Thecellwasalittlewhite-washedroomabouttwelvefeetlongandsixfeetwide。Ononesideofitwasasortofshelfslopingalittletowardsthewall。Onthisweretworugs，stripedblueandyellow，andawater-proofpillow。Rolledintherugs，andwithhisheadonthepillow，laytheburglar，fastasleep。（Hehadhadhistea，thoughthisthechildrendidnotknow——ithadcomefromthecoffee-shoproundthecorner，inverythickcrockery。）Thescenewasplainlyrevealedbythelightofagas-lampinthepassageoutside，whichshoneintothecellthroughapaneofthickglassoverthedoor。
’Ishallgaghim，’saidCyril，’andRobertwillholdhimdown。
AntheaandJaneandthePhoenixcanwhispersoftnothingstohimwhilehegraduallyawakes。’
Thisplandidnothavethesuccessitdeserved，becausetheburglar，curiouslyenough，wasmuchstronger，eveninhissleep，thanRobertandCyril，andatthefirsttouchoftheirhandsheleaptupandshoutedoutsomethingveryloudindeed。
Instantlystepswereheardoutside。Antheathrewherarmsroundtheburglarandwhispered——
’It’sus——theonesthatgaveyouthecats。We’vecometosaveyou，onlydon’tletonwe’rehere。Can’twehidesomewhere？’
Heavybootssoundedontheflaggedpassageoutside，andafirmvoiceshouted——
’Here——you——stopthatrow，willyou？’
’Allright，governor，’repliedtheburglar，stillwithAnthea’sarmsroundhim；’Iwasonlya-talkinginmysleep。Nooffence。’
Itwasanawfulmoment。Wouldthebootsandthevoicecomein。
Yes！No！Thevoicesaid——
’Well，stowit，willyou？’
Andthebootswentheavilyaway，alongthepassageandupsomesoundingstonestairs。
’Nowthen，’whisperedAnthea。
’HowtheblueMosesdidyougetin？’askedtheburglar，inahoarsewhisperofamazement。
’Onthecarpet，’saidJane，truly。
’Stowthat，’saidtheburglar。’OneonyouIcould’a’swallowed，butfour——ANDayellowfowl。’
’Lookhere，’saidCyril，sternly，’youwouldn’thavebelievedanyoneifthey’dtoldyoubeforehandaboutyourfindingacowandallthosecatsinournursery。’
’ThatIwouldn’t，’saidtheburglar，withwhisperedfervour，’sohelpmeBob，Iwouldn’t。’
’Well，then，’Cyrilwenton，ignoringthisappealtohisbrother，’justtrytobelievewhatwetellyouandactaccordingly。Itcan’tdoyouanyHARM，youknow，’hewentoninhoarsewhisperedearnestness。’Youcan’tbeverymuchworseoffthanyouarenow，youknow。Butifyou’lljusttrusttouswe’llgetyououtofthisrightenough。Noonesawuscomein。Thequestionis，wherewouldyouliketogo？’
’I’dliketogotoBoolong，’wastheinstantreplyoftheburglar。
’I’vealwayswantedtogoonthattheretrip，butI’venever’adthereadyattherighttimeoftheyear。’
’BoolongisatownlikeLondon，’saidCyril，wellmeaning，butinaccurate，’howcouldyougetalivingthere？’
Theburglarscratchedhisheadindeepdoubt。
’It’s’ardtogeta’onestlivinganywheresnowadays，’hesaid，andhisvoicewassad。
’Yes，isn’tit？’saidJane，sympathetically；’buthowaboutasunnysouthernshore，wherethere’snothingtodoatallunlessyouwantto。’
’That’smybillet，miss，’repliedtheburglar。’Ineverdidcareaboutwork——notlikesomepeople，alwaysfussingabout。’
’Didyouneverlikeanysortofwork？’askedAnthea，severely。
’Lor’，lumme，yes，’heanswered，’gardeningwasmy’obby，soitwas。Butfatherdiedafore’ecouldbindmetoanurseryman，an’——
’
’We’lltakeyoutothesunnysouthernshore，’saidJane；’you’venoideawhattheflowersarelike。’
’Ouroldcook’sthere，’saidAnthea。’She’squeen——’
’Oh，chuckit，’theburglarwhispered，clutchingathisheadwithbothhands。’IknowedthefirstminuteIseethemcatsandthatcowasitwasajudgementonme。Idon’tknownowwhetherI’ma-standingonmyhatormyboots，sohelpmeIdon’t。IfyouCAN
getmeout，getme，andifyoucan’t，getalongwithyouforgoodness’sake，andgivemeachansttothinkaboutwhat’llbemostlikelytogodownwiththeBeakinthemorning。’
’Comeontothecarpet，then，’saidAnthea，gentlyshoving。Theothersquietlypulled，andthemomentthefeetoftheburglarwereplantedonthecarpetAntheawished：
’Iwishwewereallonthesunnysouthernshorewherecookis。’
Andinstantlytheywere。Thereweretherainbowsands，thetropicgloriesofleafandflower，andthere，ofcourse，wasthecook，crownedwithwhiteflowers，andwithallthewrinklesofcrossnessandtirednessandhardworkwipedoutofherface。
’Why，cook，you’requitepretty！’Antheasaid，assoonasshehadgotherbreathafterthetumble-rush-whirlofthecarpet。Theburglarstoodrubbinghiseyesinthebrillianttropicsunlight，andgazingwildlyroundhimonthevividhuesofthetropicland。
’Pennyplainandtuppencecoloured！’heexclaimedpensively，’andwellworthanytuppence，howeverhard-earned。’
Thecookwasseatedonagrassymoundwithhercourtofcopper-colouredsavagesaroundher。Theburglarpointedagrimyfingeratthese。
’Aretheytame？’heaskedanxiously。’Dotheybiteorscratch，ordoanythingtoyerwithpoisonedarrowsoroystershellsorthat？’
’Don’tyoubesotimid，’saidthecook。’Look’e’ere，this’ere’sonlyadreamwhatyou’vecomeinto，an’asit’sonlyadreamthere’snononsenseaboutwhatayoungladylikemeoughttosayornot，soI’llsayyou’rethebest-lookingfellowI’veseenthismanyaday。Andthedreamgoesonandon，seemingly，aslongasyoubehaves。Thethingswhatyouhastoeatanddrinktastesjustasgoodasrealones，and——’
’Look’ere，’saidtheburglar，’I’vecome’erestraightouterthepleecestation。These’erekids’lltellyouitain’tnoblameermine。’
’Well，youWEREaburglar，youknow，’saidthetruthfulAntheagently。
’OnlybecauseIwasdruvtoitbydishonestblokes，aswellyouknows，miss，’rejoinedthecriminal。’Blowedifthisain’tthe’ottestJanuaryasI’veknownforyears。’
’Wouldn’tyoulikeabath？’askedthequeen，’andsomewhiteclotheslikeme？’
’Ishouldonlylookajugginsin’em，miss，thankingyouallthesame，’wasthereply；’butabathIwouldn’tresist，andmyshirtwasonlycleanonweekbeforelast。’
CyrilandRobertledhimtoarockypool，wherehebathedluxuriously。Then，inshirtandtrousershesatonthesandandspoke。
’Thatcook，orqueen，orwhateveryoucallher——herwiththewhitebokayonher’ed——she’smysort。Wonderifshe’dkeepcompany！’
’Ishouldaskher。’
’Iwasalwaysaquickhitter，’themanwenton；’it’sawordandablowwithme。Iwill。’
Inshirtandtrousers，andcrownedwithascentedflowerywreathwhichCyrilhastilywoveastheyreturnedtothecourtofthequeen，theburglarstoodbeforethecookandspoke。
’Look’ere，miss，’hesaid。’Youan’mebeing’allforlorn-like，bothonus，inthis’eredream，orwhateveryoucallsit，I’dliketotellyoustraightasIlikesyerlooks。’
Thecooksmiledandlookeddownbashfully。
’I’masingleman——whatyoumightcallabatcheldore。I’mmildinmy’abits，whichthesekids’lltellyouthesame，andI’dliketo’avethepleasureofwalkin’outwithyounextSunday。’
’Lor！’saidthequeencook，’’owsuddenyouare，mister。’
’Walkingoutmeansyou’regoingtobemarried，’saidAnthea。’Whynotgetmarriedandhavedonewithit？_I_would。’
’Idon’tmindifIdo，’saidtheburglar。Butthecooksaid——
’No，miss。Notme，noteveninadream。Idon’tsayanythinkag’intheyoungchap’slooks，butIalwayssworeI’dbemarriedinchurch，ifatall——and，anyway，Idon’tbelievetheseheresavageswouldknowhowtokeeparegisteringoffice，evenifIwastoshowthem。No，mister，thankingyoukindly，ifyoucan’tbringaclergymanintothedreamI’llliveanddielikewhatIam。’
’Willyoumarryherifwegetaclergyman？’askedthematch-makingAnthea。
’I’magreeable，miss，Imsure，’saidhe，pullinghiswreathstraight。’’Owthis’erebokaydotiddleachap’searstobesure！’
So，veryhurriedly，thecarpetwasspreadout，andinstructedtofetchaclergyman。TheinstructionswerewrittenontheinsideofCyril’scapwithapieceofbilliardchalkRoberthadgotfromthemarkeratthehotelatLyndhurst。Thecarpetdisappeared，andmorequicklythanyouwouldhavethoughtpossibleitcameback，bearingonitsbosomtheReverendSeptimusBlenkinsop。
TheReverendSeptimuswasratheraniceyoungman，butverymuchmazedandmuddled，becausewhenhesawastrangecarpetlaidoutathisfeet，inhisownstudy，henaturallywalkedonittoexamineitmoreclosely。AndhehappenedtostandononeofthethinplacesthatJaneandAntheahaddarned，sothathewashalfonwishingcarpetandhalfonplainScotchheather-mixturefingering，whichhasnomagicpropertiesatall。
Theeffectofthiswasthathewasonlyhalfthere——sothatthechildrencouldjustseethroughhim，asthoughhehadbeenaghost。
Andasforhim，hesawthesunnysouthernshore，thecookandtheburglarandthechildrenquiteplainly；butthroughthemallhesaw，quiteplainlyalso，hisstudyathome，withthebooksandthepicturesandthemarbleclockthathadbeenpresentedtohimwhenhelefthislastsituation。
Heseemedtohimselftobeinasortofinsanefit，sothatitdidnotmatterwhathedid——andhemarriedtheburglartothecook。
Thecooksaidthatshewouldratherhavehadasoliderkindofaclergyman，onethatyoucouldn’tseethroughsoplain，butperhapsthiswasrealenoughforadream。
Andofcoursetheclergyman，thoughmisty，wasreallyreal，andabletomarrypeople，andhedid。Whentheceremonywasovertheclergymanwanderedabouttheislandcollectingbotanicalspecimens，forhewasagreatbotanist，andtherulingpassionwasstrongeveninaninsanefit。
Therewasasplendidweddingfeast。CanyoufancyJaneandAnthea，andRobertandCyril，dancingmerrilyinaring，hand-in-handwithcopper-colouredsavages，roundthehappycouple，thequeencookandtheburglarconsort？Thereweremoreflowersgatheredandthrownthanyouhaveeverevendreamedof，andbeforethechildrentookcarpetforhomethenowmarried-and-settledburglarmadeaspeech。
’Ladiesandgentlemen，’hesaid，’andsavagesofbothkinds，onlyIknowyoucan’tunderstandwhatI’masayingof，butwe’llletthatpass。Ifthisisadream，I’mon。Ifitain’t，I’monnerthanever。Ifit’sbetwixtandbetween——well，I’mhonest，andI
can’tsaymore。Idon’twantnomore’ighLondonsociety——I’vegotsomeonetoputmyarmaroundof；andI’vegotthewholelotofthis’ereislandformyallotment，andifIdon’tgrowsomebroccolias’llopenthejudge’seyeatthecottageflowershows，well，strikemepink！AllIaskis，astheseyounggentsandladies’llbringsomeparsleyseedintothedream，andapenn’orthofradishseed，andthreepenn’orthofonion，andIwouldn’tmindgoin’tofourpenceorfippenceformixedkale，onlyIain’tgotabrown，soIdon’tdeceiveyou。Andthere’sonethingmore，youmighttakeawaytheparson。Idon’tlikethingswhatIcansee’alfthrough，sohere’show！’Hedrainedacoconut-shellofpalmwine。
Itwasnowpastmidnight——thoughitwastea-timeontheisland。
Withallgoodwishesthechildrentooktheirleave。Theyalsocollectedtheclergymanandtookhimbacktohisstudyandhispresentationclock。
ThePhoenixkindlycarriedtheseedsnextdaytotheburglarandhisbride，andreturnedwiththemostsatisfactorynewsofthehappypair。
’He’smadeawoodenspadeandstartedonhisallotment，’itsaid，’andsheisweavinghimashirtandtrousersofthemostradiantwhiteness。’
Thepoliceneverknewhowtheburglargotaway。InKentishTownPoliceStationhisescapeisstillspokenofwithbatedbreathasthePersianmystery。
AsfortheReverendSeptimusBlenkinsop，hefeltthathehadhadaveryinsanefitindeed，andhewassureitwasduetoover-study。
Soheplannedalittledissipation，andtookhistwomaidenauntstoParis，wheretheyenjoyedadazzlingroundofmuseumsandpicturegalleries，andcamebackfeelingthattheyhadindeedseenlife。Henevertoldhisauntsoranyoneelseaboutthemarriageontheisland——becausenoonelikesittobegenerallyknownifhehashadinsanefits，howeverinterestingandunusual。
CHAPTER10
THEHOLEINTHECARPET
Hooray！hooray！hooray！
Mothercomeshometo-day；
Mothercomeshometo-day，Hooray！hooray！hooray！’
Janesangthissimplesongdirectlyafterbreakfast，andthePhoenixshedcrystaltearsofaffectionatesympathy。
’Howbeautiful，’itsaid，’isfilialdevotion！’
’Shewon’tbehometillpastbedtime，though，’saidRobert。’Wemighthaveonemorecarpet-day。’
Hewasgladthatmotherwascominghome——quiteglad，veryglad；butatthesametimethatgladnesswasrudelycontradictedbyaquitestrongfeelingofsorrow，becausenowtheycouldnotgooutalldayonthecarpet。
’Idowishwecouldgoandgetsomethingniceformother，onlyshe’dwanttoknowwherewegotit，’saidAnthea。’Andshe’dnever，neverbelieveit，thetruth。Peopleneverdo，somehow，ifit’satallinteresting。’
’I’lltellyouwhat，’saidRobert。’Supposewewishedthecarpettotakeussomewherewherewecouldfindapursewithmoneyinit——thenwecouldbuyhersomething。’
’Supposeittookussomewhereforeign，andthepursewascoveredwithstrangeEasterndevices，embroideredinrichsilks，andfullofmoneythatwasn’tmoneyatallhere，onlyforeigncuriosities，thenwecouldn’tspendit，andpeoplewouldbotheraboutwherewegotit，andweshouldn’tknowhowonearthtogetoutofitatall。’
Cyrilmovedthetableoffthecarpetashespoke，anditslegcaughtinoneofAnthea’sdarnsandrippedawaymostofit，aswellasalargeslitinthecarpet。
’Well，nowyouHAVEdoneit，’saidRobert。
ButAntheawasareallyfirst-classsister。ShedidnotsayawordtillshehadgotouttheScotchheather-mixturefingeringwoolandthedarning-needleandthethimbleandthescissors，andbythattimeshehadbeenabletogetthebetterofhernaturalwishtobethoroughlydisagreeable，andwasabletosayquitekindly——
’Nevermind，Squirrel，I’llsoonmendit。’
Cyrilthumpedherontheback。Heunderstoodexactlyhowshehadfelt，andhewasnotanungratefulbrother。
’Respectingthepursecontainingcoins，’thePhoenixsaid，scratchingitsinvisibleearthoughtfullywithitsshiningclaw，’itmightbeaswell，perhaps，tostateclearlytheamountwhichyouwishtofind，aswellasthecountrywhereyouwishtofindit，andthenatureofthecoinswhichyouprefer。Itwouldbeindeedacoldmomentwhenyoushouldfindapursecontainingbutthreeoboloi。’
’Howmuchisanoboloi？’
’Anobolisabouttwopencehalfpenny，’thePhoenixreplied。
’Yes，’saidJane，’andifyoufindapurseIsupposeitisonlybecausesomeonehaslostit，andyououghttotakeittothepoliceman。’
’Thesituation，’remarkedthePhoenix，’doesindeedbristlewithdifficulties。’
’Whataboutaburiedtreasure，’saidCyril，’andeveryonewasdeadthatitbelongedto？’
’Motherwouldn’tbelieveTHAT，’saidmorethanonevoice。
’Suppose，’saidRobert——’supposeweaskedtobetakenwherewecouldfindapurseandgiveitbacktothepersonitbelongedto，andtheywouldgiveussomethingforfindingit？’
’Wearen’tallowedtotakemoneyfromstrangers。Youknowwearen’t，Bobs，’saidAnthea，makingaknotattheendofaneedlefulofScotchheather-mixturefingeringwool（whichisverywrong，andyoumustneverdoitwhenyouaredarning）。
’No，THATwouldn’tdo，’saidCyril。’Let’schuckitandgototheNorthPole，orsomewherereallyinteresting。’
’No，’saidthegirlstogether，’theremustbeSOMEway。’
’Waitasec，’Antheaadded。’I’vegotanideacoming。Don’tspeak。’
Therewasasilenceasshepausedwiththedarning-needleintheair！Suddenlyshespoke：
’Isee。Let’stellthecarpettotakeussomewherewherewecangetthemoneyformother’spresent，and——and——andgetitsomewaythatshe’llbelieveinandnotthinkwrong。’
’Well，Imustsayyouarelearningthewaytogetthemostoutofthecarpet，’saidCyril。Hespokemoreheartilyandkindlythanusual，becauseherememberedhowAntheahadrefrainedfromsnarkinghimabouttearingthecarpet。
’Yes，’saidthePhoenix，’youcertainlyare。Andyouhavetorememberthatifyoutakeathingoutitdoesn’tstayin。’
Noonepaidanyattentiontothisremarkatthetime，butafterwardseveryonethoughtofit。
’Dohurryup，Panther，’saidRobert；andthatwaswhyAntheadidhurryup，andwhythebigdarninthemiddleofthecarpetwasallopenandwebbylikeafishingnet，nottightandcloselikewovencloth，whichiswhatagood，well-behaveddarnshouldbe。
Theneveryoneputonitsoutdoorthings，thePhoenixflutteredontothemantelpieceandarrangeditsgoldenfeathersintheglass，andallwasready。Everyonegotontothecarpet。
’Pleasegoslowly，dearcarpet，’Antheabegan；weliketoseewherewe’regoing。’Andthensheaddedthedifficultwishthathadbeendecidedon。
Nextmomentthecarpet，stiffandraftlike，wassailingovertheroofsofKentishTown。
’Iwish——No，Idon’tmeanthat。Imeanit’saPITYwearen’thigherup，’saidAnthea，astheedgeofthecarpetgrazedachimney-pot。
’That’sright。Becareful，’saidthePhoenix，inwarningtones。
’Ifyouwishwhenyou’reonawishingcarpet，youDOwish，andthere’sanendofit。’
Soforashorttimenoonespoke，andthecarpetsailedonincalmmagnificenceoverStPancrasandKing’sCrossstationsandoverthecrowdedstreetsofClerkenwell。
’We’regoingoutGreenwichway，’saidCyril，astheycrossedthestreakofrough，tumbledwaterthatwastheThames。’WemightgoandhavealookatthePalace。’
Onandonthecarpetswept，stillkeepingmuchnearertothechimney-potsthanthechildrenfoundatallcomfortable。Andthen，justoverNewCross，aterriblethinghappened。
JaneandRobertwereinthemiddleofthecarpet。Partofthemwasonthecarpet，andpartofthem——theheaviestpart——wasonthegreatcentraldarn。
’It’sallverymisty，’saidJane；’itlookspartlylikeoutofdoorsandpartlylikeinthenurseryathome。IfeelasifIwasgoingtohavemeasles；everythinglookedawfullyrumthen，remember。’
’Ifeeljustexactlythesame，’Robertsaid。
’It’sthehole，’saidthePhoenix；’it’snotmeasleswhateverthatpossessionmaybe。’
AndatthatbothRobertandJanesuddenly，andatonce，madeaboundtotryandgetontothesaferpartofthecarpet，andthedarngavewayandtheirbootswentup，andtheheavyheadsandbodiesofthemwentdownthroughthehole，andtheylandedinapositionsomethingbetweensittingandsprawlingontheflatleadsonthetopofahigh，grey，gloomy，respectablehousewhoseaddresswas705，AmershamRoad，NewCross。
Thecarpetseemedtoawakentonewenergyassoonasithadgotridoftheirweight，anditrosehighintheair。Theotherslaydownflatandpeepedovertheedgeoftherisingcarpet。
’Areyouhurt？’criedCyril，andRobertshouted’No，’andnextmomentthecarpethadspedaway，andJaneandRobertwerehiddenfromthesightoftheothersbyastackofsmokychimneys。
’Oh，howawful！’saidAnthea。
’Itmighthavebeenworse，’saidthePhoenix。’Whatwouldhavebeenthesentimentsofthesurvivorsifthatdarnhadgivenwaywhenwewerecrossingtheriver？’
’Yes，there’sthat，’saidCyril，recoveringhimself。’They’llbeallright。They’llhowltillsomeonegetsthemdown，ordroptilesintothefrontgardentoattractattentionofpassersby。
Bobshasgotmyone-and-fivepence——luckyyouforgottomendthatholeinmypocket，Panther，orhewouldn’thavehadit。Theycantramithome。’
ButAntheawouldnotbecomforted。
’It’sallmyfault，’shesaid。’IKNEWtheproperwaytodarn，andIdidn’tdoit。It’sallmyfault。Let’sgohomeandpatchthecarpetwithyourEtons——somethingreallystrong——andsendittofetchthem。’
’Allright，’saidCyril；’butyourSundayjacketisstrongerthanmyEtons。Wemustjustchuckmother’spresent，that’sall。I
wish——’
’Stop！’criedthePhoenix；’thecarpetisdroppingtoearth。’
Andindeeditwas。
Itsankswiftly，yetsteadily，andlandedonthepavementoftheDeptfordRoad。Ittippedalittleasitlanded，sothatCyrilandAntheanaturallywalkedoffit，andinaninstantithadrolleditselfupandhiddenbehindagate-post。ItdidthissoquicklythatnotasinglepersonintheDeptfordRoadnoticedit。ThePhoenixrustleditswayintothebreastofCyril’scoat，andalmostatthesamemomentawell-knownvoiceremarked——
’Well，Inever！Whatonearthareyoudoinghere？’
Theywerefacetofacewiththeirpetuncle——theirUncleReginald。
’WeDIDthinkofgoingtoGreenwichPalaceandtalkingaboutNelson，’saidCyril，tellingasmuchofthetruthashethoughthisunclecouldbelieve。
’Andwherearetheothers？’askedUncleReginald。
’Idon’texactlyknow，’Cyrilreplied，thistimequitetruthfully。
’Well，’saidUncleReginald，’Imustfly。I’veacaseintheCountyCourt。That’stheworstofbeingabeastlysolicitor。Onecan’ttakethechancesoflifewhenonegetsthem。IfonlyIcouldcomewithyoutothePaintedHallandgiveyoulunchatthe"Ship"
afterwards！But，alas！itmaynotbe。’
Theunclefeltinhispocket。
’_I_mustn’tenjoymyself，’hesaid，’butthat’snoreasonwhyyoushouldn’t。Here，dividethisbyfour，andtheproductoughttogiveyousomedesiredresult。Takecareofyourselves。Adieu。’
Andwavingacheeryfarewellwithhisneatumbrella，thegoodandhigh-hattedunclepassedaway，leavingCyrilandAntheatoexchangeeloquentglancesovertheshininggoldensovereignthatlayinCyril’shand。
’Well！’saidAnthea。
’Well！’saidCyril。
’Well！’saidthePhoenix。
’Goodoldcarpet！’saidCyril，joyously。
’ItWAScleverofit——soadequateandyetsosimple，’saidthePhoenix，withcalmapproval。
’Oh，comeonhomeandlet’smendthecarpet。Iamabeast。I’dforgottentheothersjustforaminute，’saidtheconscience-strickenAnthea。
Theyunrolledthecarpetquicklyandslyly——theydidnotwanttoattractpublicattention——andthemomenttheirfeetwereonthecarpetAntheawishedtobeathome，andinstantlytheywere。
ThekindnessoftheirexcellentunclehadmadeitunnecessaryforthemtogotosuchextremesasCyril’sEtonsorAnthea’sSundayjacketforthepatchingofthecarpet。
Antheasettoworkatoncetodrawtheedgesofthebrokendarntogether，andCyrilhastilywentoutandboughtalargepieceofthemarble-patternedAmericanoil-clothwhichcarefulhouse-wivesusetocoverdressersandkitchentables。Itwasthestrongestthinghecouldthinkof。
Thentheysettoworktolinethecarpetthroughoutwiththeoil-cloth。Thenurseryfeltveryoddandemptywithouttheothers，andCyrildidnotfeelsosureashehaddoneabouttheirbeingableto’tramit’home。SohetriedtohelpAnthea，whichwasverygoodofhim，butnotmuchusetoher。
ThePhoenixwatchedthemforatime，butitwasplainlygrowingmoreandmorerestless。Itfluffedupitssplendidfeathers，andstoodfirstononegildedclawandthenontheother，andatlastitsaid——
’Icanbearitnolonger。Thissuspense！MyRobert——whosetmyeggtohatch——inthebosomofwhoseNorfolkraimentIhavenestledsooftenandsopleasantly！Ithink，ifyou’llexcuseme——’
’Yes——DO，’criedAnthea，’Iwishwe’dthoughtofaskingyoubefore。’
Cyrilopenedthewindow。ThePhoenixflappeditssunbrightwingsandvanished。
’SoTHAT’Sallright，’saidCyril，takinguphisneedleandinstantlyprickinghishandinanewplace。
OfcourseIknowthatwhatyouhavereallywantedtoknowaboutallthistimeisnotwhatAntheaandCyrildid，butwhathappenedtoJaneandRobertaftertheyfellthroughthecarpetontotheleadsofthehousewhichwascallednumber705，AmershamRoad。
ButIhadtotellyoutheotherfirst。Thatisoneofthemostannoyingthingsaboutstories，youcannottellallthedifferentpartsofthematthesametime。
Robert’sfirstremarkwhenhefoundhimselfseatedonthedamp，cold，sootyleadswas——
’Here’sago！’
Jane’sfirstactwastears。
’Dryup，Pussy；don’tbealittleduffer，’saidherbrother，kindly，’it’llbeallright。’
Andthenhelookedabout，justasCyrilhadknownhewould，forsomethingtothrowdown，soastoattracttheattentionofthewayfarersfarbelowinthestreet。Hecouldnotfindanything。
Curiouslyenough，therewerenostonesontheleads，notevenaloosetile。Theroofwasofslate，andeverysingleslateknewitsplaceandkeptit。But，assooftenhappens，inlookingforonethinghefoundanother。Therewasatrap-doorleadingdownintothehouse。
Andthattrap-doorwasnotfastened。
’Stopsnivellingandcomehere，Jane，’hecried，encouragingly。
’Lendahandtoheavethisup。Ifwecangetintothehouse，wemightsneakdownwithoutmeetinganyone，withluck。Comeon。’
Theyheavedupthedoortillitstoodstraightup，and，astheybenttolookintotheholebelow，thedoorfellbackwithahollowclangontheleadsbehind，andwithitsnoisewasmingledablood-curdlingscreamfromunderneath。
’Discovered！’hissedRobert。’Oh，mycatsalive！’
Theywereindeeddiscovered。
Theyfoundthemselveslookingdownintoanattic，whichwasalsoalumber-room。Ithadboxesandbrokenchairs，oldfendersandpicture-frames，andrag-bagshangingfromnails。
Inthemiddleofthefloorwasabox，open，halffullofclothes。
Otherclotheslayonthefloorinneatpiles。Inthemiddleofthepilesofclothessatalady，veryfatindeed，withherfeetstickingoutstraightinfrontofher。Anditwasshewhohadscreamed，andwho，infact，wasstillscreaming。
’Don’t！’criedJane，’pleasedon’t！Wewon’thurtyou。’
’Wherearetherestofyourgang？’askedthelady，stoppingshortinthemiddleofascream。
’Theothershavegoneon，onthewishingcarpet，’saidJanetruthfully。
’Thewishingcarpet？’saidthelady。
’Yes，’saidJane，beforeRobertcouldsay’Youshutup！’’Youmusthavereadaboutit。ThePhoenixiswiththem。’
Thentheladygotup，andpickingherwaycarefullybetweenthepilesofclothesshegottothedoorandthroughit。Sheshutitbehindher，andthetwochildrencouldhearhercalling’Septimus！
Septimus！’inaloudyetfrightenedway。
’Now，’saidRobertquickly；’I’lldropfirst。’
Hehungbyhishandsanddroppedthroughthetrap-door。
’Nowyou。Hangbyyourhands。I’llcatchyou。Oh，there’snotimeforjaw。Drop，Isay。’
Janedropped。
Roberttriedtocatchher，andevenbeforetheyhadfinishedthebreathlessrollamongthepilesofclothes，whichwaswhathiscatchingendedin，hewhispered——
’We’llhide——behindthosefendersandthings；they’llthinkwe’vegonealongtheroofs。Then，whenalliscalm，we’llcreepdownthestairsandtakeourchance。’
Theyhastilyhid。AcornerofanironbedsteadstuckintoRobert’sside，andJanehadonlystandingroomforonefoot——buttheyboreit——andwhentheladycameback，notwithSeptimus，butwithanotherlady，theyheldtheirbreathandtheirheartsbeatthickly。
’Gone！’saidthefirstlady；’poorlittlethings——quitemad，mydear——andatlarge！Wemustlockthisroomandsendforthepolice。’
’Letmelookout，’saidthesecondlady，whowas，ifpossible，olderandthinnerandprimmerthanthefirst。Sothetwoladiesdraggedaboxunderthetrap-doorandputanotherboxonthetopofit，andthentheybothclimbedupverycarefullyandputtheirtwotrim，tidyheadsoutofthetrap-doortolookforthe’madchildren’。
’Now，’whisperedRobert，gettingthebedsteadlegoutofhisside。
Theymanagedtocreepoutfromtheirhiding-placeandoutthroughthedoorbeforethetwoladieshaddonelookingoutofthetrap-doorontotheemptyleads。
RobertandJanetiptoeddownthestairs——oneflight，twoflights。
Thentheylookedoverthebanisters。Horror！aservantwascomingupwithaloadedscuttle。
Thechildrenwithoneconsentcreptswiftlythroughthefirstopendoor。
Theroomwasastudy，calmandgentlemanly，withrowsofbooks，awritingtable，andapairofembroideredslipperswarmingthemselvesinthefender。Thechildrenhidbehindthewindow-curtains。Astheypassedthetabletheysawonitamissionary-boxwithitsbottomlabeltornoff，openandempty。
’Oh，howawful！’whisperedJane。’Weshallnevergetawayalive。’
’Hush！’saidRobert，notamomenttoosoon，fortherewerestepsonthestairs，andnextinstantthetwoladiescameintotheroom。
Theydidnotseethechildren，buttheysawtheemptymissionarybox。
’Iknewit，’saidone。’Selina，itWASagang。Iwascertainofitfromthefirst。Thechildrenwerenotmad。Theyweresenttodistractourattentionwhiletheirconfederatesrobbedthehouse。’
’Iamafraidyouareright，’saidSelina；’andWHEREARETHEYNOW？’
’Downstairs，nodoubt，collectingthesilvermilk-jugandsugar-basinandthepunch-ladlethatwasUncleJoe’s，andAuntJerusha’steaspoons。Ishallgodown。’
’Oh，don’tbesorashandheroic，’saidSelina。’Amelia，wemustcallthepolicefromthewindow。Lockthedoor。IWILL——Iwill——’
ThewordsendedinayellasSelina，rushingtothewindow，camefacetofacewiththehiddenchildren。
’Oh，don’t！’saidJane；’howcanyoubesounkind？WeAREN’T
burglars，andwehaven’tanygang，andwedidn’topenyourmissionary-box。Weopenedourownonce，butwedidn’thavetousethemoney，soourconsciencesmadeusputitbackand——DON’T！Oh，Iwishyouwouldn’t——’
MissSelinahadseizedJaneandMissAmeliacapturedRobert。Thechildrenfoundthemselvesheldfastbystrong，slimhands，pinkatthewristsandwhiteattheknuckles。
’We’vegotYOU，atanyrate，’saidMissAmelia。’Selina，yourcaptiveissmallerthanmine。Youopenthewindowatonceandcall"Murder！"asloudasyoucan。
Selinaobeyed；butwhenshehadopenedthewindow，insteadofcalling’Murder！’shecalled’Septimus！’becauseatthatverymomentshesawhernephewcominginatthegate。
Inanotherminutehehadlethimselfinwithhislatch-keyandhadmountedthestairs。AshecameintotheroomJaneandRoberteachutteredashriekofjoysoloudandsosuddenthattheladiesleapedwithsurprise，andnearlyletthemgo。
’It’sourownclergyman，’criedJane。
’Don’tyourememberus？’askedRobert。’Youmarriedourburglarforus——don’tyouremember？’
’IKNEWitwasagang，’saidAmelia。’Septimus，theseabandonedchildrenaremembersofadesperateburglinggangwhoarerobbingthehouse。Theyhavealreadyforcedthemissionary-boxandpurloineditscontents。’
TheReverendSeptimuspassedhishandwearilyoverhisbrow。
’Ifeelalittlefaint，’hesaid，’runningupstairssoquickly。’
’Wenevertouchedthebeastlybox，’saidRobert。
’Thenyourconfederatesdid，’saidMissSelina。
’No，no，’saidthecurate，hastily。’_I_openedtheboxmyself。
ThismorningIfoundIhadnotenoughsmallchangefortheMothers’
IndependentUnityMeaslesandCroupInsurancepayments。IsupposethisisNOTadream，isit？’
’Dream？No，indeed。Searchthehouse。Iinsistuponit。’
Thecurate，stillpaleandtrembling，searchedthehouse，which，ofcourse，wasblamelesslyfreeofburglars。
Whenhecamebackhesankwearilyintohischair。
’Aren’tyougoingtoletusgo？’askedRobert，withfuriousindignation，forthereissomethinginbeingheldbyastrongladythatsetsthebloodofaboyboilinginhisveinswithangeranddespair。’We’veneverdoneanythingtoyou。It’sallthecarpet。
Itdroppedusontheleads。WEcouldn’thelpit。Youknowhowitcarriedyouovertotheisland，andyouhadtomarrytheburglartothecook。’
’Oh，myhead！’saidthecurate。
’Nevermindyourheadjustnow，’saidRobert；’trytobehonestandhonourable，anddoyourdutyinthatstateoflife！’
’Thisisajudgementonmeforsomething，Isuppose，’saidtheReverendSeptimus，wearily，’butIreallycannotatthemomentrememberwhat。’
’Sendforthepolice，’saidMissSelina。
’Sendforadoctor，’saidthecurate。
’DoyouthinktheyAREmad，then，’saidMissAmelia。
’IthinkIam，’saidthecurate。
Janehadbeencryingeversincehercapture。Nowshesaid——
’Youaren’tnow，butperhapsyouwillbe，if——Anditwouldserveyoujollywellright，too。’
’AuntSelina，’saidthecurate，’andAuntAmelia，believeme，thisisonlyaninsanedream。Youwillrealizeitsoon。Ithashappenedtomebefore。Butdonotletusbeunjust，eveninadream。Donotholdthechildren；theyhavedonenoharm。AsI
saidbefore，itwasIwhoopenedthebox。’
Thestrong，bonyhandsunwillinglyloosenedtheirgrasp。Robertshookhimselfandstoodinsulkyresentment。ButJanerantothecurateandembracedhimsosuddenlythathehadnottimetodefendhimself。
’You’readear，’shesaid。’ItISlikeadreamjustatfirst，butyougetusedtoit。NowDOletusgo。There’sagood，kind，honourableclergyman。’
’Idon’tknow，’saidtheReverendSeptimus；’it’sadifficultproblem。Itissuchaveryunusualdream。Perhapsit’sonlyasortofotherlife——quiterealenoughforyoutobemadin。Andifyou’remad，theremightbeadream-asylumwhereyou’dbekindlytreated，andintimerestored，cured，toyoursorrowingrelatives。
Itisveryhardtoseeyourdutyplainly，eveninordinarylife，andthesedream-circumstancesaresocomplicated——’
’Ifit’sadream，’saidRobert，’youwillwakeupdirectly，andthenyou’dbesorryifyou’dsentusintoadream-asylum，becauseyoumightnevergetintothesamedreamagainandletusout，andsowemightstaythereforever，andthenwhataboutoursorrowingrelativeswhoaren’tinthedreamsatall？’
Butallthecuratecouldnowsaywas，’Oh，myhead！’
AndJaneandRobertfeltquiteillwithhelplessnessandhopelessness。Areallyconscientiouscurateisaverydifficultthingtomanage。
Andthen，justasthehopelessnessandthehelplessnessweregettingtobealmostmorethantheycouldbear，thetwochildrensuddenlyfeltthatextraordinaryshrinkingfeelingthatyoualwayshavewhenyouarejustgoingtovanish。Andthenextmomenttheyhadvanished，andtheReverendSeptimuswasleftalonewithhisaunts。
’Iknewitwasadream，’hecried，wildly。’I’vehadsomethinglikeitbefore。Didyoudreamittoo，AuntSelina，andyou，AuntAmelia？Idreamedthatyoudid，youknow。’
AuntSelinalookedathimandthenatAuntAmelia。Thenshesaidboldly——
’Whatdoyoumean？WEhaven’tbeendreaminganything。Youmusthavedroppedoffinyourchair。’
Thecurateheavedasighofrelief。
’Oh，ifit’sonly_I_，’hesaid；’ifwe’dalldreameditIcouldneverhavebelievedit，never！’
AfterwardsAuntSelinasaidtotheotheraunt——
’Yes，Iknowitwasanuntruth，andIshalldoubtlessbepunishedforitinduecourse。ButIcouldseethepoordearfellow’sbraingivingwaybeforemyveryeyes。Hecouldn’thavestoodthestrainofthreedreams。ItWASodd，wasn’tit？Allthreeofusdreamingthesamethingatthesamemoment。WemustnevertelldearSeppy。
ButIshallsendanaccountofittothePsychicalSociety，withstarsinsteadofnames，youknow。’
Andshedid。Andyoucanreadallaboutitinoneofthesociety’sfatBlue-books。
Ofcourse，youunderstandwhathadhappened？TheintelligentPhoenixhadsimplygonestraightofftothePsammead，andhadwishedRobertandJaneathome。And，ofcourse，theywereathomeatonce。CyrilandAntheahadnothalffinishedmendingthecarpet。
Whenthejoyfulemotionsofreunionhadcalmeddownalittle，theyallwentoutandspentwhatwasleftofUncleReginald’ssovereigninpresentsformother。Theyboughtherapinksilkhandkerchief，apairofblueandwhitevases，abottleofscent，apacketofChristmascandles，andacakeofsoapshapedandcolouredlikeatomato，andonethatwassolikeanorangethatalmostanyoneyouhadgivenittowouldhavetriedtopeelit——iftheylikedoranges，ofcourse。Alsotheyboughtacakewithicingon，andtherestofthemoneytheyspentonflowerstoputinthevases。
Whentheyhadarrangedallthethingsonatable，withthecandlesstuckuponaplatereadytolightthemomentmother’scabwasheard，theywashedthemselvesthoroughlyandputontidierclothes。
ThenRobertsaid，’GoodoldPsammead，’andtheotherssaidsotoo。
’But，really，it’sjustasmuchgoodoldPhoenix，’saidRobert。
’Supposeithadn’tthoughtofgettingthewish！’
’Ah！’saidthePhoenix，’itisperhapsfortunateforyouthatIamsuchacompetentbird。’
’There’smother’scab，’criedAnthea，andthePhoenixhidandtheylightedthecandles，andnextmomentmotherwashomeagain。
Shelikedherpresentsverymuch，andfoundtheirstoryofUncleReginaldandthesovereigneasyandevenpleasanttobelieve。
’Goodoldcarpet，’wereCyril’slastsleepywords。
’Whatthereisofit，’saidthePhoenix，fromthecornice-pole。
CHAPTER11
THEBEGINNINGOFTHEEND
’Well，IMUSTsay，’mothersaid，lookingatthewishingcarpetasitlay，alldarnedandmendedandbackedwithshinyAmericancloth，onthefloorofthenursery——’IMUSTsayI’veneverinmylifeboughtsuchabadbargainasthatcarpet。’
Asoft’Oh！’ofcontradictionsprangtothelipsofCyril，Robert，Jane，andAnthea。Motherlookedatthemquickly，andsaid——
’Well，ofcourse，Iseeyou’vemendeditverynicely，andthatwassweetofyou，dears。’
’Theboyshelpedtoo，’saidthedears，honourably。
’But，still——twenty-twoandninepence！Itoughttohavelastedforyears。It’ssimplydreadfulnow。Well，nevermind，darlings，you’vedoneyourbest。Ithinkwe’llhavecoconutmattingnexttime。Acarpetdoesn’thaveaneasylifeofitinthisroom，doesit？’
’It’snotourfault，mother，isit，thatourbootsarethereallyreliablekind？’Robertaskedthequestionmoreinsorrowthaninanger。
’No，dear，wecan’thelpourboots，’saidmother，cheerfully，’butwemightchangethemwhenwecomein，perhaps。It’sjustanideaofmine。Iwouldn’tdreamofscoldingontheveryfirstmorningafterI’vecomehome。Oh，myLamb，howcouldyou？’
Thisconversationwasatbreakfast，andtheLambhadbeenbeautifullygooduntileveryonewaslookingatthecarpet，andthenitwasforhimbuttheworkofamomenttoturnaglassdishofsyrupyblackberryjamupsidedownonhisyounghead。Itwastheworkofagoodmanyminutesandseveralpersonstogetthejamoffhimagain，andthisinterestingworktookpeople’smindsoffthecarpet，andnothingmorewassaidjustthenaboutitsbadnessasabargainandaboutwhatmotherhopedforfromcoconutmatting。
WhentheLambwascleanagainhehadtobetakencareofwhilemotherrumpledherhairandinkedherfingersandmadeherheadacheoverthedifficultandtwistedhouse-keepingaccountswhichcookgaveherondirtybitsofpaper，andwhichweresupposedtoexplainhowitwasthatcookhadonlyfivepence-half-pennyandalotofunpaidbillsleftoutofallthemoneymotherhadsentherforhouse-keeping。Motherwasveryclever，butevenshecouldnotquiteunderstandthecook’saccounts。
TheLambwasverygladtohavehisbrothersandsisterstoplaywithhim。Hehadnotforgottenthemabit，andhemadethemplayalltheoldexhaustinggames：’WhirlingWorlds’，whereyouswingthebabyroundandroundbyhishands；and’LegandWing’，whereyouswinghimfromsidetosidebyoneankleandonewrist。TherewasalsoclimbingVesuvius。Inthisgamethebabywalksupyou，andwhenheisstandingonyourshoulders，youshoutasloudasyoucan，whichistherumblingoftheburningmountain，andthentumblehimgentlyontothefloor，androllhimthere，whichisthedestructionofPompeii。
’Allthesame，Iwishwecoulddecidewhatwe’dbettersaynexttimemothersaysanythingaboutthecarpet，’saidCyril，breathlesslyceasingtobeaburningmountain。
’Well，youtalkanddecide，’saidAnthea；’here，youlovelyduckyLamb。CometoPantherandplayNoah’sArk。’
TheLambcamewithhisprettyhairalltumbledandhisfacealldustyfromthedestructionofPompeii，andinstantlybecameababysnake，hissingandwrigglingandcreepinginAnthea’sarms，asshesaid——
’Ilovemylittlebabysnake，Hehisseswhenheisawake，Hecreepswithsuchawrigglycreep，Hewriggleseveninhissleep。’
’Crocky，’saidtheLamb，andshowedallhislittleteeth。SoAntheawenton——
’Ilovemylittlecrocodile，Ilovehistruthfultoothfulsmile；
Itissowonderfulandwide，Iliketoseeit——FROMOUTSIDE。’
’Well，yousee，’Cyrilwassaying；’it’sjusttheoldbother。
Mothercan’tbelievetherealtruetruthaboutthecarpet，and——’
’Youspeaksooth，OCyril，’remarkedthePhoenix，comingoutfromthecupboardwheretheblackbeetleslived，andthetornbooks，andthebrokenslates，andoddpiecesoftoysthathadlosttherestofthemselves。’NowhearthewisdomofPhoenix，thesonofthePhoenix——’
’Thereisasocietycalledthat，’saidCyril。
’Whereisit？Andwhatisasociety？’askedthebird。
’It’sasortofjoined-togetherlotofpeople——asortofbrotherhood——akindof——well，somethingverylikeyourtemple，youknow，onlyquitedifferent。’
’Itakeyourmeaning，’saidthePhoenix。’IwouldfainseethesecallingthemselvesSonsofthePhoenix’
’Butwhataboutyourwordsofwisdom？’
’Wisdomisalwayswelcome，’saidthePhoenix。
’PrettyPolly！’remarkedtheLamb，reachinghishandstowardsthegoldenspeaker。
ThePhoenixmodestlyretreatedbehindRobert，andAntheahastenedtodistracttheattentionoftheLambbymurmuring——
"Ilovemylittlebabyrabbit；
Butoh！hehasadreadfulhabitOfpaddlingoutamongtherocksAndsoakingbothhisbunnysocks。’
’Idon’tthinkyou’dcareaboutthesonsofthePhoenix，really，’
saidRobert。’Ihaveheardthattheydon’tdoanythingfiery。
Theyonlydrinkagreatdeal。Muchmorethanotherpeople，becausetheydrinklemonadeandfizzythings，andthemoreyoudrinkofthosethemoregoodyouget。’
’Inyourmind，perhaps，’saidJane；’butitwouldn’tbegoodinyourbody。You’dgettooballoony。’
ThePhoenixyawned。
’Lookhere，’saidAnthea；’Ireallyhaveanidea。Thisisn’tlikeacommoncarpet。It’sverymagicindeed。Don’tyouthink，ifweputTatchoonit，andthengaveitarest，themagicpartofitmightgrow，likehairissupposedtodo？’
’Itmight，’saidRobert；’butIshouldthinkparaffinwoulddoaswell——atanyrateasfarasthesmellgoes，andthatseemstobethegreatthingaboutTatcho。’
ButwithallitsfaultsAnthea’sideawassomethingtodo，andtheydidit。
ItwasCyrilwhofetchedtheTatchobottlefromfather’swashhand-stand。Butthebottlehadnotmuchinit。
’Wemustn’ttakeitall，’Janesaid，’incasefather’shairbegantocomeoffsuddenly。Ifhehadn’tanythingtoputonit，itmightalldropoffbeforeElizahadtimetogetroundtothechemist’sforanotherbottle。Itwouldbedreadfultohaveabaldfather，anditwouldallbeourfault。’
’Andwigsareveryexpensive，Ibelieve，’saidAnthea。’Lookhere，leaveenoughinthebottletowetfather’sheadalloverwithincaseanyemergencyemerges——andlet’smakeupwithparaffin。I
expectit’sthesmellthatdoesthegoodreally——andthesmell’sexactlythesame。’
SoasmallteaspoonfuloftheTatchowasputontheedgesoftheworstdarninthecarpetandrubbedcarefullyintotherootsofthehairsofit，andallthepartsthattherewasnotenoughTatchoforhadparaffinrubbedintothemwithapieceofflannel。Thentheflannelwasburned。Itmadeagayflame，whichdelightedthePhoenixandtheLamb。
’Howoften，’saidmother，openingthedoor——’howoftenamItotellyouthatyouareNOTtoplaywithparaffin？Whathaveyoubeendoing？’
’Wehaveburntaparaffinyrag，’Antheaanswered。
Itwasnousetellingmotherwhattheyhaddonetothecarpet。Shedidnotknowitwasamagiccarpet，andnoonewantstobelaughedatfortryingtomendanordinarycarpetwithlamp-oil。
’Well，don’tdoitagain，’saidmother。’Andnow，awaywithmelancholy！Fatherhassentatelegram。Look！’Shehelditout，andthechildren，holdingitbyitsyieldingcorners，read——
’BoxforkiddiesatGarrick。Stallsforus，Haymarket。MeetCharingCross，6。30。’
’Thatmeans，’saidmother，’thatyou’regoingtosee"TheWaterBabies"allbyyourhappyselves，andfatherandIwilltakeyouandfetchyou。GivemetheLamb，dear，andyouandJaneputcleanlaceinyourredeveningfrocks，andIshouldn’twonderifyoufoundtheywantedironing。Thisparaffinsmellisghastly。Runandgetoutyourfrocks。’
Thefrocksdidwantironing——wanteditratherbadly，asithappened；for，beingoftomato-ColouredLibertysilk，theyhadbeenfoundveryusefulfortableauxvivantswhenareddresswasrequiredforCardinalRichelieu。Theywereverynicetableaux，these，andIwishIcouldtellyouaboutthem；butonecannottelleverythinginastory。YouwouldhavebeenspeciallyinterestedinhearingaboutthetableauofthePrincesintheTower，whenoneofthepillowsburst，andtheyouthfulPrincesweresocoveredwithfeathersthatthepicturemightverywellhavebeencalled’MichaelmasEve；or，PluckingtheGeese’。
Ironingthedressesandsewingthelaceinoccupiedsometime，andnoonewasdull，becausetherewasthetheatretolookforwardto，andalsothepossiblegrowthofhairsonthecarpet，forwhicheveryonekeptlookinganxiously。Byfouro’clockJanewasalmostsurethatseveralhairswerebeginningtogrow。
ThePhoenixperchedonthefender，anditsconversation，asusual，wasentertainingandinstructive——likeschoolprizesaresaidtobe。Butitseemedalittleabsent-minded，andevenalittlesad。
’Don’tyoufeelwell，Phoenix，dear？’askedAnthea，stoopingtotakeanironoffthefire。
’Iamnotsick，’repliedthegoldenbird，withagloomyshakeofthehead；’butIamgettingold。’
’Why，you’vehardlybeenhatchedanytimeatall。’
’Time，’remarkedthePhoenix，’ismeasuredbyheartbeats。I’msurethepalpitationsI’vehadsinceI’veknownyouareenoughtoblanchthefeathersofanybird。’
’ButIthoughtyoulived500years，’saidRobert，andyou’vehardlybegunthissetofyears。Thinkofallthetimethat’sbeforeyou。’
’Time，’saidthePhoenix，’is，asyouareprobablyaware，merelyaconvenientfiction。Thereisnosuchthingastime。Ihavelivedinthesetwomonthsatapacewhichgenerouslycounterbalances500
yearsoflifeinthedesert。Iamold，Iamweary。IfeelasifIoughttolaymyegg，andlaymedowntomyfierysleep。ButunlessI’mcarefulIshallbehatchedagaininstantly，andthatisamisfortunewhichIreallydonotthinkICOULDendure。Butdonotletmeintrudethesedesperatepersonalreflectionsonyouryouthfulhappiness。Whatistheshowatthetheatreto-night？
Wrestlers？Gladiators？Acombatofcameleopardsandunicorns？’
’Idon’tthinkso，’saidCyril；’it’scalled"TheWaterBabies"，andifit’slikethebookthereisn’tanygladiatinginit。Therearechimney-sweepsandprofessors，andalobsterandanotterandasalmon，andchildrenlivinginthewater。’
’Itsoundschilly。’ThePhoenixshivered，andwenttositonthetongs。
’Idon’tsupposetherewillbeREALwater，’saidJane。’Andtheatresareverywarmandpretty，withalotofgoldandlamps。
Wouldn’tyouliketocomewithus？’
’_I_wasjustgoingtosaythat，’saidRobert，ininjuredtones，’onlyIknowhowrudeitistointerrupt。Docome，Phoenix，oldchap；itwillcheeryouup。It’llmakeyoulaughlikeanything。
MrBourchieralwaysmakesrippingplays。Yououghttohaveseen"Shock-headedPeter"lastyear。’
’Yourwordsarestrange，’saidthePhoenix，’butIwillcomewithyou。TherevelsofthisBourchier，ofwhomyouspeak，mayhelpmetoforgettheweightofmyyears。’
SothateveningthePhoenixsnuggedinsidethewaistcoatofRobert’sEtons——averytightfititseemedbothtoRobertandtothePhoenix——andwastakentotheplay。
Roberthadtopretendtobecoldattheglittering，many-mirroredrestaurantwheretheyatedinner，withfatherineveningdress，withaveryshinywhiteshirt-front，andmotherlookinglovelyinhergreyeveningdress，thatchangesintopinkandgreenwhenshemoves。Robertpretendedthathewastoocoldtotakeoffhisgreat-coat，andsosatswelteringthroughwhatwouldotherwisehavebeenamostthrillingmeal。Hefeltthathewasablotonthesmartbeautyofthefamily，andhehopedthePhoenixknewwhathewassufferingforitssake。Ofcourse，weareallpleasedtosufferforthesakeofothers，butwelikethemtoknowitunlesswearetheverybestandnoblestkindofpeople，andRobertwasjustordinary。
Fatherwasfullofjokesandfun，andeveryonelaughedallthetime，evenwiththeirmouthsfull，whichisnotmanners。Robertthoughtfatherwouldnothavebeenquitesofunnyabouthiskeepinghisover-coatoniffatherhadknownallthetruth。AndthereRobertwasprobablyright。