’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。