’Butit’snotsoextraprecious，’saidRoberthastily。’YoucangetthemgiventoyoufornothingifyoubuyfishinFarringdonMarket。’
　　’Oh，’saidthePsammeadverycrosslyindeed，’soyoupresumeonmysublimeindifferencetothethingsofthisdisgustingmodernworld，tofobmeoffwithatravellingequipagethatcostsyounothing。Verywell，Ishallgotosand。Pleasedon’twakeme。’
　　Anditwentthenandtheretosand，which，asyouknow，meanttobed。TheboyswenttoStJames’sParktofeedtheducks，buttheywentalone。
　　AntheaandJanesatsewingalltheafternoon。TheycutoffhalfayardfromeachoftheirbestgreenLibertysashes。Atowelcutintwoformedalining；andtheysatandsewedandsewedandsewed。WhattheyweremakingwasabagforthePsammead。Eachworkedatahalfofthebag。jane’shalfhadfour—leavedshamrocksembroideredonit。Theyweretheonlythingsshecoulddo（becauseshehadbeentaughthowatschool，and，fortunately，someofthesilkshehadbeentaughtwithwasleftover）。Andevenso，Antheahadtodrawthepatternforher。Anthea’ssideofthebaghadlettersonit——workedhastilybutaffectionatelyinchainstitch。Theyweresomethinglikethis：
　　PSAMSTRAVELCAR
　　Shewouldhaveput’travellingcarriage’，butshemadetheletterstoobig，sotherewasnoroom。ThebagwasmadeINTOabagwitholdNurse’ssewingmachine，andthestringsofitwereAnthea’sandJane’sbestredhairribbons。Attea—time，whentheboyshadcomehomewithamostunfavourablereportoftheStjames’sParkducks，AntheaventuredtoawakenthePsammead，andtoshowititsnewtravellingbag。
　　’Humph，’itsaid，sniffingalittlecontemptuously，yetatthesametimeaffectionately，’it’snotsodusty。’
　　ThePsammeadseemedtopickupveryeasilythekindofthingsthatpeoplesaidnowadays。ForacreaturethathadinitstimeassociatedwithMegatheriumsandPterodactyls，itsquicknesswasreallywonderful。
　　’It’smoreworthyofme，’itsaid，’thanthekindofbagthat’sgivenawaywithapoundofplaice。Whendoyouproposetotakemeoutinit？’
　　’Ishouldlikearestfromtakingyouorusanywhere，’saidCyril。ButJanesaid——
　　’IwanttogotoEgypt。IdidlikethatEgyptianPrincessthatcametomarrytheKinginBabylon。ShetoldmeaboutthelarkstheyhaveinEgypt。Andthecats。Dolet’sgothere。AndI
　　toldherwhatthebirdthingsontheAmuletwerelike。AndshesaiditwasEgyptianwriting。’
　　TheothersexchangedlooksofsilentrejoicingatthethoughtoftheirclevernessinhavingconcealedfromJanetheterrorstheyhadsufferedinthedungeonbelowtheEuphrates。
　　’Egypt’ssonicetoo，’Janewenton，’becauseofDoctorBrewer’sScriptureHistory。IwouldliketogotherewhenJosephwasdreamingthosecuriousdreams，orwhenMoseswasdoingwonderfulthingswithsnakesandsticks。’
　　’Idon’tcareaboutsnakes，’saidAntheashuddering。
　　’Well，weneedn’tbeinatthatpart，butBabylonwaslovely！Wehadcreamandsweet，stickystuff。AndIexpectEgypt’sthesame。’
　　Therewasagooddealofdiscussion，butitallendedineverybody’sagreeingtoJane’sidea。Andnextmorningdirectlyafterbreakfast（whichwaskippersandverynice）thePsammeadwasinvitedtogetintohistravellingcarriage。
　　Themomentafterithaddoneso，withstiff，furryreluctance，likethatofacatwhenyouwanttonurseit，anditsideasarenotthesameasyours，oldNursecamein。
　　’Well，chickies，’shesaid，’areyoufeelingverydull？’
　　’Oh，no，Nursedear，’saidAnthea；’we’rehavingalovelytime。
　　We’rejustgoingofftoseesomeoldancientrelics。’
　　’Ah，’saidoldNurse，’theRoyalAcademy，Isuppose？Don’tgowastingyourmoneytooreckless，that’sall。’
　　Sheclearedawaythekipperbonesandthetea—things，andwhenshehadsweptupthecrumbsandremovedthecloth，theAmuletwasheldupandtheordergiven——justasDuchesses（andotherpeople）
　　giveittotheircoachmen。
　　’ToEgypt，please！’saidAnthea，whenCyrilhadutteredthewonderfulNameofPower。
　　’WhenMoseswasthere，’addedJane。
　　Andthere，inthedingyFitzroyStreetdining—room，theAmuletgrewbig，anditwasanarch，andthroughittheysawablue，blueskyandarunningriver。
　　’No，stop！’saidCyril，andpulleddownjane’shandwiththeAmuletinit。
　　’Whatsillycuckoosweallare，’hesaid。’Ofcoursewecan’tgo。Wedaren’tleavehomeforasingleminutenow，forfearthatminuteshouldbeTHEminute。’
　　’WhatminutebeWHATminute？’askedJaneimpatiently，tryingtogetherhandawayfromCyril。
　　’TheminutewhentheQueenofBabyloncomes，’saidCyril。Andtheneveryonesawit。
　　Forsomedayslifeflowedinaveryslow，dusty，uneventfulstream。
　　Thechildrencouldnevergooutallatonce，becausetheyneverknewwhentheKingofBabylonwouldgooutlionhuntingandleavehisQueenfreetopaythemthatsurprisevisittowhichshewas，withoutdoubt，eagerlylookingforward。
　　Sotheytookitinturns，twoandtwo，togooutandtostayin。
　　Thestay—at—homeswouldhavebeenmuchdullerthantheywerebutforthenewinteresttakeninthembythelearnedgentleman。
　　HecalledAntheainonedaytoshowherabeautifulnecklaceofpurpleandgoldbeads。
　　’Isawonelikethat，’shesaid，’in——’
　　’IntheBritishMuseum，perhaps？’
　　’IliketocalltheplacewhereIsawitBabylon，’saidAntheacautiously。
　　’Aprettyfancy，’saidthelearnedgentleman，’andquitecorrecttoo，because，asamatteroffact，thesebeadsdidcomefromBabylon。’Theotherthreewerealloutthatday。TheboyshadbeengoingtotheZoo，andJanehadsaidsoplaintively，’I’msureIamfonderofrhinocerosesthaneitherofyouare，’thatAntheahadtoldhertorunalongthen。Andshehadrun，catchingtheboysbeforethatpartoftheroadwhereFitzroyStreetsuddenlybecomesFitzroySquare。
　　’IthinkBabylonismostfrightfullyinteresting，’saidAnthea。
　　’Idohavesuchinterestingdreamsaboutit——atleast，notdreamsexactly，butquiteaswonderful。’
　　’Dositdownandtellme，’saidhe。Soshesatdownandtold。
　　Andheaskedheralotofquestions，andsheansweredthemaswellasshecould。
　　’Wonderful——wonderful！’hesaidatlast。’One’sheardofthought—transference，butIneverthought_I_hadanypowerofthatsort。Yetitmustbethat，andverybadforYOU，Ishouldthink。Doesn’tyourheadacheverymuch？’
　　Hesuddenlyputacold，thinhandonherforehead。
　　’Nothankyou，notatall，’saidshe。
　　’Iassureyouitisnotdoneintentionally，’hewenton。’OfcourseIknowagooddealaboutBabylon，andIunconsciouslycommunicateittoyou；you’veheardofthought—reading，butsomeofthethingsyousay，Idon’tunderstand；theyneverentermyhead，andyetthey’resoastoundinglyprobable。’
　　’It’sallright，’saidAntheareassuringly。’_I_understand。
　　Anddon’tworry。It’sallquitesimplereally。’
　　ItwasnotquitesosimplewhenAnthea，havingheardtheotherscomein，wentdown，andbeforeshehadhadtimetoaskhowtheyhadlikedtheZoo，heardanoiseoutside，comparedtowhichthewildbeasts’noisesweregentleassingingbirds。
　　’Goodgracious！’criedAnthea，’what’sthat？’
　　Theloudhumofmanyvoicescamethroughtheopenwindow。Wordscouldbedistinguished。
　　’’Ere’saguy！’
　　’Thisain’tNovember。Thatain’tnoguy。It’saballetlady，that’swhatitis。’
　　’Notit——it’sabloomin’looney，Itellyou。’
　　Thencameaclearvoicethattheyknew。
　　’Retire，slaves！’itsaid。
　　’What’ssheasayingof？’criedadozenvoices。’Someblamedforeignlingo，’onevoicereplied。
　　Thechildrenrushedtothedoor。Acrowdwasontheroadandpavement。
　　Inthemiddleofthecrowd，plainlytobeseenfromthetopofthesteps，werethebeautifulfaceandbrightveiloftheBabylonianQueen。
　　’Jimminy！’criedRobert，andrandownthesteps，’heresheis！’
　　’Here！’hecried，’lookout——lettheladypass。She’safriendofours，comingtoseeus。’
　　’Nicefriendforarespectablehouse，’snortedafatwomanwithmarrowsonahandcart。
　　Allthesamethecrowdmadewayalittle。TheQueenmetRobertonthepavement，andCyriljoinedthem，thePsammeadbagstillonhisarm。
　　’Here，’hewhispered；’here’sthePsammead；youcangetwishes。’
　　’_I_wishyou’dcomeinadifferentdress，ifyouHADtocome，’
　　saidRobert；’butit’snousemywishinganything。’
　　’No，’saidtheQueen。’IwishIwasdressed——no，Idon’t——IwishTHEYweredressedproperly，thentheywouldn’tbesosilly。’
　　ThePsammeadblewitselfouttillthebagwasaverytightfitforit；andsuddenlyeveryman，woman，andchildinthatcrowdfeltthatithadnotenoughclotheson。For，ofcourse，theQueen’sideaofproperdresswasthedressthathadbeenproperfortheworking—classes3，000yearsagoinBabylon——andtherewasnotmuchofit。
　　’Lawkyme！’saidthemarrow—sellingwoman，’whatevercoulda—tookmetocomeoutthisfigure？’andshewheeledhercartawayveryquicklyindeed。
　　’Someone’smadeaprettyguyofyou——talkofguys，’saidamanwhosoldbootlaces。
　　’Well，don’tyoutalk，’saidthemannexttohim。’Lookatyourownsillylegs；andwhere’syourboots？’
　　’Inevercomeoutlikethis，I’lltakemysacred，’saidthebootlace—seller。’Iwasn’tquitemyselflastnight，I’llown，butnottodressuplikeacircus。’
　　Thecrowdwasalltalkingatonce，andgettingratherangry。ButnooneseemedtothinkofblamingtheQueen。
　　Antheaboundeddownthestepsandpulledherup；theothersfollowed，andthedoorwasshut。’BlowedifIcanmakeitout！’
　　theyheard。’I’moffhome，Iam。’
　　Andthecrowd，comingslowlytothesamemind，dispersed，followedbyanothercrowdofpersonswhowerenotdressedinwhattheQueenthoughtwastheproperway。
　　’Weshallhavethepoliceheredirectly，’saidAntheainthetonesofdespair。’Oh，whydidyoucomedressedlikethat？’
　　TheQueenleanedagainstthearmofthehorse—hairsofa。
　　’HowelsecanaqueendressIshouldliketoknow？’shequestioned。
　　’OurQueenwearsthingslikeotherpeople，’saidCyril。
　　’Well，Idon’t。AndImustsay，’sheremarkedinaninjuredtone，’thatyoudon’tseemverygladtoseemenowIHAVEcome。
　　Butperhapsit’sthesurprisethatmakesyoubehavelikethis。
　　Yetyououghttobeusedtosurprises。Thewayyouvanished！I
　　shallneverforgetit。ThebestmagicI’veeverseen。Howdidyoudoit？’
　　’Oh，nevermindaboutthatnow，’saidRobert。’Youseeyou’vegoneandupsetallthosepeople，andIexpectthey’llfetchthepolice。Andwedon’twanttoseeyoucollaredandputinprison。’
　　’Youcan’tputqueensinprison，’shesaidloftily。’Oh，can’tyou？’saidCyril。’Wecutoffaking’sheadhereonce。’
　　’Inthismiserableroom？Howfrightfullyinteresting。’
　　’No，no，notinthisroom；inhistory。’
　　’Oh，inTHAT，’saidtheQueendisparagingly。’Ithoughtyou’ddoneitwithyourownhands。’
　　Thegirlsshuddered。
　　’Whatahideouscityyoursis，’theQueenwentonpleasantly，’andwhathorrid，ignorantpeople。Doyouknowtheyactuallycan’tunderstandasinglewordIsay。’
　　’Canyouunderstandthem？’askedJane。
　　’Ofcoursenot；theyspeaksomevulgar，Northerndialect。IcanunderstandYOUquitewell。’
　　IreallyamnotgoingtoexplainAGAINhowitwasthatthechildrencouldunderstandotherlanguagesthantheirownsothoroughly，andtalkthem，too，sothatitfeltandsounded（tothem）justasthoughtheyweretalkingEnglish。
　　’Well，’saidCyrilbluntly，’nowyou’veseenjusthowhorriditis，don’tyouthinkyoumightaswellgohomeagain？’’Why，I’veseensimplynothingyet，’saidtheQueen，arrangingherstarryveil。’Iwishedtobeatyourdoor，andIwas。NowImustgoandseeyourKingandQueen。’
　　’Nobody’sallowedto，’saidAntheainhaste；’butlookhere，we’lltakeyouandshowyouanythingyou’dliketosee——anythingyouCANsee，’sheaddedkindly，becausesherememberedhownicetheQueenhadbeentotheminBabylon，evenifshehadbeenalittledeceitfulinthematterofJaneandPsammead。
　　’There’stheMuseum，’saidCyrilhopefully；’therearelotsofthingsfromyourcountrythere。Ifonlywecoulddisguiseyoualittle。’
　　’Iknow，’saidAntheasuddenly。’Mother’soldtheatrecloak，andtherearealotofheroldhatsinthebigbox。’
　　Thebluesilk，lace—trimmedcloakdidindeedhidesomeoftheQueen’sstartlingsplendours，butthehatfittedverybadly。Ithadpinkrosesinit；andtherewassomethingaboutthecoatorthehatortheQueen，thatmadeherlooksomehownotveryrespectable。
　　’Oh，nevermind，’saidAnthea，whenCyrilwhisperedthis。’ThethingistogetheroutbeforeNursehasfinishedherfortywinks。Ishouldthinkshe’saboutgottothethirty—ninthwinkbynow。’
　　’Comeonthen，’saidRobert。’Youknowhowdangerousitis。
　　Let’smakehasteintotheMuseum。Ifanyofthosepeopleyoumadeguysofdofetchthepolice，theywon’tthinkoflookingforyouthere。’
　　Thebluesilkcoatandthepink—rosedhatattractedalmostasmuchattentionastheroyalcostumehaddone；andthechildrenwereuncommonlygladtogetoutofthenoisystreetsintothegreyquietoftheMuseum。
　　’Parcelsandumbrellastobelefthere，’saidamanatthecounter。
　　Thepartyhadnoumbrellas，andtheonlyparcelwasthebagcontainingthePsammead，whichtheQueenhadinsistedshouldbebrought。
　　’I’Mnotgoingtobeleft，’saidthePsammeadsoftly，’sodon’tyouthinkit。’
　　’I’llwaitoutsidewithyou，’saidAntheahastily，andwenttositontheseatnearthedrinkingfountain。
　　’Don’tsitsonearthatnastyfountain，’saidthecreaturecrossly；’Imightgetsplashed。’
　　Antheaobedientlymovedtoanotherseatandwaited。Indeedshewaited，andwaited，andwaited，andwaited，andwaited。ThePsammeaddroppedintoanuneasyslumber。Antheahadlongceasedtowatchtheswing—doorthatalwaysletoutthewrongperson，andshewasherselfalmostasleep，andstilltheothersdidnotcomeback。
　　ItwasquiteastartwhenAntheasuddenlyrealizedthattheyHAD
　　comeback，andthattheywerenotalone。Behindthemwasquiteacrowdofmeninuniform，andseveralgentlemenwerethere。
　　Everyoneseemedveryangry。
　　’Nowgo，’saidthenicestoftheangrygentlemen。’Takethepoor，dementedthinghomeandtellyourparentssheoughttobeproperlylookedafter。’
　　’Ifyoucan’tgethertogowemustsendforthepolice，’saidthenastiestgentleman。
　　’Butwedon’twishtouseharshmeasures，’addedtheniceone，whowasreallyveryniceindeed，andseemedtobeoveralltheothers。
　　’MayIspeaktomysisteramomentfirst？’askedRobert。
　　Thenicestgentlemannodded，andtheofficialsstoodroundtheQueen，theothersformingasortofguardwhileRobertcrossedovertoAnthea。
　　’Everythingyoucanthinkof，’herepliedtoAnthea’sglanceofinquiry。’Kickedupthemostfrightfulshineinthere。Saidthosenecklacesandearringsandthingsintheglasscaseswereallhers——wouldhavethemoutofthecases。Triedtobreaktheglass——shedidbreakonebit！Everybodyintheplacehasbeenather。Nogood。Ionlygotheroutbytellingherthatwastheplacewheretheycutqueens’headsoff。’
　　’Oh，Bobs，whatawhacker！’
　　’You’dhavetoldawhackingeronetogetherout。Besides，itwasn’t。ImeantMUMMYqueens。Howdoyouknowtheydon’tcutoffmummies’headstoseehowtheembalmingisdone？WhatIwanttosayis，can’tyougethertogowithyouquietly？’
　　’I’lltry，’saidAnthea，andwentuptotheQueen。
　　’Docomehome，’shesaid；’thelearnedgentlemaninourhousehasamuchnicernecklacethananythingthey’vegothere。Comeandseeit。’
　　TheQueennodded。
　　’Yousee，’saidthenastiestgentleman，’shedoesunderstandEnglish。’
　　’IwastalkingBabylonian，Ithink，’saidAntheabashfully。
　　’Mygoodchild，’saidthenicegentleman，’whatyou’retalkingisnotBabylonian，butnonsense。Youjustgohomeatonce，andtellyourparentsexactlywhathashappened。’
　　AntheatooktheQueen’shandandgentlypulledheraway。Theotherchildrenfollowed，andtheblackcrowdofangrygentlemenstoodonthestepswatchingthem。Itwaswhenthelittlepartyofdisgracedchildren，withtheQueenwhohaddisgracedthem，hadreachedthemiddleofthecourtyardthathereyesfellonthebagwherethePsammeadwas。Shestoppedshort。
　　’Iwish，’shesaid，veryloudandclear，’thatallthoseBabylonianthingswouldcomeouttomehere——slowly，sothatthosedogsandslavescanseetheworkingofthegreatQueen’smagic。’
　　’Oh，youAREatiresomewoman，’saidthePsammeadinitsbag，butitpuffeditselfout。
　　Nextmomenttherewasacrash。Theglassswingdoorsandalltheirframeworkweresmashedsuddenlyandcompletely。Thecrowdofangrygentlemensprangasidewhentheysawwhathaddonethis。
　　Butthenastiestofthemwasnotquickenough，andhewasroughlypushedoutofthewaybyanenormousstonebullthatwasfloatingsteadilythroughthedoor。ItcameandstoodbesidetheQueeninthemiddleofthecourtyard。
　　Itwasfollowedbymorestoneimages，bygreatslabsofcarvedstone，bricks，helmets，tools，weapons，fetters，wine—jars，bowls，bottles，vases，jugs，saucers，seals，andtheroundlongthings，somethinglikerollingpinswithmarksonthemliketheprintoflittlebird—feet，necklaces，collars，rings，armlets，earrings——heapsandheapsandheapsofthings，farmorethananyonehadtimetocount，oreventoseedistinctly。
　　AlltheangrygentlemenhadabruptlysatdownontheMuseumstepsexcepttheniceone。HestoodwithhishandsinhispocketsjustasthoughhewasquiteusedtoseeinggreatstonebullsandallsortsofsmallBabylonishobjectsfloatoutintotheMuseumyard。
　　Buthesentamantoclosethebigirongates。
　　Ajournalist，whowasjustleavingthemuseum，spoketoRobertashepassed。
　　’Theosophy，Isuppose？’hesaid。’IssheMrsBesant？’
　　’YES，’saidRobertrecklessly。
　　Thejournalistpassedthroughthegatesjustbeforetheywereshut。
　　HerushedofftoFleetStreet，andhispapergotoutaneweditionwithinhalfanhour。
　　MRSBESANTANDTHEOSOPHY
　　IMPERTINENTMIRACLEATTHEBRITISHMUSEUM。
　　Peoplesawitinfat，blacklettersontheboardscarriedbythesellersofnewspapers。SomefewpeoplewhohadnothingbettertodowentdowntotheMuseumonthetopsofomnibuses。Butbythetimetheygottheretherewasnothingtobeseen。FortheBabylonianQueenhadsuddenlyseentheclosedgates，hadfeltthethreatofthem，andhadsaid——
　　’Iwishwewereinyourhouse。’
　　And，ofcourse，instantlytheywere。
　　ThePsammeadwasfurious。
　　’Lookhere，’itsaid，’they’llcomeafteryou，andthey’llfindME。There’llbeaNationalCagebuiltformeatWestminster，andIshallhavetoworkatpolitics。Whywouldn’tyouleavethethingsintheirplaces？’
　　’Whatatemperyouhave，haven’tyou？’saidtheQueenserenely。
　　’Iwishallthethingswerebackintheirplaces。WillTHATdoforyou？’
　　ThePsammeadswelledandshrankandspokeveryangrily。
　　’Ican’trefusetogiveyourwishes，’itsaid，’butIcanBite。
　　AndIwillifthisgoeson。Nowthen。’
　　’Ah，don’t，’whisperedAntheaclosetoitsbristlingear；’it’sdreadfulforustoo。Don’tYOUdesertus。Perhapsshe’llwishherselfathomeagainsoon。’
　　’Notshe，’saidthePsammeadalittlelesscrossly。
　　’TakemetoseeyourCity，’saidtheQueen。
　　Thechildrenlookedateachother。
　　’Ifwehadsomemoneywecouldtakeheraboutinacab。Peoplewouldn’tnoticehersomuchthen。Butwehaven’t。’
　　’Sellthis，’saidtheQueen，takingaringfromherfinger。
　　’They’donlythinkwe’dstolenit，’saidCyrilbitterly，’andputusinprison。’
　　’Allroadsleadtoprisonwithyou，itseems，’saidtheQueen。
　　’Thelearnedgentleman！’saidAnthea，andranuptohimwiththeringinherhand。
　　’Lookhere，’shesaid，’willyoubuythisforapound？’
　　’Oh！’hesaidintonesofjoyandamazement，andtooktheringintohishand。’It’smyveryown，’saidAnthea；’itwasgiventometosell。’
　　’I’lllendyouapound，’saidthelearnedgentleman，’withpleasure；andI’lltakecareoftheringforyou。Whodidyousaygaveittoyou？’
　　’Wecallher，’saidAntheacarefully，’theQueenofBabylon。’
　　’Isitagame？’heaskedhopefully。
　　’It’llbeaprettygameifIdon’tgetthemoneytopayforcabsforher，’saidAnthea。
　　’Isometimesthink，’hesaidslowly，’thatIambecominginsane，orthat——’
　　’OrthatIam；butI’mnot，andyou’renot，andshe’snot。’
　　’DoessheSAYthatshe’stheQueenofBabylon？’heuneasilyasked。
　　’Yes，’saidAnthearecklessly。
　　’Thisthought—transferenceismorefar—reachingthanIimagined，’
　　hesaid。’IsupposeIhaveunconsciouslyinfluencedHER，too。I
　　neverthoughtmyBabylonishstudieswouldbearfruitlikethis。
　　Horrible！Therearemorethingsinheavenandearth——’
　　’Yes，’saidAnthea，’heapsmore。Andthepoundisthething_I_
　　wantmorethananythingonearth。’
　　Heranhisfingersthroughhisthinhair。
　　’Thisthought—transference！’hesaid。’It’sundoubtedlyaBabylonianring——oritseemssotome。ButperhapsIhavehypnotizedmyself。IwillseeadoctorthemomentIhavecorrectedthelastproofsofmybook。’
　　’Yes，do！’saidAnthea，’andthankyousoverymuch。’
　　Shetookthesovereignandrandowntotheothers。
　　Andnowfromthewindowofafour—wheeledcabtheQueenofBabylonbeheldthewondersofLondon。BuckinghamPalaceshethoughtuninteresting；WestminsterAbbeyandtheHousesofParliamentlittlebetter。ButshelikedtheTower，andtheRiver，andtheshipsfilledherwithwonderanddelight。
　　’Buthowbadlyyoukeepyourslaves。Howwretchedandpoorandneglectedtheyseem，’shesaid，asthecabrattledalongtheMileEndRoad。
　　’Theyaren’tslaves；they’reworking—people，’saidJane。
　　’Ofcoursethey’reworking。That’swhatslavesare。Don’tyoutellme。DoyousupposeIdon’tknowaslave’sfacewhenIseeit？
　　Whydon’ttheirmastersseethatthey’rebetterfedandbetterclothed？Tellmeinthreewords。’
　　Nooneanswered。Thewage—systemofmodernEnglandisalittledifficulttoexplaininthreewordsevenifyouunderstandit——whichthechildrendidn’t。
　　’You’llhavearevoltofyourslavesifyou’renotcareful，’saidtheQueen。
　　’Oh，no，’saidCyril；’youseetheyhavevotes——thatmakesthemsafenottorevolt。Itmakesallthedifference。Fathertoldmeso。’
　　’Whatisthisvote？’askedtheQueen。’Isitacharm？Whatdotheydowithit？’
　　’Idon’tknow，’saidtheharassedCyril；’it’sjustavote，that’sall！Theydon’tdoanythingparticularwithit。’
　　’Isee，’saidtheQueen；’asortofplaything。Well，Iwishthatalltheseslavesmayhaveintheirhandsthismomenttheirfilloftheirfavouritemeatanddrink。’
　　InstantlyallthepeopleintheMileEndRoad，andinalltheotherstreetswherepoorpeoplelive，foundtheirhandsfullofthingstoeatanddrink。Fromthecabwindowcouldbeseenpersonscarryingeverykindoffood，andbottlesandcansaswell。Roastmeat，fowls，redlobsters，greatyellowycrabs，friedfish，boiledpork，beef—steakpuddings，bakedonions，muttonpies；mostoftheyoungpeoplehadorangesandsweetsandcake。ItmadeanenormouschangeinthelookoftheMileEndRoad——brighteneditup，sotospeak，andbrightenedup，morethanyoucanpossiblyimagine，thefacesofthepeople。
　　’Makesadifference，doesn’tit？’saidtheQueen。
　　’That’sthebestwishyou’vehadyet，’saidJanewithcordialapproval。
　　justbytheBankthecabmanstopped。
　　’Iain’tagoin’todriveyounofurther，’hesaid。’Outyougets。’
　　Theygotoutratherunwillingly。
　　’Iwantsmytea，’hesaid；andtheysawthatontheboxofthecabwasamoundofcabbage，withporkchopsandapplesauce，aduck，andaspottedcurrantpudding。Alsoalargecan。
　　’Youpaymemyfare，’hesaidthreateningly，andlookeddownatthemound，mutteringagainabouthistea。
　　’We’lltakeanothercab，’saidCyrilwithdignity。’Givemechangeforasovereign，ifyouplease。’
　　Butthecabman，asitturnedout，wasnotatallanicecharacter。Hetookthesovereign，whippeduphishorse，anddisappearedinthestreamofcabsandomnibusesandwagons，withoutgivingthemanychangeatall。
　　Alreadyalittlecrowdwascollectingroundtheparty。
　　’Comeon，’saidRobert，leadingthewrongway。
　　Thecrowdroundthemthickened。Theywereinanarrowstreetwheremanygentlemeninblackcoatsandwithouthatswerestandingaboutonthepavementtalkingveryloudly。
　　’Howuglytheirclothesare，’saidtheQueenofBabylon。’They’dberatherfinemen，someofthem，iftheyweredresseddecently，especiallytheoneswiththebeautifullong，curvednoses。I
　　wishtheyweredressedliketheBabyloniansofmycourt。’
　　Andofcourse，itwasso。
　　ThemomentthealmostfaintingPsammeadhadblownitselfouteverymaninThrogmortonStreetappearedabruptlyinBabylonianfulldress。
　　Allwerecarefullypowdered，theirhairandbeardswerescentedandcurled，theirgarmentsrichlyembroidered。Theyworeringsandarmlets，flatgoldcollarsandswords，andimpossible—lookinghead—dresses。
　　Astupefiedsilencefellonthem。
　　’Isay，’ayouthwhohadalwaysbeenfair—hairedbrokethatsilence，’it’sonlyfancyofcourse——somethingwrongwithmyeyes——butyouchapsdolooksorum。’
　　’Rum，’saidhisfriend。’LookatYOU。Youinasash！Myhat！
　　Andyourhair’sgoneblackandyou’vegotabeard。It’smybeliefwe’vebeenpoisoned。Youdolookajackape。’
　　’OldLevinsteindon’tlooksobad。ButhowwasitDONE——that’swhatIwanttoknow。Howwasitdone？Isitconjuring，orwhat？’
　　’Ithinkitischustaver’badtream，’saidoldLevinsteintohisclerk；’allalongBishopsgateIhafseenthegommonpeoplehavetheirhantsfulloffood——GOOTfood。Ohyes，withoutdoubtaverybadtream！’
　　’ThenI’mdreamingtoo，Sir，’saidtheclerk，lookingdownathislegswithanexpressionofloathing。’Iseemyfeetinbeastlysandalsasplainasplain。’
　　’Allthatgootfoodwasted，’saidoldMrLevinstein。Abadtream——abadtream。’
　　TheMembersoftheStockExchangearesaidtobeatalltimesanoisylot。ButthenoisetheymadenowtoexpresstheirdisgustatthecostumesofancientBabylonwasfarlouderthantheirordinaryrow。Onehadtoshoutbeforeonecouldhearoneselfspeak。
　　’Ionlywish，’saidtheclerkwhothoughtitwasconjuring——hewasquiteclosetothechildrenandtheytrembled，becausetheyknewthatwhateverhewishedwouldcometrue。’Ionlywishweknewwho’ddoneit。’
　　And，ofcourse，instantlytheydidknow，andtheypressedroundtheQueen。
　　’Scandalous！Shameful！Oughttobeputdownbylaw。Giveherincharge。Fetchthepolice，’twoorthreevoicesshoutedatonce。
　　TheQueenrecoiled。
　　’Whatisit？’sheasked。’Theysoundlikecagedlions——lionsbythethousand。Whatisitthattheysay？’
　　’Theysay"Police！"，’saidCyrilbriefly。’Iknewtheywouldsoonerorlater。AndIdon’tblamethem，mindyou。’
　　’Iwishmyguardswerehere！’criedtheQueen。TheexhaustedPsammeadwaspantingandtrembling，buttheQueen’sguardsinredandgreengarments，andbrassandirongear，chokedThrogmortonStreet，andbaredweaponsflashedroundtheQueen。
　　’I’mmad，’saidaMrRosenbaum；’dat’swhatitis——mad！’
　　’It’sajudgementonyou，Rosy，’saidhispartner。’IalwayssaidyouweretoohardinthatmatterofFlowerdew。It’sajudgement，andI’minittoo。’
　　ThemembersoftheStockExchangehadedgedcarefullyawayfromthegleamingblades，themailedfigures，thehard，cruelEasternfaces。
　　ButThrogmortonStreetisnarrow，andthecrowdwastoothickforthemtogetawayasquicklyastheywished。
　　’Killthem，’criedtheQueen。’Killthedogs！’
　　Theguardsobeyed。
　　’ItISalladream，’criedMrLevinstein，coweringinadoorwaybehindhisclerk。
　　’Itisn’t，’saidtheclerk。’Itisn’t。Oh，mygoodgracious！
　　thoseforeignbrutesarekillingeverybody。HenryHirshisdownnow，andPrenticeiscutintwo——oh，Lord！andHuth，andtheregoesLionelCohenwithhisheadoff，andGuyNickallshaslosthisheadnow。Adream？Iwishtogoodnessitwasalladream。’
　　And，ofcourse，instantlyitwas！TheentireStockExchangerubbeditseyesandwentbacktoclose，toover，andeithersideofseven—eights，andTrunks，andKaffirs，andSteelCommon，andContangoes，andBackwardations，DoubleOptions，andalltheinterestingsubjectsconcerningwhichtheytalkintheStreetwithoutceasing。
　　Noonesaidawordaboutittoanyoneelse。IthinkIhaveexplainedbeforethatbusinessmendonotlikeittobeknownthattheyhavebeendreaminginbusinesshours。Especiallymaddreamsincludingsuchdreadfulthingsashungrypeoplegettingdinners，andthedestructionoftheStockExchange。
　　Thechildrenwereinthedining—roomat300，FitzroyStreet，paleandtrembling。ThePsammeadcrawledoutoftheembroideredbag，andlayflatonthetable，itslegstretchedout，lookingmorelikeadeadharethananythingelse。
　　’ThankGoodnessthat’sover，’saidAnthea，drawingadeepbreath。
　　’Shewon’tcomeback，willshe？’askedJanetremulously。
　　’No，’saidCyril。’She’sthousandsofyearsago。Butwespentawholepreciouspoundonher。It’lltakeallourpocket—moneyforagestopaythatback。’
　　’NotifitwasALLadream，’saidRobert。
　　’ThewishsaidALLadream，youknow，Panther；youcutupandaskifhelentyouanything。’
　　’Ibegyourpardon，’saidAntheapolitely，followingthesoundofherknockintothepresenceofthelearnedgentleman，’I’msosorrytotroubleyou，butDIDyoulendmeapoundtoday？’
　　’No，’saidhe，lookingkindlyatherthroughhisspectacles。
　　’Butit’sextraordinarythatyoushouldaskme，forIdozedforafewmomentsthisafternoon，athingIveryrarelydo，andI
　　dreamedquitedistinctlythatyoubroughtmearingthatyousaidbelongedtotheQueenofBabylon，andthatIlentyouasovereignandthatyouleftoneoftheQueen’sringshere。Theringwasamagnificentspecimen。’Hesighed。’Iwishithadn’tbeenadream，’hesaidsmiling。Hewasreallylearningtosmilequitenicely。
　　AntheacouldnotbetoothankfulthatthePsammeadwasnottheretogranthiswish。
　　CHAPTER9
　　ATLANTIS
　　YouwillunderstandthattheadventureoftheBabylonianqueeninLondonwastheonlyonethathadoccupiedanytimeatall。Butthechildren’stimewasveryfullytakenupbytalkingoverallthewonderfulthingsseenanddoneinthePast，where，bythepoweroftheAmulet，theyseemedtospendhoursandhours，onlytofindwhentheygotbacktoLondonthatthewholethinghadbeenbrieferthanalightningflash。
　　TheytalkedofthePastattheirmeals，intheirwalks，inthedining—room，inthefirst—floordrawing—room，butmostofallonthestairs。Itwasanoldhouse；ithadoncebeenafashionableone，andwasafineonestill。Thebanisterrailsofthestairswereexcellentforslidingdown，andinthecornersofthelandingswerebigalcovesthathadonceheldgracefulstatues，andnowquiteoftenheldthegracefulformsofCyril，Robert，Anthea，andJane。
　　OnedayCyrilandRobertintightwhiteunderclothinghadspentapleasanthourinreproducingtheattitudesofstatuesseeneitherintheBritishMuseum，orinFather’sbigphotographbook。ButtheshowendedabruptlybecauseRobertwantedtobetheVenusofMilo，andforthispurposepulledatthesheetwhichservedfordraperyattheverymomentwhenCyril，lookingreallyquiteliketheDiscobolos——withagoldandwhitesaucerforthedisc——wasstandingononefoot，andunderthatonefootwasthesheet。
　　OfcoursetheDiscobolosandhisdiscandthewould—beVenuscamedowntogether，andeveryonewasagooddealhurt，especiallythesaucer，whichwouldneverbethesameagain，howeverneatlyonemightjoinitsunevenbitswithSeccotineorthewhiteofanegg。
　　’Ihopeyou’resatisfied，’saidCyril，holdinghisheadwherealargelumpwasrising。
　　’Quite，thanks，’saidRobertbitterly。Histhumbhadcaughtinthebanistersandbentitselfbackalmosttobreakingpoint。
　　’IAMsosorry，poor，dearSquirrel，’saidAnthea；’andyouwerelookingsolovely。I’llgetawetrag。Bobs，goandholdyourhandunderthehot—watertap。It’swhatballetgirlsdowiththeirlegswhentheyhurtthem。Isawitinabook。’
　　’Whatbook？’saidRobertdisagreeably。Buthewent。
　　WhenhecamebackCyril’sheadhadbeenbandagedbyhissisters，andhehadbeenbroughttothestateofmindwherehewasablereluctantlytoadmitthathesupposedRoberthadn’tdoneitonpurpose。
　　Robertreplyingwithequalsuavity，Antheahastenedtoleadthetalkawayfromtheaccident。
　　’Isupposeyoudon’tfeellikegoinganywherethroughtheAmulet，’shesaid。
　　’Egypt！’saidJanepromptly。’Iwanttoseethepussycats。’
　　’Notme——toohot，’saidCyril。’It’saboutasmuchasIcanstandhere——letaloneEgypt。’Itwasindeed，hot，evenonthesecondlanding，whichwasthecoolestplaceinthehouse。’Let’sgototheNorthPole。’
　　’Idon’tsupposetheAmuletwaseverthere——andwemightgetourfingersfrost—bittensothatwecouldneverholdituptogethomeagain。Nothanks，’saidRobert。
　　’Isay，’saidJane，’let’sgetthePsammeadandaskitsadvice。
　　Itwilllikeusasking，evenifwedon’ttakeit。’
　　ThePsammeadwasbroughtupinitsgreensilkembroideredbag，butbeforeitcouldbeaskedanythingthedoorofthelearnedgentleman’sroomopenedandthevoiceofthevisitorwhohadbeenlunchingwithhimwasheardonthestairs。Heseemedtobespeakingwiththedoorhandleinhishand。
　　’Youseeadoctor，oldboy，’hesaid；’allthataboutthought—transferenceisjustsimplytwaddle。You’vebeenover—working。Takeaholiday。GotoDieppe。’
　　’I’drathergotoBabylon，’saidthelearnedgentleman。
　　’Iwishyou’dgotoAtlantissometime，whilewe’reaboutit，soastogivemesometipsformyNineteenthCenturyarticlewhenyoucomehome。’
　　’IwishIcould，’saidthevoiceofthelearnedgentleman。
　　’Goodbye。Takecareofyourself。’
　　Thedoorwasbanged，andthevisitorcamesmilingdownthestairs——astout，prosperous，bigman。Thechildrenhadtogetuptolethimpass。
　　’Hullo，Kiddies，’hesaid，glancingatthebandagesontheheadofCyrilandthehandofRobert，’beeninthewars？’
　　’It’sallright，’saidCyril。’Isay，whatwasthatAtlanticplaceyouwantedhimtogoto？Wecouldn’thelphearingyoutalk。’
　　’YoutalksoVERYloud，yousee，’saidJanesoothingly。
　　’Atlantis，’saidthevisitor，’thelostAtlantis，gardenoftheHesperides。Greatcontinent——disappearedinthesea。YoucanreadaboutitinPlato。’
　　’Thankyou，’saidCyrildoubtfully。
　　’WerethereanyAmuletsthere？’askedAnthea，madeanxiousbyasuddenthought。
　　’Hundreds，Ishouldthink。SoHE’Sbeentalkingtoyou？’
　　’Yes，often。He’sverykindtous。Welikehimawfully。’
　　’Well，whathewantsisaholiday；youpersuadehimtotakeone。
　　Whathewantsisachangeofscene。Yousee，hisheadiscrustedsothicklyinsidewithknowledgeaboutEgyptandAssyriaandthingsthatyoucan’thammeranythingintoitunlessyoukeephardatitalldaylongfordaysanddays。AndIhaven’ttime。
　　Butyouliveinthehouse。Youcanhammeralmostincessantly。
　　Justtryyourhands，willyou？Right。Solong！’
　　Hewentdownthestairsthreeatatime，andJaneremarkedthathewasaniceman，andshethoughthehadlittlegirlsofhisown。
　　’Ishouldliketohavethemtoplaywith，’sheaddedpensively。
　　Thethreeelderonesexchangedglances。Cyrilnodded。
　　’Allright。LET’SgotoAtlantis，’hesaid。
　　’Let’sgotoAtlantisandtakethelearnedgentlemanwithus，’
　　saidAnthea；’he’llthinkit’sadream，afterwards，butit’llcertainlybeachangeofscene。’
　　’WhynottakehimtoniceEgypt？’askedJane。
　　’Toohot，’saidCyrilshortly。
　　’OrBabylon，wherehewantstogo？’
　　’I’vehadenoughofBabylon，’saidRobert，’atleastforthepresent。Andsohavetheothers。Idon’tknowwhy，’headded，forestallingthequestiononJane’slips，’butsomehowwehave。
　　Squirrel，let’stakeoffthesebeastlybandagesandgetintoflannels。Wecan’tgoinourunders。’
　　’HeWISHEDtogotoAtlantis，sohe’sgottogosometime；andhemightaswellgowithus，’saidAnthea。
　　Thiswashowitwasthatthelearnedgentleman，permittinghimselfafewmomentsofrelaxationinhischair，afterthefatigueoflisteningtoopinions（aboutAtlantisandmanyotherthings）withwhichhedidnotatallagree，openedhiseyestofindhisfouryoungfriendsstandinginfrontofhiminarow。
　　’Willyoucome，’saidAnthea，’toAtlantiswithus？’
　　’Toknowthatyouaredreamingshowsthatthedreamisnearlyatanend，’hetoldhimself；’orperhapsit’sonlyagame，like"HowmanymilestoBabylon？"。’Sohesaidaloud：’Thankyouverymuch，butIhaveonlyaquarterofanhourtospare。’
　　’Itdoesn’ttakeanytime，’saidCyril；’timeisonlyamodeofthought，youknow，andyou’vegottogosometime，sowhynotwithus？’
　　’Verywell，’saidthelearnedgentleman，nowquitecertainthathewasdreaming。
　　Antheaheldouthersoft，pinkhand。Hetookit。Shepulledhimgentlytohisfeet。JanehelduptheAmulet。
　　’TojustoutsideAtlantis，’saidCyril，andJanesaidtheNameofPower。
　　’Youowl！’saidRobert，’it’sanisland。Outsideanisland’sallwater。’
　　’Iwon’tgo。IWON’T，’saidthePsammead，kickingandstrugglinginitsbag。
　　ButalreadytheAmulethadgrowntoagreatarch。Cyrilpushedthelearnedgentleman，asundoubtedlythefirst—born，throughthearch——notintowater，butontoawoodenfloor，outofdoors。
　　Theothersfollowed。TheAmuletgrewsmalleragain，andtheretheyallwere，standingonthedeckofashipwhosesailorswerebusymakingherfastwithchainstoringsonawhitequay—side。
　　Theringsandthechainswereofametalthatshonered—yellowlikegold。
　　EveryoneontheshipseemedtoobusyatfirsttonoticethegroupofnewcomersfromFitzroyStreet。Thosewhoseemedtobeofficerswereshoutingorderstothemen。
　　Theystoodandlookedacrossthewidequaytothetownthatrosebeyondit。Whattheysawwasthemostbeautifulsightanyofthemhadeverseen——oreverdreamedof。
　　Theblueseasparkledinsoftsunlight；littlewhite—cappedwavesbrokesoftlyagainstthemarblebreakwatersthatguardedtheshippingofagreatcityfromthewildernessofwinterwindsandseas。Thequaywasofmarble，whiteandsparklingwithaveiningbrightasgold。Thecitywasofmarble，redandwhite。Thegreaterbuildingsthatseemedtobetemplesandpalaceswereroofedwithwhatlookedlikegoldandsilver，butmostoftheroofswereofcopperthatglowedgolden—redonthehousesonthehillsamongwhichthecitystood，andshadedintomarvelloustintsofgreenandblueandpurplewheretheyhadbeentouchedbythesaltseasprayandthefumesofthedyeingandsmeltingworksofthelowertown。
　　Broadandmagnificentflightsofmarblestairsledupfromthequaytoasortofterracethatseemedtorunalongformiles，andbeyondrosethetownbuiltonahill。
　　Thelearnedgentlemandrewalongbreath。’Wonderful！’hesaid，’wonderful！’
　　’Isay，Mr——what’syourname，’saidRobert。’Hemeans，’saidAnthea，withgentlepoliteness，’thatwenevercanrememberyourname。Iknowit’sMrDeSomething。’
　　’WhenIwasyourageIwascalledJimmy，’hesaidtimidly。
　　’Wouldyoumind？IshouldfeelmoreathomeinadreamlikethisifI——Anythingthatmademeseemmorelikeoneofyou。’
　　’Thankyou——Jimmy，’saidAntheawithaneffort。ItseemedsuchacheektobesayingJimmytoagrown—upman。’Jimmy，DEAR，’sheadded，withnoeffortatall。Jimmysmiledandlookedpleased。
　　Butnowtheshipwasmadefast，andtheCaptainhadtimetonoticeotherthings。Hecametowardsthem，andhewasdressedinthebestofallpossibledressesfortheseafaringlife。
　　’Whatareyoudoinghere？’heaskedratherfiercely。’Doyoucometoblessortocurse？’
　　’Tobless，ofcourse，’saidCyril。’I’msorryifitannoysyou，butwe’reherebymagic。Wecomefromthelandofthesun—rising，’hewentonexplanatorily。
　　’Isee，’saidtheCaptain；noonehadexpectedthathewould。’I
　　didn’tnoticeatfirst，butofcourseIhopeyou’reagoodomen。
　　It’sneeded。Andthis，’hepointedtothelearnedgentleman，’yourslave，Ipresume？’
　　’Notatall，’saidAnthea；’he’saverygreatman。Asage，don’ttheycallit？Andwewanttoseeallyourbeautifulcity，andyourtemplesandthings，andthenweshallgoback，andhewilltellhisfriend，andhisfriendwillwriteabookaboutit。’
　　’What，’askedtheCaptain，fingeringarope，’isabook？’
　　’Arecord——somethingwritten，or，’sheaddedhastily，rememberingtheBabylonianwriting，’orengraved。’
　　SomesuddenimpulseofconfidencemadeJaneplucktheAmuletfromtheneckofherfrock。
　　’Likethis，’shesaid。
　　TheCaptainlookedatitcuriously，but，theotherthreewererelievedtonotice，withoutanyofthatoverwhelminginterestwhichthemerenameofithadrousedinEgyptandBabylon。
　　’Thestoneisofourcountry，’hesaid；’andthatwhichisengravedonit，itislikeourwriting，butIcannotreadit。
　　Whatisthenameofyoursage？’
　　’Ji—jimmy，’saidAntheahesitatingly。
　　TheCaptainrepeated，’Ji—jimmy。Willyouland？’headded。’AndshallIleadyoutotheKings？’
　　’Lookhere，’saidRobert，’doesyourKinghatestrangers？’
　　’OurKingsareten，’saidtheCaptain，’andtheRoyalline，unbrokenfromPoseidon，thefatherofusall，hasthenobletraditiontodohonourtostrangersiftheycomeinpeace。’
　　’Thenleadon，please，’saidRobert，’thoughISHOULDliketoseealloveryourbeautifulship，andsailaboutinher。’
　　’Thatshallbelater，’saidtheCaptain；’justnowwe’reafraidofastorm——doyounoticethatoddrumbling？’
　　’That’snothing，master，’saidanoldsailorwhostoodnear；
　　’it’sthepilchardscomingin，that’sall。’
　　’Tooloud，’saidtheCaptain。
　　Therewasaratheranxiouspause；thentheCaptainsteppedontothequay，andtheothersfollowedhim。
　　’Dotalktohim——Jimmy，’saidAntheaastheywent；’youcanfindoutallsortsofthingsforyourfriend’sbook。’
　　’Pleaseexcuseme，’hesaidearnestly。’IfItalkIshallwakeup；andbesides，Ican’tunderstandwhathesays。’
　　Nooneelsecouldthinkofanythingtosay，sothatitwasincompletesilencethattheyfollowedtheCaptainupthemarblestepsandthroughthestreetsofthetown。Therewerestreetsandshopsandhousesandmarkets。
　　’It’sjustlikeBabylon，’whisperedJane，’onlyeverything’sperfectlydifferent。’
　　’It’sagreatcomfortthetenKingshavebeenproperlybroughtup——tobekindtostrangers，’AntheawhisperedtoCyril。
　　’Yes，’hesaid，’nodeepestdungeonshere。’
　　Therewerenohorsesorchariotsinthestreet，buttherewerehandcartsandlowtrolleysrunningonthicklog—wheels，andporterscarryingpacketsontheirheads，andagoodmanyofthepeoplewereridingonwhatlookedlikeelephants，onlythegreatbeastswerehairy，andtheyhadnotthatmildexpressionweareaccustomedtomeetonthefacesoftheelephantsattheZoo。
　　’Mammoths！’murmuredthelearnedgentleman，andstumbledoveraloosestone。
　　Thepeopleinthestreetskeptcrowdingroundthemastheywentalong，buttheCaptainalwaysdispersedthecrowdbeforeitgrewuncomfortablythickbysaying——
　　’ChildrenoftheSunGodandtheirHighPriest——cometoblesstheCity。’
　　Andthenthepeoplewoulddrawbackwithalowmurmurthatsoundedlikeasuppressedcheer。
　　Manyofthebuildingswerecoveredwithgold，butthegoldonthebiggerbuildingswasofadifferentcolour，andtheyhadsortsofsteeplesofburnishedsilverrisingabovethem。
　　’Areallthesehousesrealgold？’askedJane。
　　’Thetemplesarecoveredwithgold，ofcourse，’answeredtheCaptain，’butthehousesareonlyoricalchum。It’snotquitesoexpensive。’
　　Thelearnedgentleman，nowverypale，stumbledalonginadazedway，repeating：
　　’Oricalchum——oricalchum。’
　　’Don’tbefrightened，’saidAnthea；’wecangethomeinaminute，justbyholdingupthecharm。Wouldyourathergobacknow？Wecouldeasilycomesomeotherdaywithoutyou。’
　　’Oh，no，no，’hepleadedfervently；’letthedreamgoon。
　　Please，pleasedo。’
　　’TheHighJi—jimmyisperhapswearywithhismagicjourney，’saidtheCaptain，noticingtheblunderingwalkofthelearnedgentleman；’andweareyetveryfarfromtheGreatTemple，wheretodaytheKingsmakesacrifice。’
　　Hestoppedatthegateofagreatenclosure。Itseemedtobeasortofpark，fortreesshowedhighaboveitsbrazenwall。
　　Thepartywaited，andalmostatoncetheCaptaincamebackwithoneofthehairyelephantsandbeggedthemtomount。
　　Thistheydid。
　　Itwasagloriousride。TheelephantattheZoo——torideonhimisalsoglorious，buthegoessuchaverylittleway，andthenhegoesbackagain，whichisalwaysdull。Butthisgreathairybeastwentonandonandonalongstreetsandthroughsquaresandgardens。Itwasagloriouscity；almosteverythingwasbuiltofmarble，red，orwhite，orblack。Everynowandthenthepartycrossedabridge。
　　Itwasnottilltheyhadclimbedtothehillwhichisthecentreofthetownthattheysawthatthewholecitywasdividedintotwentycircles，alternatelylandandwater，andovereachofthewatercircleswerethebridgesbywhichtheyhadcome。
　　Andnowtheywereinagreatsquare。Avastbuildingfilleduponesideofit；itwasoverlaidwithgold，andhadadomeofsilver。Therestofthebuildingsroundthesquarewereoforicalchum。Anditlookedmoresplendidthanyoucanpossiblyimagine，standingupboldandshininginthesunlight。
　　’Youwouldlikeabath，’saidtheCaptain，asthehairyelephantwentclumsilydownonhisknees。’It’scustomary，youknow，beforeenteringthePresence。Wehavebathsformen，women，horses，andcattle。TheHighClassBathsarehere。OurFatherPoseidongaveusaspringofhotwaterandoneofcold。’
　　Thechildrenhadneverbeforebathedinbathsofgold。
　　’Itfeelsverysplendid，’saidCyril，splashing。
　　’Atleast，ofcourse，it’snotgold；it’sor——what’sitsname，’
　　saidRobert。’Handoverthattowel。’
　　Thebathinghallhadseveralgreatpoolssunkbelowthelevelofthefloor；onewentdowntothembysteps。
　　’Jimmy，’saidAntheatimidly，when，verycleanandboiled—looking，theyallmetintheflowerycourtyardofthePublic，’don’tyouthinkallthisseemsmuchmorelikeNOWthanBabylonorEgypt——？Oh，Iforgot，you’veneverbeenthere。’
　　’Iknowalittleofthosenations，however，’saidhe，’andI
　　quiteagreewithyou。Amostdiscerningremark——mydear，’headdedawkwardly；’thiscitycertainlyseemstoindicateafarhigherlevelofcivilizationthantheEgyptianorBabylonish，and——’
　　’Followme，’saidtheCaptain。’Now，boys，getoutoftheway。’
　　Hepushedthroughalittlecrowdofboyswhowereplayingwithdriedchestnutsfastenedtoastring。
　　’Ginger！’remarkedRobert，’they’replayingconkers，justlikethekidsinKentishTownRoad！’
　　Theycouldseenowthatthreewallssurroundedtheislandonwhichtheywere。Theoutermostwallwasofbrass，theCaptaintoldthem；thenext，whichlookedlikesilver，wascoveredwithtin；andtheinnermostonewasoforicalchum。
　　Andrightinthemiddlewasawallofgold，withgoldentowersandgates。
　　’BeholdtheTemplesofPoseidon，’saidtheCaptain。’Itisnotlawfulformetoenter。Iwillawaityourreturnhere。’
　　Hetoldthemwhattheyoughttosay，andthefivepeoplefromFitzroyStreettookhandsandwentforward。Thegoldengatesslowlyopened。
　　’WearethechildrenoftheSun，’saidCyril，ashehadbeentold，’andourHighPriest，atleastthat’swhattheCaptaincallshim。Wehaveadifferentnameforhimathome。’’Whatishisname？’askedawhite—robedmanwhostoodinthedoorwaywithhisarmsextended。
　　’Ji—jimmy，’repliedCyril，andhehesitatedasAntheahaddone。
　　Itreallydidseemtobetakingagreatlibertywithsolearnedagentleman。’AndwehavecometospeakwithyourKingsintheTempleofPoseidon——doesthatwordsoundright？’hewhisperedanxiously。
　　’Quite，’saidthelearnedgentleman。’It’sveryoddIcanunderstandwhatyousaytothem，butnotwhattheysaytoyou。’
　　’TheQueenofBabylonfoundthattoo，’saidCyril；’it’spartofthemagic。’
　　’Oh，whatadream！’saidthelearnedgentleman。
　　Thewhite—robedpriesthadbeenjoinedbyothers，andallwerebowinglow。
　　’Enter，’hesaid，’enter，ChildrenoftheSun，withyourHighJi—jimmy。’
　　InaninnercourtyardstoodtheTemple——allofsilver，withgoldpinnaclesanddoors，andtwentyenormousstatuesinbrightgoldofmenandwomen。Alsoanimmensepillaroftheotherpreciousyellowmetal。
　　Theywentthroughthedoors，andthepriestledthemupastairintoagalleryfromwhichtheycouldlookdownontothegloriousplace。
　　’ThetenKingsareevennowchoosingthebull。Itisnotlawfulformetobehold，’saidthepriest，andfellfacedownwardontheflooroutsidethegallery。Thechildrenlookeddown。
　　Theroofwasofivoryadornedwiththethreepreciousmetals，andthewallswerelinedwiththefavouriteoricalchum。
　　AtthefarendoftheTemplewasastatuegroup，thelikeofwhichnoonelivinghaseverseen。
　　Itwasofgold，andtheheadofthechieffigurereachedtotheroof。ThatfigurewasPoseidon，theFatheroftheCity。Hestoodinagreatchariotdrawnbysixenormoushorses，androundaboutitwereahundredmermaidsridingondolphins。
　　Tenmen，splendidlydressedandarmedonlywithsticksandropes，weretryingtocaptureoneofsomefifteenbullswhoranthiswayandthatabouttheflooroftheTemple。Thechildrenheldtheirbreath，forthebullslookeddangerous，andthegreathornedheadswereswingingmoreandmorewildly。
　　Antheadidnotlikelookingatthebulls。Shelookedaboutthegallery，andnoticedthatanotherstaircaseledupfromittoastillhigherstorey；alsothatadoorledoutintotheopenair，wherethereseemedtobeabalcony。
　　SothatwhenashoutwentupandRobertwhispered，’Gothim，’andshelookeddownandsawtheherdofbullsbeingdrivenoutoftheTemplebywhips，andthetenKingsfollowing，oneofthemspurringwithhisstickablackbullthatwrithedandfoughtinthegripofalasso，sheansweredtheboy’sagitated，’Nowweshan’tseeanythingmore，’with——
　　’Yeswecan，there’sanoutsidebalcony。’
　　Sotheycrowdedout。
　　Butverysoonthegirlscreptback。
　　’Idon’tlikesacrifices，’Janesaid。SosheandAntheawentandtalkedtothepriest，whowasnolongerlyingonhisface，butsittingonthetopstepmoppinghisforeheadwithhisrobe，foritwasahotday。
　　’It’saspecialsacrifice，’hesaid；’usuallyit’sonlydoneonthejusticedayseveryfiveyearsandsixyearsalternately。Andthentheydrinkthecupofwinewithsomeofthebull’sbloodinit，andsweartojudgetruly。Andtheywearthesacredbluerobe，andputoutalltheTemplefires。ButthistodayisbecausetheCity’ssoupsetbytheoddnoisesfromthesea，andthegodinsidethebigmountainspeakingwithhisthunder—voice。
　　Butallthat’shappenedsooftenbefore。IfanythingcouldmakeMEuneasyitwouldn’tbeTHAT。’
　　’Whatwoulditbe？’askedJanekindly。
　　’ItwouldbetheLemmings。’
　　’Whoarethey——enemies？’
　　’They’reasortofrat；andeveryyeartheycomeswimmingoverfromthecountrythatnomanknows，andstayhereawhile，andthenswimaway。Thisyeartheyhaven’tcome。Youknowratswon’tstayonashipthat’sgoingtobewrecked。Ifanythinghorribleweregoingtohappentous，it’smybeliefthoseLemmingswouldknow；andthatmaybewhythey’vefoughtshyofus。’
　　’Whatdoyoucallthiscountry？’askedthePsammead，suddenlyputtingitsheadoutofitsbag。
　　’Atlantis，’saidthepriest。
　　’ThenIadviseyoutogetontothehighestgroundyoucanfind。
　　Irememberhearingsomethingaboutafloodhere。Lookhere，you’——itturnedtoAnthea；’let’sgethome。Theprospect’stoowetformywhiskers。’Thegirlsobedientlywenttofindtheirbrothers，whowereleaningonthebalconyrailings。
　　’Where’sthelearnedgentleman？’askedAnthea。
　　’Thereheis——below，’saidthepriest，whohadcomewiththem。
　　’YourHighJi—jimmyiswiththeKings。’
　　ThetenKingswerenolongeralone。Thelearnedgentleman——noonehadnoticedhowhegotthere——stoodwiththemonthestepsofanaltar，onwhichlaythedeadbodyoftheblackbull。Alltherestofthecourtyardwasthickwithpeople，seeminglyofallclasses，andallwereshouting，’Thesea——thesea！’
　　’Becalm，’saidthemostkinglyoftheKings，hewhohadlassoedthebull。’Ourtownisstrongagainstthethundersoftheseaandofthesky！’
　　’Iwanttogohome，’whinedthePsammead。
　　’Wecan’tgowithoutHIM，’saidAntheafirmly。