第4章

’Mackenzie，’saidthegentleman，’youseethatgoldenbird？’

’Yes，sir。’

Theotherbreathedasighofrelief。

’ItISreal，then？’

’Yes，sir，ofcourse，sir。Youtakeitinyourhand，sir，’saidtheporter，sympathetically，andreachedouthishandtothePhoenix，whoshrankbackontoescurvedwithagitatedindignation。

’Forbear！’itcried；’howdareyouseektolayhandsonme？’

Theportersaluted。

’Begpardon，sir，’hesaid，’Ithoughtyouwasabird。’

’IAMabird——THEbird——thePhoenix。’

’Ofcourseyouare，sir，’saidtheporter。’Iseethatthefirstminute，directlyIgotmybreath，sir。’

’Thatwilldo，’saidthegentleman。’AskMrWilsonandMrSterrytostepuphereforamoment，please。’

MrSterryandMrWilsonwereintheirturnovercomebyamazement——quicklyfollowedbyconviction。TothesurpriseofthechildreneveryoneintheofficetookthePhoenixatitsword，andafterthefirstshockofsurpriseitseemedtobeperfectlynaturaltoeveryonethatthePhoenixshouldbealive，andthat，passingthroughLondon，itshouldcallatitstemple。

’Weoughttohavesomesortofceremony，’saidthenicestgentleman，anxiously。’Thereisn’ttimetosummonthedirectorsandshareholders——wemightdothattomorrow，perhaps。Yes，theboard-roomwouldbebest。Ishouldn’tlikeittofeelwehadn’tdoneeverythinginourpowertoshowourappreciationofitscondescensioninlookinginonusinthisfriendlyway。’

Thechildrencouldhardlybelievetheirears，fortheyhadneverthoughtthatanyonebutthemselveswouldbelieveinthePhoenix。

Andyeteveryonedid；allthemenintheofficewerebroughtinbytwosandthrees，andthemomentthePhoenixopeneditsbeakitconvincedthecleverestofthem，aswellasthosewhowerenotsoclever。Cyrilwonderedhowthestorywouldlookinthepapersnextday。Heseemedtoseethepostersinthestreets：

PHOENIXFIREOFFICE

THEPHOENIXATITSTEMPLE

MEETINGTOWELCOMEIT

DELIGHTOFTHEMANAGERANDEVERYBODY。

’Excuseourleavingyouamoment，’saidthenicegentleman，andhewentawaywiththeothers；andthroughthehalf-closeddoorthechildrencouldhearthesoundofmanybootsonstairs，thehumofexcitedvoicesexplaining，suggesting，arguing，thethumpydragofheavyfurniturebeingmovedabout。

ThePhoenixstruttedupanddowntheleather-coveredtable，lookingoveritsshoulderatitsprettyback。

’YouseewhataconvincingmannerIhave，’itsaidproudly。

Andnowanewgentlemancameinandsaid，bowinglow——

’Everythingisprepared——wehavedoneourbestatsoshortanotice；themeeting——theceremony——willbeintheboard-room。WilltheHonourablePhoenixwalk——itisonlyafewsteps——orwoulditliketobe——woulditlikesomesortofconveyance？’

’MyRobertwillbearmetotheboard-room，ifthatbetheunlovelynameofmytemple’sinmostcourt，’repliedthebird。

Sotheyallfollowedthegentleman。Therewasabigtableintheboard-room，butithadbeenpushedrightupunderthelongwindowsatoneside，andchairswerearrangedinrowsacrosstheroom——likethoseyouhaveatschoolswhenthereisamagiclanternon’OurEasternEmpire’，oron’TheWayWeDointheNavy’。Thedoorswereofcarvedwood，verybeautiful，withacarvedPhoenixabove。

Antheanoticedthatthechairsinthefrontrowswereofthekindthathermothersolovedtoaskthepriceofinoldfurnitureshops，andnevercouldbuy，becausethepricewasalwaysnearlytwentypoundseach。Onthemantelpieceweresomeheavybronzecandlesticksandaclock，andonthetopoftheclockwasanotherimageofthePhoenix。

’Removethateffigy，’saidthePhoenixtothegentlemenwhowerethere，anditwashastilytakendown。ThenthePhoenixflutteredtothemiddleofthemantelpieceandstoodthere，lookingmoregoldenthanever。Theneveryoneinthehouseandtheofficecamein——fromthecashiertothewomenwhocookedtheclerks’dinnersinthebeautifulkitchenatthetopofthehouse。AndeveryonebowedtothePhoenixandthensatdowninachair。

’Gentlemen，’saidthenicestgentleman，’wehavemetheretoday——’

ThePhoenixwasturningitsgoldenbeakfromsidetoside。

’Idon’tnoticeanyincense，’itsaid，withaninjuredsniff。A

hurriedconsultationendedinplatesbeingfetchedfromthekitchen。Brownsugar，sealing-wax，andtobaccowereplacedonthese，andsomethingfromasquarebottlewaspouredoveritall。

Thenamatchwasapplied。ItwastheonlyincensethatwashandyinthePhoenixoffice，anditcertainlyburnedverybrisklyandsmokedagreatdeal。

’Wehavemetheretoday，’saidthegentlemanagain，’onanoccasionunparalleledintheannalsofthisoffice。OurrespectedPhoenix——’

’HeadoftheHouse，’saidthePhoenix，inahollowvoice。

’Iwascomingtothat。OurrespectedPhoenix，theHeadofthisancientHouse，hasatlengthdoneusthehonourtocomeamongus。

IthinkImaysay，gentlemen，thatwearenotinsensibletothishonour，andthatwewelcomewithnouncertainvoiceonewhomwehavesolongdesiredtoseeinourmidst。’

Severaloftheyoungerclerksthoughtofsaying’Hear，hear，’buttheyfeareditmightseemdisrespectfultothebird。

’Iwillnottakeupyourtime，’thespeakerwenton，’byrecapitulatingtheadvantagestobederivedfromaproperuseofoursystemoffireinsurance。Iknow，andyouknow，gentlemen，thatouraimhaseverbeentobeworthyofthateminentbirdwhosenamewebear，andwhonowadornsourmantelpiecewithhispresence。

Threecheers，gentlemen，forthewingedHeadoftheHouse！’

Thecheersrose，deafening。WhentheyhaddiedawaythePhoenixwasaskedtosayafewwords。

Itexpressedingracefulphrasesthepleasureitfeltinfindingitselfatlastinitsowntemple。

’And，’itwenton，’YoumustnotthinkmewantinginappreciationofyourveryheartyandcordialreceptionwhenIaskthatanodemayberecitedorachoricsongsung。ItiswhatIhavealwaysbeenaccustomedto。’

Thefourchildren，dumbwitnessesofthiswonderfulscene，glancedalittlenervouslyacrossthefoamofwhitefacesabovetheseaofblackcoats。ItseemedtothemthatthePhoenixwasreallyaskingalittletoomuch。

’Timepresses，’saidthePhoenix，’andtheoriginalodeofinvocationislong，aswellasbeingGreek；and，besides，it’snouseinvokingmewhenhereIam；butistherenotasonginyourowntongueforagreatdaysuchasthis？’

Absentlythemanagerbegantosing，andonebyonetherestjoined——

’Absolutesecurity！

Noliability！

Allkindsofpropertyinsuredagainstfire。

Termsmostfavourable，Expensesreasonable，ModerateratesforannualInsurance。’

’ThatoneisNOTmyfavourite，’interruptedthePhoenix，’andI

thinkyou’veforgottenpartofit。’

Themanagerhastilybegananother——

’OGoldenPhoenix，fairestbird，ThewholegreatworldhasoftenheardOfallthesplendidthingswedo，GreatPhoenix，justtohonouryou。’

’That’sbetter，’saidthebird。

Andeveryonesang——

’Classone，forprivatedwelling-house，Forhouseholdgoodsandshopsallows；

ProvidedthesearebuiltofbrickOrstone，andtiledandslatedthick。’

’Tryanotherverse，’saidthePhoenix，’furtheron。’

Andagainarosethevoicesofalltheclerksandemployeesandmanagersandsecretariesandcooks——

’InScotlandourinsuranceyieldsThepriceofburnt-upstacksinfields。’

’Skipthatverse，’saidthePhoenix。

’ThatcheddwellingsandtheirwholecontentsWedealwith——alsowiththeirrents；

Oh，gloriousPhoenix，lookandseeThatthesearedealtwithinclassthree。

’ThegloriesofyourtemplethrongToothicktogoinanysong；

Andweattend，Ogoodandwise，To"daysofgrace"andmerchandise。

’Whenpeople’shomesareburnedawayTheyneverhaveacenttopayIftheyhavedoneasallshoulddo，OPhoenix，andhavehonouredyou。

’SoletusraiseourvoiceandsingThepraisesofthePhoenixKing。

Inclassesoneandtwoandthree，Oh，trusttohim，forkindishe！’

’I’msureYOU’REverykind，’saidthePhoenix；’andnowwemustbegoing。Anthankyouverymuchforaverypleasanttime。Mayyouallprosperasyoudeservetodo，forIamsureanicer，pleasanter-spokenlotoftempleattendantsIhavenevermet，andneverwishtomeet。Iwishyouallgood-day！’

ItflutteredtothewristofRobertanddrewthefourchildrenfromtheroom。Thewholeoftheofficestafffolloweddownthewidestairsandfiledintotheiraccustomedplaces，andthetwomostimportantofficialsstoodonthestepsbowingtillRoberthadbuttonedthegoldenbirdinhisNorfolkbosom，anditandheandthethreeotherchildrenwerelostinthecrowd。

Thetwomostimportantgentlemenlookedateachotherearnestlyandstrangelyforamoment，andthenretreatedtothosesacredinnerrooms，wheretheytoilwithoutceasingforthegoodoftheHouse。

Andthemomenttheywereallintheirplaces——managers，secretaries，clerks，andporters——theyallstarted，andeachlookedcautiouslyroundtoseeifanyonewaslookingathim。Foreachthoughtthathehadfallenasleepforafewminutes，andhaddreamedaveryodddreamaboutthePhoenixandtheboard-room。

And，ofcourse，noonementionedittoanyoneelse，becausegoingtosleepatyourofficeisathingyousimplyMUSTNOTdo。

Theextraordinaryconfusionoftheboard-room，withtheremainsoftheincenseintheplates，wouldhaveshownthematoncethatthevisitofthePhoenixhadbeennodream，butaradiantreality，butnoonewentintotheboard-roomagainthatday；andnextday，beforetheofficewasopened，itwasallcleanedandputniceandtidybyaladywhosebusinessaskingquestionswasnotpartof。

ThatiswhyCyrilreadthepapersinvainonthenextdayandthedayafterthat；becausenosensiblepersonthinkshisdreamsworthputtinginthepaper，andnoonewilleverownthathehasbeenasleepinthedaytime。

ThePhoenixwasverypleased，butitdecidedtowriteanodeforitself。Itthoughttheonesithadheardatitstemplehadbeentoohastilycomposed。Itsownodebegan——

’ForbeautyandformodestworthThePhoenixhasnotitsequalonearth。’

Andwhenthechildrenwenttobedthatnightitwasstilltryingtocutdownthelastlinetotheproperlengthwithouttakingoutanyofwhatitwantedtosay。

Thatiswhatmakespoetrysodifficult。

CHAPTER6

DOINGGOOD

’Weshan’tbeabletogoanywhereonthecarpetforawholeweek，though，’saidRobert。

’AndI’mgladofit，’saidJane，unexpectedly。

’Glad？’saidCyril；’GLAD？’

Itwasbreakfast-time，andmother’sletter，tellingthemhowtheywereallgoingforChristmastotheiraunt’satLyndhurst，andhowfatherandmotherwouldmeetthemthere，havingbeenreadbyeveryone，layonthetable，drinkinghotbacon-fatwithonecornerandeatingmarmaladewiththeother。

’Yes，glad，’saidJane。’Idon’twantanymorethingstohappenjustnow。Ifeellikeyoudowhenyou’vebeentothreepartiesinaweek——likewedidatgranny’sonce——andextrasinbetween，toysandchocsandthingslikethat。Iwanteverythingtobejustreal，andnofancythingshappeningatall。’

’Idon’tlikebeingobligedtokeepthingsfrommother，’saidAnthea。’Idon’tknowwhy，butitmakesmefeelselfishandmean。’

’Ifwecouldonlygetthematertobelieveit，wemighttakehertothejolliestplaces，’saidCyril，thoughtfully。’Asitis，we’vejustgottobeselfishandmean——ifitisthat——butIdon’tfeelitis。’

’IKNOWitisn’t，butIFEELitis，’saidAnthea，’andthat’sjustasbad。’

’It’sworse，’saidRobert；’ifyouknewitanddidn’tfeelit，itwouldn’tmattersomuch。’

’That’sbeingahardenedcriminal，fathersays，’putinCyril，andhepickedupmother’sletterandwipeditscornerswithhishandkerchief，towhosecolouratrifleofbacon-fatandmarmalademadebutlittledifference。

’We’regoingto-morrow，anyhow，’saidRobert。’Don’t，’headded，withagood-boyexpressiononhisface——’don’tlet’sbeungratefulforourblessings；don’tlet’swastethedayinsayinghowhorriditistokeepsecretsfrommother，whenweallknowAntheatriedallsheknewtogiveherthesecret，andshewouldn’ttakeit。

Let’sgetonthecarpetandhaveajollygoodwish。You’llhavetimeenoughtorepentofthingsallnextweek。’

’Yes，’saidCyril，’let’s。It’snotreallywrong。’

’Well，lookhere，’saidAnthea。’Youknowthere’ssomethingaboutChristmasthatmakesyouwanttobegood——howeverlittleyouwishitatothertimes。Couldn’twewishthecarpettotakeussomewherewhereweshouldhavethechancetodosomegoodandkindaction？Itwouldbeanadventurejustthesame，’shepleaded。

’Idon’tmind，’saidCyril。’Weshan’tknowwherewe’regoing，andthat’llbeexciting。Nooneknowswhat’llhappen。We’dbestputonouroutersincase——’

’Wemightrescueatravellerburiedinthesnow，likeStBernarddogs，withbarrelsroundournecks，’saidJane，beginningtobeinterested。

’Orwemightarrivejustintimetowitnessawillbeingsigned——moretea，please，’saidRobert，’andweshouldseetheoldmanhideitawayinthesecretcupboard；andthen，afterlongyears，whentherightfulheirwasindespair，weshouldleadhimtothehiddenpaneland——’

’Yes，’interruptedAnthea；’orwemightbetakentosomefreezinggarretinaGermantown，whereapoorlittlepale，sickchild——’

’Wehaven’tanyGermanmoney，’interruptedCyril，’soTHAT’Snogo。

WhatIshouldlikewouldbegettingintothemiddleofawarandgettingholdofsecretintelligenceandtakingittothegeneral，andhewouldmakemealieutenantorascout，orahussar。’

Whenbreakfastwasclearedaway，Antheasweptthecarpet，andthechildrensatdownonit，togetherwiththePhoenix，whohadbeenespeciallyinvited，asaChristmastreat，tocomewiththemandwitnessthegoodandkindactiontheywereabouttodo。

Fourchildrenandonebirdwereready，andthewishwaswished。

Everyonecloseditseyes，soastofeelthetopsy-turvyswirlofthecarpet’smovementaslittleaspossible。

Whentheeyeswereopenedagainthechildrenfoundthemselvesonthecarpet，andthecarpetwasinitsproperplaceontheflooroftheirownnurseryatCamdenTown。

’Isay，’saidCyril，’here’sago！’

’Doyouthinkit’swornout？Thewishingpartofit，Imean？’

RobertanxiouslyaskedthePhoenix。

’It’snotthat，’saidthePhoenix；’but——well——whatdidyouwish——？’

’Oh！Iseewhatitmeans，’saidRobert，withdeepdisgust；’it’sliketheendofafairystoryinaSundaymagazine。Howperfectlybeastly！’

’Youmeanitmeanswecandokindandgoodactionswhereweare？

Isee。Isupposeitwantsustocarrycoalsforthecookormakeclothesforthebareheathens。Well，Isimplywon’t。Andthelastdayandeverything。Lookhere！’Cyrilspokeloudlyandfirmly。

’Wewanttogosomewherereallyinteresting，wherewehaveachanceofdoingsomethinggoodandkind；wedon’twanttodoithere，butsomewhereelse。See？Now，then。’

Theobedientcarpetstartedinstantly，andthefourchildrenandonebirdfellinaheaptogether，andastheyfellwereplungedinperfectdarkness。

’Areyouallthere？’saidAnthea，breathlessly，throughtheblackdark。Everyoneownedthatitwasthere。

’Wherearewe？Oh！howshiveryandwetitis！Ugh！——oh！——I’veputmyhandinapuddle！’

’Hasanyonegotanymatches？’saidAnthea，hopelessly。Shefeltsurethatnoonewouldhaveany。

ItwasthenthatRobert，witharadiantsmileoftriumphthatwasquitewastedinthedarkness，where，ofcourse，noonecouldseeanything，drewoutofhispocketaboxofmatches，struckamatchandlightedacandle——twocandles。Andeveryone，withitsmouthopen，blinkedatthesuddenlight。

’WelldoneBobs，’saidhissisters，andevenCyril’snaturalbrotherlyfeelingscouldnotcheckhisadmirationofRobert’sforesight。

’I’vealwayscarriedthemabouteversincethelonetowerday，’

saidRobert，withmodestpride。’Iknewweshouldwantthemsomeday。Ikeptthesecretwell，didn’tI？’

’Oh，yes，’saidCyril，withfinescorn。’IfoundthemtheSundayafter，whenIwasfeelinginyourNorfolksfortheknifeyouborrowedoffme。ButIthoughtyou’donlysneakedthemforChineselanterns，orreadinginbedby。’

’Bobs，’saidAnthea，suddenly，’doyouknowwhereweare？Thisistheundergroundpassage，andlookthere——there’sthemoneyandthemoney-bags，andeverything。’

Bythistimetheteneyeshadgotusedtothelightofthecandles，andnoonecouldhelpseeingthatAntheaspokethetruth。

’Itseemsanoddplacetodogoodandkindactsin，though，’saidJane。’There’snoonetodothemto。’

’Don’tyoubetoosure，’saidCyril；’justroundthenextturningwemightfindaprisonerwhohaslanguishedhereforyearsandyears，andwecouldtakehimoutonourcarpetandrestorehimtohissorrowingfriends。’

’Ofcoursewecould，’saidRobert，standingupandholdingthecandleabovehisheadtoseefurtheroff；’orwemightfindthebonesofapoorprisonerandtakethemtohisfriendstobeburiedproperly——that’salwaysakindactioninbooks，thoughInevercouldseewhatbonesmatter。’

’Iwishyouwouldn’t，’saidJane。

’Iknowexactlywhereweshallfindthebones，too，’Robertwenton。’Youseethatdarkarchjustalongthepassage？Well，justinsidethere——’

’Ifyoudon’tstopgoingonlikethat，’saidJane，firmly，’Ishallscream，andthenI’llfaint——sonowthen！’

’And_I_will，too，’saidAnthea。

Robertwasnotpleasedatbeingcheckedinhisflightoffancy。

’Yougirlswillneverbegreatwriters，’hesaidbitterly。’Theyjustlovetothinkofthingsindungeons，andchains，andknobblybarehumanbones，and——’

Janehadopenedhermouthtoscream，butbeforeshecoulddecidehowyoubeganwhenyouwantedtofaint，thegoldenvoiceofthePhoenixspokethroughthegloom。

’Peace！’itsaid；’therearenoboneshereexceptthesmallbutusefulsetsthatyouhaveinsideyou。Andyoudidnotinvitemetocomeoutwithyoutohearyoutalkaboutbones，buttoseeyoudosomegoodandkindaction。’

’Wecan’tdoithere，’saidRobert，sulkily。

’No，’rejoinedthebird。’Theonlythingwecandohere，itseems，istotrytofrightenourlittlesisters。’

’Hedidn’t，really，andI’mnotsoVERYlittle，’saidJane，ratherungratefully。

Robertwassilent。ItwasCyrilwhosuggestedthatperhapstheyhadbettertakethemoneyandgo。

’Thatwouldn’tbeakindact，excepttoourselves；anditwouldn’tbegood，whateverwayyoulookatit，’saidAnthea，’totakemoneythat’snotours。’

’Wemighttakeitandspenditallonbenefitstothepoorandaged，’saidCyril。

’Thatwouldn’tmakeitrighttosteal，’saidAnthea，stoutly。

’Idon’tknow，’saidCyril。Theywereallstandingupnow。

’Stealingistakingthingsthatbelongtosomeoneelse，andthere’snooneelse。’

’Itcan’tbestealingif——’

’That’sright，’saidRobert，withironicalapproval；’standherealldayarguingwhilethecandlesburnout。You’lllikeitawfullywhenit’salldarkagain——andbony。’

’Let’sgetout，then，’saidAnthea。’Wecanargueaswego。’Sotheyrolledupthecarpetandwent。Butwhentheyhadcreptalongtotheplacewherethepassageledintothetoplesstowertheyfoundthewayblockedbyagreatstone，whichtheycouldnotmove。

’There！’saidRobert。’Ihopeyou’resatisfied！’

’Everythinghastwoends，’saidthePhoenix，softly；’evenaquarrelorasecretpassage。’

Sotheyturnedroundandwentback，andRobertwasmadetogofirstwithoneofthecandles，becausehewastheonewhohadbeguntotalkaboutbones。AndCyrilcarriedthecarpet。

’Iwishyouhadn’tputbonesintoourheads，’saidJane，astheywentalong。

’Ididn’t；youalwayshadthem。Morebonesthanbrains，’saidRobert。

Thepassagewaslong，andtherewerearchesandstepsandturningsanddarkalcovesthatthegirlsdidnotmuchlikepassing。Thepassageendedinaflightofsteps。Robertwentupthem。

SuddenlyhestaggeredheavilybackontothefollowingfeetofJane，andeverybodyscreamed，’Oh！whatisit？’

’I’veonlybashedmyheadin，’saidRobert，whenhehadgroanedforsometime；’that’sall。Don’tmentionit；Ilikeit。Thestairsjustgorightslapintotheceiling，andit’sastoneceiling。Youcan’tdogoodandkindactionsunderneathapaving-stone。’

’Stairsaren’tmadetoleadjusttopaving-stonesasageneralrule，’saidthePhoenix。’Putyourshouldertothewheel。’

’Thereisn’tanywheel，’saidtheinjuredRobert，stillrubbinghishead。

ButCyrilhadpushedpasthimtothetopstair，andwasalreadyshovinghishardestagainstthestoneabove。Ofcourse，itdidnotgiveintheleast。

’Ifit’satrap-door——’saidCyril。Andhestoppedshovingandbegantofeelaboutwithhishands。

’Yes，thereisabolt。Ican’tmoveit。’

ByahappychanceCyrilhadinhispockettheoil-canofhisfather’sbicycle；heputthecarpetdownatthefootofthestairs，andhelayonhisback，withhisheadonthetopstepandhisfeetstragglingdownamonghisyoungrelations，andheoiledthebolttillthedropsofrustandoilfelldownonhisface。Oneevenwentintohismouth——open，ashepantedwiththeexertionofkeepingupthisunnaturalposition。Thenhetriedagain，butstilltheboltwouldnotmove。Sonowhetiedhishandkerchief——theonewiththebacon-fatandmarmaladeonit——tothebolt，andRobert’shandkerchieftothat，inareefknot，whichcannotcomeundonehowevermuchyoupull，and，indeed，getstighterandtighterthemoreyoupullit。Thismustnotbeconfusedwithagrannyknot，whichcomesundoneifyoulookatit。AndthenheandRobertpulled，andthegirlsputtheirarmsroundtheirbrothersandpulledtoo，andsuddenlytheboltgavewaywitharustyscrunch，andtheyallrolledtogethertothebottomofthestairs——allbutthePhoenix，whichhadtakentoitswingswhenthepullingbegan。

Nobodywashurtmuch，becausetherolled-upcarpetbroketheirfall；andnow，indeed，theshouldersoftheboyswereusedtosomepurpose，forthestoneallowedthemtoheaveitup。Theyfeltitgive；dustfellfreelyonthem。

’Now，then，’criedRobert，forgettinghisheadandhistemper，’pushalltogether。One，two，three！’

Thestonewasheavedup。Itswunguponacreaking，unwillinghinge，andshowedagrowingoblongofdazzlingdaylight；anditfellbackwithabangagainstsomethingthatkeptitupright。

Everyoneclimbedout，buttherewasnotroomforeveryonetostandcomfortablyinthelittlepavedhousewheretheyfoundthemselves，sowhenthePhoenixhadflutteredupfromthedarknesstheyletthestonedown，anditclosedlikeatrap-door，asindeeditwas。

Youcanhavenoideahowdustyanddirtythechildrenwere。

Fortunatelytherewasnoonetoseethembuteachother。Theplacetheywereinwasalittleshrine，builtonthesideofaroadthatwentwindingupthroughyellow-greenfieldstothetoplesstower。

Belowthemwerefieldsandorchards，allbareboughsandbrownfurrows，andlittlehousesandgardens。Theshrinewasakindoftinychapelwithnofrontwall——justaplaceforpeopletostopandrestinandwishtobegood。SothePhoenixtoldthem。Therewasanimagethathadoncebeenbrightlycoloured，buttherainandsnowhadbeateninthroughtheopenfrontoftheshrine，andthepoorimagewasdullandweather-stained。Underitwaswritten：’StJeandeLuz。Priezpournous。’Itwasasadlittleplace，veryneglectedandlonely，andyetitwasnice，Antheathought，thatpoortravellersshouldcometothislittlerest-houseinthehurryandworryoftheirjourneyingsandbequietforafewminutes，andthinkaboutbeinggood。ThethoughtofStJeandeLuz——whohad，nodoubt，inhistime，beenverygoodandkind——madeAntheawantmorethanevertodosomethingkindandgood。

’Tellus，’shesaidtothePhoenix，’whatisthegoodandkindactionthecarpetbroughtusheretodo？’

’Ithinkitwouldbekindtofindtheownersofthetreasureandtellthemaboutit，’saidCyril。

’AndgiveitthemALL？’saidJane。

’Yes。Butwhoseisit？’

’Ishouldgotothefirsthouseandaskthenameoftheownerofthecastle，’saidthegoldenbird，andreallytheideaseemedagoodone。

Theydustedeachotheraswellastheycouldandwentdowntheroad。Alittlewayontheyfoundatinyspring，bubblingoutofthehillsideandfallingintoaroughstonebasinsurroundedbydraggledhart’s-tongueferns，nowhardlygreenatall。Herethechildrenwashedtheirhandsandfacesanddriedthemontheirpocket-handkerchiefs，whichalways，ontheseoccasions，seemunnaturallysmall。Cyril’sandRobert’shandkerchiefs，indeed，ratherundidtheeffectsofthewash。Butinspiteofthisthepartycertainlylookedcleanerthanbefore。

Thefirsthousetheycametowasalittlewhitehousewithgreenshuttersandaslateroof。Itstoodinaprimlittlegarden，anddowneachsideoftheneatpathwerelargestonevasesforflowerstogrowin；butalltheflowersweredeadnow。

Alongonesideofthehousewasasortofwideveranda，builtofpolesandtrellis-work，andavinecrawledalloverit。ItwaswiderthanourEnglishverandas，andAntheathoughtitmustlooklovelywhenthegreenleavesandthegrapeswerethere；butnowtherewereonlydry，reddish-brownstalksandstems，withafewwitheredleavescaughtinthem。

Thechildrenwalkeduptothefrontdoor。Itwasgreenandnarrow。

Achainwithahandlehungbesideit，andjoineditselfquiteopenlytoarustybellthathungundertheporch。Cyrilhadpulledthebellanditsnoisyclangwasdyingawaybeforetheterriblethoughtcametoall。Cyrilspokeit。

’Myhat！’hebreathed。’Wedon’tknowanyFrench！’

Atthismomentthedooropened。Averytall，leanlady，withpaleringletslikewhitey-brownpaperoroakshavings，stoodbeforethem。Shehadanuglygreydressandablacksilkapron。Hereyesweresmallandgreyandnotpretty，andtherimswerered，asthoughshehadbeencrying。

Sheaddressedthepartyinsomethingthatsoundedlikeaforeignlanguage，andendedwithsomethingwhichtheyweresurewasaquestion。Ofcourse，noonecouldanswerit。

’Whatdoesshesay？’Robertasked，lookingdownintothehollowofhisjacket，wherethePhoenixwasnestling。ButbeforethePhoenixcouldanswer，thewhitey-brownlady’sfacewaslightedupbyamostcharmingsmile。

’You——youar-r-refr-r-romtheEngland！’shecried。’IlovesomuchtheEngland。Maisentrez——entrezdonctous！Enter，then——enterall。Oneessuyeshisfeetonthecarpet。’Shepointedtothemat。

’Weonlywantedtoask——’

’Ishallsayyouallthatwhatyouwish，’saidthelady。’Enteronly！’

Sotheyallwentin，wipingtheirfeetonaverycleanmat，andputtingthecarpetinasafecorneroftheveranda。

’Themostbeautifuldaysofmylife，’saidthelady，assheshutthedoor，’didpassthemselvesinEngland。AndsincelongtimeI

havenotheardanEnglishvoicetorepealmethepast。’

Thiswarmwelcomeembarrassedeveryone，butmosttheboys，forthefloorofthehallwasofsuchverycleanredandwhitetiles，andthefloorofthesitting-roomsoveryshiny——likeablacklooking-glass——thateachfeltasthoughhehadonfarmorebootsthanusual，andfarnoisier。

Therewasawoodfire，verysmallandverybright，onthehearth——neatlittlelogslaidonbrassfire-dogs。Someportraitsofpowderedladiesandgentlemenhunginovalframesonthepalewalls。Thereweresilvercandlesticksonthemantelpiece，andtherewerechairsandatable，veryslimandpolite，withslenderlegs。Theroomwasextremelybare，butwithabrightforeignbarenessthatwasverycheerful，inanoddwayofitsown。

Attheendofthepolishedtableaveryun-Englishlittleboysatonafootstoolinahigh-backed，uncomfortable-lookingchair。Heworeblackvelvet，andthekindofcollar——allfrillsandlacey——

thatRobertwouldratherhavediedthanwear；butthenthelittleFrenchboywasmuchyoungerthanRobert。

’Oh，howpretty！’saideveryone。ButnoonemeantthelittleFrenchboy，withthevelvetyshortknickerbockersandthevelvetyshorthair。

Whateveryoneadmiredwasalittle，littleChristmas-tree，verygreen，andstandinginaveryredlittleflower-pot，andhungroundwithverybrightlittlethingsmadeoftinselandcolouredpaper。

Thereweretinycandlesonthetree，buttheywerenotlightedyet。

’Butyes——isitnotthatitisgenteel？’saidthelady。’Sitdownyouthen，andletussee。’

Thechildrensatdowninarowonthestiffchairsagainstthewall，andtheladylightedalong，slimredtaperatthewoodflame，andthenshedrewthecurtainsandlitthelittlecandles，andwhentheywerealllightedthelittleFrenchboysuddenlyshouted，’Bravo，matante！Oh，quec’estgentil，’andtheEnglishchildrenshouted’Hooray！’

ThentherewasastruggleinthebreastofRobert，andoutflutteredthePhoenix——spreadhisgoldwings，flewtothetopoftheChristmas-tree，andperchedthere。

’Ah！catchit，then，’criedthelady；’itwillitselfburn——yourgenteelparrakeet！’

’Itwon’t，’saidRobert，’thankyou。’

AndthelittleFrenchboyclappedhiscleanandtidyhands；buttheladywassoanxiousthatthePhoenixfluttereddownandwalkedupanddownontheshinywalnut-woodtable。

’Isitthatittalks？’askedthelady。

AndthePhoenixrepliedinexcellentFrench。Itsaid，’Parfaitement，madame！’

’Oh，theprettyparrakeet，’saidthelady。’Canitsaystillofotherthings？’

AndthePhoenixreplied，thistimeinEnglish，’WhyareyousadsonearChristmas-time？’

Thechildrenlookedatitwithonegaspofhorrorandsurprise，fortheyoungestofthemknewthatitisfarfrommannerstonoticethatstrangershavebeencrying，andmuchworsetoaskthemthereasonoftheirtears。And，ofcourse，theladybegantocryagain，verymuchindeed，aftercallingthePhoenixabirdwithoutaheart；andshecouldnotfindherhandkerchief，soAntheaofferedhers，whichwasstillverydampandnouseatall。Shealsohuggedthelady，andthisseemedtobeofmoreusethanthehandkerchief，sothatpresentlytheladystoppedcrying，andfoundherownhandkerchiefanddriedhereyes，andcalledAntheaacherishedangel。

’Iamsorrywecamejustwhenyouweresosad，’saidAnthea，’butwereallyonlywantedtoaskyouwhosethatcastleisonthehill。’

’Oh，mylittleangel，’saidthepoorlady，sniffing，’to-dayandforhundredsofyearsthecastleistous，toourfamily。To-morrowitmustthatIsellittosomestrangers——andmylittleHenri，whoignoresall，hewillnothaveneverthelandspaternal。Butwhatwillyou？Hisfather，mybrother——MrtheMarquis——hasspentmuchofmoney，anditthemust，despitethesentimentsoffamilialrespect，thatIadmitthatmysaintedfatherhealso——’

’Howwouldyoufeelifyoufoundalotofmoney——hundredsandthousandsofgoldpieces？’askedCyril。

Theladysmiledsadly。

’Ah！onehasalreadyrecountedtoyouthelegend？’shesaid。’Itistruethatonesaysthatitislongtime；oh！butlongtime，oneofourancestorshashidatreasure——ofgold，andofgold，andofgold——enoughtoenrichmylittleHenriforthelife。Butallthat，mychildren，itisbuttheaccountsoffays——’

’Shemeansfairystories，’whisperedthePhoenixtoRobert。’Tellherwhatyouhavefound。’

SoRoberttold，whileAntheaandJanehuggedtheladyforfearsheshouldfaintforjoy，likepeopleinbooks，andtheyhuggedherwiththeearnest，joyoushugsofunselfishdelight。

’It’snouseexplaininghowwegotin，’saidRobert，whenhehadtoldofthefindingofthetreasure，’becauseyouwouldfinditalittledifficulttounderstand，andmuchmoredifficulttobelieve。

Butwecanshowyouwherethegoldisandhelpyoutofetchitaway。’

TheladylookeddoubtfullyatRobertassheabsentlyreturnedthehugsofthegirls。

’No，he’snotmakingitup，’saidAnthea；’it’strue，TRUE，TRUE！——andwearesoglad。’

’Youwouldnotbecapabletotormentanoldwoman？’shesaid；’anditisnotpossiblethatitbeadream。’

’ItreallyIStrue，’saidCyril；’andIcongratulateyouverymuch。’

Histoneofstudiedpolitenessseemedtoconvincemorethantherapturesoftheothers。

’IfIdonotdream，’shesaid，’HenricometoManon——andyou——youshallcomeallwithmetoMrtheCurate。Isitnot？’

Manonwasawrinkledoldwomanwitharedandyellowhandkerchieftwistedroundherhead。ShetookHenri，whowasalreadysleepywiththeexcitementofhisChristmas-treeandhisvisitors，andwhentheladyhadputonastiffblackcapeandawonderfulblacksilkbonnetandapairofblackwoodenclogsoverherblackcashmerehouse-boots，thewholepartywentdowntheroadtoalittlewhitehouse——veryliketheonetheyhadleft——whereanoldpriest，withagoodface，welcomedthemwithapolitenesssogreatthatithidhisastonishment。

Thelady，withherFrenchwavinghandsandhershruggingFrenchshouldersandhertremblingFrenchspeech，toldthestory。Andnowthepriest，whoknewnoEnglish，shruggedHISshouldersandwavedHIShandsandspokealsoinFrench。

’Hethinks，’whisperedthePhoenix，’thathertroubleshaveturnedherbrain。WhatapityyouknownoFrench！’

’IdoknowalotofFrench，’whisperedRobert，indignantly；’butit’sallaboutthepencilofthegardener’ssonandthepenknifeofthebaker’sniece——nothingthatanyoneeverwantstosay。’

’If_I_speak，’thebirdwhispered，’he’llthinkHE’Smad，too。’

’Tellmewhattosay。’

’Say"C’estvrai，monsieur。Venezdoncvoir，"’saidthePhoenix；

andthenRobertearnedtheundyingrespectofeverybodybysuddenlysaying，veryloudlyanddistinctly——

’Sayvray，mossoo；vennydongvwaw。’

ThepriestwasdisappointedwhenhefoundthatRobert’sFrenchbeganandendedwiththeseusefulwords；but，atanyrate，hesawthatiftheladywasmadshewasnottheonlyone，andheputonabigbeaveryhat，andgotacandleandmatchesandaspade，andtheyallwentupthehilltothewaysideshrineofStJohnofLuz。

’Now，’saidRobert，’Iwillgofirstandshowyouwhereitis。’

Sotheyprisedthestoneupwithacornerofthespade，andRobertdidgofirst，andtheyallfollowedandfoundthegoldentreasureexactlyastheyhadleftit。Andeveryonewasflushedwiththejoyofperformingsuchawonderfullykindaction。

Thentheladyandthepriestclaspedhandsandweptforjoy，asFrenchpeopledo，andkneltdownandtouchedthemoney，andtalkedveryfastandbothtogether，andtheladyembracedallthechildrenthreetimeseach，andcalledthem’littlegardenangels，’andthensheandthepriestshookeachotherbybothhandsagain，andtalked，andtalked，andtalked，fasterandmoreFrenchythanyouwouldhavebelievedpossible。Andthechildrenwerestruckdumbwithjoyandpleasure。

’GetawayNOW，’saidthePhoenixsoftly，breakinginontheradiantdream。

Sothechildrencreptaway，andoutthroughthelittleshrine，andtheladyandthepriestweresotearfully，talkativelyhappythattheynevernoticedthattheguardianangelshadgone。

The’gardenangels’randownthehilltothelady’slittlehouse，wheretheyhadleftthecarpetontheveranda，andtheyspreaditoutandsaid’Home，’andnoonesawthemdisappear，exceptlittleHenri，whohadflattenedhisnoseintoawhitebuttonagainstthewindow-glass，andwhenhetriedtotellhisauntshethoughthehadbeendreaming。Sothatwasallright。

’Itismuchthebestthingwe’vedone，’saidAnthea，whentheytalkeditoverattea-time。’Inthefuturewe’llonlydokindactionswiththecarpet。’

’Ahem！’saidthePhoenix。

’Ibegyourpardon？’saidAnthea。

’Oh，nothing，’saidthebird。’Iwasonlythinking！’

CHAPTER7

MEWSFROMPERSIA

WhenyouhearthatthefourchildrenfoundthemselvesatWaterlooStationquiteun-taken-care-of，andwithnoonetomeetthem，itmaymakeyouthinkthattheirparentswereneitherkindnorcareful。Butifyouthinkthisyouwillbewrong。Thefactis，motherarrangedwithAuntEmmathatshewastomeetthechildrenatWaterloo，whentheywentbackfromtheirChristmasholidayatLyndhurst。Thetrainwasfixed，butnottheday。ThenmotherwrotetoAuntEmma，givinghercarefulinstructionsaboutthedayandthehour，andaboutluggageandcabsandthings，andgavethelettertoRoberttopost。ButthehoundshappenedtomeetnearRufusStonethatmorning，andwhatismore，onthewaytothemeettheymetRobert，andRobertmetthem，andinstantlyforgotallaboutpostingAuntEmma’sletter，andneverthoughtofitagainuntilheandtheothershadwanderedthreetimesupanddowntheplatformatWaterloo——whichmakessixinall——andhadbumpedagainstoldgentlemen，andstaredinthefacesofladies，andbeenshovedbypeopleinahurry，and’by-your-leaved’byporterswithtrucks，andwerequite，quitesurethatAuntEmmawasnotthere。

ThensuddenlythetruetruthofwhathehadforgottentodocamehometoRobert，andhesaid，’Oh，crikey！’andstoodstillwithhismouthopen，andletaporterwithaGladstonebagineachhandandabundleofumbrellasunderonearmblunderheavilyintohim，andneversomuchassaid，’Whereareyoushovingtonow？’or，’Lookoutwhereyou’regoing，can’tyou？’Theheavierbagsmotehimattheknee，andhestaggered，buthesaidnothing。

WhentheothersunderstoodwhatwasthematterIthinktheytoldRobertwhattheythoughtofhim。

’WemusttakethetraintoCroydon，’saidAnthea，’andfindAuntEmma。’

’Yes，’saidCyril，’andpreciouspleasedthoseJevonseswouldbetoseeusandourtraps。’

AuntEmma，indeed，wasstayingwithsomeJevonses——veryprimpeople。Theyweremiddle-agedandworeverysmartblouses，andtheywerefondofmatineesandshopping，andtheydidnotcareaboutchildren。

’IknowMOTHERwouldbepleasedtoseeusifwewentback，’saidJane。

’Yes，shewould，butshe’dthinkitwasnotrighttoshowshewaspleased，becauseit’sBob’sfaultwe’renotmet。Don’tIknowthesortofthing？’saidCyril。’Besides，we’venotin。No；we’vegotenoughforagrowleramongus，butnotenoughforticketstotheNewForest。Wemustjustgohome。Theywon’tbesosavagewhentheyfindwe’vereallygothomeallright。Youknowauntiewasonlygoingtotakeushomeinacab。’

’IbelieveweoughttogotoCroydon，’Antheainsisted。

’AuntEmmawouldbeouttoadeadcert，’saidRobert。’ThoseJevonsesgotothetheatreeveryafternoon，Ibelieve。Besides，there’sthePhoenixathome，ANDthecarpet。Ivoteswecallafour-wheeledcabman。’

Afour-wheeledcabmanwascalled——hiscabwasoneoftheold-fashionedkindwithstrawinthebottom——andhewasaskedbyAntheatodrivethemverycarefullytotheiraddress。Thishedid，andthepriceheaskedfordoingsowasexactlythevalueofthegoldcoingrandpapahadgivenCyrilforChristmas。Thiscastagloom；butCyrilwouldneverhavestoopedtoargueaboutacab-

fare，forfearthecabmanshouldthinkhewasnotaccustomedtotakecabswheneverhewantedthem。Forareasonthatwassomethinglikethishetoldthecabmantoputtheluggageonthesteps，andwaitedtillthewheelsofthegrowlerhadgrittilyretiredbeforeherangthebell。

’Yousee，’hesaid，withhishandonthehandle，’wedon’twantcookandElizaaskingusbeforeHIMhowitiswe’vecomehomealone，asifwewerebabies。’

Hereherangthebell；andthemomentitsansweringclangwasheard，everyonefeltthatitwouldbesometimebeforethatbellwasanswered。Thesoundofabellisquitedifferent，somehow，whenthereisanyoneinsidethehousewhohearsit。Ican’ttellyouwhythatis——butsoitis。

’Iexpectthey’rechangingtheirdresses，’saidJane。

’Toolate，’saidAnthea，’itmustbepastfive。IexpectEliza’sgonetopostaletter，andcook’sgonetoseethetime。’

Cyrilrangagain。Andthebelldiditsbesttoinformthelisteningchildrenthattherewasreallynoonehumaninthehouse。

Theyrangagainandlistenedintently。Theheartsofallsanklow。

Itisaterriblethingtobelockedoutofyourownhouse，onadark，muggyJanuaryevening。

’Thereisnogasonanywhere，’saidJane，inabrokenvoice。

’Iexpectthey’veleftthegasononcetoooften，andthedraughtblewitout，andthey’resuffocatedintheirbeds。Fatheralwayssaidtheywouldsomeday，’saidRobertcheerfully。

’Let’sgoandfetchapoliceman，’saidAnthea，trembling。

’Andbetakenupfortryingtobeburglars——no，thankyou，’saidCyril。’Iheardfatherreadoutofthepaperaboutayoungmanwhogotintohisownmother’shouse，andtheygothimmadeaburglaronlytheotherday。’

’Ionlyhopethegashasn’thurtthePhoenix，’saidAnthea。’Itsaiditwantedtostayinthebathroomcupboard，andIthoughtitwouldbeallright，becausetheservantsnevercleanthatout。Butifit’sgoneandgotoutandbeenchokedbygas——Andbesides，directlyweopenthedoorweshallbechoked，too。IKNEWweoughttohavegonetoAuntEmma，atCroydon。Oh，Squirrel，Iwishwehad。Let’sgoNOW。’

’Shutup，’saidherbrother，briefly。’There’ssomeonerattlingthelatchinside。’Everyonelistenedwithallitsears，andeveryonestoodbackasfarfromthedoorasthestepswouldallow。

Thelatchrattled，andclicked。Thentheflapoftheletter-boxlifteditself——everyonesawitbytheflickeringlightofthegas-lampthatshonethroughtheleaflesslime-treebythegate——agoldeneyeseemedtowinkatthemthroughtheletter-slit，andacautiousbeakwhispered——

’Areyoualone？’

’It’sthePhoenix，’saideveryone，inavoicesojoyous，andsofullofrelief，astobeasortofwhisperedshout。

’Hush！’saidthevoicefromtheletter-boxslit。’Yourslaveshavegonea-merry-making。Thelatchofthisportalistoostiffformybeak。Butattheside——thelittlewindowabovetheshelfwhereonyourbreadlies——itisnotfastened。’

’Righto！’saidCyril。

AndAntheaadded，’Iwishyou’dmeetusthere，dearPhoenix。’

Thechildrencreptroundtothepantrywindow。Itisatthesideofthehouse，andthereisagreengatelabelled’Tradesmen’sEntrance’，whichisalwayskeptbolted。Butifyougetonefootonthefencebetweenyouandnextdoor，andoneonthehandleofthegate，youareoverbeforeyouknowwhereyouare。This，atleast，wastheexperienceofCyrilandRobert，andeven，ifthetruthmustbetold，ofAntheaandJane。Soinalmostnotimeallfourwereinthenarrowgravelledpassagethatrunsbetweenthathouseandthenext。

ThenRobertmadeaback，andCyrilhoistedhimselfupandgothisknicker-bockeredkneeontheconcretewindow-sill。Hedivedintothepantryheadfirst，asonedivesintowater，andhislegswavedintheairashewent，justasyourlegsdowhenyouarefirstbeginningtolearntodive。Thesolesofhisboots——squarishmuddypatches——disappeared。

’Givemealegup，’saidRoberttohissisters。

’No，youdon’t，’saidJanefirmly。’I’mnotgoingtobeleftoutsideherewithjustAnthea，andhavesomethingcreepupbehindusoutofthedark。Squirrelcangoandopenthebackdoor。’

Alighthadsprungawakeinthepantry。CyrilalwayssaidthePhoenixturnedthegasonwithitsbeak，andlighteditwithawaftofitswing；buthewasexcitedatthetime，andperhapshereallydidithimselfwithmatches，andthenforgotallaboutit。Helettheothersinbythebackdoor。Andwhenithadbeenboltedagainthechildrenwentalloverthehouseandlightedeverysinglegas-jettheycouldfind。Fortheycouldn’thelpfeelingthatthiswasjustthedarkdrearywinter’seveningwhenanarmedburglarmighteasilybeexpectedtoappearatanymoment。Thereisnothinglikelightwhenyouareafraidofburglars——orofanythingelse，forthatmatter。

Andwhenallthegas-jetswerelighteditwasquiteclearthatthePhoenixhadmadenomistake，andthatElizaandcookwerereallyout，andthattherewasnooneinthehouseexceptthefourchildren，andthePhoenix，andthecarpet，andtheblackbeetleswholivedinthecupboardsoneachsideofthenurseryfire-place。

Theselastwereverypleasedthatthechildrenhadcomehomeagain，especiallywhenAntheahadlightedthenurseryfire。But，asusual，thechildrentreatedthelovinglittleblackbeetleswithcoldnessanddisdain。

Iwonderwhetheryouknowhowtolightafire？Idon’tmeanhowtostrikeamatchandsetfiretothecornersofthepaperinafiresomeonehaslaidready，buthowtolayandlightafireallbyyourself。IwilltellyouhowAntheadidit，andifeveryouhavetolightoneyourselfyoumayrememberhowitisdone。First，sherakedouttheashesofthefirethathadburnedthereaweekago——forElizahadactuallyneverdonethis，thoughshehadhadplentyoftime。IndoingthisAntheaknockedherknuckleandmadeitbleed。Thenshelaidthelargestandhandsomestcindersinthebottomofthegrate。Thenshetookasheetofoldnewspaper（yououghtnevertolightafirewithto-day’snewspaper——itwillnotburnwell，andthereareotherreasonsagainstit），andtoreitintofourquarters，andscrewedeachoftheseintoalooseball，andputthemonthecinders；thenshegotabundleofwoodandbrokethestring，andstuckthesticksinsothattheirfrontendsrestedonthebars，andthebackendsonthebackofthepaperballs。Indoingthisshecutherfingerslightlywiththestring，andwhenshebrokeit，twoofthesticksjumpedupandhitheronthecheek。Thensheputmorecindersandsomebitsofcoal——nodust。Sheputmostofthatonherhands，butthereseemedtobeenoughleftforherface。Thenshelightedtheedgesofthepaperballs，andwaitedtillsheheardthefizz-crack-crack-fizzofthewoodasitbegantoburn。Thenshewentandwashedherhandsandfaceunderthetapinthebackkitchen。

Ofcourse，youneednotbarkyourknuckles，orcutyourfinger，orbruiseyourcheekwithwood，orblackyourselfallover；butotherwise，thisisaverygoodwaytolightafireinLondon。Intherealcountryfiresarelightedinadifferentandprettierway。

Butitisalwaysgoodtowashyourhandsandfaceafterwards，whereveryouare。

WhileAntheawasdelightingthepoorlittleblackbeetleswiththecheerfulblaze，Janehadsetthetablefor——Iwasgoingtosaytea，butthemealofwhichIamspeakingwasnotexactlytea。Letuscallitatea-ishmeal。Therewastea，certainly，forAnthea’sfireblazedandcrackledsokindlythatitreallyseemedtobeaffectionatelyinvitingthekettletocomeandsituponitslap。

Sothekettlewasbroughtandteamade。Butnomilkcouldbefound——soeveryonehadsixlumpsofsugartoeachcupinstead。

Thethingstoeat，ontheotherhand，werenicerthanusual。Theboyslookedaboutverycarefully，andfoundinthepantrysomecoldtongue，bread，butter，cheese，andpartofacoldpudding——verymuchnicerthancookevermadewhentheywereathome。AndinthekitchencupboardwashalfaChristmassycake，apotofstrawberryjam，andaboutapoundofmixedcandiedfruit，withsoftcrumblyslabsofdelicioussugarineachcupoflemon，orange，orcitron。

Itwasindeed，asJanesaid，’abanquetfitforanArabianKnight。’

ThePhoenixperchedonRobert’schair，andlistenedkindlyandpolitelytoalltheyhadtotellitabouttheirvisittoLyndhurst，andunderneaththetable，byjuststretchingatoedownratherfar，thefaithfulcarpetcouldbefeltbyall——evenbyJane，whoselegswereveryshort。

’Yourslaveswillnotreturnto-night，’saidthePhoenix。’Theysleepundertheroofofthecook’sstepmother’saunt，whois，I

gather，hostesstoalargepartyto-nightinhonourofherhusband’scousin’ssister-in-law’smother’sninetiethbirthday。’

’Idon’tthinktheyoughttohavegonewithoutleave，’saidAnthea，’howevermanyrelationstheyhave，orhoweveroldtheyare；butI

supposeweoughttowashup。’

’It’snotourbusinessabouttheleave，’saidCyril，firmly，’butIsimplywon’twashupforthem。Wegotit，andwe’llclearitaway；andthenwe’llgosomewhereonthecarpet。It’snotoftenwegetachanceofbeingoutallnight。Wecangorightawaytotheothersideoftheequator，tothetropicalclimes，andseethesunriseoverthegreatPacificOcean。’

’Rightyouare，’saidRobert。’IalwaysdidwanttoseetheSouthernCrossandthestarsasbigasgas-lamps。’

’DON’Tgo，’saidAnthea，veryearnestly，’becauseICOULDN’T。I’mSUREmotherwouldn’tlikeustoleavethehouseandIshouldhatetobeleftherealone。’

’I’dstaywithyou，’saidJaneloyally。

’Iknowyouwould，’saidAntheagratefully，’butevenwithyouI’dmuchrathernot。’

’Well，’saidCyril，tryingtobekindandamiable，’Idon’twantyoutodoanythingyouthink’swrong，BUT——’

Hewassilent；thissilencesaidmanythings。

’Idon’tsee，’Robertwasbeginning，whenAntheainterrupted——

’I’mquitesure。Sometimesyoujustthinkathing’swrong，andsometimesyouKNOW。AndthisisaKNOWtime。’

ThePhoenixturnedkindgoldeneyesonherandopenedafriendlybeaktosay——

’Whenitis，asyousay，a"knowtime"，thereisnomoretobesaid。Andyournoblebrotherswouldneverleaveyou。’

’Ofcoursenot，’saidCyrilratherquickly。AndRobertsaidsotoo。

’Imyself，’thePhoenixwenton，’amwillingtohelpinanywaypossible。Iwillgopersonally——eitherbycarpetoronthewing——andfetchyouanythingyoucanthinkoftoamuseyouduringtheevening。InordertowastenotimeIcouldgowhileyouwashup。——Why，’itwentoninamusingvoice，’doesonewashupteacupsandwashdownthestairs？’

’Youcouldn’twashstairsup，youknow，’saidAnthea，’unlessyoubeganatthebottomandwentupfeetfirstasyouwashed。Iwishcookwouldtrythatwayforachange。’

’Idon’t，’saidCyril，briefly。’Ishouldhatethelookofherelastic-sidebootsstickingup。’

’Thisismeretrifling，’saidthePhoenix。’Come，decidewhatI

shallfetchforyou。Icangetyouanythingyoulike。’

Butofcoursetheycouldn’tdecide。Manythingsweresuggested——arocking-horse，jewelledchessmen，anelephant，abicycle，amotor-car，bookswithpictures，musicalinstruments，andmanyotherthings。Butamusicalinstrumentisagreeableonlytotheplayer，unlesshehaslearnedtoplayitreallywell；booksarenotsociable，bicyclescannotberiddenwithoutgoingoutofdoors，andthesameistrueofmotor-carsandelephants。Onlytwopeoplecanplaychessatoncewithonesetofchessmen（andanywayit’sverymuchtoomuchlikelessonsforagame），andonlyonecanrideonarocking-horse。Suddenly，inthemidstofthediscussion，thePhoenixspreaditswingsandflutteredtothefloor，andfromthereitspoke。

’Igather，’itsaid，’fromthecarpet，thatitwantsyoutoletitgotoitsoldhome，whereitwasbornandbroughtup，anditwillreturnwithinthehourladenwithanumberofthemostbeautifulanddelightfulproductsofitsnativeland。’

’WhatISitsnativeland？’

’Ididn’tgather。Butsinceyoucan’tagree，andtimeispassing，andthetea-thingsarenotwasheddown——Imeanwashedup——’

’Ivoteswedo，’saidRobert。’It’llstopallthisjaw，anyway。

Andit’snotbadtohavesurprises。Perhapsit’saTurkeycarpet，anditmightbringusTurkishdelight。’

’OraTurkishpatrol，’saidRobert。

’OraTurkishbath，’saidAnthea。

’OraTurkishtowel，’saidJane。

’Nonsense，’Roberturged，’itsaidbeautifulanddelightful，andtowelsandbathsaren’tTHAT，howevergoodtheymaybeforyou。

Letitgo。Isupposeitwon’tgiveustheslip，’headded，pushingbackhischairandstandingup。