TO
MyDearGodsonHUBERTGRIFFITH
andhissisterMARGARET
TOHUBERT
DearHubert，ifIeverfoundAwishing-carpetlyinground，I’dstanduponit，andI’dsay：
’TakemetoHubert，rightaway！’
Andthenwe’dtravelveryfarTowherethemagiccountriesareThatyouandIwillneversee，Andchoosetheloveliestgiftsforyou，fromme。
Butoh！alack！andwell-a-day！
Nowishing-carpetscomemyway。
IneverfoundaPhoenixyet，AndPsammeadsaresohardtoget！
SoIgiveyounothingfine——
Onlythisbookyourbookandmine，Andhers，whosenamebyyoursisset；
Yourbook，mybook，thebookofMargaret！
E。NESBIT
DYMCHURCH
September，1904
CONTENTS
1TheEgg2TheToplessTower3TheQueenCook4TwoBazaars5TheTemple6DoingGood7MewsfromPersia8TheCats，theCow，andtheBurglar9TheBurglar’sBride10TheHoleintheCarpet11TheBeginningoftheEnd12TheEndoftheEndCHAPTER1
THEEGG
ItbeganwiththedaywhenitwasalmosttheFifthofNovember，andadoubtaroseinsomebreast——Robert’s，Ifancy——astothequalityofthefireworkslaidinfortheGuyFawkescelebration。
’Theywerejollycheap，’saidwhoeveritwas，andIthinkitwasRobert，’andsupposetheydidn’tgooffonthenight？ThoseProsserkidswouldhavesomethingtosniggeraboutthen。’
’Theones_I_gotareallright，’Janesaid；’Iknowtheyare，becausethemanattheshopsaidtheywereworththribblethemoney——’
’I’msurethribbleisn’tgrammar，’Antheasaid。
’Ofcourseitisn’t，’saidCyril；’onewordcan’tbegrammarallbyitself，soyouneedn’tbesojollyclever。’
Antheawasrummaginginthecorner-drawersofhermindforaverydisagreeableanswer，whensherememberedwhatawetdayitwas，andhowtheboyshadbeendisappointedofthatridetoLondonandbackonthetopofthetram，whichtheirmotherhadpromisedthemasarewardfornothavingonceforgotten，forsixwholedays，towipetheirbootsonthematwhentheycamehomefromschool。
SoAntheaonlysaid，’Don’tbesojollycleveryourself，Squirrel。
Andthefireworkslookallright，andyou’llhavetheeightpencethatyourtramfaresdidn’tcostto-day，tobuysomethingmorewith。YououghttogetaperfectlylovelyCatharinewheelforeightpence。’
’Idaresay，’saidCyril，coldly；’butit’snotYOUReightpenceanyhow——’
’Butlookhere，’saidRobert，’reallynow，aboutthefireworks。Wedon’twanttobedisgracedbeforethosekidsnextdoor。TheythinkbecausetheywearredplushonSundaysnooneelseisanygood。’
’Iwouldn’twearplushifitwaseverso——unlessitwasblacktobebeheadedin，ifIwasMaryQueenofScots，’saidAnthea，withscorn。
Robertstucksteadilytohispoint。OnegreatpointaboutRobertisthesteadinesswithwhichhecanstick。
’Ithinkweoughttotestthem，’hesaid。
’Youyoungduffer，’saidCyril，’fireworksarelikepostage-stamps。
Youcanonlyusethemonce。’
’Whatdoyousupposeitmeansby"Carter’stestedseeds"intheadvertisement？’
Therewasablanksilence。ThenCyriltouchedhisforeheadwithhisfingerandshookhishead。
’Alittlewronghere，’hesaid。’IwasalwaysafraidofthatwithpoorRobert。Allthatcleverness，youknow，andbeingtopinalgebrasooften——it’sboundtotell——’
’Dryup，’saidRobert，fiercely。’Don’tyousee？Youcan’tTEST
seedsifyoudothemALL。Youjusttakeafewhereandthere，andifthosegrowyoucanfeelprettysuretheotherswillbe——whatdoyoucallit？——Fathertoldme——"uptosample"。Don’tyouthinkweoughttosamplethefire-works？Justshutoureyesandeachdrawoneout，andthentrythem。’
’Butit’srainingcatsanddogs，’saidJane。
’AndQueenAnneisdead，’rejoinedRobert。Noonewasinaverygoodtemper。’Weneedn’tgoouttodothem；wecanjustmovebackthetable，andletthemoffontheoldtea-trayweplaytobogganswith。Idon’tknowwhatYOUthink，but_I_thinkit’stimewedidsomething，andthatwouldbereallyuseful；becausethenweshouldn’tjustHOPEthefireworkswouldmakethoseProsserssitup——weshouldKNOW。’
’ItWOULDbesomethingtodo，’Cyrilownedwithlanguidapproval。
Sothetablewasmovedback。Andthentheholeinthecarpet，thathadbeennearthewindowtillthecarpetwasturnedround，showedmostawfully。ButAntheastoleoutontip-toe，andgotthetraywhencookwasn’tlooking，andbroughtitinandputitoverthehole。
Thenallthefireworkswereputonthetable，andeachofthefourchildrenshutitseyesverytightandputoutitshandandgraspedsomething。Roberttookacracker，CyrilandAntheahadRomancandles；butJane’sfatpawclosedonthegemofthewholecollection，theJack-in-the-boxthathadcosttwoshillings，andoneatleastoftheparty——Iwillnotsaywhich，becauseitwassorryafterwards——declaredthatJanehaddoneitonpurpose。Nobodywaspleased。Fortheworstofitwasthatthesefourchildren，withaveryproperdislikeofanythingevenfaintlyborderingonthesneakish，hadalaw，unalterableasthoseoftheMedesandPersians，thatonehadtostandbytheresultsofatoss-up，oradrawingoflots，oranyotherappealtochance，howevermuchonemighthappentodislikethewaythingswereturningout。
’Ididn’tmeanto，’saidJane，neartears。’Idon’tcare，I’lldrawanother——’
’Youknowjollywellyoucan’t，’saidCyril，bitterly。’It’ssettled。It’sMediumandPersian。You’vedoneit，andyou’llhavetostandbyit——andustoo，worseluck。Nevermind。YOU’LLhaveyourpocket-moneybeforetheFifth。Anyway，we’llhavetheJack-in-the-boxLAST，andgetthemostoutofitwecan。’
SothecrackerandtheRomancandleswerelighted，andtheywereallthatcouldbeexpectedforthemoney；butwhenitcametotheJack-in-the-boxitsimplysatinthetrayandlaughedatthem，asCyrilsaid。Theytriedtolightitwithpaperandtheytriedtolightitwithmatches；theytriedtolightitwithVesuvianfuseesfromthepocketoffather’ssecond-bestovercoatthatwashanginginthehall。AndthenAntheaslippedawaytothecupboardunderthestairswherethebroomsanddustpanswerekept，andtherosinyfire-lightersthatsmellsoniceandlikethewoodswherepine-treesgrow，andtheoldnewspapersandthebees-waxandturpentine，andthehorridanstiffdarkragsthatareusedforcleaningbrassandfurniture，andtheparaffinforthelamps。Shecamebackwithalittlepotthathadoncecostsevenpence-halfpennywhenitwasfullofred-currantjelly；butthejellyhadbeenalleatenlongago，andnowAntheahadfilledthejarwithparaffin。Shecamein，andshethrewtheparaffinoverthetrayjustatthemomentwhenCyrilwastryingwiththetwenty-thirdmatchtolighttheJack-in-the-box。TheJack-in-the-boxdidnotcatchfireanymorethanusual，buttheparaffinactedquitedifferently，andinaninstantahotflashofflameleaptupandburntoffCyril’seyelashes，andscorchedthefacesofallfourbeforetheycouldspringback。Theybacked，infourinstantaneousbounds，asfarastheycould，whichwastothewall，andthepillaroffirereachedfromfloortoceiling。
’Myhat，’saidCyril，withemotion，’You’vedoneitthistime，Anthea。’
TheflamewasspreadingoutundertheceilingliketheroseoffireinMrRiderHaggard’sexcitingstoryaboutAllanQuatermain。
RobertandCyrilsawthatnotimewastobelost。Theyturneduptheedgesofthecarpet，andkickedthemoverthetray。Thiscutoffthecolumnoffire，anditdisappearedandtherewasnothingleftbutsmokeandadreadfulsmelloflampsthathavebeenturnedtoolow。
Allhandsnowrushedtotherescue，andtheparaffinfirewasonlyabundleoftrampledcarpet，whensuddenlyasharpcrackbeneaththeirfeetmadetheamateurfiremenstartback。Anothercrack——thecarpetmovedasifithadhadacatwrappedinit；theJack-in-the-boxhadatlastalloweditselftobelighted，anditwasgoingoffwithdesperateviolenceinsidethecarpet。
Robert，withtheairofonedoingtheonlypossiblething，rushedtothewindowandopenedit。Antheascreamed，Janeburstintotears，andCyrilturnedthetablewrongwayupontopofthecarpetheap。Butthefireworkwenton，bangingandburstingandsplutteringevenunderneaththetable。
Nextmomentmotherrushedin，attractedbythehowlsofAnthea，andinafewmomentsthefireworkdesistedandtherewasadeadsilence，andthechildrenstoodlookingateachother’sblackfaces，and，outofthecornersoftheireyes，atmother’swhiteone。
Thefactthatthenurserycarpetwasruinedoccasionedbutlittlesurprise，norwasanyonereallyastonishedthatbedshouldprovetheimmediateendoftheadventure。IthasbeensaidthatallroadsleadtoRome；thismaybetrue，butatanyrate，inearlyyouthIamquitesurethatmanyroadsleadtoBED，andstopthere——orYOUdo。
Therestofthefireworkswereconfiscated，andmotherwasnotpleasedwhenfatherletthemoffhimselfinthebackgarden，thoughhesaid，’Well，howelsecanyougetridofthem，mydear？’
Yousee，fatherhadforgottenthatthechildrenwereindisgrace，andthattheirbedroomwindowslookedoutontothebackgarden。
Sothattheyallsawthefireworksmostbeautifully，andadmiredtheskillwithwhichfatherhandledthem。
Nextdayallwasforgottenandforgiven；onlythenurseryhadtobedeeplycleaned（likespring-cleaning），andtheceilinghadtobewhitewashed。
Andmotherwentout；andjustattea-timenextdayamancamewitharolled-upcarpet，andfatherpaidhim，andmothersaid——
’Ifthecarpetisn’tingoodcondition，youknow，Ishallexpectyoutochangeit。’Andthemanreplied——
’Thereain’tathreadgoneinitnowhere，mum。It’sabargain，ifevertherewasone，andI’mmore’n’arfsorryIletitgoattheprice；butwecan’tresistthelydies，canwe，sir？’andhewinkedatfatherandwentaway。
Thenthecarpetwasputdowninthenursery，andsureenoughtherewasn’taholeinitanywhere。
Asthelastfoldwasunrolledsomethinghardandloud-soundingbumpedoutofitandtrundledalongthenurseryfloor。Allthechildrenscrambledforit，andCyrilgotit。Hetookittothegas。Itwasshapedlikeanegg，veryyellowandshiny，half-transparent，andithadanoddsortoflightinitthatchangedasyouhelditindifferentways。Itwasasthoughitwasaneggwithayolkofpalefirethatjustshowedthroughthestone。
’IMAYkeepit，mayn’tI，mother？’Cyrilasked。
Andofcoursemothersaidno；theymusttakeitbacktothemanwhohadbroughtthecarpet，becauseshehadonlypaidforacarpet，andnotforastoneeggwithafieryyolktoit。
Soshetoldthemwheretheshopwas，anditwasintheKentishTownRoad，notfarfromthehotelthatiscalledtheBullandGate。Itwasapokylittleshop，andthemanwasarrangingfurnitureoutsideonthepavementverycunningly，sothatthemorebrokenpartsshouldshowaslittleaspossible。Anddirectlyhesawthechildrenheknewthemagain，andhebeganatonce，withoutgivingthemachancetospeak。
’Noyoudon’t’hecriedloudly；’Iain’ta-goin’totakebacknocarpets，sodon’tyoumakenobloomin’errer。Abargain’sabargain，andthecarpet’spuffikthroughout。’
’Wedon’twantyoutotakeitback，’saidCyril；’butwefoundsomethinginit。’
’Itmusthavegotintoitupatyourplace，then，’saidtheman，withindignantpromptness，’forthereain’tnothinginnothingasIsell。It’sallascleanasawhistle。’
’Ineversaiditwasn’tCLEAN，’saidCyril，’but——’
’Oh，ifit’sMOTHS，’saidtheman，’that’seasycuredwithborax。
ButIexpectitwasonlyanoddone。Itellyouthecarpet’sgoodthroughandthrough。Ithadn’tgotnomothswhenitleftmy’ands——notsomuchasanhegg。’
’Butthat’sjustit，’interruptedJane；’thereWASsomuchasanegg。’
Themanmadeasortofrushatthechildrenandstampedhisfoot。
’Clearout，Isay！’heshouted，’orI’llcallforthepolice。A
nicethingforcustomersto’earyoua-coming’erea-chargingmewithfindingthingsingoodswhatIsells。’Ere，beoff，aforeI
sendsyouoffwithafleainyourears。Hi！constable——’
Thechildrenfled，andtheythink，andtheirfatherthinks，thattheycouldn’thavedoneanythingelse。Motherhasherownopinion。
Butfathersaidtheymightkeeptheegg。
’Themancertainlydidn’tknowtheeggwastherewhenhebroughtthecarpet，’saidhe，’anymorethanyourmotherdid，andwe’veasmuchrighttoitashehad。’
Sotheeggwasputonthemantelpiece，whereitquitebrightenedupthedingynursery。Thenurserywasdingy，becauseitwasabasementroom，anditswindowslookedoutonastoneareawitharockerymadeofclinkersfacingthewindows。NothinggrewintherockeryexceptLondonprideandsnails。
Theroomhadbeendescribedinthehouseagent’slistasa’convenientbreakfast-roominbasement，’andinthedaytimeitwasratherdark。Thisdidnotmattersomuchintheeveningswhenthegaswasalight，butthenitwasintheeveningthattheblackbeetlesgotsosociable，andusedtocomeoutofthelowcupboardsoneachsideofthefireplacewheretheirhomeswere，andtrytomakefriendswiththechildren。Atleast，Isupposethatwaswhattheywanted，butthechildrenneverwould。
OntheFifthofNovemberfatherandmotherwenttothetheatre，andthechildrenwerenothappy，becausetheProssersnextdoorhadlotsoffireworksandtheyhadnone。
Theywerenotevenallowedtohaveabonfireinthegarden。
’Nomoreplayingwithfire，thankyou，’wasfather’sanswer，whentheyaskedhim。
Whenthebabyhadbeenputtobedthechildrensatsadlyroundthefireinthenursery。
’I’mbeastlybored，’saidRobert。
’Let’stalkaboutthePsammead，’saidAnthea，whogenerallytriedtogivetheconversationacheerfulturn。
’What’sthegoodofTALKING？’saidCyril。’WhatIwantisforsomethingtohappen。It’sawfullystuffyforachapnottobeallowedoutintheevenings。There’ssimplynothingtodowhenyou’vegotthroughyourhomers。’
Janefinishedthelastofherhome-lessonsandshutthebookwithabang。
’We’vegotthepleasureofmemory，’saidshe。’Justthinkoflastholidays。’
Lastholidays，indeed，offeredsomethingtothinkof——fortheyhadbeenspentinthecountryatawhitehousebetweenasand-pitandagravel-pit，andthingshadhappened。ThechildrenhadfoundaPsammead，orsand-fairy，andithadletthemhaveanythingtheywishedfor——justexactlyanything，withnobotheraboutitsnotbeingreallyfortheirgood，oranythinglikethat。Andifyouwanttoknowwhatkindofthingstheywishedfor，andhowtheirwishesturnedoutyoucanreaditallinabookcalledFiveChildrenandIt（ItwasthePsammead）。Ifyou’venotreadit，perhapsIoughttotellyouthatthefifthchildwasthebabybrother，whowascalledtheLamb，becausethefirstthingheeversaidwas’Baa！’andthattheotherchildrenwerenotparticularlyhandsome，norweretheyextraclever，norextraordinarilygood。
Buttheywerenotbadsortsonthewhole；infact，theywereratherlikeyou。
’Idon’twanttothinkaboutthepleasuresofmemory，’saidCyril；
’Iwantsomemorethingstohappen。’
’We’reverymuchluckierthananyoneelse，asitis，’saidJane。
’Why，nooneelseeverfoundaPsammead。Weoughttobegrateful。’
’Whyshouldn’tweGOONbeing，though？’Cyrilasked——’lucky，I
mean，notgrateful。Why’sitallgottostop？’
’Perhapssomethingwillhappen，’saidAnthea，comfortably。’Doyouknow，sometimesIthinkwearethesortofpeoplethatthingsDO
happento。’
’It’slikethatinhistory，’saidJane：’somekingsarefullofinterestingthings，andothers——nothingeverhappenstothem，excepttheirbeingbornandcrownedandburied，andsometimesnotthat。’
’IthinkPanther’sright，’saidCyril：’Ithinkwearethesortofpeoplethingsdohappento。Ihaveasortoffeelingthingswouldhappenrightenoughifwecouldonlygivethemashove。Itjustwantssomethingtostartit。That’sall。’
’Iwishtheytaughtmagicatschool，’Janesighed。’Ibelieveifwecoulddoalittlemagicitmightmakesomethinghappen。’
’Iwonderhowyoubegin？’Robertlookedroundtheroom，buthegotnoideasfromthefadedgreencurtains，orthedrabVenetianblinds，orthewornbrownoil-clothonthefloor。Eventhenewcarpetsuggestednothing，thoughitspatternwasaverywonderfulone，andalwaysseemedasthoughitwerejustgoingtomakeyouthinkofsomething。
’Icouldbeginrightenough，’saidAnthea；’I’vereadlotsaboutit。ButIbelieveit’swrongintheBible。’
’It’sonlywrongintheBiblebecausepeoplewantedtohurtotherpeople。Idon’tseehowthingscanbewrongunlesstheyhurtsomebody，andwedon’twanttohurtanybody；andwhat’smore，wejollywellcouldn’tifwetried。Let’sgettheIngoldsbyLegends。
There’sathingaboutAbra-cadabrathere，’saidCyril，yawning。
’Wemayaswellplayatmagic。Let’sbeKnightsTemplars。Theywereawfullygoneonmagic。Theyusedtoworkspellsorsomethingwithagoatandagoose。Fathersaysso。’
’Well，that’sallright，’saidRobert，unkindly；’youcanplaythegoatrightenough，andJaneknowshowtobeagoose。’
’I’llgetIngoldsby，’saidAnthea，hastily。’Youturnupthehearthrug。’
Sotheytracedstrangefiguresonthelinoleum，wherethehearthrughadkeptitclean。TheytracedthemwithchalkthatRoberthadnickedfromthetopofthemathematicalmaster’sdeskatschool。
Youknow，ofcourse，thatitisstealingtotakeanewstickofchalk，butitisnotwrongtotakeabrokenpiece，solongasyouonlytakeone。（Idonotknowthereasonofthisrule，norwhomadeit。）Andtheychantedallthegloomiestsongstheycouldthinkof。And，ofcourse，nothinghappened。SothenAntheasaid，’I’msureamagicfireoughttobemadeofsweet-smellingwood，andhavemagicgumsandessencesandthingsinit。’
’Idon’tknowanysweet-smellingwood，exceptcedar，’saidRobert；
’butI’vegotsomeendsofcedar-woodleadpencil。’
Sotheyburnedtheendsofleadpencil。Andstillnothinghappened。
’Let’sburnsomeoftheeucalyptusoilwehaveforourcolds，’saidAnthea。
Andtheydid。Itcertainlysmeltverystrong。Andtheyburnedlumpsofcamphoroutofthebigchest。Itwasverybright，andmadeahorridblacksmoke，whichlookedverymagical。Butstillnothinghappened。Thentheygotsomecleantea-clothsfromthedresserdrawerinthekitchen，andwavedthemoverthemagicchalk-tracings，andsang’TheHymnoftheMoravianNunsatBethlehem’，whichisveryimpressive。Andstillnothinghappened。
Sotheywavedmoreandmorewildly，andRobert’stea-clothcaughtthegoldeneggandwhiskeditoffthemantelpiece，anditfellintothefenderandrolledunderthegrate。
’Oh，crikey！’saidmorethanonevoice。
Andeveryoneinstantlyfelldownflatonitsfronttolookunderthegrate，andtherelaytheegg，glowinginanestofhotashes。
’It’snotsmashed，anyhow，’saidRobert，andheputhishandunderthegrateandpickeduptheegg。Buttheeggwasmuchhotterthananyonewouldhavebelieveditcouldpossiblygetinsuchashorttime，andRoberthadtodropitwithacryof’Bother！’Itfellonthetopbarofthegrate，andbouncedrightintotheglowingred-hotheartofthefire。
’Thetongs！’criedAnthea。But，alas，noonecouldrememberwheretheywere。Everyonehadforgottenthatthetongshadlastbeenusedtofishupthedoll’steapotfromthebottomofthewater-
butt，wheretheLambhaddroppedit。Sothenurserytongswererestingbetweenthewater-buttandthedustbin，andcookrefusedtolendthekitchenones。
’Nevermind，’saidRobert，’we’llgetitoutwiththepokerandtheshovel。’
’Oh，stop，’criedAnthea。’Lookatit！Look！look！look！IdobelievesomethingISgoingtohappen！’
Fortheeggwasnowred-hot，andinsideitsomethingwasmoving。
Nextmomenttherewasasoftcrackingsound；theeggburstintwo，andoutofitcameaflame-colouredbird。Itrestedamomentamongtheflames，andasitrestedtherethefourchildrencouldseeitgrowingbiggerandbiggerundertheireyes。
Everymouthwasa-gape，everyeyea-goggle。
Thebirdroseinitsnestoffire，stretcheditswings，andflewoutintotheroom。Itflewroundandround，androundagain，andwhereitpassedtheairwaswarm。Thenitperchedonthefender。
Thechildrenlookedateachother。ThenCyrilputoutahandtowardsthebird。Itputitsheadononesideandlookedupathim，asyoumayhaveseenaparrotdowhenitisjustgoingtospeak，sothatthechildrenwerehardlyastonishedatallwhenitsaid，’Becareful；Iamnotnearlycoolyet。’
Theywerenotastonished，buttheywerevery，verymuchinterested。
Theylookedatthebird，anditwascertainlyworthlookingat。
Itsfeatherswerelikegold。Itwasaboutaslargeasabantam，onlyitsbeakwasnotatallbantam-shaped。’IbelieveIknowwhatitis，’saidRobert。’I’veseenapicture。’
Hehurriedaway。Ahastydashandscrambleamongthepapersonfather’sstudytableyielded，asthesum-bookssay，’thedesiredresult’。Butwhenhecamebackintotheroomholdingoutapaper，andcrying，’Isay，lookhere，’theothersallsaid’Hush！’andhehushedobedientlyandinstantly，forthebirdwasspeaking。
’Whichofyou，’itwassaying，’puttheeggintothefire？’
’Hedid，’saidthreevoices，andthreefingerspointedatRobert。
Thebirdbowed；atleastitwasmorelikethatthananythingelse。
’Iamyourgratefuldebtor，’itsaidwithahigh-bredair。
Thechildrenwereallchokingwithwonderandcuriosity——allexceptRobert。Heheldthepaperinhishand，andheKNEW。Hesaidso。
Hesaid——
’_I_knowwhoyouare。’
Andheopenedanddisplayedaprintedpaper，attheheadofwhichwasalittlepictureofabirdsittinginanestofflames。
’YouarethePhoenix，’saidRobert；andthebirdwasquitepleased。
’Myfamehaslivedthenfortwothousandyears，’itsaid。’Allowmetolookatmyportrait。’ItlookedatthepagewhichRobert，kneelingdown，spreadoutinthefender，andsaid——
’It’snotaflatteringlikeness……Andwhatarethesecharacters？’itasked，pointingtotheprintedpart。
’Oh，that’salldullish；it’snotmuchaboutYOU，youknow，’saidCyril，withunconsciouspoliteness；’butyou’reinlotsofbooks。’
’Withportraits？’askedthePhoenix。
’Well，no，’saidCyril；’infact，Idon’tthinkIeversawanyportraitofyoubutthatone，butIcanreadyousomethingaboutyourself，ifyoulike。’
ThePhoenixnodded，andCyrilwentoffandfetchedVolumeXoftheoldEncyclopedia，andonpage246hefoundthefollowing：——
’Phoenix-inornithology，afabulousbirdofantiquity。’
’Antiquityisquitecorrect，’saidthePhoenix，’butfabulous——well，doIlookit？’
Everyoneshookitshead。Cyrilwenton——
’Theancientsspeakofthisbirdassingle，ortheonlyoneofitskind。’
’That’srightenough，’saidthePhoenix。
’Theydescribeitasaboutthesizeofaneagle。’
’Eaglesareofdifferentsizes，’saidthePhoenix；’it’snotatallagooddescription。’
Allthechildrenwerekneelingonthehearthrug，tobeasnearthePhoenixaspossible。
’You’llboilyourbrains，’itsaid。’Lookout，I’mnearlycoolnow；’andwithawhirrofgoldenwingsitflutteredfromthefendertothetable。Itwassonearlycoolthattherewasonlyaveryfaintsmellofburningwhenithadsettleditselfonthetable-cloth。
’It’sonlyaverylittlescorched，’saidthePhoenix，apologetically；’itwillcomeoutinthewash。Pleasegoonreading。’
Thechildrengatheredroundthetable。
’Thesizeofaneagle，’Cyrilwenton，’itsheadfinelycrestedwithabeautifulplumage，itsneckcoveredwithfeathersofagoldcolour，andtherestofitsbodypurple；onlythetailwhite，andtheeyessparklinglikestars。Theysaythatitlivesaboutfivehundredyearsinthewilderness，andwhenadvancedinageitbuildsitselfapileofsweetwoodandaromaticgums，firesitwiththewaftingofitswings，andthusburnsitself；andthatfromitsashesarisesaworm，whichintimegrowsuptobeaPhoenix。HencethePhoeniciansgave——’
’Nevermindwhattheygave，’saidthePhoenix，rufflingitsgoldenfeathers。’Theynevergavemuch，anyway；theyalwayswerepeoplewhogavenothingfornothing。Thatbookoughttobedestroyed。
It’smostinaccurate。Therestofmybodywasneverpurple，andasformy——tail——well，Isimplyaskyou，ISitwhite？’
Itturnedroundandgravelypresenteditsgoldentailtothechildren。
’No。it’snot，’saideverybody。
’No，anditneverwas，’saidthePhoenix。’Andthataboutthewormisjustavulgarinsult。ThePhoenixhasanegg，likeallrespectablebirds。Itmakesapile——thatpart’sallright——anditlaysitsegg，anditburnsitself；anditgoestosleepandwakesupinitsegg，andcomesoutandgoesonlivingagain，andsoonforeverandever。Ican’ttellyouhowwearyIgotofit——sucharestlessexistence；norepose。’
’ButhowdidyouregggetHERE？’askedAnthea。
’Ah，that’smylife-secret，’saidthePhoenix。’Icouldn’ttellittoanyonewhowasn’treallysympathetic。I’vealwaysbeenamisunderstoodbird。Youcantellthatbywhattheysayabouttheworm。ImighttellYOU，’itwenton，lookingatRobertwitheyesthatwereindeedstarry。’Youputmeonthefire——’Robertlookeduncomfortable。
’Therestofusmadethefireofsweet-scentedwoodsandgums，though，’saidCyril。
’And——anditwasanaccidentmyputtingyouonthefire，’saidRobert，tellingthetruthwithsomedifficulty，forhedidnotknowhowthePhoenixmighttakeit。Ittookitinthemostunexpectedmanner。
’Yourcandidavowal，’itsaid，’removesmylastscruple。Iwilltellyoumystory。’
’Andyouwon’tvanish，oranythingsuddenwillyou？，askedAnthea，anxiously。
’Why？’itasked，puffingoutthegoldenfeathers，’doyouwishmetostayhere？’
’OhYES，’saideveryone，withunmistakablesincerity。
’Why？’askedthePhoenixagain，lookingmodestlyatthetable-cloth。
’Because，’saideveryoneatonce，andthenstoppedshort；onlyJaneaddedafterapause，’youarethemostbeautifulpersonwe’veeverseen。’
’Youareasensiblechild，’saidthePhoenix，’andIwillNOT
vanishoranythingsudden。AndIwilltellyoumytale。Ihadresided，asyourbooksays，formanythousandyearsinthewilderness，whichisalarge，quietplacewithverylittlereallygoodsociety，andIwasbecomingwearyofthemonotonyofmyexistence。ButIacquiredthehabitoflayingmyeggandburningmyselfeveryfivehundredyears——andyouknowhowdifficultitistobreakyourselfofahabit。’
’Yes，’saidCyril；’Janeusedtobitehernails。’
’ButIbrokemyselfofit，’urgedJane，ratherhurt，’YouknowI
did。’
’Nottilltheyputbitteraloesonthem，’saidCyril。
’Idoubt，’saidthebird，gravely，’whetherevenbitteraloes（thealoe，bytheway，hasabadhabitofitsown，whichitmightwellcurebeforeseekingtocureothers；Ialludetoitsindolentpracticeoffloweringbutonceacentury），IdoubtwhetherevenbitteraloescouldhavecuredME。ButIWAScured。Iawokeonemorningfromafeverishdream——itwasgettingnearthetimeformetolaythattiresomefireandlaythattediousegguponit——andI
sawtwopeople，amanandawoman。Theyweresittingonacarpet——andwhenIaccostedthemcivillytheynarratedtometheirlife-story，which，asyouhavenotyetheardit，Iwillnowproceedtorelate。Theywereaprinceandprincess，andthestoryoftheirparentswasonewhichIamsureyouwillliketohear。Inearlyyouththemotheroftheprincesshappenedtohearthestoryofacertainenchanter，andinthatstoryIamsureyouwillbeinterested。Theenchanter——’
’Oh，pleasedon’t，’saidAnthea。’Ican’tunderstandallthesebeginningsofstories，andyouseemtobegettingdeeperanddeeperinthemeveryminute。DotellusyourOWNstory。That’swhatwereallywanttohear。’
’Well，’saidthePhoenix，seemingonthewholeratherflattered，’tocutaboutseventylongstoriesshort（though_I_hadtolistentothemall——buttobesureinthewildernessthereisplentyoftime），thisprinceandprincessweresofondofeachotherthattheydidnotwantanyoneelse，andtheenchanter——don’tbealarmed，Iwon’tgointohishistory——hadgiventhemamagiccarpet（you’veheardofamagiccarpet？），andtheyhadjustsatonitandtoldittotakethemrightawayfromeveryone——andithadbroughtthemtothewilderness。Andastheymeanttostaytheretheyhadnofurtheruseforthecarpet，sotheygaveittome。Thatwasindeedthechanceofalifetime！’
’Idon’tseewhatyouwantedwithacarpet，’saidJane，’whenyou’vegotthoselovelywings。’
’TheyAREnicewings，aren’tthey？’saidthePhoenix，simperingandspreadingthemout。’Well，Igottheprincetolayoutthecarpet，andIlaidmyeggonit；thenIsaidtothecarpet，"Now，myexcellentcarpet，proveyourworth。Takethateggsomewherewhereitcan’tbehatchedfortwothousandyears，andwhere，whenthattime’sup，someonewilllightafireofsweetwoodandaromaticgums，andputtheeggintohatch；"andyouseeit’sallcomeoutexactlyasIsaid。Thewordswerenosooneroutofmybeakthaneggandcarpetdisappeared。Theroyalloversassistedtoarrangemypile，andsoothedmylastmoments。IburntmyselfupandknewnomoretillIawokeonyonderaltar。’
Itpointeditsclawatthegrate。
’Butthecarpet，’saidRobert，’themagiccarpetthattakesyouanywhereyouwish。Whatbecameofthat？’
’Oh，THAT？’saidthePhoenix，carelessly——’Ishouldsaythatthatisthecarpet。Irememberthepatternperfectly。’
Itpointedasitspoketothefloor，wherelaythecarpetwhichmotherhadboughtintheKentishTownRoadfortwenty-twoshillingsandninepence。
Atthatinstantfather’slatch-keywasheardinthedoor。
’OH，’whisperedCyril，’nowweshallcatchitfornotbeinginbed！’
’Wishyourselfthere，’saidthePhoenix，inahurriedwhisper，’andthenwishthecarpetbackinitsplace。’
Nosoonersaidthandone。Itmadeonealittlegiddy，certainly，andalittlebreathless；butwhenthingsseemedrightwayupagain，therethechildrenwere，inbed，andthelightswereout。
TheyheardthesoftvoiceofthePhoenixthroughthedarkness。
’Ishallsleeponthecorniceaboveyourcurtains，’itsaid。
’Pleasedon’tmentionmetoyourkinsfolk。’
’Notmuchgood，’saidRobert，’they’dneverbelieveus。Isay，’hecalledthroughthehalf-opendoortothegirls；’talkaboutadventuresandthingshappening。WeoughttobeabletogetsomefunoutofamagiccarpetANDaPhoenix。’
’Rather，’saidthegirls，inbed。
’Children，’saidfather，onthestairs，’gotosleepatonce。Whatdoyoumeanbytalkingatthistimeofnight？’
Noanswerwasexpectedtothisquestion，butunderthebedclothesCyrilmurmuredone。
’Mean？’hesaid。’Don’tknowwhatwemean。Idon’tknowwhatanythingmeans。’
’Butwe’vegotamagiccarpetANDaPhoenix，’saidRobert。
’You’llgetsomethingelseiffathercomesinandcatchesyou，’
saidCyril。’Shutup，Itellyou。’
Robertshutup。ButheknewaswellasyoudothattheadventuresofthatcarpetandthatPhoenixwereonlyjustbeginning。
Fatherandmotherhadnottheleastideaofwhathadhappenedintheirabsence。Thisisoftenthecase，evenwhentherearenomagiccarpetsorPhoenixesinthehouse。
Thenextmorning——butIamsureyouwouldratherwaittillthenextchapterbeforeyouhearaboutTHAT。
CHAPTER2
THETOPLESSTOWER
ThechildrenhadseenthePhoenix-egghatchedintheflamesintheirownnurserygrate，andhadheardfromithowthecarpetontheirownnurseryfloorwasreallythewishingcarpet，whichwouldtakethemanywheretheychose。Thecarpethadtransportedthemtobedjustattherightmoment，andthePhoenixhadgonetoroostonthecornicesupportingthewindow-curtainsoftheboys’room。
’Excuseme，’saidagentlevoice，andacourteousbeakopened，verykindlyanddelicately，therighteyeofCyril。’Iheartheslavesbelowpreparingfood。Awaken！Awordofexplanationandarrangement……Idowishyouwouldn’t——’
ThePhoenixstoppedspeakingandflutteredawaycrosslytothecornice-pole；forCyrilhadhitout，asboysdowhentheyareawakenedsuddenly，andthePhoenixwasnotusedtoboys，andhisfeelings，ifnothiswings，werehurt。
’Sorry，’saidCyril，comingawakeallinaminute。’Docomeback！
Whatwasityouweresaying？Somethingaboutbaconandrations？’
ThePhoenixflutteredbacktothebrassrailatthefootofthebed。
’Isay——youAREreal，’saidCyril。’Howripping！Andthecarpet？’
’Thecarpetisasrealasiteverwas，’saidthePhoenix，rathercontemptuously；’but，ofcourse，acarpet’sonlyacarpet，whereasaPhoenixissuperlativelyaPhoenix。’
’Yes，indeed，’saidCyril，’Iseeitis。Oh，whatluck！Wakeup，Bobs！There’sjollywellsomethingtowakeupfortoday。Andit’sSaturday，too。’
’I’vebeenreflecting，’saidthePhoenix，’duringthesilentwatchesofthenight，andIcouldnotavoidtheconclusionthatyouwerequiteinsufficientlyastonishedatmyappearanceyesterday。
TheancientswerealwaysVERYsurprised。Didyou，bychance，EXPECTmyeggtohatch？’
’Notus，’Cyrilsaid。
’Andifwehad，’saidAnthea，whohadcomeininhernightiewhensheheardthesilveryvoiceofthePhoenix，’wecouldnever，neverhaveexpectedittohatchanythingsosplendidasyou。’
Thebirdsmiled。Perhapsyou’veneverseenabirdsmile？
’Yousee，’saidAnthea，wrappingherselfintheboys’counterpane，forthemorningwaschill，’we’vehadthingshappentousbefore；’
andshetoldthestoryofthePsammead，orsand-fairy。
’Ahyes，’saidthePhoenix；’Psammeadswererare，eveninmytime。
IrememberIusedtobecalledthePsammeadoftheDesert。Iwasalwayshavingcomplimentspaidme；Ican’tthinkwhy。’
’CanYOUgivewishes，then？’askedJane，whohadnowcomeintoo。
’Oh，dearme，no，’saidthePhoenix，contemptuously，’atleast——butIhearfootstepsapproaching。Ihastentoconcealmyself。’Anditdid。
IthinkIsaidthatthisdaywasSaturday。Itwasalsocook’sbirthday，andmotherhadallowedherandElizatogototheCrystalPalacewithapartyoffriends，soJaneandAntheaofcoursehadtohelptomakebedsandtowashupthebreakfastcups，andlittlethingslikethat。RobertandCyrilintendedtospendthemorninginconversationwiththePhoenix，butthebirdhaditsownideasaboutthis。
’Imusthaveanhourortwo’squiet，’itsaid，’Ireallymust。MynerveswillgivewayunlessIcangetalittlerest。Youmustrememberit’stwothousandyearssinceIhadanyconversation——I’moutofpractice，andImusttakecareofmyself。I’veoftenbeentoldthatmineisavaluablelife。’Soitnestleddowninsideanoldhatboxoffather’s，whichhadbeenbroughtdownfromthebox-roomsomedaysbefore，whenahelmetwassuddenlyneededforagameoftournaments，withitsgoldenheadunderitsgoldenwing，andwenttosleep。SothenRobertandCyrilmovedthetablebackandweregoingtositonthecarpetandwishthemselvessomewhereelse。Butbeforetheycoulddecideontheplace，Cyrilsaid——
’Idon’tknow。Perhapsit’srathersneakishtobeginwithoutthegirls。’
’They’llbeallthemorning，’saidRobert，impatiently。Andthenathinginsidehim，whichtiresomebookssometimescallthe’inwardmonitor’，said，’Whydon’tyouhelpthem，then？’
Cyril’s’inwardmonitor’happenedtosaythesamethingatthesamemoment，sotheboyswentandhelpedtowashupthetea-cups，andtodustthedrawing-room。Robertwassointerestedthatheproposedtocleanthefrontdoorsteps——athinghehadneverbeenallowedtodo。Norwasheallowedtodoitonthisoccasion。Onereasonwasthatithadalreadybeendonebycook。
Whenallthehouseworkwasfinished，thegirlsdressedthehappy，wrigglingbabyinhisbluehighwaymancoatandthree-corneredhat，andkepthimamusedwhilemotherchangedherdressandgotreadytotakehimovertogranny’s。Motheralwayswenttogranny’severySaturday，andgenerallysomeofthechildrenwentwithher；buttodaytheyweretokeephouse。AndtheirheartswerefullofjoyousanddelightfulfeelingseverytimetheyrememberedthatthehousetheywouldhavetokeephadaPhoenixinit，ANDawishingcarpet。
YoucanalwayskeeptheLambgoodandhappyforquitealongtimeifyouplaytheNoah’sArkgamewithhim。Itisquitesimple。Hejustsitsonyourlapandtellsyouwhatanimalheis，andthenyousaythelittlepoetrypieceaboutwhateveranimalhechoosestobe。
Ofcourse，someoftheanimals，likethezebraandthetiger，haven’tgotanypoetry，becausetheyaresodifficulttorhymeto。
TheLambknowsquitewellwhicharethepoetryanimals。
’I’mababybear！’saidtheLamb，snuggingdown；andAntheabegan：
’Ilovemylittlebabybear，Ilovehisnoseandtoesandhair；
Iliketoholdhiminmyarm，AndkeephimVERYsafeandwarm。’
Andwhenshesaid’very’，ofcoursetherewasarealbear’shug。
Thencametheeel，andtheLambwastickledtillhewriggledexactlylikearealone：
’Ilovemylittlebabyeel，Heissosquidgletytofeel；
He’llbeaneelwhenheisbig——
Butnowhe’sjust——a——tinySNIG！’
Perhapsyoudidn’tknowthatasnigwasababyeel？Itis，though，andtheLambknewit。
’Hedgehognow-！’hesaid；andAntheawenton：
’Mybabyhedgehog，howIlikeye，Thoughyourback’ssoprickly-spiky；
Yourfrontisverysoft，I’vefound，SoImustloveyoufrontwaysround！’
Andthenshelovedhimfrontwaysround，whilehesquealedwithpleasure。
Itisaverybabygame，and，ofcourse，therhymesareonlymeantforvery，verysmallpeople——notforpeoplewhoareoldenoughtoreadbooks，soIwon’ttellyouanymoreofthem。
BythetimetheLambhadbeenababylionandababyweazel，andababyrabbitandababyrat，motherwasready；andsheandtheLamb，havingbeenkissedbyeverybodyandhuggedasthoroughlyasitispossibletobewhenyou’redressedforout-of-doors，wereseentothetrambytheboys。Whentheboyscameback，everyonelookedateveryoneelseandsaid——
’Now！’
Theylockedthefrontdoorandtheylockedthebackdoor，andtheyfastenedallthewindows。Theymovedthetableandchairsoffthecarpet，andAntheasweptit。
’WemustshowitaLITTLEattention，’shesaidkindly。’We’llgiveittea-leavesnexttime。Carpetsliketea-leaves。’
Theneveryoneputonitsout-doorthings，becauseasCyrilsaid，theydidn’tknowwheretheymightbegoing，anditmakespeoplestareifyougooutofdoorsinNovemberinpinaforesandwithouthats。
ThenRobertgentlyawokethePhoenix，whoyawnedandstretcheditself，andallowedRoberttoliftitontothemiddleofthecarpet，whereitinstantlywenttosleepagainwithitscrestedheadtuckedunderitsgoldenwingasbefore。Theneveryonesatdownonthecarpet。
’Whereshallwego？’wasofcoursethequestion，anditwaswarmlydiscussed。AntheawantedtogotoJapan。RobertandCyrilvotedforAmerica，andJanewishedtogototheseaside。
’Becausetherearedonkeysthere，’saidshe。
’NotinNovember，silly，’saidCyril；andthediscussiongotwarmerandwarmer，andstillnothingwassettled。
’IvoteweletthePhoenixdecide，’saidRobert，atlast。Sotheystrokedittillitwoke。’Wewanttogosomewhereabroad，’theysaid，’andwecan’tmakeupourmindswhere。’
’LetthecarpetmakeupITSmind，ifithasone，’saidthePhoenix。
’Justsayyouwishtogoabroad。’
Sotheydid；andthenextmomenttheworldseemedtospinupsidedown，andwhenitwasrightwayupagainandtheywereungiddyenoughtolookaboutthem，theywereoutofdoors。
Outofdoors——thisisafeeblewaytoexpresswheretheywere。
Theywereoutof——outoftheearth，oroffit。Infact，theywerefloatingsteadily，safely，splendidly，inthecrispclearair，withthepalebrightblueoftheskyabovethem，andfardownbelowthepalebrightsun-diamondedwavesofthesea。Thecarpethadstiffeneditselfsomehow，sothatitwassquareandfirmlikearaft，anditsteereditselfsobeautifullyandkeptonitswaysoflatandfearlessthatnoonewasatallafraidoftumblingoff。
Infrontofthemlayland。
’ThecoastofFrance，’saidthePhoenix，wakingupandpointingwithitswing。’Wheredoyouwishtogo？Ishouldalwayskeeponewish，ofcourse——foremergencies——otherwiseyoumaygetintoanemergencyfromwhichyoucan’temergeatall。’
Butthechildrenwerefartoodeeplyinterestedtolisten。
’Itellyouwhat，’saidCyril：’let’sletthethinggoonandon，andwhenweseeaplacewereallywanttostopat——why，we’lljuststop。Isn’tthisripping？’
’It’sliketrains，’saidAnthea，astheysweptoverthelow-lyingcoast-lineandheldasteadycourseaboveorderlyfieldsandstraightroadsborderedwithpoplartrees——’likeexpresstrains，onlyintrainsyounevercanseeanythingbecauseofgrown-upswantingthewindowsshut；andthentheybreatheonthem，andit’slikegroundglass，andnobodycanseeanything，andthentheygotosleep。’
’It’sliketobogganing，’saidRobert，’sofastandsmooth，onlythere’snodoor-mattostopshorton——itgoesonandon。’
’YoudarlingPhoenix，’saidJane，’it’sallyourdoing。Oh，lookatthatduckylittlechurchandthewomenwithflappycappythingsontheirheads。’
’Don’tmentionit，’saidthePhoenix，withsleepypoliteness。
’OH！’saidCyril，summingupalltherapturethatwasineveryheart。’Lookatitall——lookatit——andthinkoftheKentishTownRoad！’
Everyonelookedandeveryonethought。Andtheglorious，gliding，smooth，steadyrushwenton，andtheylookeddownonstrangeandbeautifulthings，andheldtheirbreathandletitgoindeepsighs，andsaid’Oh！’and’Ah！’tillitwaslongpastdinner-time。
ItwasJanewhosuddenlysaid，’Iwishwe’dbroughtthatjamtartandcoldmuttonwithus。Itwouldhavebeenjollytohaveapicnicintheair。’
Thejamtartandcoldmuttonwere，however，faraway，sittingquietlyinthelarderofthehouseinCamdenTownwhichthechildrenweresupposedtobekeeping。Amousewasatthatmomenttastingtheoutsideoftheraspberryjampartofthetart（shehadnibbledasortofgulf，orbay，throughthepastryedge）toseewhetheritwasthesortofdinnershecouldaskherlittlemouse-husbandtositdownto。Shehadhadaverygooddinnerherself。Itisanillwindthatblowsnobodyanygood。
’We’llstopassoonasweseeaniceplace，’saidAnthea。’I’vegotthreepence，andyouboyshavethefourpenceeachthatyourtramsdidn’tcosttheotherday，sowecanbuythingstoeat。I
expectthePhoenixcanspeakFrench。’
Thecarpetwassailingalongoverrocksandriversandtreesandtownsandfarmsandfields。Itremindedeverybodyofacertaintimewhenallofthemhadhadwings，andhadflownuptothetopofachurchtower，andhadhadafeastthereofchickenandtongueandnewbreadandsoda-water。Andthisagainremindedthemhowhungrytheywere。Andjustastheywereallbeingremindedofthisverystronglyindeed，theysawaheadofthemsomeruinedwallsonahill，andstrongandupright，andreally，tolookat，asgoodasnew——agreatsquaretower。
’Thetopofthat’sjusttheexactlysamesizeasthecarpet，’saidJane。’_I_thinkitwouldbegoodtogotothetopofthat，becausethennoneoftheAbby-what’s-its-names——Imeannatives——wouldbeabletotakethecarpetawayeveniftheywantedto。Andsomeofuscouldgooutandgetthingstoeat——buythemhonestly，Imean，nottakethemoutoflarderwindows。’
’Ithinkitwouldbebetterifwewent——’Antheawasbeginning；butJanesuddenlyclenchedherhands。
’Idon’tseewhyIshouldneverdoanythingIwant，justbecauseI’mtheyoungest。Iwishthecarpetwouldfititselfinatthetopofthattower——sothere！’
Thecarpetmadeadisconcertingbound，andnextmomentitwashoveringabovethesquaretopofthetower。Thenslowlyandcarefullyitbegantosinkunderthem。ItwaslikealiftgoingdownwithyouattheArmyandNavyStores。
’Idon’tthinkweoughttowishthingswithoutallagreeingtothemfirst，’saidRobert，huffishly。’Hullo！Whatonearth？’
Forunexpectedlyandgreylysomethingwascomingupallroundthefoursidesofthecarpet。Itwasasifawallwerebeingbuiltbymagicquickness。Itwasafoothigh——itwastwofeethigh——three，four，five。Itwasshuttingoutthelight——moreandmore。
Anthealookedupattheskyandthewallsthatnowrosesixfeetabovethem。
’We’redroppingintothetower，’shescreamed。’THEREWASN’TANYTOP
TOIT。Sothecarpet’sgoingtofititselfinatthebottom。’
Robertsprangtohisfeet。
’Weoughttohave——Hullo！anowl’snest。’Heputhiskneeonajuttingsmoothpieceofgreystone，andreachedhishandintoadeepwindowslit——broadtotheinsideofthetower，andnarrowinglikeafunneltotheoutside。
’Looksharp！’criedeveryone，butRobertdidnotlooksharpenough。Bythetimehehaddrawnhishandoutoftheowl’snest——therewerenoeggsthere——thecarpethadsunkeightfeetbelowhim。
’Jump，yousillycuckoo！’criedCyril，withbrotherlyanxiety。
ButRobertcouldn’tturnroundallinaminuteintoajumpingposition。Hewriggledandtwistedandgotontothebroadledge，andbythetimehewasreadytojumpthewallsofthetowerhadrisenupthirtyfeetabovetheothers，whowerestillsinkingwiththecarpet，andRobertfoundhimselfintheembrasureofawindow；
alone，foreventheowlswerenotathomethatday。Thewallwassmoothish；therewasnoclimbingup，andasforclimbingdown——Roberthidhisfaceinhishands，andsquirmedbackandbackfromthegiddyverge，untilthebackpartofhimwaswedgedquitetightinthenarrowestpartofthewindowslit。
Hewassafenow，ofcourse，buttheoutsidepartofhiswindowwaslikeaframetoapictureofpartoftheothersideofthetower。
Itwasverypretty，withmossgrowingbetweenthestonesandlittleshinygems；butbetweenhimandittherewasthewidthofthetower，andnothinginitbutemptyair。Thesituationwasterrible。RobertsawinaflashthatthecarpetwaslikelytobringthemintojustthesamesortoftightplacesthattheyusedtogetintowiththewishesthePsammeadgrantedthem。
Andtheothers——imaginetheirfeelingsasthecarpetsankslowlyandsteadilytotheverybottomofthetower，leavingRobertclingingtothewall。Robertdidnoteventrytoimaginetheirfeelings——hehadquiteenoughtodowithhisown；butyoucan。
Assoonasthecarpetcametoastoponthegroundatthebottomoftheinsideofthetoweritsuddenlylostthatraft-likestiffnesswhichhadbeensuchacomfortduringthejourneyfromCamdenTowntothetoplesstower，andspreaditselflimplyovertheloosestonesandlittleearthymoundsatthebottomofthetower，justexactlylikeanyordinarycarpet。Alsoitshranksuddenly，sothatitseemedtodrawawayfromundertheirfeet，andtheysteppedquicklyofftheedgesandstoodonthefirmground，whilethecarpetdrewitselfintillitwasitspropersize，andnolongerfittedexactlyintotheinsideofthetower，butleftquiteabigspaceallroundit。
Thenacrossthecarpettheylookedateachother，andtheneverychinwastiltedupandeveryeyesoughtvainlytoseewherepoorRoberthadgotto。Ofcourse，theycouldn’tseehim。
’Iwishwehadn’tcome，’saidJane。
’Youalwaysdo，’saidCyril，briefly。’Lookhere，wecan’tleaveRobertupthere。Iwishthecarpetwouldfetchhimdown。’
Thecarpetseemedtoawakefromadreamandpullitselftogether。
Itstiffeneditselfbrisklyandfloatedupbetweenthefourwallsofthetower。Thechildrenbelowcranedtheirheadsback，andnearlybroketheirnecksindoingit。Thecarpetroseandrose。
Ithungpoiseddarklyabovethemforananxiousmomentortwo；thenitdroppeddownagain，threwitselfontheunevenfloorofthetower，andasitdidsoittumbledRobertoutontheunevenfloorofthetower。
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