Whendinnerwasfinishedtothelastgrapeandthelastpaddleinthefingerglasses——foritwasareallytrulygrown-updinner——thechildrenweretakentothetheatre，guidedtoaboxclosetothestage，andleft。
　　Father’spartingwordswere：’Now，don’tyoustiroutofthisbox，whateveryoudo。Ishallbebackbeforetheendoftheplay。Begoodandyouwillbehappy。Isthiszonetorridenoughfortheabandonmentofgreat-coats，Bobs？No？Well，then，Ishouldsayyouweresickeningforsomething——mumpsormeaslesorthrushorteething。Goodbye。’
　　Hewent，andRobertwasatlastabletoremovehiscoat，mophisperspiringbrow，andreleasethecrushedanddishevelledPhoenix。
　　Roberthadtoarrangehisdamphairatthelooking-glassatthebackofthebox，andthePhoenixhadtopreenitsdisorderedfeathersforsometimebeforeeitherofthemwasfittobeseen。
　　Theywerevery，veryearly。Whenthelightswentupfully，thePhoenix，balancingitselfonthegildedbackofachair，swayedinecstasy。
　　’Howfairasceneisthis！’itmurmured；’howfarfairerthanmytemple！OrhaveIguessedaright？Haveyoubroughtmehithertoliftupmyheartwithemotionsofjoyoussurprise？Tellme，myRobert，isitnotthatthis，THISismytruetemple，andtheotherwasbutahumbleshrinefrequentedbyoutcasts？’
　　’Idon’tknowaboutoutcasts，’saidRobert，’butyoucancallthisyourtempleifyoulike。Hush！themusicisbeginning。’
　　Iamnotgoingtotellyouabouttheplay。AsIsaidbefore，onecan’ttelleverything，andnodoubtyousaw’TheWaterBabies’
　　yourselves。Ifyoudidnotitwasashame，or，rather，apity。
　　WhatImusttellyouisthat，thoughCyrilandJaneandRobertandAntheaenjoyeditasmuchasanychildrenpossiblycould，thepleasureofthePhoenixwasfar，fargreaterthantheirs。
　　’Thisisindeedmytemple，’itsaidagainandagain。’Whatradiantrites！Andalltodohonourtome！’
　　Thesongsintheplayittooktobehymnsinitshonour。Thechoruseswerechoricsongsinitspraise。Theelectriclights，itsaid，weremagictorcheslightedforitssake，anditwassocharmedwiththefootlightsthatthechildrencouldhardlypersuadeittositstill。Butwhenthelimelightwasshownitcouldcontainitsapprovalnolonger。Itflappeditsgoldenwings，andcriedinavoicethatcouldbeheardalloverthetheatre：
　　’Welldone，myservants！Yehavemyfavourandmycountenance！’
　　LittleTomonthestagestoppedshortinwhathewassaying。A
　　deepbreathwasdrawnbyhundredsoflungs，everyeyeinthehouseturnedtotheboxwherethelucklesschildrencringed，andmostpeoplehissed，orsaid’Shish！’or’Turnthemout！’
　　Thentheplaywenton，andanattendantpresentlycametotheboxandspokewrathfully。
　　’Itwasn’tus，indeeditwasn’t，’saidAnthea，earnestly；’itwasthebird。’
　　Themansaidwell，then，theymustkeeptheirbirdveryquiet。
　　’Disturbingeveryonelikethis，’hesaid。
　　’Itwon’tdoitagain，’saidRobert，glancingimploringlyatthegoldenbird；’I’msureitwon’t。’
　　’Youhavemyleavetodepart，’saidthePhoenixgently。
　　’Well，heisabeauty，andnomistake，’saidtheattendant，’onlyI’dcoverhimupduringtheacts。Itupsetstheperformance。’
　　Andhewent。
　　’Don’tspeakagain，there’sadear，’saidAnthea；’youwouldn’tliketointerferewithyourowntemple，wouldyou？’
　　SonowthePhoenixwasquiet，butitkeptwhisperingtothechildren。Itwantedtoknowwhytherewasnoaltar，nofire，noincense，andbecamesoexcitedandfretfulandtiresomethatfouratleastofthepartyoffivewisheddeeplythatithadbeenleftathome。
　　WhathappenednextwasentirelythefaultofthePhoenix。Itwasnotintheleastthefaultofthetheatrepeople，andnoonecouldeverunderstandafterwardshowitdidhappen。Noone，thatis，excepttheguiltybirditselfandthefourchildren。ThePhoenixwasbalancingitselfonthegiltbackofthechair，swayingbackwardsandforwardsandupanddown，asyoumayseeyourowndomesticparrotdo。Imeanthegreyonewiththeredtail。Alleyeswereonthestage，wherethelobsterwasdelightingtheaudiencewiththatgemofasong，’Ifyoucan’twalkstraight，walksideways！’whenthePhoenixmurmuredwarmly——
　　’Noaltar，nofire，noincense！’andthen，beforeanyofthechildrencouldevenbegintothinkofstoppingit，itspreaditsbrightwingsandsweptroundthetheatre，brushingitsgleamingfeathersagainstdelicatehangingsandgildedwoodwork。
　　Itseemedtohavemadebutonecircularwing-sweep，suchasyoumayseeagullmakeovergreywateronastormyday。Nextmomentitwasperchedagainonthechair-back——andallroundthetheatre，whereithadpassed，littlesparksshoneliketinselseeds，thenlittlesmokewreathscurleduplikegrowingplants——littleflamesopenedlikeflower-buds。Peoplewhispered——thenpeopleshrieked。
　　’Fire！Fire！’Thecurtainwentdown——thelightswentup。
　　’Fire！’criedeveryone，andmadeforthedoors。
　　’Amagnificentidea！’saidthePhoenix，complacently。’Anenormousaltar——firesuppliedfreeofcharge。Doesn’ttheincensesmelldelicious？’
　　Theonlysmellwasthestiflingsmellofsmoke，ofburningsilk，orscorchingvarnish。
　　Thelittleflameshadopenednowintogreatflame-flowers。Thepeopleinthetheatrewereshoutingandpressingtowardsthedoors。
　　’Oh，howCOULDyou！’criedJane。’Let’sgetout。’
　　’Fathersaidstayhere，’saidAnthea，verypale，andtryingtospeakinherordinaryvoice。
　　’Hedidn’tmeanstayandberoasted，’saidRobert。’Noboysonburningdecksforme，thankyou。’
　　’Notmuch，’saidCyril，andheopenedthedoorofthebox。
　　Butafiercewaftofsmokeandhotairmadehimshutitagain。Itwasnotpossibletogetoutthatway。
　　Theylookedoverthefrontofthebox。Couldtheyclimbdown？
　　Itwouldbepossible，certainly；butwouldtheybemuchbetteroff？
　　’Lookatthepeople，’moanedAnthea；’wecouldn’tgetthrough。’
　　And，indeed，thecrowdroundthedoorslookedasthickasfliesinthejam-makingseason。
　　’Iwishwe’dneverseenthePhoenix，’criedJane。
　　EvenatthatawfulmomentRobertlookedroundtoseeifthebirdhadoverheardaspeechwhich，howevernatural，washardlypoliteorgrateful。
　　ThePhoenixwasgone。
　　’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’I’vereadaboutfiresinpapers；I’msureit’sallright。Let’swaithere，asfathersaid。’
　　’Wecan’tdoanythingelse，’saidAntheabitterly。
　　’Lookhere，’saidRobert，’I’mNOTfrightened——no，I’mnot。ThePhoenixhasneverbeenaskunkyet，andI’mcertainit’llseeusthroughsomehow。IbelieveinthePhoenix！’
　　’ThePhoenixthanksyou，ORobert，’saidagoldenvoiceathisfeet，andtherewasthePhoenixitself，ontheWishingCarpet。
　　’Quick！’itsaid。’Standonthoseportionsofthecarpetwhicharetrulyantiqueandauthentic——and——’
　　Asuddenjetofflamestoppeditswords。Alas！thePhoenixhadunconsciouslywarmedtoitssubject，andintheunintentionalheatofthemomenthadsetfiretotheparaffinwithwhichthatmorningthechildrenhadanointedthecarpet。Itburnedmerrily。Thechildrentriedinvaintostampitout。Theyhadtostandbackandletitburnitselfout。WhentheparaffinhadburnedawayitwasfoundthatithadtakenwithitallthedarnsofScotchheather-mixturefingering。Onlythefabricoftheoldcarpetwasleft——andthatwasfullofholes。
　　’Come，’saidthePhoenix，’I’mcoolnow。’
　　Thefourchildrengotontowhatwasleftofthecarpet。Verycarefultheywerenottoleavealegorahandhangingoveroneoftheholes。Itwasveryhot——thetheatrewasapitoffire。Everyoneelsehadgotout。
　　JanehadtositonAnthea’slap。
　　’Home！’saidCyril，andinstantlythecooldraughtfromunderthenurserydoorplayedupontheirlegsastheysat。Theywereallonthecarpetstill，andthecarpetwaslyinginitsproperplaceonthenurseryfloor，ascalmandunmovedasthoughithadneverbeentothetheatreortakenpartinafireinitslife。
　　Fourlongbreathsofdeepreliefwereinstantlybreathed。Thedraughtwhichtheyhadneverlikedbeforewasforthemomentquitepleasant。Andtheyweresafe。Andeveryoneelsewassafe。Thetheatrehadbeenquiteemptywhentheyleft。Everyonewassureofthat。
　　Theypresentlyfoundthemselvesalltalkingatonce。Somehownoneoftheiradventureshadgiventhemsomuchtotalkabout。Noneotherhadseemedsoreal。
　　’Didyounotice——？’theysaid，and’Doyouremember——？’
　　WhensuddenlyAnthea’sfaceturnedpaleunderthedirtwhichithadcollectedonitduringthefire。
　　’Oh，’shecried，’motherandfather！Oh，howawful！They’llthinkwe’reburnedtocinders。Oh，let’sgothisminuteandtellthemwearen’t。’
　　’Weshouldonlymissthem，’saidthesensibleCyril。
　　’Well——YOUgothen，’saidAnthea，’orIwill。Onlydowashyourfacefirst。Motherwillbesuretothinkyouareburnttoacinderifsheseesyouasblackasthat，andshe’llfaintorbeillorsomething。Oh，Iwishwe’dnevergottoknowthatPhoenix。’
　　’Hush！’saidRobert；’it’snousebeingrudetothebird。I
　　supposeitcan’thelpitsnature。Perhapswe’dbetterwashtoo。
　　NowIcometothinkofitmyhandsarerather——’
　　NoonehadnoticedthePhoenixsinceithadbiddenthemtosteponthecarpet。Andnoonenoticedthatnoonehadnoticed。
　　Allwerepartiallyclean，andCyrilwasjustplungingintohisgreat-coattogoandlookforhisparents——he，andnotunjustly，calleditlookingforaneedleinabundleofhay——whenthesoundoffather’slatchkeyinthefrontdoorsenteveryoneboundingupthestairs。
　　’Areyouallsafe？’criedmother’svoice；’areyouallsafe？’andthenextmomentshewaskneelingonthelinoleumofthehall，tryingtokissfourdampchildrenatonce，andlaughingandcryingbyturns，whilefatherstoodlookingonandsayinghewasblessedorsomething。
　　’Buthowdidyouguesswe’dcomehome，’saidCyril，later，wheneveryonewascalmenoughfortalking。
　　’Well，itwasratherarumthing。WeheardtheGarrickwasonfire，andofcoursewewentstraightthere，’saidfather，briskly。
　　’Wecouldn’tfindyou，ofcourse——andwecouldn’tgetin——butthefirementolduseveryonewassafelyout。AndthenIheardavoiceatmyearsay，"Cyril，Anthea，Robert，andJane"——andsomethingtouchedmeontheshoulder。Itwasagreatyellowpigeon，anditgotinthewayofmyseeingwho’dspoken。Itflutteredoff，andthensomeonesaidintheotherear，"They’resafeathome"；andwhenIturnedagain，toseewhoitwasspeaking，hangediftherewasn’tthatconfoundedpigeononmyothershoulder。Dazedbythefire，Isuppose。Yourmothersaiditwasthevoiceof——’
　　’Isaiditwasthebirdthatspoke，’saidmother，’andsoitwas。
　　OratleastIthoughtsothen。Itwasn’tapigeon。Itwasanorange-colouredcockatoo。Idon’tcarewhoitwasthatspoke。Itwastrueandyou’resafe。’
　　Motherbegantocryagain，andfathersaidbedwasagoodplaceafterthepleasuresofthestage。
　　Soeveryonewentthere。
　　RoberthadatalktothePhoenixthatnight。
　　’Oh，verywell，’saidthebird，whenRoberthadsaidwhathefelt，’didn’tyouknowthatIhadpoweroverfire？Donotdistressyourself。I，likemyhighpriestsinLombardStreet，canundotheworkofflames。Kindlyopenthecasement。’
　　Itflewout。
　　Thatwaswhythepaperssaidnextdaythatthefireatthetheatrehaddonelessdamagethanhadbeenanticipated。Asamatteroffactithaddonenone，forthePhoenixspentthenightinputtingthingsstraight。Howthemanagementaccountedforthis，andhowmanyofthetheatreofficialsstillbelievethattheyweremadonthatnightwillneverbeknown。
　　Nextdaymothersawtheburntholesinthecarpet。
　　’Itcaughtwhereitwasparaffiny，’saidAnthea。
　　’Imustgetridofthatcarpetatonce，’saidmother。
　　Butwhatthechildrensaidinsadwhisperstoeachother，astheyponderedoverlastnight’sevents，was——
　　’WemustgetridofthatPhoenix。’
　　CHAPTER12
　　THEENDOFTHEEND
　　’Egg，toast，tea，milk，tea-cupandsaucer，egg-spoon，knife，butter——that’sall，Ithink，’remarkedAnthea，assheputthelasttouchestomother’sbreakfast-tray，andwent，verycarefullyupthestairs，feelingforeverystepwithhertoes，andholdingontothetraywithallherfingers。Shecreptintomother’sroomandsetthetrayonachair。Thenshepulledoneoftheblindsupverysoftly。
　　’Isyourheadbetter，mammydear？’sheasked，inthesoftlittlevoicethatshekeptexpresslyformother’sheadaches。’I’vebroughtyourbrekkie，andI’veputthelittleclothwithclover-leavesonit，theoneImadeyou。’
　　’That’sverynice，’saidmothersleepily。
　　Antheaknewexactlywhattodoformotherswithheadacheswhohadbreakfastinbed。ShefetchedwarmwaterandputjustenougheaudeCologneinit，andbathedmother’sfaceandhandswiththesweet-scentedwater。Thenmotherwasabletothinkaboutbreakfast。
　　’Butwhat’sthematterwithmygirl？’sheasked，whenhereyesgotusedtothelight。
　　’Oh，I’msosorryyou’reill，’Antheasaid。’It’sthathorriblefireandyoubeingsofrightened。Fathersaidso。Andweallfeelasifitwasourfaults。Ican’texplain，but——’
　　’Itwasn’tyourfaultabit，youdarlinggoosie，’mothersaid。
　　’Howcoulditbe？’
　　’That’sjustwhatIcan’ttellyou，’saidAnthea。’Ihaven’tgotafutilebrainlikeyouandfather，tothinkofwaysofexplainingeverything。’
　　Motherlaughed。
　　’Myfutilebrain——ordidyoumeanfertile？——anyway，itfeelsverystiffandsorethismorning——butIshallbequiteallrightbyandby。Anddon’tbeasillylittlepetgirl。Thefirewasn’tyourfaults。No；Idon’twanttheegg，dear。I’llgotosleepagain，Ithink。Don’tyouworry。Andtellcooknottobothermeaboutmeals。Youcanorderwhatyoulikeforlunch。’
　　Antheaclosedthedoorverymousily，andinstantlywentdownstairsandorderedwhatshelikedforlunch。Sheorderedapairofturkeys，alargeplum-pudding，cheese-cakes，andalmondsandraisins。
　　Cooktoldhertogoalong，do。Andshemightaswellnothaveorderedanything，forwhenlunchcameitwasjusthashedmuttonandsemolinapudding，andcookhadforgottenthesippetsforthemuttonhashandthesemolinapuddingwasburnt。
　　WhenAnthearejoinedtheothersshefoundthemallplungedinthegloomwhereshewasherself。Foreveryoneknewthatthedaysofthecarpetwerenownumbered。Indeed，sowornwasitthatyoucouldalmosthavenumbereditsthreads。
　　Sothatnow，afternearlyamonthofmagichappenings，thetimewasathandwhenlifewouldhavetogooninthedull，ordinarywayandJane，Robert，Anthea，andCyrilwouldbejustinthesamepositionastheotherchildrenwholiveinCamdenTown，thechildrenwhomthesefourhadsooftenpitied，andperhapsalittledespised。
　　’Weshallbejustlikethem，’Cyrilsaid。
　　’Except，’saidRobert，’thatweshallhavemorethingstorememberandbesorrywehaven’tgot。’
　　’Mother’sgoingtosendawaythecarpetassoonasshe’swellenoughtoseeaboutthatcoconutmatting。Fancyuswithcoconut-matting——us！Andwe’vewalkedunderlivecoconut-treesontheislandwhereyoucan’thavewhooping-cough。’
　　’Prettyisland，’saidtheLamb；’paint-boxsandsandseaallshinysparkly。’
　　Hisbrothersandsistershadoftenwonderedwhetherherememberedthatisland。Nowtheyknewthathedid。
　　’Yes，’saidCyril；’nomorecheapreturntripsbycarpetforus——that’sadeadcert。’
　　Theywerealltalkingaboutthecarpet，butwhattheywereallthinkingaboutwasthePhoenix。
　　Thegoldenbirdhadbeensokind，sofriendly，sopolite，soinstructive——andnowithadsetfiretoatheatreandmademotherill。
　　Nobodyblamedthebird。Ithadactedinaperfectlynaturalmanner。Buteveryonesawthatitmustnotbeaskedtoprolongitsvisit。Indeed，inplainEnglishitmustbeaskedtogo！
　　Thefourchildrenfeltlikebasespiesandtreacherousfriends；andeachinitsmindwassayingwhooughtnottobetheonetotellthePhoenixthattherecouldnolongerbeaplaceforitinthathappyhomeinCamdenTown。Eachchildwasquitesurethatoneofthemoughttospeakoutinafairandmanlyway，butnobodywantedtobetheone。
　　Theycouldnottalkthewholethingoverastheywouldhavelikedtodo，becausethePhoenixitselfwasinthecupboard，amongtheblackbeetlesandtheoddshoesandthebrokenchessmen。
　　ButAntheatried。
　　’It’sveryhorrid。Idohatethinkingthingsaboutpeople，andnotbeingabletosaythethingsyou’rethinkingbecauseofthewaytheywouldfeelwhentheythoughtwhatthingsyouwerethinking，andwonderedwhatthey’ddonetomakeyouthinkthingslikethat，andwhyyouwerethinkingthem。’
　　AntheawassoanxiousthatthePhoenixshouldnotunderstandwhatshesaidthatshemadeaspeechcompletelybafflingtoall。ItwasnottillshepointedtothecupboardinwhichallbelievedthePhoenixtobethatCyrilunderstood。
　　’Yes，’hesaid，whileJaneandRobertweretryingtotelleachotherhowdeeplytheydidn’tunderstandwhatAntheaweresaying；
　　’butafterrecenteventfulnessesanewleafhastobeturnedover，and，afterall，motherismoreimportantthanthefeelingsofanyofthelowerformsofcreation，howeverunnatural。’
　　’Howbeautifullyyoudodoit，’saidAnthea，absentlybeginningtobuildacard-housefortheLamb——’mixingupwhatyou’resaying，I
　　mean。Weoughttopractisedoingitsoastobereadyformysteriousoccasions。We’retalkingaboutTHAT，’shesaidtoJaneandRobert，frowning，andnoddingtowardsthecupboardwherethePhoenixwas。ThenRobertandJaneunderstood，andeachopeneditsmouthtospeak。
　　’Waitaminute，’saidAntheaquickly；’thegameistotwistupwhatyouwanttosaysothatnoonecanunderstandwhatyou’resayingexceptthepeopleyouwanttounderstandit，andsometimesnotthem。’
　　’Theancientphilosophers，’saidagoldenvoice，’Wellunderstoodtheartofwhichyouspeak。’
　　OfcourseitwasthePhoenix，whohadnotbeeninthecupboardatall，buthadbeencockingagoldeneyeatthemfromthecorniceduringthewholeconversation。
　　’Prettydickie！’remarkedtheLamb。’CANARYdickie！’
　　’Poormisguidedinfant，’saidthePhoenix。
　　Therewasapainfulpause；thefourcouldnotbutthinkitlikelythatthePhoenixhadunderstoodtheirveryveiledallusions，accompaniedastheyhadbeenbygesturesindicatingthecupboard。
　　ForthePhoenixwasnotwantinginintelligence。
　　’Wewerejustsaying——’Cyrilbegan，andIhopehewasnotgoingtosayanythingbutthetruth。Whateveritwashedidnotsayit，forthePhoenixinterruptedhim，andallbreathedmorefreelyasitspoke。
　　’Igather，’itsaid，’thatyouhavesometidingsofafatalnaturetocommunicatetoourdegradedblackbrotherswhoruntoandfroforeveryonder。’Itpointedaclawatthecupboard，wheretheblackbeetleslived。
　　’CanaryTALK，’saidtheLambjoyously；’goandshowmammy。’
　　HewriggledoffAnthea’slap。
　　’Mammy’sasleep，’saidJane，hastily。’Comeandbewildbeastsinacageunderthetable。’
　　ButtheLambcaughthisfeetandhands，andevenhishead，sooftenandsodeeplyintheholesofthecarpetthatthecage，ortable，hadtobemovedontothelinoleum，andthecarpetlaybaretosightwithallitshorridholes。
　　’Ah，’saidthebird，’itisn’tlongforthisworld。’
　　’No，’saidRobert；’everythingcomestoanend。It’sawful。’
　　’Sometimestheendispeace，’remarkedthePhoenix。’Iimaginethatunlessitcomessoontheendofyourcarpetwillbepieces。’
　　’Yes，’saidCyril，respectfullykickingwhatwasleftofthecarpet。ThemovementofitsbrightcolourscaughttheeyeoftheLamb，whowentdownonallfoursinstantlyandbegantopullattheredandbluethreads。
　　’Aggedydaggedygaggedy，’murmuredtheLamb；’daggedyagagag！’
　　Andbeforeanyonecouldhavewinked（eveniftheyhadwantedto，anditwouldnothavebeenoftheslightestuse）themiddleofthefloorshowedbare，anislandofboardssurroundedbyaseaoflinoleum。Themagiccarpetwasgone，ANDSOWASTHELAMB！
　　Therewasahorriblesilence。TheLamb——thebaby，allalone——hadbeenwaftedawayonthatuntrustworthycarpet，sofullofholesandmagic。Andnoonecouldknowwherehewas。Andnoonecouldfollowhimbecausetherewasnownocarpettofollowon。
　　Janeburstintotears，butAnthea，thoughpaleandfrantic，wasdry-eyed。
　　’ItMUSTbeadream，’shesaid。
　　’That’swhattheclergymansaid，’remarkedRobertforlornly；’butitwasn’t，anditisn’t。’
　　’ButtheLambneverwished，’saidCyril；’hewasonlytalkingBosh。’
　　’Thecarpetunderstandsallspeech，’saidthePhoenix，’evenBosh。
　　IknownotthisBoshland，butbeassuredthatitstongueisnotunknowntothecarpet。’
　　’Doyoumean，then，’saidAnthea，inwhiteterror，’thatwhenhewassaying"Aggletydag，"orwhateveritwas，thathemeantsomethingbyit？’
　　’Allspeechhasmeaning，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’ThereIthinkyou’rewrong，’saidCyril；’evenpeoplewhotalkEnglishsometimessaythingsthatdon’tmeananythinginparticular。’
　　’Oh，nevermindthatnow，’moanedAnthea；’youthink"Aggetydag"
　　meantsomethingtohimandthecarpet？’
　　’Beyonddoubtitheldthesamemeaningtothecarpetastothelucklessinfant，’thePhoenixsaidcalmly。
　　’AndWHATdiditmean？OhWHAT？’
　　’Unfortunately，’thebirdrejoined，’IneverstudiedBosh。’
　　Janesobbednoisily，buttheotherswerecalmwithwhatissometimescalledthecalmnessofdespair。TheLambwasgone——theLamb，theirownpreciousbabybrother——whohadneverinhishappylittlelifebeenforamomentoutofthesightofeyesthatlovedhim——hewasgone。Hehadgonealoneintothegreatworldwithnoothercompanionandprotectorthanacarpetwithholesinit。Thechildrenhadneverreallyunderstoodbeforewhatanenormouslybigplacetheworldis。AndtheLambmightbeanywhereinit！
　　’Andit’snousegoingtolookforhim。’Cyril，inflatandwretchedtones，onlysaidwhattheotherswerethinking。
　　’Doyouwishhimtoreturn？’thePhoenixasked；itseemedtospeakwithsomesurprise。
　　’Ofcoursewedo！’criedeverybody。
　　’Isn’themoretroublethanhe’sworth？’askedthebirddoubtfully。
　　’No，no。Oh，wedowanthimback！Wedo！’
　　’Then，’saidthewearerofgoldplumage，’ifyou’llexcuseme，I’lljustpopoutandseewhatIcando。’
　　Cyrilflungopenthewindow，andthePhoenixpoppedout。
　　’Oh，ifonlymothergoesonsleeping！Oh，supposeshewakesupandwantstheLamb！Oh，supposetheservantscome！Stopcrying，Jane。
　　It’snoearthlygood。No，I’mnotcryingmyself——atleastIwasn’ttillyousaidso，andIshouldn’tanywayif——iftherewasanymortalthingwecoulddo。Oh，oh，oh！’
　　CyrilandRobertwereboys，andboysnevercry，ofcourse。Still，thepositionwasaterribleone，andIdonotwonderthattheymadefacesintheireffortstobehaveinareallymanlyway。
　　Andatthisawfulmomentmother’sbellrang。
　　Abreathlessstillnessheldthechildren。ThenAntheadriedhereyes。Shelookedroundherandcaughtupthepoker。ShehelditouttoCyril。
　　’Hitmyhandhard，’shesaid；’Imustshowmothersomereasonformyeyesbeingliketheyare。Harder，’shecriedasCyrilgentlytappedherwiththeironhandle。AndCyril，agitatedandtrembling，nervedhimselftohitharder，andhitverymuchharderthanheintended。
　　Antheascreamed。
　　’Oh，Panther，Ididn’tmeantohurt，really，’criedCyril，clatteringthepokerbackintothefender。
　　’It’s——all——right，’saidAntheabreathlessly，claspingthehurthandwiththeonethatwasn’thurt；’it’s——getting——red。’
　　Itwas——aroundredandbluebumpwasrisingonthebackofit。
　　’Now，Robert，’shesaid，tryingtobreathemoreevenly，’yougoout——oh，Idon’tknowwhere——ontothedustbin——anywhere——andI
　　shalltellmotheryouandtheLambareout。’
　　Antheawasnowreadytodeceivehermotherforaslongasevershecould。Deceitisverywrong，weknow，butitseemedtoAntheathatitwasherplaindutytokeephermotherfrombeingfrightenedabouttheLambaslongaspossible。AndthePhoenixmighthelp。
　　’Italwayshashelped，’Robertsaid；’itgotusoutofthetower，andevenwhenitmadethefireinthetheatreitgotusoutallright。I’mcertainitwillmanagesomehow。’
　　Mother’sbellrangagain。
　　’Oh，Eliza’sneveransweredit，’criedAnthea；’sheneverdoes。
　　Oh，Imustgo。’
　　Andshewent。
　　Herheartbeatbumpinglyassheclimbedthestairs。Motherwouldbecertaintonoticehereyes——well，herhandwouldaccountforthat。ButtheLamb——
　　’No，ImustNOTthinkoftheLamb，shesaidtoherself，andbithertonguetillhereyeswateredagain，soastogiveherselfsomethingelsetothinkof。Herarmsandlegsandback，andevenhertear-reddenedface，feltstiffwithherresolutionnottoletmotherbeworriedifshecouldhelpit。
　　Sheopenedthedoorsoftly。
　　’Yes，mother？’shesaid。
　　’Dearest，’saidmother，’theLamb——’
　　Antheatriedtobebrave。ShetriedtosaythattheLambandRobertwereout。Perhapsshetriedtoohard。Anyway，whensheopenedhermouthnowordscame。Soshestoodwithitopen。Itseemedeasiertokeepfromcryingwithone’smouthinthatunusualposition。
　　’TheLamb，’motherwenton；’hewasverygoodatfirst，buthe’spulledthetoilet-coveroffthedressing-tablewithallthebrushesandpotsandthings，andnowhe’ssoquietI’msurehe’sinsomedreadfulmischief。AndIcan’tseehimfromhere，andifI’dgotoutofbedtoseeI’msureIshouldhavefainted。’
　　’Doyoumeanhe’sHERE？’saidAnthea。
　　’Ofcoursehe’shere，’saidmother，alittleimpatiently。’Wheredidyouthinkhewas？’
　　Antheawentroundthefootofthebigmahoganybed。Therewasapause。
　　’He’snothereNOW，’shesaid。
　　Thathehadbeentherewasplain，fromthetoilet-coveronthefloor，thescatteredpotsandbottles，thewanderingbrushesandcombs，allinvolvedinthetangleofribbonsandlaceswhichanopendrawerhadyieldedtothebaby’sinquisitivefingers。
　　’Hemusthavecreptout，then，’saidmother；’dokeephimwithyou，there’sadarling。IfIdon’tgetsomesleepIshallbeawreckwhenfathercomeshome。’
　　Antheaclosedthedoorsoftly。Thenshetoredownstairsandburstintothenursery，crying——
　　’Hemusthavewishedhewaswithmother。He’sbeenthereallthetime。"Aggetydag——"’
　　Theunusualwordwasfrozenonherlip，aspeoplesayinbooks。
　　Forthere，onthefloor，laythecarpet，andonthecarpet，surroundedbyhisbrothersandbyJane，sattheLamb。Hehadcoveredhisfaceandclotheswithvaselineandvioletpowder，buthewaseasilyrecognizableinspiteofthisdisguise。
　　’Youareright，’saidthePhoenix，whowasalsopresent；’itisevidentthat，asyousay，"Aggetydag"isBoshfor"Iwanttobewheremymotheris，"andsothefaithfulcarpetunderstoodit。’
　　’Buthow，’saidAnthea，catchinguptheLambandhugginghim——’howdidhegetbackhere？’
　　’Oh，’saidthePhoenix，’IflewtothePsammeadandwishedthatyourinfantbrotherwererestoredtoyourmidst，andimmediatelyitwasso。’
　　’Oh，Iamglad，Iamglad！’criedAnthea，stillhuggingthebaby。
　　’Oh，youdarling！Shutup，Jane！Idon’tcareHOWmuchhecomesoffonme！Cyril！YouandRobertrollthatcarpetupandputitinthebeetle-cupboard。Hemightsay"Aggetydag"again，anditmightmeansomethingquitedifferentnexttime。Now，myLamb，Panther’llcleanyoualittle。Comeon。’
　　’Ihopethebeetleswon’tgowishing，’saidCyril，astheyrolledupthecarpet。
　　Twodayslatermotherwaswellenoughtogoout，andthateveningthecoconutmattingcamehome。Thechildrenhadtalkedandtalked，andthoughtandthought，buttheyhadnotfoundanypolitewayoftellingthePhoenixthattheydidnotwantittostayanylonger。
　　Thedayshadbeendaysspentbythechildreninembarrassment，andbythePhoenixinsleep。
　　And，nowthemattingwaslaiddown，thePhoenixawokeandfluttereddownontoit。
　　Itshookitscrestedhead。
　　’Ilikenotthiscarpet，’itsaid；’itisharshandunyielding，andithurtsmygoldenfeet。’
　　’We’vejollywellgottogetusedtoitshurtingOURgoldenfeet，’
　　saidCyril。
　　’This，then，’saidthebird，’supersedestheWishingCarpet。’
　　’Yes，’saidRobert，’ifyoumeanthatit’sinsteadofit。’
　　’Andthemagicweb？’inquiredthePhoenix，withsuddeneagerness。
　　’It’stherag-and-bottleman’sdayto-morrow，’saidAnthea，inalowvoice；’hewilltakeitaway。’
　　ThePhoenixfluttereduptoitsfavouriteperchonthechair-back。
　　’Hearme！’itcried，’ohyouthfulchildrenofmen，andrestrainyourtearsofmiseryanddespair，forwhatmustbemustbe，andI
　　wouldnotrememberyou，thousandsofyearshence，asbaseingratesandcrawlingwormscompactoflowselfishness。’
　　’Ishouldhopenot，indeed，’saidCyril。
　　’Weepnot，’thebirdwenton；’Ireallydobegthatyouwon’tweep。
　　Iwillnotseektobreakthenewstoyougently。Lettheblowfallatonce。ThetimehascomewhenImustleaveyou。’
　　Allfourchildrenbreathedforthalongsighofrelief。
　　’Weneedn’thavebotheredsoabouthowtobreakthenewstoit，’
　　whisperedCyril。
　　’Ah，sighnotso，’saidthebird，gently。’Allmeetingsendinpartings。Imustleaveyou。Ihavesoughttoprepareyouforthis。Ah，donotgiveway！’
　　’Mustyoureallygo——sosoon？’murmuredAnthea。Itwaswhatshehadoftenheardhermothersaytocallingladiesintheafternoon。
　　’Imust，really；thankyousomuch，dear，’repliedthebird，justasthoughithadbeenoneoftheladies。
　　’Iamweary，’itwenton。’Idesiretorest——afterallthehappeningsofthislastmoonIdodesirereallytorest，andIaskofyouonelastboon。’
　　’Anylittlethingwecando，’saidRobert。
　　NowthatithadreallycometopartingwiththePhoenix，whosefavouritehehadalwaysbeen，RobertdidfeelalmostasmiserableasthePhoenixthoughttheyalldid。
　　’Iaskbuttherelicdesignedfortherag-and-bottleman。Givemewhatisleftofthecarpetandletmego。’
　　’Darewe？’saidAnthea。’Wouldmothermind？’
　　’Ihavedaredgreatlyforyoursakes，’remarkedthebird。
　　’Well，then，wewill，’saidRobert。
　　ThePhoenixfluffedoutitsfeathersjoyously。
　　’Norshallyouregretit，childrenofgoldenhearts，’itsaid。
　　’Quick——spreadthecarpetandleavemealone；butfirstpilehighthefire。Then，whileIamimmersedinthesacredpreliminaryrites，doyepreparesweet-smellingwoodsandspicesforthelastactofparting。’
　　Thechildrenspreadoutwhatwasleftofthecarpet。And，afterall，thoughthiswasjustwhattheywouldhavewishedtohavehappened，allheartsweresad。Thentheyputhalfascuttleofcoalonthefireandwentout，closingthedooronthePhoenix——left，atlast，alonewiththecarpet。
　　’Oneofusmustkeepwatch，’saidRobert，excitedly，assoonastheywerealloutoftheroom，’andtheotherscangoandbuysweetwoodsandspices。Gettheverybestthatmoneycanbuy，andplentyofthem。Don’tlet’sstandtoathreepenceorso。Iwantittohaveajollygoodsend-off。It’stheonlythingthat’llmakeusfeellesshorridinside。’
　　ItwasfeltthatRobert，asthepetofthePhoenix，oughttohavethelastmelancholypleasureofchoosingthematerialsforitsfuneralpyre。
　　’I’llkeepwatchifyoulike，’saidCyril。’Idon’tmind。And，besides，it’sraininghard，andmybootsletinthewet。Youmightcallandseeifmyotheronesare"reallyreliable"againyet。’
　　SotheyleftCyril，standinglikeaRomansentineloutsidethedoorinsidewhichthePhoenixwasgettingreadyforthegreatchange，andtheyallwentouttobuythepreciousthingsforthelastsadrites。
　　’Robertisright，’Antheasaid；’thisisnotimeforbeingcarefulaboutourmoney。Let’sgotothestationer’sfirst，andbuyawholepacketoflead-pencils。They’recheaperifyoubuythembythepacket。’
　　Thiswasathingthattheyhadalwayswantedtodo，butitneededthegreatexcitementofafuneralpyreandapartingfromabelovedPhoenixtoscrewthemuptotheextravagance。
　　Thepeopleatthestationer’ssaidthatthepencilswererealcedar-wood，soIhopetheywere，forstationersshouldalwaysspeakthetruth。Atanyratetheycostone-and-fourpence。Alsotheyspentsevenpencethree-farthingsonalittlesandal-woodboxinlaidwithivory。
　　’Because，’saidAnthea，’Iknowsandalwoodsmellssweet，andwhenit’sburneditsmellsverysweetindeed。’
　　’Ivorydoesn’tsmellatall，’saidRobert，’butIexpectwhenyouburnititsmellsmostawfulvile，likebones。’
　　Atthegrocer’stheyboughtallthespicestheycouldrememberthenamesof——shell-likemace，cloveslikebluntnails，peppercorns，thelongandtheroundkind；ginger，thedrysort，ofcourse；andthebeautifulbloom-coveredshellsoffragrantcinnamon。Allspicetoo，andcarawayseeds（carawayseedsthatsmeltmostdeadlywhenthetimecameforburningthem）。
　　Camphorandoiloflavenderwereboughtatthechemist’s，andalsoalittlescentsachetlabelled’ViolettesdeParme’。
　　TheytookthethingshomeandfoundCyrilstillonguard。WhentheyhadknockedandthegoldenvoiceofthePhoenixhadsaid’Comein，’theywentin。
　　Therelaythecarpet——orwhatwasleftofit——andonitlayanegg，exactlyliketheoneoutofwhichthePhoenixhadbeenhatched。
　　ThePhoenixwaswalkingroundandroundtheegg，cluckingwithjoyandpride。
　　’I’velaidit，yousee，’itsaid，’andasfineaneggaseverI
　　laidinallmyborndays。’
　　Everyonesaidyes，itwasindeedabeauty。
　　Thethingswhichthechildrenhadboughtwerenowtakenoutoftheirpapersandarrangedonthetable，andwhenthePhoenixhadbeenpersuadedtoleaveitseggforamomentandlookatthematerialsforitslastfireitwasquiteovercome。
　　’Never，neverhaveIhadafinerpyrethanthiswillbe。Youshallnotregretit，’itsaid，wipingawayagoldentear。’Writequickly："GoandtellthePsammeadtofulfilthelastwishofthePhoenix，andreturninstantly"。’
　　ButRobertwishedtobepoliteandhewrote——
　　’PleasegoandaskthePsammeadtobesokindastofulfilthePhoenix’slastwish，andcomestraightback，ifyouplease。’
　　Thepaperwaspinnedtothecarpet，whichvanishedandreturnedintheflashofaneye。
　　Thenanotherpaperwaswrittenorderingthecarpettotaketheeggsomewherewhereitwouldn’tbehatchedforanothertwothousandyears。ThePhoenixtoreitselfawayfromitscherishedegg，whichitwatchedwithyearningtendernesstill，thepaperbeingpinnedon，thecarpethastilyrolleditselfuproundtheegg，andbothvanishedforeverfromthenurseryofthehouseinCamdenTown。
　　’Oh，dear！oh，dear！oh，dear！’saideverybody。
　　’Bearup，’saidthebird；’doyouthink_I_don’tsuffer，beingpartedfrommypreciousnew-laidegglikethis？Come，conqueryouremotionsandbuildmyfire。’
　　’OH！’criedRobert，suddenly，andwhollybreakingdown，’Ican’tBEARyoutogo！’
　　ThePhoenixperchedonhisshoulderandrubbeditsbeaksoftlyagainsthisear。
　　’Thesorrowsofyouthsoonappearbutasdreams，’itsaid。
　　’Farewell，Robertofmyheart。Ihavelovedyouwell。’
　　Thefirehadburnttoaredglow。Onebyonethespicesandsweetwoodswerelaidonit。Somesmeltniceandsome——thecarawayseedsandtheViolettesdeParmesachetamongthem——smeltworsethanyouwouldthinkpossible。
　　’Farewell，farewell，farewell，farewell！’saidthePhoenix，inafar-awayvoice。
　　’Oh，GOOD-BYE，’saideveryone，andnowallwereintears。
　　Thebrightbirdflutteredseventimesroundtheroomandsettledinthehotheartofthefire。Thesweetgumsandspicesandwoodsflaredandflickeredaroundit，butitsgoldenfeathersdidnotburn。Itseemedtogrowred-hottotheveryinsideheartofit——andthenbeforetheeighteyesofitsfriendsitfelltogether，aheapofwhiteashes，andtheflamesofthecedarpencilsandthesandal-woodboxmetandjoinedaboveit。
　　’Whateverhaveyoudonewiththecarpet？’askedmothernextday。
　　’Wegaveittosomeonewhowanteditverymuch。ThenamebeganwithaP，’saidJane。
　　Theothersinstantlyhushedher。
　　’Oh，well，itwasn’tworthtwopence，’saidmother。
　　’ThepersonwhobeganwithPsaidweshouldn’tlosebyit，’Janewentonbeforeshecouldbestopped。
　　’Idaresay！’saidmother，laughing。
　　Butthatverynightagreatboxcame，addressedtothechildrenbyalltheirnames。Elizanevercouldrememberthenameofthecarrierwhobroughtit。Itwasn’tCarterPatersonortheParcelsDelivery。
　　Itwasinstantlyopened。Itwasabigwoodenbox，andithadtobeopenedwithahammerandthekitchenpoker；thelongnailscamesqueakingout，andboardsscrunchedastheywerewrenchedoff。
　　Insidetheboxwassoftpaper，withbeautifulChinesepatternsonit——blueandgreenandredandviolet。Andunderthepaper——well，almosteverythinglovelythatyoucanthinkof。Everythingofreasonablesize，Imean；for，ofcourse，therewerenomotorsorflyingmachinesorthoroughbredchargers。Buttherereallywasalmosteverythingelse。Everythingthatthechildrenhadalwayswanted——toysandgamesandbooks，andchocolateandcandiedcherriesandpaint-boxesandphotographiccameras，andallthepresentstheyhadalwayswantedtogivetofatherandmotherandtheLamb，onlytheyhadneverhadthemoneyforthem。Attheverybottomoftheboxwasatinygoldenfeather。NoonesawitbutRobert，andhepickeditupandhiditinthebreastofhisjacket，whichhadbeensooftenthenesting-placeofthegoldenbird。Whenhewenttobedthefeatherwasgone。ItwasthelastheeversawofthePhoenix。
　　Pinnedtothelovelyfurcloakthatmotherhadalwayswantedwasapaper，anditsaid——
　　’Inreturnforthecarpet。Withgratitude。——P。’
　　Youmayguesshowfatherandmothertalkeditover。Theydecidedatlastthepersonwhohadhadthecarpet，andwhom，curiouslyenough，thechildrenwerequiteunabletodescribe，mustbeaninsanemillionairewhoamusedhimselfbyplayingatbeingarag-and-boneman。Butthechildrenknewbetter。
　　Theyknewthatthiswasthefulfilment，bythepowerfulPsammead，ofthelastwishofthePhoenix，andthatthisgloriousanddelightfulboxfuloftreasureswasreallythevery，very，veryendofthePhoenixandtheCarpet。