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