiceofthepolice！
　　Roberttip-toedtothewindow，andspokethroughthepanethathadbeenalittlecrackedsinceCyrilaccidentallyknockeditwithawalking-stickwhenhewasplayingatbalancingitonhisnose。（Itwasaftertheyhadbeentoacircus。）
　　’Whatdoyoumean？’hesaid。’There’snorow。Youlisten；
　　everything’sasquietasquiet。’Andindeeditwas。
　　Thestrangesweetscentgrewstronger，andthePhoenixputoutitsbeak。
　　Thepolicemanhesitated。
　　’They’reMUSK-rats，’saidthePhoenix。’Isupposesomecatseatthem——butneverPersianones。Whatamistakeforawell-informedcarpettomake！Oh，whatanightwe’rehaving！’
　　’Dogoaway，’saidRobert，nervously。’We’rejustgoingtobed——that’sourbedroomcandle；thereisn’tanyrow。
　　Everything’sasquietasamouse。’
　　Awildchorusofmewsdrownedhiswords，andwiththemewsweremingledtheshrieksofthemusk-rats。Whathadhappened？Hadthecatstastedthembeforedecidingthattheydislikedtheflavour？
　　’I’ma-comingin，’saidthepoliceman。’You’vegotacatshutupthere。’
　　’Acat，’saidCyril。’Oh，myonlyaunt！Acat！’
　　’Comein，then，’saidRobert。’It’syourownlookout。Iadviseyounot。Waitashake，andI’llundothesidegate。’
　　Heundidthesidegate，andthepoliceman，verycautiously，camein。Andthereinthekitchen，bythelightofonecandle，withthemewingandthescreaminggoinglikeadozensteamsirens，twentywaitingonmotor-cars，andhalfahundredsqueakingpumps，fouragitatedvoicesshoutedtothepolicemanfourmixedandwhollydifferentexplanationsoftheverymixedeventsoftheevening。
　　Didyouevertrytoexplainthesimplestthingtoapoliceman？
　　CHAPTER8
　　THECATS，THECOW，ANDTHEBURGLAR
　　ThenurserywasfullofPersiancatsandmusk-ratsthathadbeenbroughttherebythewishingcarpet。Thecatsweremewingandthemusk-ratsweresqueakingsothatyoucouldhardlyhearyourselfspeak。Inthekitchenwerethefourchildren，onecandle，aconcealedPhoenix，andaveryvisiblepoliceman。
　　’Nowthen，lookhere，’saidthePoliceman，veryloudly，andhepointedhislanternateachchildinturn，’what’sthemeaningofthishereyellingandcaterwauling。Itellyouyou’vegotacathere，andsomeone’saill-treatingofit。Whatdoyoumeanbyit，eh？’
　　Itwasfivetoone，countingthePhoenix；butthepoliceman，whowasone，wasofunusuallyfinesize，andthefive，includingthePhoenix，weresmall。Themewsandthesqueaksgrewsofter，andinthecomparativesilence，Cyrilsaid——
　　’It’strue。Thereareafewcatshere。Butwe’venothurtthem。
　　It’squitetheopposite。We’vejustfedthem。’
　　’Itdon’tsoundlikeit，’saidthepolicemangrimly。
　　’Idaresaythey’renotREALcats，’saidJanemadly，perhapsthey’reonlydream-cats。’
　　’I’lldream-catyou，mylady，’wasthebriefresponseoftheforce。
　　’Ifyouunderstoodanythingexceptpeoplewhodomurdersandstealingsandnaughtythingslikethat，I’dtellyouallaboutit，’
　　saidRobert；’butI’mcertainyoudon’t。You’renotmeanttoshoveyouroarintopeople’sprivatecat-keepings。You’reonlysupposedtointerferewhenpeopleshout"murder"and"stopthief"inthestreet。Sothere！’
　　Thepolicemanassuredthemthatheshouldseeaboutthat；andatthispointthePhoenix，whohadbeenmakingitselfsmallonthepot-shelfunderthedresser，amongthesaucepanlidsandthefish-
　　kettle，walkedontip-toedclawsinanoiselessandmodestmanner，andlefttheroomunnoticedbyanyone。
　　’Oh，don’tbesohorrid，’Antheawassaying，gentlyandearnestly。
　　’WeLOVEcats——dearpussy-softthings。Wewouldn’thurtthemforworlds。Wouldwe，Pussy？’
　　AndJaneansweredthatofcoursetheywouldn’t。Andstillthepolicemanseemedunmovedbytheireloquence。
　　’Now，lookhere，’hesaid，’I’ma-goingtoseewhat’sinthatroombeyondthere，and——’
　　Hisvoicewasdrownedinawildburstofmewingandsqueaking。Andassoonasitdieddownallfourchildrenbegantoexplainatonce；
　　andthoughthesqueakingandmewingwerenotattheirveryloudest，yettherewasquiteenoughofbothtomakeitveryhardforthepolicemantounderstandasinglewordofanyofthefourwhollydifferentexplanationsnowpouredouttohim。
　　’Stowit，’hesaidatlast。’I’ma-goin’intothenextroomintheexecutionofmyduty。I’ma-goin’tousemyeyes——myearshavegoneofftheirchumps，whatwithyouandthemcats。’
　　AndhepushedRobertaside，andstrodethroughthedoor。
　　’Don’tsayIdidn’twarnyou，’saidRobert。
　　’It’stigersREALLY，’saidJane。’Fathersaidso。Iwouldn’tgoin，ifIwereyou。’
　　Butthepolicemanwasquitestony；nothinganyonesaidseemedtomakeanydifferencetohim。Somepolicemenarelikethis，I
　　believe。Hestrodedownthepassage，andinanothermomenthewouldhavebeenintheroomwithallthecatsandalltherats（musk），butatthatveryinstantathin，sharpvoicescreamedfromthestreetoutside——
　　’Murder——murder！Stopthief！’
　　Thepolicemanstopped，withoneregulationbootheavilypoisedintheair。
　　’Eh？’hesaid。
　　Andagaintheshriekssoundedshrillyandpiercinglyfromthedarkstreetoutside。
　　’Comeon，’saidRobert。’Comeandlookaftercatswhilesomebody’sbeingkilledoutside。’ForRoberthadaninsidefeelingthattoldhimquiteplainlyWHOitwasthatwasscreaming。
　　’Youyoungrip，’saidthepoliceman，’I’llsettleupwithyoubimeby。’
　　Andherushedout，andthechildrenheardhisbootsgoingweightilyalongthepavement，andthescreamsalsogoingalong，ratheraheadofthepoliceman；andboththemurder-screamsandthepoliceman’sbootsfadedawayintheremotedistance。
　　ThenRobertsmackedhisknickerbockerloudlywithhispalm，andsaid——
　　’GoodoldPhoenix！Ishouldknowitsgoldenvoiceanywhere。’
　　AndtheneveryoneunderstoodhowcleverlythePhoenixhadcaughtatwhatRoberthadsaidabouttherealworkofapolicemanbeingtolookaftermurderersandthieves，andnotaftercats，andallheartswerefilledwithadmiringaffection。
　　’Buthe’llcomeback，’saidAnthea，mournfully，’assoonasitfindsthemurdererisonlyabrightvisionofadream，andthereisn’toneatallreally。’
　　’Nohewon’t，’saidthesoftvoiceofthecleverPhoenix，asitflewin。’HEDOESNOTKNOWWHEREYOURHOUSEIS。Iheardhimownasmuchtoafellowmercenary。Oh！whatanightwearehaving！
　　Lockthedoor，andletusridourselvesofthisintolerablesmelloftheperfumepeculiartothemusk-ratandtothehouseofthetrimmersofbeards。Ifyou’llexcuseme，Iwillgotobed。Iamwornout。’
　　ItwasCyrilwhowrotethepaperthattoldthecarpettotakeawaytheratsandbringmilk，becausethereseemedtobenodoubtinanybreastthat，howeverPersiancatsmaybe，theymustlikemilk。
　　’Let’shopeitwon’tbemusk-milk，’saidAnthea，ingloom，asshepinnedthepaperface-downwardsonthecarpet。’Istheresuchathingasamusk-cow？’sheaddedanxiously，asthecarpetshrivelledandvanished。’Idohopenot。PerhapsreallyitWOULDhavebeenwisertoletthecarpettakethecatsaway。It’sgettingquitelate，andwecan’tkeepthemallnight。’
　　’Oh，can’twe？’wasthebitterrejoinderofRobert，whohadbeenfasteningthesidedoor。’Youmighthaveconsultedme，’hewenton。’I’mnotsuchanidiotassomepeople。’
　　’Why，whatever——’
　　’Don’tyousee？We’vejollywellGOTtokeepthecatsallnight——oh，getdown，youfurrybeasts！——becausewe’vehadthreewishesoutoftheoldcarpetnow，andwecan’tgetanymoretillto-morrow。’
　　ThelivelinessofPersianmewsalonepreventedtheoccurrenceofadismalsilence。
　　Antheaspokefirst。
　　’Nevermind，’shesaid。’Doyouknow，Ireallydothinkthey’requietingdownabit。Perhapstheyheardussaymilk。’
　　’Theycan’tunderstandEnglish，’saidJane。’Youforgetthey’rePersiancats，Panther。’
　　’Well，’saidAnthea，rathersharply，forshewastiredandanxious，’whotoldyou"milk"wasn’tPersianformilk。LotsofEnglishwordsarejustthesameinFrench——atleastIknow"miaw"is，and"croquet"，and"fiance"。Oh，pussies，dobequiet！Let’sstrokethemashardaswecanwithbothhands，andperhapsthey’llstop。’
　　Soeveryonestrokedgreyfurtilltheirhandsweretired，andassoonasacathadbeenstrokedenoughtomakeitstopmewingitwaspushedgentlyaway，andanothermewingmouserwasapproachedbythehandsofthestrokers。Andthenoisewasreallymorethanhalfpurrwhenthecarpetsuddenlyappearedinitsproperplace，andonit，insteadofrowsofmilk-cans，orevenofmilk-jugs，therewasaCOW。NotaPersiancow，either，nor，mostfortunately，amusk-cow，ifthereissuchathing，butasmooth，sleek，dun-colouredJerseycow，whoblinkedlargesofteyesatthegas-lightandmooedinanamiableifratherinquiringmanner。
　　Antheahadalwaysbeenafraidofcows；butnowshetriedtobebrave。
　　’Anyway，itcan’trunafterme，’shesaidtoherself’Thereisn’troomforiteventobegintorun。’
　　Thecowwasperfectlyplacid。Shebehavedlikeastrayedduchesstillsomeonebroughtasaucerforthemilk，andsomeoneelsetriedtomilkthecowintoit。Milkingisverydifficult。Youmaythinkitiseasy，butitisnot。Allthechildrenwerebythistimestrunguptoapitchofheroismthatwouldhavebeenimpossibletothemintheirordinarycondition。RobertandCyrilheldthecowbythehorns；andJane，whenshewasquitesurethattheirendofthecowwasquitesecure，consentedtostandby，readytoholdthecowbythetailshouldoccasionarise。Anthea，holdingthesaucer，nowadvancedtowardsthecow。Sherememberedtohaveheardthatcows，whenmilkedbystrangers，aresusceptibletothesoothinginfluenceofthehumanvoice。So，clutchinghersaucerverytight，shesoughtforwordstowhosesoothinginfluencethecowmightbesusceptible。Andhermemory，troubledbytheeventsofthenight，whichseemedtogoonandonforeverandever，refusedtohelpherwithanyformofwordssuitabletoaddressaJerseycowin。
　　’Poorpussy，then。Liedown，then，gooddog，liedown！’wasallthatshecouldthinkoftosay，andshesaidit。
　　Andnobodylaughed。Thesituation，fullofgreymewingcats，wastooseriousforthat。ThenAnthea，withabeatingheart，triedtomilkthecow。Nextmomentthecowhadknockedthesauceroutofherhandandtrampledonitwithonefoot，whilewiththeotherthreeshehadwalkedonafooteachofRobert，Cyril，andJane。
　　Janeburstintotears。’Oh，howmuchtoohorrideverythingis！’
　　shecried。’Comeaway。Let’sgotobedandleavethehorridcatswiththehatefulcow。Perhapssomebodywilleatsomebodyelse。
　　Andservethemright。’
　　Theydidnotgotobed，buttheyhadashiveringcouncilinthedrawing-room，whichsmeltofsoot——and，indeed，aheapofthislayinthefender。Therehadbeennofireintheroomsincemotherwentaway，andallthechairsandtableswereinthewrongplaces，andthechrysanthemumsweredead，andthewaterinthepotnearlydriedup。AntheawrappedtheembroideredwoollysofablanketroundJaneandherself，whileRobertandCyrilhadastruggle，silentandbrief，butfierce，forthelargershareofthefurhearthrug。
　　’Itismosttrulyawful，’saidAnthea，’andIamsotired。Let’sletthecatsloose。’
　　’Andthecow，perhaps？’saidCyril。’Thepolicewouldfindusatonce。Thatcowwouldstandatthegateandmew——Imeanmoo——tocomein。Andsowouldthecats。No；Iseequitewellwhatwe’vegottodo。Wemustputtheminbasketsandleavethemonpeople’sdoorsteps，likeorphanfoundlings。’
　　’We’vegotthreebaskets，countingmother’sworkone，’saidJanebrightening。
　　’Andtherearenearlytwohundredcats，’saidAnthea，’besidesthecow——anditwouldhavetobeadifferent-sizedbasketforher；andthenIdon’tknowhowyou’dcarryit，andyou’dneverfindadoorstepbigenoughtoputiton。Exceptthechurchone——and——’
　　’Oh，well，’saidCyril，’ifyousimplyMAKEdifficulties——’
　　’I’mwithyou，’saidRobert。’Don’tfussaboutthecow，Panther。
　　It’ssimplyGOTtostaythenight，andI’msureI’vereadthatthecowisaremuneratingcreature，andthatmeansitwillsitstillandthinkforhours。Thecarpetcantakeitawayinthemorning。
　　Andasforthebaskets，we’lldothemupindusters，orpillow-cases，orbath-towels。Comeon，Squirrel。Yougirlscanbeoutofitifyoulike。’
　　Histonewasfullofcontempt，butJaneandAntheaweretootiredanddesperatetocare；evenbeing’outofit’，whichatothertimestheycouldnothaveborne，nowseemedquiteacomfort。Theysnuggleddowninthesofablanket，andCyrilthrewthefurhearthrugoverthem。
　　’Ah，hesaid，’that’sallwomenarefitfor——tokeepsafeandwarm，whilethemendotheworkandrundangersandrisksandthings。’
　　’I’mnot，’saidAnthea，’youknowI’mnot。’ButCyrilwasgone。
　　Itwaswarmundertheblanketandthehearthrug，andJanesnuggledupclosetohersister；andAntheacuddledJanecloselyandkindly，andinasortofdreamtheyheardtheriseofawaveofmewingasRobertopenedthedoorofthenursery。Theyheardthebootedsearchforbasketsinthebackkitchen。Theyheardthesidedooropenandclose，andtheyknewthateachbrotherhadgoneoutwithatleastonecat。Anthea’slastthoughtwasthatitwouldtakeatleastallnighttogetridofonehundredandninety-ninecatsbytwos。Therewouldbeninety-ninejourneysoftwocatseach，andonecatover。
　　’Ialmostthinkwemightkeeptheonecatover，’saidAnthea。’I
　　don’tseemtocareforcatsjustnow，butIdaresayIshallagainsomeday。’Andshefellasleep。Janealsowassleeping。
　　ItwasJanewhoawokewithastart，tofindAntheastillasleep。
　　As，intheactofawakening，shekickedhersister，shewonderedidlywhytheyshouldhavegonetobedintheirboots；butthenextmomentsherememberedwheretheywere。
　　Therewasasoundofmuffled，shuffledfeetonthestairs。Liketheheroineoftheclassicpoem，Jane’thoughtitwastheboys’，andasshefeltquitewideawake，andnotnearlysotiredasbefore，shecreptgentlyfromAnthea’ssideandfollowedthefootsteps。Theywentdownintothebasement；thecats，whoseemedtohavefallenintothesleepofexhaustion，awokeatthesoundoftheapproachingfootstepsandmewedpiteously。Janewasatthefootofthestairsbeforeshesawitwasnotherbrotherswhosecominghadrousedherandthecats，butaburglar。Sheknewhewasaburglaratonce，becauseheworeafurcapandaredandblackcharity-checkcomforter，andhehadnobusinesswherehewas。
　　Ifyouhadbeenstoodinjane’sshoesyouwouldnodoubthaverunawayinthem，appealingtothepoliceandneighbourswithhorridscreams。ButJaneknewbetter。Shehadreadagreatmanynicestoriesaboutburglars，aswellassomeaffectingpiecesofpoetry，andsheknewthatnoburglarwilleverhurtalittlegirlifhemeetsherwhenburgling。Indeed，inallthecasesJanehadreadof，hisburglarishnesswasalmostatonceforgottenintheinteresthefeltinthelittlegirl’sartlessprattle。SoifJanehesitatedforamomentbeforeaddressingtheburglar，itwasonlybecauseshecouldnotatoncethinkofanyremarksufficientlyprattlingandartlesstomakeabeginningwith。Inthestoriesandtheaffectingpoetrythechildcouldneverspeakplainly，thoughitalwayslookedoldenoughtointhepictures。AndJanecouldnotmakeuphermindtolispand’talkbaby’，eventoaburglar。Andwhileshehesitatedhesoftlyopenedthenurserydoorandwentin。
　　Janefollowed——justintimetoseehimsitdownflatonthefloor，scatteringcatsasastonethrownintoapoolsplasheswater。
　　Sheclosedthedoorsoftlyandstoodthere，stillwonderingwhethersheCOULDbringherselftosay，’What’s’oodoinghere，MithterWobber？’andwhetheranyotherkindoftalkwoulddo。
　　Thensheheardtheburglardrawalongbreath，andhespoke。
　　’It’sajudgement，’hesaid，’sohelpmebobifitain’t。Oh，’ere’sathingto’appentoachap！Makesitcome’ometoyou，don’titneither？Catsan’catsan’cats。Therecouldn’tbeallthemcats。Letalonethecow。Ifsheain’tthemoraloftheoldman’sDaisy。She’sadreamoutofwhenIwasalad——Idon’tmind’ersomuch。’Ere，Daisy，Daisy？’
　　Thecowturnedandlookedathim。
　　’SHE’Sallright，’hewenton。’Sortofcompany，too。Thoughthemaboveknowshowshegotintothisdownstairsparlour。Butthemcats——oh，take’emaway，take’emaway！I’llchuckthe’oleshow——Oh，take’emaway。’
　　’Burglar，’saidJane，closebehindhim，andhestartedconvulsively，andturnedonherablankface，whosepalelipstrembled。’Ican’ttakethosecatsaway。’
　　’Lor’lumme！’exclaimedtheman；’if’ereain’tanotheron’em。
　　Areyoureal，miss，orsomethingI’llwakeupfrompresently？’
　　’Iamquitereal，’saidJane，relievedtofindthatalispwasnotneededtomaketheburglarunderstandher。’Andso，’sheadded，’arethecats。’
　　’Thensendforthepolice，sendforthepolice，andI’llgoquiet。
　　Ifyouain’tnoreallerthanthemcats，I’mdone，spunchuck——outoftime。Sendforthepolice。I’llgoquiet。Onething，there’dnotberoomfor’arfthemcatsinnocellasever_I_see。’
　　Heranhisfingersthroughhishair，whichwasshort，andhiseyeswanderedwildlyroundtheroomfulofcats。
　　’Burglar，’saidJane，kindlyandsoftly，’ifyoudidn’tlikecats，whatdidyoucomeherefor？’
　　’Sendforthepolice，’wastheunfortunatecriminal’sonlyreply。
　　’I’dratheryouwould——honest，I’drather。’
　　’Idaren’t，’saidJane，’andbesides，I’venoonetosend。Ihatethepolice。Iwishhe’dneverbeenborn。’
　　’You’veafeeling’art，miss，’saidtheburglar；’butthemcatsisreallyalittlebittoothick。’
　　’Lookhere，’saidJane，’Iwon’tcallthepolice。AndIamquiteareallittlegirl，thoughItalkolderthanthekindyou’vemetbeforewhenyou’vebeendoingyourburglings。Andtheyarerealcats——andtheywantrealmilk——and——Didn’tyousaythecowwaslikesomebody’sDaisythatyouusedtoknow？’
　　’WishImaydieifsheain’ttheveryspitofher，’repliedtheman。
　　’Well，then，’saidJane——andathrillofjoyfulprideranthroughher——’perhapsyouknowhowtomilkcows？’
　　’PerhapsIdoes，’wastheburglar’scautiousrejoinder。
　　’Then，’saidJane，’ifyouwillONLYmilkours——youdon’tknowhowweshallalwaysloveyou。’
　　Theburglarrepliedthatlovingwasallverywell。
　　’Ifthosecatsonlyhadagoodlong，wet，thirstydrinkofmilk，’
　　Janewentonwitheagerpersuasion，’they’dliedownandgotosleepaslikelyasnot，andthenthepolicewon’tcomeback。Butiftheygoonmewinglikethishewill，andthenIdon’tknowwhat’llbecomeofus，oryoueither。’
　　Thisargumentseemedtodecidethecriminal。Janefetchedthewash-bowlfromthesink，andhespatonhishandsandpreparedtomilkthecow。Atthisinstantbootswereheardonthestairs。
　　’It’sallup，’saidtheman，desperately，’this’ere’saplant。
　　’ERE’Sthepolice。’Hemadeasiftoopenthewindowandleapfromit。
　　’It’sallright，Itellyou，’whisperedJane，inanguish。’I’llsayyou’reafriendofmine，orthegoodclergymancalledin，ormyuncle，orANYTHIING——onlydo，do，domilkthecow。Oh，DON’T
　　go——oh——oh，thankgoodnessit’sonlytheboys！’
　　Itwas；andtheirentrancehadawakenedAnthea，who，withherbrothers，nowcrowdedthroughthedoorway。Themanlookedabouthimlikearatlooksroundatrap。
　　’Thisisafriendofmine，’saidJane；’he’sjustcalledin，andhe’sgoingtomilkthecowforus。ISN’Titgoodandkindofhim？’
　　Shewinkedattheothers，andthoughtheydidnotunderstandtheyplayeduployally。
　　’Howdo？’saidCyril，’Verygladtomeetyou。Don’tletusinterruptthemilking。’
　　’Ishall’avea’eadanda’arfinthemorning，andnobloomin’
　　error，’remarkedtheburglar；buthebegantomilkthecow。
　　Robertwaswinkedattostayandseethathedidnotleaveoffmilkingortrytoescape，andtheotherswenttogetthingstoputthemilkin；foritwasnowspurtingandfoaminginthewash-bowl，andthecatshadceasedfrommewingandwerecrowdingroundthecow，withexpressionsofhopeandanticipationontheirwhiskeredfaces。
　　’Wecan’tgetridofanymorecats，’saidCyril，asheandhissisterspiledatrayhighwithsaucersandsoup-platesandplattersandpie-dishes，’thepolicenearlygotusasitwas。Notthesameone——amuchstrongersort。Hethoughtitreallywasafoundlingorphanwe’dgot。Ifithadn’tbeenformethrowingthetwobagsofcatslapinhiseyeandhaulingRobertoverarailing，andlyinglikemiceunderalaurel-bush——Well，it’sjollyluckyI’magoodshot，that’sall。Heprancedoffwhenhe’dgotthecat-bagsoffhisface——thoughtwe’dbolted。Andhereweare。’
　　Thegentlesamishnessofthemilkswishingintothehand-bowlseemedtohavesoothedtheburglarverymuch。Hewentonmilkinginasortofhappydream，whilethechildrengotacapandladledthewarmmilkoutintothepie-dishesandplates，andplattersandsaucers，andsetthemdowntothemusicofPersianpurrsandlappings。
　　’Itmakesmethinkofoldtimes，’saidtheburglar，smearinghisraggedcoat-cuffacrosshiseyes——’abouttheapplesintheorchardathome，andtheratsatthreshingtime，andtherabbitsandtheferrets，andhowprettyitwasseeingthepigskilled。’
　　Findinghiminthissoftenedmood，Janesaid——
　　’Iwishyou’dtellushowyoucametochooseourhouseforyourburglaringto-night。Iamawfullygladyoudid。Youhavebeensokind。Idon’tknowwhatweshouldhavedonewithoutyou，’sheaddedhastily。’Weallloveyoueverso。Dotellus。’
　　Theothersaddedtheiraffectionateentreaties，andatlasttheburglarsaid——
　　’Well，it’smyfirstjob，andIdidn’texpecttobemadesowelcome，andthat’sthetruth，younggentsandladies。AndIdon’tknowbutwhatitwon’tbemylast。Forthis’erecow，sheremindsmeofmyfather，andIknow’ow’e’d’ave’idedmeifI’dlaid’andsona’a’pennyaswasn’tmyown。’
　　’I’msurehewould，’Janeagreedkindly；’butwhatmadeyoucomehere？’
　　’Well，miss，’saidtheburglar，’youknowbest’owyoucomebythemcats，andwhyyoudon’tlikethepolice，soI’llgivemyselfawayfree，andtrusttoyournoble’earts。（You’dbestbaleoutabit，thepan’sgettingfullish。）Iwasa-sellingorangesoffofmybarrow——forIain’taburglarbytrade，thoughyou’aveusedthenamesofree——an’therewasaladyboughtthree’a’porthoffme。
　　An’whileshewasa-pickin’ofthemout——verycarefulindeed，andI’malwaysgladwhenthemsortgetsafewover-ripeones——therewastwootherladiestalkin’overthefence。An’oneon’emsaidtotheotheron’emjustlikethis——
　　"’I’vetoldbothgellstocome，andtheycandossinwithM’riaandJane，’causetheirbossandhismissisismilesawayandthekidstoo。Sotheycanjustlockupthe’ouseandleavethegasa-burning，so’snoonewon’tknow，andgetbackbrightan’earlyby’leveno’clock。Andwe’llmakeanightofit，MrsProsser，sowewill。I’mjusta-goingtorunouttopoptheletterinthepost。"
　　Andthentheladywhathadchosenthethreeha’porthsocareful，shesaid："Lor，MrsWigson，Iwonderatyou，andyourhandsalloversuds。Thisgoodgentleman’llslipitintothepostforyer，I’llbebound，seeingI’macustomerofhis。"Sotheygivemetheletter，andofcourseIreadthedirectionwhatwaswrittenonitaforeIshoveditintothepost。AndthenwhenI’dsoldmybarrowful，Iwasa-goin’’omewiththechinkinmypocket，andI’mblowedifsomebloomin’thievin’beggardidn’tnickthelotwhilstIwasjusta-wettin’ofmywhistle，forcallin’oforangesisdrywork。Nickedthebloomin’lot’edid——andmewithnotafardentotake’ometomybrotherandhismissus。’
　　’Howawful！’saidAnthea，withmuchsympathy。
　　’Horfulindeed，miss，Ibelieveyer，’theburglarrejoined，withdeepfeeling。’Youdon’tknowhertemperwhenshe’sroused。An’
　　I’msureI’opeyounevermay，neither。AndI’d’adallmyorangesoffof’em。Soitcamebacktomewhatwaswroteontheongverlope，andIsaystomyself，"Whynot，seein’asI’vebeendonemyself，andiftheykeepstwoslaveystheremustbesomepickings？"An’so’ereIam。Butthemcats，they’vebroughtmebacktothewaysofhonestness。Nevernomore。’
　　’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’thesecatsareveryvaluable——veryindeed。Andwewillgivethemalltoyou，ifonlyyouwilltakethemaway。’
　　’Iseethey’reabreedylot，’repliedtheburglar。’ButIdon’twantnobotherwiththecoppers。Didyoucomebythemhonestnow？
　　Straight？’
　　’Theyareallourveryown，’saidAnthea，’wewantedthem，buttheconfidement——’
　　’Consignment，’whisperedCyril。
　　’waslargerthanwewanted，andthey’reanawfulbother。Ifyougotyourbarrow，andsomesacksorbaskets，yourbrother’smissuswouldbeawfullypleased。MyfathersaysPersiancatsareworthpoundsandpoundseach。’
　　’Well，’saidtheburglar——andhewascertainlymovedbyherremarks——’Iseeyou’reinahole——andIdon’tmindlendingahelping’and。Idon’task’owyoucomebythem。ButI’vegotapal——’e’samarkoncats。I’llfetchhimalong，andifhethinksthey’dfetchanythingabovetheirskinsIdon’tminddoin’youakindness。’
　　’Youwon’tgoawayandnevercomeback，’saidJane，’becauseI
　　don’tthinkICOULDbearthat。’
　　Theburglar，quitetouchedbyheremotion，sworesentimentallythat，aliveordead，hewouldcomeback。
　　Thenhewent，andCyrilandRobertsentthegirlstobedandsatuptowaitforhisreturn。Itsoonseemedabsurdtoawaithiminastateofwakefulness，buthisstealthytaponthewindowawokethemreadilyenough。Forhedidreturn，withthepalandthebarrowandthesacks。Thepalapprovedofthecats，nowdormantinPersianrepletion，andtheywerebundledintothesacks，andtakenawayonthebarrow——mewing，indeed，butwithmewstoosleepytoattractpublicattention。
　　’I’mafence——that’swhatIam，’saidtheburglargloomily。’I
　　neverthoughtI’dcomedowntothis，andallacauseermykind’eart。’
　　Cyrilknewthatafenceisareceiverofstolengoods，andherepliedbriskly——
　　’Igiveyoumysacredthecatsaren’tstolen。Whatdoyoumakethetime？’
　　’Iain’tgotthetimeonme，’saidthepal——’butitwasjustaboutchucking-outtimeasIcomebythe"BullandGate"。Ishouldn’twonderifitwasnighupononenow。’
　　Whenthecatshadbeenremoved，andtheboysandtheburglarhadpartedwithwarmexpressionsoffriendship，thereremainedonlythecow。
　　’Shemuststayallnight，’saidRobert。’Cook’llhaveafitwhensheseesher。’
　　’Allnight？’saidCyril。’Why——it’stomorrowmorningifit’sone。
　　Wecanhaveanotherwish！’
　　Sothecarpetwasurged，inahastilywrittennote，toremovethecowtowherevershebelonged，andtoreturntoitsproperplaceonthenurseryfloor。Butthecowcouldnotbegottomoveontothecarpet。SoRobertgottheclotheslineoutofthebackkitchen，andtiedoneendveryfirmlytothecow’shorns，andtheotherendtoabunched-upcornerofthecarpet，andsaid’Fireaway。’
　　Andthecarpetandcowvanishedtogether，andtheboyswenttobed，tiredoutandonlytoothankfulthattheeveningatlastwasover。
　　Nextmorningthecarpetlaycalmlyinitsplace，butonecornerwasverybadlytorn。Itwasthecornerthatthecowhadbeentiedonto。
　　CHAPTER9
　　THEBURGLAR’SBRIDE
　　ThemorningaftertheadventureofthePersiancats，themusk-rats，thecommoncow，andtheuncommonburglar，allthechildrenslepttillitwasteno’clock；andthenitwasonlyCyrilwhowoke；butheattendedtotheothers，sothatbyhalfpastteneveryonewasreadytohelptogetbreakfast。Itwasshiverycold，andtherewasbutlittleinthehousethatwasreallywortheating。
　　Roberthadarrangedathoughtfullittlesurprisefortheabsentservants。Hehadmadeaneatanddelightfulboobytrapoverthekitchendoor，andassoonastheyheardthefrontdoorclickopenandknewtheservantshadcomeback，allfourchildrenhidinthecupboardunderthestairsandlistenedwithdelighttotheentrance——thetumble，thesplash，thescuffle，andtheremarksoftheservants。Theyheardthecooksayitwasajudgementonthemforleavingtheplacetoitself；sheseemedtothinkthataboobytrapwasakindofplantthatwasquitelikelytogrow，allbyitself，inadwellingthatwasleftshutup。Butthehousemaid，moreacute，judgedthatsomeonemusthavebeeninthehouse——aviewconfirmedbythesightofthebreakfastthingsonthenurserytable。
　　Thecupboardunderthestairswasverytightandparaffiny，however，andasilentstruggleforaplaceontopendedinthedoorburstingopenanddischargingJane，whorolledlikeafootballtothefeetoftheservants。
　　’Now，’saidCyril，firmly，whenthecook’shystericshadbecomequieter，andthehousemaidhadtimetosaywhatshethoughtofthem，’don’tyoubeginjawingus。Wearen’tgoingtostandit。Weknowtoomuch。You’llpleasemakeanextraspecialtreacleroleyfordinner，andwe’llhaveatinnedtongue。’
　　’Idaresay，’saidthehousemaid，indignant，stillinheroutdoorthingsandwithherhatverymuchononeside。’Don’tyoucomea-threateningme，MasterCyril，becauseIwon’tstandit，soItellyou。Youtellyourmaaboutusbeingout？MuchIcare！She’llbesorryformewhenshehearsaboutmydeargreat-auntbymarriageasbroughtmeupfromachildandwasamothertome。Shesentforme，shedid，shewasn’texpectedtolastthenight，fromthespasmsgoingtoherlegs——andcookwasthatkindandcarefulshecouldn’tletmegoalone，so——’
　　’Don’t，’saidAnthea，inrealdistress。’Youknowwhereliarsgoto，Eliza——atleastifyoudon’t——’
　　’Liarsindeed！’saidEliza，’Iwon’tdemeanmyselftalkingtoyou。’
　　’How’sMrsWigson？’saidRobert，’andDIDyoukeepituplastnight？’
　　Themouthofthehousemaidfellopen。
　　’DidyoudosswithMariaorEmily？’askedCyril。
　　’HowdidMrsProsserenjoyherself？’askedJane。
　　’Forbear，’saidCyril，’they’vehadenough。Whetherwetellornotdependsonyourlaterlife，’hewenton，addressingtheservants。
　　’Ifyouaredecenttouswe’llbedecenttoyou。You’dbettermakethattreacleroley——andifIwereyou，Eliza，I’ddoalittlehouseworkandcleaning，justforachange。’
　　Theservantsgaveinonceandforall。
　　’There’snothinglikefirmness，’Cyrilwenton，whenthebreakfastthingswereclearedawayandthechildrenwerealoneinthenursery。’Peoplearealwaystalkingofdifficultieswithservants。
　　It’squitesimple，whenyouknowtheway。Wecandowhatwelikenowandtheywon’tpeach。Ithinkwe’vebrokenTHEIRproudspirit。
　　Let’sgosomewherebycarpet。’
　　’Iwouldn’tifIwereyou，’saidthePhoenix，yawning，asitswoopeddownfromitsroostonthecurtainpole。’I’vegivenyouoneortwohints，butnowconcealmentisatanend，andIseeI
　　mustspeakout。’
　　Itperchedonthebackofachairandswayedtoandfro，likeaparrotonaswing。
　　’What’sthematternow？’saidAnthea。Shewasnotquitesogentleasusual，becauseshewasstillwearyfromtheexcitementoflastnight’scats。’I’mtiredofthingshappening。Ishan’tgoanywhereonthecarpet。I’mgoingtodarnmystockings。’
　　’Darn！’saidthePhoenix，’darn！Fromthoseyounglipsthesestrangeexpressions——’
　　’Mend，then，’saidAnthea，’withaneedleandwool。’
　　ThePhoenixopenedandshutitswingsthoughtfully。
　　’Yourstockings，’itsaid，’aremuchlessimportantthantheynowappeartoyou。Butthecarpet——lookatthebarewornpatches，lookatthegreatrentatyondercorner。Thecarpethasbeenyourfaithfulfriend——yourwillingservant。Howhaveyourequiteditsdevotedservice？’
　　’DearPhoenix，’Antheaurged，’don’ttalkinthathorridlecturingtone。YoumakemefeelasifI’ddonesomethingwrong。Andreallyitisawishingcarpet，andwehaven’tdoneanythingelsetoit——onlywishes。’
　　’Onlywishes，’repeatedthePhoenix，rufflingitsneckfeathersangrily，’andwhatsortofwishes？Wishingpeopletobeinagoodtemper，forinstance。Whatcarpetdidyoueverhearofthathadsuchawishaskedofit？Butthisnoblefabric，onwhichyoutramplesorecklessly’（everyoneremoveditsbootsfromthecarpetandstoodonthelinoleum），’thiscarpetneverflinched。Itdidwhatyouasked，butthewearandtearmusthavebeenawful。Andthenlastnight——Idon’tblameyouaboutthecatsandtherats，forthosewereitsownchoice；butwhatcarpetcouldstandaheavycowhangingontoitatonecorner？’
　　’Ishouldthinkthecatsandratswereworse，’saidRobert，’lookatalltheirclaws。’
　　’Yes，’saidthebird，’eleventhousandninehundredandfortyofthem——Idaresayyounoticed？Ishouldbesurprisedifthesehadnotlefttheirmark。’
　　’Goodgracious，’saidJane，sittingdownsuddenlyonthefloor，andpattingtheedgeofthecarpetsoftly；’doyoumeanit’sWEARINGOUT？’
　　’Itslifewithyouhasnotbeenaluxuriousone，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’Frenchmudtwice。Sandofsunnyshorestwice。Soakinginsouthernseasonce。Indiaonce。GoodnessknowswhereinPersiaonce。musk-rat-landonce。Andonce，whereverthecowcamefrom。
　　Holdyourcarpetuptothelight，andwithcautioustenderness，ifYOUplease。’
　　Withcautioustendernesstheboysheldthecarpetuptothelight；
　　thegirlslooked，andashiverofregretranthroughthemastheysawhowthoseeleventhoousandninehundredandfortyclawshadrunthroughthecarpet。Itwasfulloflittleholes：thereweresomelargeones，andmorethanonethinplace。Atonecornerastripofitwastorn，andhungforlornly。
　　’Wemustmendit，’saidAnthea；’nevermindaboutmystockings。I
　　cansewthemupinlumpswithsewingcottonifthere’snotimetodothemproperly。Iknowit’sawfulandnogirlwouldwhorespectedherself，andallthat；butthepoordearcarpet’smoreimportantthanmysillystockings。Let’sgooutnowthisveryminute。’
　　Soouttheyallwent，andboughtwooltomendthecarpet；butthereisnoshopinCamdenTownwhereyoucanbuywishing-wool，no，norinKentishTowneither。However，ordinaryScotchheather-mixturefingeringseemedgoodenough，andthistheybought，andallthat-dayJaneandAntheadarnedanddarnedanddarned。Theboyswentoutforawalkintheafternoon，andthegentlePhoenixpacedupanddownthetable——forexercise，asitsaid——andtalkedtotheindustriousgirlsabouttheircarpet。
　　’Itisnotanordinary，ignorant，innocentcarpetfromKidderminster，’itsaid，’itisacarpetwithapast——aPersianpast。Doyouknowthatinhappieryears，whenthatcarpetwasthepropertyofcaliphs，viziers，kings，andsultans，itneverlayonafloor？’
　　’Ithoughtthefloorwastheproperhomeofacarpet，’Janeinterrupted。
　　’NotofaMAGICcarpet，’saidthePhoenix；’why，ifithadbeenallowedtolieaboutonfloorstherewouldn’tbemuchofitleftnow。No，indeed！Ithaslivedinchestsofcedarwood，inlaidwithpearlandivory，wrappedinpricelesstissuesofclothofgold，embroideredwithgemsoffabulousvalue。Ithasreposedinthesandal-woodcasketsofprincesses，andintherose-attar-scentedtreasure-housesofkings。Never，never，hadanyonedegradeditbywalkingonit——exceptinthewayofbusiness，whenwisheswererequired，andthentheyalwaystooktheirshoesoff。AndYOU——’
　　’Oh，DON’T！’saidJane，veryneartears。’Youknowyou’dneverhavebeenhatchedatallifithadn’tbeenformotherwantingacarpetforustowalkon。’
　　’Youneedn’thavewalkedsomuchorsohard！’saidthebird，’butcome，drythatcrystaltear，andIwillrelatetoyouthestoryofthePrincessZulieka，thePrinceofAsia，andthemagiccarpet。’
　　’Relateaway，’saidAnthea——’Imean，pleasedo。’
　　’ThePrincessZulieka，fairestofroyalladies，’beganthebird，’hadinhercradlebeenthesubjectofseveralenchantments。Hergrandmotherhadbeeninherday——’
　　ButwhatinherdayZulieka’sgrandmotherhadbeenwasdestinednevertoberevealed，forCyrilandRobertsuddenlyburstintotheroom，andoneachbrowwerethetracesofdeepemotion。OnCyril’spalebrowstoodbeadsofagitationandperspiration，andonthescarletbrowofRobertwasalargeblacksmear。
　　’Whatailsyeboth？’askedthePhoenix，anditaddedtartlythatstory-tellingwasquiteimpossibleifpeoplewouldcomeinterruptinglikethat。
　　’Oh，doshutup，foranysake！’saidCyril，sinkingintoachair。
　　Robertsmoothedtheruffledgoldenfeathers，addingkindly——
　　’Squirreldoesn’tmeantobeabeast。It’sonlythattheMOST
　　AWFULthinghashappened，andstoriesdon’tseemtomattersomuch。
　　Don’tbecross。Youwon’tbewhenyou’veheardwhat’shappened。’
　　’Well，whatHAShappened？’saidthebird，stillrathercrossly；andAntheaandJanepausedwithlongneedlespoisedinair，andlongneedlefulsofScotchheather-mixturefingeringwooldroopingfromthem。
　　’Themostawfulthingyoucanpossiblythinkof，’saidCyril。
　　’Thatnicechap——ourownburglar——thepolicehavegothim，onsuspicionofstolencats。That’swhathisbrother’smissistoldme。’
　　’Oh，beginatthebeginning！’criedAntheaimpatiently。
　　’Well，then，wewentout，anddownbywheretheundertaker’sis，withthechinaflowersinthewindow——youknow。Therewasacrowd，andofcoursewewenttohaveasquint。Anditwastwobobbiesandourburglarbetweenthem，andhewasbeingdraggedalong；andhesaid，"ItellyouthemcatswasGIVEme。Igot’eminexchangeformemilkingacowinabasementparlourupCamdenTownway。"
　　’Andthepeoplelaughed。Beasts！Andthenoneofthepolicemensaidperhapshecouldgivethenameandaddressofthecow，andhesaid，no，hecouldn’t；buthecouldtakethemthereifthey’donlyleavegoofhiscoatcollar，andgivehimachancetogethisbreath。Andthepolicemansaidhecouldtellallthattothemagistrateinthemorning。Hedidn’tseeus，andsowecameaway。’
　　’Oh，Cyril，howCOULDyou？’saidAnthea。
　　’Don’tbeapudding-head，’Cyriladvised。’Afatlotofgooditwouldhavedoneifwe’dlethimseeus。Noonewouldhavebelievedawordwesaid。They’dhavethoughtwewerekidding。Wedidbetterthanlethimseeus。Weaskedaboywherehelivedandhetoldus，andwewentthere，andit’salittlegreengrocer’sshop，andweboughtsomeBrazilnuts。Heretheyare。’ThegirlswavedawaytheBrazilnutswithloathingandcontempt。
　　’Well，wehadtobuySOMETHING，andwhileweweremakingupourmindswhattobuyweheardhisbrother’smissistalking。Shesaidwhenhecamehomewithallthemmiaoulersshethoughttherewasmoreinitthanmettheeye。ButheWOULDgooutthismorningwiththetwolikeliestofthem，oneundereacharm。Shesaidhesentherouttobuyblueribbontoputroundtheirbeastlynecks，andshesaidifhegotthreemonths’harditwasherdyingwordthathe’dgottheblueribbontothankforit；that，andhisownsillythievingways，takingcatsthatanybodywouldknowhecouldn’thavecomebyinthewayofbusiness，insteadofthingsthatwouldn’thavebeenmissed，whichLordknowsthereareplentysuch，and——’
　　’Oh，STOP！’criedJane。Andindeeditwastime，forCyrilseemedlikeaclockthathadbeenwoundup，andcouldnothelpgoingon。
　　’Whereishenow？’
　　’Atthepolice-station，’saidRobert，forCyrilwasoutofbreath。
　　’Theboytoldusthey’dputhiminthecells，andwouldbringhimupbeforetheBeakinthemorning。Ithoughtitwasajollylarklastnight——gettinghimtotakethecats——butnow——’
　　’Theendofalark，’saidthePhoenix，’istheBeak。’
　　’Let’sgotohim，’criedboththegirlsjumpingup。’Let’sgoandtellthetruth。TheyMUSTbelieveus。’
　　’TheyCAN’T，’saidCyril。’Justthink！Ifanyonecametoyouwithsuchatale，youcouldn’tbelieveit，howevermuchyoutried。
　　Weshouldonlymixthingsupworseforhim。’
　　’Theremustbesomethingwecoulddo，’saidJane，sniffingverymuch——’myowndearpetburglar！Ican’tbearit。Andhewassonice，thewayhetalkedabouthisfather，andhowhewasgoingtobesoextrahonest。DearPhoenix，youMUSTbeabletohelpus。
　　You’resogoodandkindandprettyandclever。Do，dotelluswhattodo。’
　　ThePhoenixrubbeditsbeakthoughtfullywithitsclaw。
　　’Youmightrescuehim，’itsaid，’andconcealhimhere，tillthelaw-supportershadforgottenabouthim。’
　　’Thatwouldbeagesandages，’saidCyril，’andwecouldn’tconcealhimhere。Fathermightcomehomeatanymoment，andifhefoundtheburglarhereHEwouldn’tbelievethetruetruthanymorethanthepolicewould。That’stheworstofthetruth。Nobodyeverbelievesit。Couldn’twetakehimsomewhereelse？’
　　Janeclappedherhands。
　　’Thesunnysouthernshore！’shecried，’wherethecookisbeingqueen。Heandshewouldbecompanyforeachother！’
　　Andreallytheideadidnotseembad，ifonlyhewouldconsenttogo。
　　So，alltalkingatonce，thechildrenarrangedtowaittillevening，andthentoseekthedearburglarinhislonelycell。
　　MeantimeJaneandAntheadarnedawayashardastheycould，tomakethecarpetasstrongaspossible。Forallfelthowterribleitwouldbeifthepreciousburglar，whilebeingcarriedtothesunnysouthernshore，weretotumblethroughaholeinthecarpet，andbelostforeverinthesunnysouthernsea。
　　TheservantsweretiredafterMrsWigson’sparty，soeveryonewenttobedearly，andwhenthePhoenixreportedthatbothservantsweresnoringinaheartfeltandcandidmanner，thechildrengotup——theyhadneverundressed；justputtingtheirnightgownsonovertheirthingshadbeenenoughtodeceiveElizawhenshecametoturnoutthegas。Sotheywerereadyforanything，andtheystoodonthecarpetandsaid——
　　’Iwishwewereinourburglar’slonelycell。’andinstantlytheywere。
　　Ithinkeveryonehadexpectedthecelltobethe’deepestdungeonbelowthecastlemoat’。Iamsurenoonehaddoubtedthattheburglar，chainedbyheavyfetterstoaringinthedampstonewall，wouldbetossinguneasilyonabedofstraw，withapitcherofwaterandamoulderingcrust，untasted，besidehim。Robert，rememberingtheundergroundpassageandthetreasure，hadbroughtacandleandmatches，butthesewerenotneeded。