’Oh，glory！’saidRobert，’thatwasasqueak。Youdon’tknowhowIfelt。Isay，I’vehadaboutenoughforabit。Let’swishourselvesathomeagainandhaveagoatthatjamtartandmutton。
Wecangooutagainafterwards。’
’Righto！’saideveryone，fortheadventurehadshakenthenervesofall。Sotheyallgotontothecarpetagain，andsaid——
’Iwishwewereathome。’
Andloandbehold，theywerenomoreathomethanbefore。Thecarpetnevermoved。ThePhoenixhadtakentheopportunitytogotosleep。Antheawokeitupgently。
’Lookhere，’shesaid。
’I’mlooking，’saidthePhoenix。
’WeWISHEDtobeathome，andwe’restillhere，’complainedJane。
’No，’saidthePhoenix，lookingaboutitatthehighdarkwallsofthetower。’No；Iquiteseethat。’
’Butwewishedtobeathome，’saidCyril。
’Nodoubt，’saidthebird，politely。
’Andthecarpethasn’tmovedaninch，’saidRobert。
’No，’saidthePhoenix，’Iseeithasn’t。’
’ButIthoughtitwasawishingcarpet？’
’Soitis，’saidthePhoenix。
’Thenwhy——？’askedthechildren，altogether。
’Ididtellyou，youknow，’saidthePhoenix，’onlyyouaresofondoflisteningtothemusicofyourownvoices。Itis，indeed，themostlovelymusictoeachofus，andtherefore——’
’YoudidtellusWHAT？’interruptedanExasperated。
’Why，thatthecarpetonlygivesyouthreewishesadayandYOU’VE
HADTHEM。’
Therewasaheartfeltsilence。
’Thenhowarewegoingtogethome？’saidCyril，atlast。
’Ihaven’tanyidea，’repliedthePhoenix，kindly。’CanIflyoutandgetyouanylittlething？’
’Howcouldyoucarrythemoneytopayforit？’
’Itisn’tnecessary。Birdsalwaystakewhattheywant。Itisnotregardedasstealing，exceptinthecaseofmagpies。’
Thechildrenweregladtofindtheyhadbeenrightinsupposingthistobethecase，onthedaywhentheyhadwings，andhadenjoyedsomebodyelse’sripeplums。
’Yes；letthePhoenixgetussomethingtoeat，anyway，’Roberturged——’（’Ifitwillbesokindyoumean，’correctedAnthea，inawhisper）；’ifitwillbesokind，andwecanbethinkingwhileit’sgone。’
SothePhoenixflutteredupthroughthegreyspaceofthetowerandvanishedatthetop，anditwasnottillithadquitegonethatJanesaid——
’Supposeitnevercomesback。’
Itwasnotapleasantthought，andthoughAntheaatoncesaid，’Ofcourseitwillcomeback；I’mcertainit’sabirdofitsword，’afurthergloomwascastbytheidea。For，curiouslyenough，therewasnodoortothetower，andallthewindowswerefar，fartoohightobereachedbythemostadventurousclimber。Itwascold，too，andAntheashivered。
’Yes，’saidCyril，’it’slikebeingatthebottomofawell。’
Thechildrenwaitedinasadandhungrysilence，andgotlittlestiffneckswithholdingtheirlittleheadsbacktolookuptheinsideofthetallgreytower，toseeifthePhoenixwerecoming。
Atlastitcame。Itlookedverybigasitfluttereddownbetweenthewalls，andasitnearedthemthechildrensawthatitsbignesswascausedbyabasketofboiledchestnutswhichitcarriedinoneclaw。Intheotheritheldapieceofbread。Andinitsbeakwasaverylargepear。Thepearwasjuicy，andasgoodasaverysmalldrink。Whenthemealwasovereveryonefeltbetter，andthequestionofhowtogethomewasdiscussedwithoutanydisagreeableness。Butnoonecouldthinkofanywayoutofthedifficulty，orevenoutofthetower；forthePhoenix，thoughitsbeakandclawshadfortunatelybeenstrongenoughtocarryfoodforthem，wasplainlynotequaltoflyingthroughtheairwithfourwell-nourishedchildren。
’Wemuststayhere，Isuppose，’saidRobertatlast，’andshoutouteverynowandthen，andsomeonewillhearusandbringropesandladders，andrescueuslikeoutofmines；andthey’llgetupasubscriptiontosendushome，likecastaways。’
’Yes；butweshan’tbehomebeforemotheris，andthenfather’lltakeawaythecarpetandsayit’sdangerousorsomething，’saidCyril。
’IDOwishwehadn’tcome，’saidJane。
Andeveryoneelsesaid’Shutup，’exceptAnthea，whosuddenlyawokethePhoenixandsaid——
’Lookhere，IbelieveYOUcanhelpus。Oh，Idowishyouwould！’
’Iwillhelpyouasfarasliesinmypower，’saidthePhoenix，atonce。’Whatisityouwantnow？’
’Why，wewanttogethome，’saideveryone。
’Oh，’saidthePhoenix。’Ah，hum！Yes。Home，yousaid？
Meaning？’
’Wherewelive——wherewesleptlastnight——wherethealtaristhatyoureggwashatchedon。’
’Oh，there！’saidthePhoenix。’Well，I’lldomybest。’Itflutteredontothecarpetandwalkedupanddownforafewminutesindeepthought。Thenitdrewitselfupproudly。
’ICANhelpyou，’itsaid。’IamalmostsureIcanhelpyou。
UnlessIamgrosslydeceivedIcanhelpyou。Youwon’tmindmyleavingyouforanhourortwo？’andwithoutwaitingforareplyitsoaredupthroughthedimnessofthetowerintothebrightnessabove。
’Now，’saidCyril，firmly，’itsaidanhourortwo。ButI’vereadaboutcaptivesandpeopleshutupindungeonsandcatacombsandthingsawaitingrelease，andIknoweachmomentisaneternity。
Thosepeoplealwaysdosomethingtopassthedesperatemoments。
It’snouseourtryingtotamespiders，becauseweshan’thavetime。’
’IHOPEnot，’saidJane，doubtfully。
’Butweoughttoscratchournamesonthestonesorsomething。’
’Isay，talkingofstones，’saidRobert，’youseethatheapofstonesagainstthewalloverinthatcorner。Well，I’mcertainthere’saholeinthewallthere——andIbelieveit’sadoor。Yes，lookhere——thestonesareroundlikeanarchinthewall；andhere’sthehole——it’sallblackinside。’
Hehadwalkedovertotheheapashespokeandclimbeduptoit——dislodgedthetopstoneoftheheapanduncoveredalittledarkspace。
Nextmomenteveryonewashelpingtopulldowntheheapofstones，andverysooneveryonethrewoffitsjacket，foritwaswarmwork。
’ItISadoor，’saidCyril，wipinghisface，’andnotabadthingeither，if——’
Hewasgoingtoadd’ifanythinghappenstothePhoenix，’buthedidn’tforfearoffrighteningJane。Hewasnotanunkindboywhenhehadleisuretothinkofsuchthings。
Thearchedholeinthewallgrewlargerandlarger。Itwasvery，veryblack，evencomparedwiththesortoftwilightatthebottomofthetower；itgrewlargerbecausethechildrenkeptpullingoffthestonesandthrowingthemdownintoanotherheap。Thestonesmusthavebeenthereaverylongtime，fortheywerecoveredwithmoss，andsomeofthemwerestucktogetherbyit。Soitwasfairlyhardwork，asRobertpointedout。
Whentheholereachedtoabouthalfwaybetweenthetopofthearchandthetower，RobertandCyrilletthemselvesdowncautiouslyontheinside，andlitmatches。Howthankfultheyfeltthenthattheyhadasensiblefather，whodidnotforbidthemtocarrymatches，assomeboys’fathersdo。ThefatherofRobertandCyrilonlyinsistedonthematchesbeingofthekindthatstrikeonlyonthebox。
’It’snotadoor，it’sasortoftunnel，’Robertcriedtothegirls，afterthefirstmatchhadflaredup，flickered，andgoneout。’Standoff——we’llpushsomemorestonesdown！’
Theydid，amiddeepexcitement。Andnowthestoneheapwasalmostgone——andbeforethemthegirlssawthedarkarchwayleadingtounknownthings。Alldoubtsandfearsastogettinghomewereforgotteninthisthrillingmoment。ItwaslikeMonteCristo——itwaslike——
’Isay，’criedAnthea，suddenly，’comeout！There’salwaysbadairinplacesthathavebeenshutup。Itmakesyourtorchesgoout，andthenyoudie。It’scalledfire-damp，Ibelieve。Comeout，I
tellyou。’
Theurgencyofhertoneactuallybroughttheboysout——andtheneveryonetookupitsjacketandfannedthedarkarchwithit，soastomaketheairfreshinside。WhenAntheathoughttheairinside’mustbefreshenedbynow，’Cyrilledthewayintothearch。
Thegirlsfollowed，andRobertcamelast，becauseJanerefusedtotailtheprocessionlest’something’shouldcomeinafterher，andcatchatherfrombehind。Cyriladvancedcautiously，lightingmatchaftermatch，andpeerIngbeforehim。
’It’savaultingroof，’hesaid，’andit’sallstone——allright，Panther，don’tkeeppullingatmyjacket！Theairmustbeallrightbecauseofthematches，silly，andthereare——lookout——therearestepsdown。’
’Oh，don’tlet’sgoanyfarther，’saidJane，inanagonyofreluctance（averypainfulthing，bytheway，tobein）。’I’msuretherearesnakes，ordensoflions，orsomething。Dolet’sgoback，andcomesomeothertime，withcandles，andbellowsforthefire-damp。’
’Letmegetinfrontofyou，then，’saidthesternvoiceofRobert，frombehind。’Thisisexactlytheplaceforburiedtreasure，andI’mgoingon，anyway；youcanstaybehindifyoulike。’
Andthen，ofcourse，Janeconsentedtogoon。
So，veryslowlyandcarefully，thechildrenwentdownthesteps——therewereseventeenofthem——andatthebottomofthestepsweremorepassagesbranchingfourways，andasortoflowarchontheright-handsidemadeCyrilwonderwhatitcouldbe，foritwastoolowtobethebeginningofanotherpassage。
Sohekneltdownandlitamatch，andstoopingverylowhepeepedin。
’There’sSOMETHING，’hesaid，andreachedouthishand。IttouchedsomethingthatfeltmorelikeadampbagofmarblesthananythingelsethatCyrilhadevertouched。
’IbelieveitISaburiedtreasure，’hecried。
Anditwas；forevenasAntheacried，’Oh，hurryup，Squirrel——fetchitout！’Cyrilpulledoutarottingcanvasbag——aboutasbigasthepaperonesthegreengrocergivesyouwithBarcelonanutsinforsixpence。
’There’smoreofit，alotmore，’hesaid。
Ashepulledtherottenbaggaveway，andthegoldcoinsranandspanandjumpedandbumpedandchinkedandclinkedonthefloorofthedarkpassage。
Iwonderwhatyouwouldsayifyousuddenlycameuponaburiedtreasure？WhatCyrilsaidwas，’Oh，bother——I’veburntmyfingers！’andashespokehedroppedthematch。’ANDITWASTHELAST！’
headded。
Therewasamomentofdesperatesilence。ThenJanebegantocry。
’Don’t，’saidAnthea，’don’t，Pussy——you’llexhausttheairifyoucry。Wecangetoutallright。’
’Yes，’saidJane，throughhersobs，’andfindthePhoenixhascomebackandgoneawayagain——becauseitthoughtwe’dgonehomesomeotherway，and——Oh，IWISHwehadn’tcome。’
Everyonestoodquitestill——onlyAntheacuddledJaneuptoherandtriedtowipehereyesinthedark。
’D-DON’T，’saidJane；’that’smyEAR——I’mnotcryingwithmyears。’
’Come，let’sgetonout，’saidRobert；butthatwasnotsoeasy，fornoonecouldrememberexactlywhichwaytheyhadcome。Itisverydifficulttorememberthingsinthedark，unlessyouhavematcheswithyou，andthenofcourseitisquitedifferent，evenifyoudon’tstrikeone。
EveryonehadcometoagreewithJane’sconstantwish——anddespairwasmakingthedarknessblackerthanever，whenquitesuddenlythefloorseemedtotipup——andastrongsensationofbeinginawhirlingliftcameuponeveryone。Alleyeswereclosed——one’seyesalwaysareinthedark，don’tyouthink？Whenthewhirlingfeelingstopped，Cyrilsaid’Earthquakes！’andtheyallopenedtheireyes。
Theywereintheirowndingybreakfast-roomathome，andoh，howlightandbrightandsafeandpleasantandaltogetherdelightfulitseemedafterthatdarkundergroundtunnel！Thecarpetlayonthefloor，lookingascalmasthoughithadneverbeenforanexcursioninitslife。OnthemantelpiecestoodthePhoenix，waitingwithanairofmodestyetsterlingworthforthethanksofthechildren。
’ButhowDIDyoudoit？’theyasked，wheneveryonehadthankedthePhoenixagainandagain。
’Oh，IjustwentandgotawishfromyourfriendthePsammead。’
’ButhowDIDyouknowwheretofindit？’
’Ifoundthatoutfromthecarpet；thesewishingcreaturesalwaysknowallabouteachother——they’resoclannish；liketheScots，youknow——allrelated。’
’But，thecarpetcan’ttalk，canit？’
’No。’
’Thenhow——’
’HowdidIgetthePsammead’saddress？ItellyouIgotitfromthecarpet。’
’DIDitspeakthen？’
’No，’saidthePhoenix，thoughtfully，’itdidn’tspeak，butI
gatheredmyinformationfromsomethinginitsmanner。Iwasalwaysasingularlyobservantbird。’
itwasnottillafterthecoldmuttonandthejamtart，aswellastheteaandbread-and-butter，thatanyonefoundtimetoregretthegoldentreasurewhichhadbeenleftscatteredontheflooroftheundergroundpassage，andwhich，indeed，noonehadthoughtoftillnow，sincethemomentwhenCyrilburnthisfingersattheflameofthelastmatch。
’Whatowlsandgoatswewere！’saidRobert。’Lookhowwe’vealwayswantedtreasure——andnow——’
’Nevermind，’saidAnthea，tryingasusualtomakethebestofit。
’We’llgobackagainandgetitall，andthenwe’llgiveeverybodypresents。’
Morethanaquarterofanhourpassedmostagreeablyinarrangingwhatpresentsshouldbegiventowhom，and，whentheclaimsofgenerosityhadbeensatisfied，thetalkranforfiftyminutesonwhattheywouldbuyforthemselves。
ItwasCyrilwhobrokeinonRobert’salmosttootechnicalaccountofthemotor-caronwhichhemeanttogotoandfromschool——
’There！’hesaid。’Dryup。It’snogood。Wecan’tevergoback。
Wedon’tknowwhereitis。’
’Don’tYOUknow？’JaneaskedthePhoenix，wistfully。
’Notintheleast，’thePhoenixreplied，inatoneofamiableregret。
’Thenwe’velostthetreasure，’saidCyril。Andtheyhad。
’Butwe’vegotthecarpetandthePhoenix，’saidAnthea。
’Excuseme，’saidthebird，withanairofwoundeddignity，’IdoSOHATEtoseemtointerfere，butsurelyyouMUSTmeanthePhoenixandthecarpet？’
CHAPTER3
THEQUEENCOOK
ItwasonaSaturdaythatthechildrenmadetheirfirstgloriousjourneyonthewishingcarpet。Unlessyouaretooyoungtoreadatall，youwillknowthatthenextdaymusthavebeenSunday。
Sundayat18，CamdenTerrace，CamdenTown，wasalwaysaveryprettyday。FatheralwaysbroughthomeflowersonSaturday，sothatthebreakfast-tablewasextrabeautiful。InNovember，ofcourse，theflowerswerechrysanthemums，yellowandcopperycoloured。Thentherewerealwayssausagesontoastforbreakfast，andthesearerapture，aftersixdaysofKentishTownRoadeggsatfourteenashilling。
OnthisparticularSundaytherewerefowlsfordinner，akindoffoodthatisgenerallykeptforbirthdaysandgrandoccasions，andtherewasanangelpudding，whenriceandmilkandorangesandwhiteicingdotheirbesttomakeyouhappy。
Afterdinnerfatherwasverysleepyindeed，becausehehadbeenworkinghardalltheweek；buthedidnotyieldtothevoicethatsaid，’Goandhaveanhour’srest。’HenursedtheLamb，whohadahorridcoughthatcooksaidwaswhooping-coughassureaseggs，andhesaid——
’Comealong，kiddies；I’vegotarippingbookfromthelibrary，calledTheGoldenAge，andI’llreadittoyou。’
Mothersettledherselfonthedrawing-roomsofa，andsaidshecouldlistenquitenicelywithhereyesshut。TheLambsnuggedintothe’armchaircorner’ofdaddy’sarm，andtheothersgotintoahappyheaponthehearth-rug。Atfirst，ofcourse，thereweretoomanyfeetandkneesandshouldersandelbows，butrealcomfortwasactuallysettlingdownonthem，andthePhoenixandthecarpetwereputawayonthebacktopshelfoftheirminds（beautifulthingsthatcouldbetakenoutandplayedwithlater），whenasurlysolidknockcameatthedrawing-roomdoor。Itopenedanangryinch，andthecook’svoicesaid，’Please，m’，mayIspeaktoyouamoment？’
Motherlookedatfatherwithadesperateexpression。ThensheputherprettysparklySundayshoesdownfromthesofa，andstoodupinthemandsighed。
’Asgoodfishinthesea，’saidfather，cheerfully，anditwasnottillmuchlaterthatthechildrenunderstoodwhathemeant。
Motherwentoutintothepassage，whichiscalled’thehall’，wheretheumbrella-standis，andthepictureofthe’MonarchoftheGlen’
inayellowshiningframe，withbrownspotsontheMonarchfromthedampinthehousebeforelast，andtherewascook，veryredanddampintheface，andwithacleanaprontiedonallcrookedoverthedirtyonethatshehaddishedupthosedeardelightfulchickensin。Shestoodthereandsheseemedtogetredderanddamper，andshetwistedthecornerofherapronroundherfingers，andshesaidveryshortlyandfiercely——
’Ifyoupleasema’am，Ishouldwishtoleaveatmydaymonth。’
Motherleanedagainstthehatstand。Thechildrencouldseeherlookingpalethroughthecrackofthedoor，becauseshehadbeenverykindtothecook，andhadgivenheraholidayonlythedaybefore，anditseemedsoveryunkindofthecooktowanttogolikethis，andonaSundaytoo。
’Why，what’sthematter？’mothersaid。
’It’sthemchildren，’thecookreplied，andsomehowthechildrenallfeltthattheyhadknownitfromthefirst。Theydidnotrememberhavingdoneanythingextrawrong，butitissofrightfullyeasytodispleaseacook。’It’sthemchildren：there’sthattherenewcarpetintheirroom，coveredthickwithmud，bothsides，beastlyyellowmud，andsakesaliveknowswheretheygotit。AndallthatmucktocleanuponaSunday！It’snotmyplace，andit’snotmyintentions，soIdon’tdeceiveyou，ma’am，andbutforthemlimbs，whichtheyisifevertherewas，it’snotabadplace，thoughIsaysit，andIwouldn’twishtoleave，but——’
’I’mverysorry，’saidmother，gently。’Iwillspeaktothechildren。Andyouhadbetterthinkitover，andifyouREALLYwishtogo，tellmeto-morrow。’
Nextdaymotherhadaquiettalkwithcook，andcooksaidshedidn’tmindifshestayedonabit，justtosee。
Butmeantimethequestionofthemuddycarpethadbeengoneintothoroughlybyfatherandmother。Jane’scandidexplanationthatthemudhadcomefromthebottomofaforeigntowerwheretherewasburiedtreasurewasreceivedwithsuchchillingdisbeliefthattheotherslimitedtheirdefencetoanexpressionofsorrow，andofadetermination’nottodoitagain’。Butfathersaid（andmotheragreedwithhim，becausemothershavetoagreewithfathers，andnotbecauseitwasherownidea）thatchildrenwhocoatedacarpetonbothsideswiththickmud，andwhentheywereaskedforanexplanationcouldonlytalksillynonsense——thatmeantJane’struthfulstatement——werenotfittohaveacarpetatall，and，indeed，SHOULDN’Thaveoneforaweek！
Sothecarpetwasbrushed（withtea-leaves，too）whichwastheonlycomfortAntheacouldthinkof）andfoldedupandputawayinthecupboardatthetopofthestairs，anddaddyputthekeyinhistrouserspocket。’TillSaturday，’saidhe。
’Nevermind，’saidAnthea，’we’vegotthePhoenix。’
But，asithappened，theyhadn’t。ThePhoenixwasnowheretobefound，andeverythinghadsuddenlysettleddownfromtherosywildbeautyofmagichappeningstothecommondampbrownnessofordinaryNovemberlifeinCamdenTown——andtherewasthenurseryfloorallbareboardsinthemiddleandbrownoilclothroundtheoutside，andthebarenessandyellownessofthemiddlefloorshoweduptheblackbeetleswithterribledistinctness，whenthepoorthingscameoutintheevening，asusual，totrytomakefriendswiththechildren。Butthechildrenneverwould。
TheSundayendedingloom，whichevenjunketforsupperintheblueDresdenbowlcouldhardlylightenatall。NextdaytheLamb’scoughwasworse。Itcertainlyseemedverywhoopy，andthedoctorcameinhisbroughamcarriage。
EveryonetriedtobearupundertheweightofthesorrowwhichitwastoknowthatthewishingcarpetwaslockedupandthePhoenixmislaid。AgooddealoftimewasspentinlookingforthePhoenix。
’It’sabirdofitsword，’saidAnthea。’I’msureit’snotdesertedus。ButyouknowithadamostawfullylongflyfromwhereveritwastonearRochesterandback，andIexpectthepoorthing’sfeelingtiredoutandwantsrest。Iamsurewemaytrustit。’
Theotherstriedtofeelsureofthis，too，butitwashard。
Noonecouldbeexpectedtofeelverykindlytowardsthecook，sinceitwasentirelythroughhermakingsuchafussaboutalittleforeignmudthatthecarpethadbeentakenaway。
’Shemighthavetoldus，’saidJane，’andPantherandIwouldhavecleaneditwithtea-leaves。’
’She’sacantankerouscat，’saidRobert。
’Ishan’tsaywhatIthinkabouther，’saidAnthea，primly，’becauseitwouldbeevilspeaking，lying，andslandering。’
’It’snotlyingtosayshe’sadisagreeablepig，andabeastlyblue-nosedBozwoz，’saidCyril，whohadreadTheEyesofLight，andintendedtotalklikeTonyassoonashecouldteachRoberttotalklikePaul。
Andallthechildren，evenAnthea，agreedthatevenifshewasn’tablue-nosedBozwoz，theywishedcookhadneverbeenborn。
ButIaskyoutobelievethattheydidn’tdoallthethingsonpurposewhichsoannoyedthecookduringthefollowingweek，thoughIdaresaythethingswouldnothavehappenedifthecookhadbeenafavourite。Thisisamystery。Explainitifyoucan。Thethingsthathadhappenedwereasfollows：
Sunday。——Discoveryofforeignmudonbothsidesofthecarpet。
Monday。——Liquoriceputontoboilwithaniseedballsinasaucepan。
Antheadidthis，becauseshethoughtitwouldbegoodfortheLamb’scough。Thewholethingforgotten，andbottomofsaucepanburnedout。Itwasthelittlesaucepanlinedwithwhitethatwaskeptforthebaby’smilk。
Tuesday。——Adeadmousefoundinpantry。Fish-slicetakentodiggravewith。Byregrettableaccidentfish-slicebroken。Defence：
’Thecookoughtn’ttokeepdeadmiceinpantries。’
Wednesday。——Choppedsuetleftonkitchentable。Robertaddedchoppedsoap，buthesayshethoughtthesuetwassoaptoo。
Thursday。——Brokethekitchenwindowbyfallingagainstitduringaperfectlyfairgameofbanditsinthearea。
Friday。——Stoppedupgratingofkitchensinkwithputtyandfilledsinkwithwatertomakealaketosailpaperboatsin。Wentawayandleftthetaprunning。Kitchenhearthrugandcook’sshoesruined。
OnSaturdaythecarpetwasrestored。Therehadbeenplentyoftimeduringtheweektodecidewhereitshouldbeaskedtogowhentheydidgetitback。
Motherhadgoneovertogranny’s，andhadnottakentheLambbecausehehadabadcough，which，cookrepeatedlysaid，waswhooping-coughassureaseggsiseggs。
’Butwe’lltakehimout，aduckydarling，’saidAnthea。’We’lltakehimsomewherewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-cough。Don’tbesosilly，Robert。IfheDOEStalkaboutitnoone’lltakeanynotice。He’salwaystalkingaboutthingshe’sneverseen。’
SotheydressedtheLambandthemselvesinout-of-doorsclothes，andtheLambchuckledandcoughed，andlaughedandcoughedagain，poordear，andallthechairsandtablesweremovedoffthecarpetbytheboys，whileJanenursedtheLamb，andAnthearushedthroughthehouseinonelastwildhuntforthemissingPhoenix。
’It’snousewaitingforit，’shesaid，reappearingbreathlessinthebreakfast-room。’ButIknowithasn’tdesertedus。It’sabirdofitsword。’
’Quiteso，’saidthegentlevoiceofthePhoenixfrombeneaththetable。
Everyonefellonitskneesandlookedup，andtherewasthePhoenixperchedonacrossbarofwoodthatranacrossunderthetable，andhadoncesupportedadrawer，inthehappydaysbeforethedrawerhadbeenusedasaboat，anditsbottomunfortunatelytroddenoutbyRaggett’sReallyReliableSchoolBootsonthefeetofRobert。
’I’vebeenhereallthetime，’saidthePhoenix，yawningpolitelybehinditsclaw。’Ifyouwantedmeyoushouldhaverecitedtheodeofinvocation；it’sseventhousandlineslong，andwritteninverypureandbeautifulGreek。’
’Couldn’tyoutellitusinEnglish？’askedAnthea。
’It’sratherlong，isn’tit？’saidJane，jumpingtheLambonherknee。
’Couldn’tyoumakeashortEnglishversion，likeTateandBrady？’
’Oh，comealong，do，’saidRobert，holdingouthishand。’Comealong，goodoldPhoenix。’
’GoodoldBEAUTIFULPhoenix，’itcorrectedshyly。
’GoodoldBEAUTIFULPhoenix，then。Comealong，comealong，’saidRobert，impatiently，withhishandstillheldout。
ThePhoenixflutteredatonceontohiswrist。
’Thisamiableyouth，’itsaidtotheothers，’hasmiraculouslybeenabletoputthewholemeaningoftheseventhousandlinesofGreekinvocationintooneEnglishhexameter——alittlemisplacedsomeofthewords——but’Oh，comealong，comealong，goodoldbeautifulPhoenix！’
’Notperfect，Iadmit——butnotbadforaboyofhisage。’
’Well，nowthen，’saidRobert，steppingbackontothecarpetwiththegoldenPhoenixonhiswrist。
’Youlookliketheking’sfalconer，’saidJane，sittingdownonthecarpetwiththebabyonherlap。
Roberttriedtogoonlookinglikeit。CyrilandAntheastoodonthecarpet。
’Weshallhavetogetbackbeforedinner，’saidCyril，’orcookwillblowthegaff。’
’Shehasn’tsneakedsinceSunday，’saidAnthea。
’She——’Robertwasbeginning，whenthedoorburstopenandthecook，fierceandfurious，cameinlikeawhirlwindandstoodonthecornerofthecarpet，withabrokenbasininonehandandathreatintheother，whichwasclenched。
’Look’ere！’shecried，’myonlybasin；andwhatthepowersamItomakethebeefsteakandkidneypuddinginthatyourmaorderedforyourdinners？Youdon’tdeservenodinners，soyerdon’t。’
’I’mawfullysorry，cook，’saidAntheagently；’itwasmyfault，andIforgottotellyouaboutit。Itgotbrokenwhenweweretellingourfortuneswithmeltedlead，youknow，andImeanttotellyou。’
’Meanttotellme，’repliedthecook；shewasredwithanger，andreallyIdon’twonder——’meanttotell！Well，_I_meantotell，too。
I’veheldmytonguethisweekthrough，becausethemissusshesaidtomequietlike，"Wemustn’texpectoldheadsonyoungshoulders，"
butnowIshan’tholditnolonger。Therewasthesoapyouputinourpudding，andmeandElizaneversomuchasbreathedittoyourma——thoughwellwemight——andthesaucepan，andthefish-slice，and——Mygraciouscatsalive！what’aveyougotthatblessedchilddressedupinhisoutdoorsfor？’
’Wearen’tgoingtotakehimout，’saidAnthea；’atleast——’Shestoppedshort，forthoughtheyweren’tgoingtotakehimoutintheKentishTownRoad，theycertainlyintendedtotakehimelsewhere。
Butnotatallwherecookmeantwhenshesaid’out’。ThisconfusedthetruthfulAnthea。
’Out！’saidthecook，’thatI’lltakecareyoudon’t；’andshesnatchedtheLambfromthelapofJane，whileAntheaandRobertcaughtherbytheskirtsandapron。’Lookhere，’saidCyril，insterndesperation，’willyougoaway，andmakeyourpuddinginapie-dish，oraflower-pot，orahot-watercan，orsomething？’
’Notme，’saidthecook，briefly；’andleavethispreciouspoppetforyoutogivehisdeathercoldto。’
’Iwarnyou，’saidCyril，solemnly。’Beware，ereyetitbetoolate。’
’Lateyourselfthelittlepopsey-wopsey，’saidthecook，withangrytenderness。’Theyshan’ttakeitout，nomoretheyshan’t。
And——Wheredidyougetthatthereyellowfowl？’ShepointedtothePhoenix。
EvenAntheasawthatunlessthecooklosthersituationthelosswouldbetheirs。
’Iwish，’shesaidsuddenly，’wewereonasunnysouthernshore，wheretherecan’tbeanywhooping-cough。’
ShesaiditthroughthefrightenedhowlsoftheLamb，andthesturdyscoldingsofthecook，andinstantlythegiddy-go-round-and-falling-liftfeelingsweptoverthewholeparty，andthecooksatdownflatonthecarpet，holdingthescreamingLambtighttoherstoutprint-coveredself，andcallingonStBridgettohelpher。ShewasanIrishwoman。
Themomentthetipsy-topsy-turvyfeelingstopped，thecookopenedhereyes，gaveonesoundingscreechandshutthemagain，andAntheatooktheopportunitytogetthedesperatelyhowlingLambintoherownarms。
’It’sallright，’shesaid；’ownPanther’sgotyou。Lookatthetrees，andthesand，andtheshells，andthegreatbigtortoises。
OhDEAR，howhotitis！’
Itcertainlywas；forthetrustycarpethadlaiditselfoutonasouthernshorethatwassunnyandnomistake，asRobertremarked。
Thegreenestofgreenslopesleduptogloriousgroveswherepalm-treesandallthetropicalflowersandfruitsthatyoureadofinWestwardHo！andFairPlayweregrowinginrichprofusion。
Betweenthegreen，greenslopeandtheblue，bluesealayastretchofsandthatlookedlikeacarpetofjewelledclothofgold，foritwasnotgreyishasournorthernsandis，butyellowandchanging——opal-colouredlikesunshineandrainbows。Andattheverymomentwhenthewild，whirling，blinding，deafening，tumblingupside-downnessofthecarpet-movingstopped，thechildrenhadthehappinessofseeingthreelargeliveturtleswaddledowntotheedgeoftheseaanddisappearinthewater。Anditwashotterthanyoucanpossiblyimagine，unlessyouthinkofovensonabaking-day。
Everyonewithoutaninstant’shesitationtoreoffitsLondon-in-Novemberoutdoorclothes，andAntheatookofftheLamb’shighwaymanbluecoatandhisthree-corneredhat，andthenhisjersey，andthentheLambhimselfsuddenlyslippedoutofhislittlebluetightbreechesandstooduphappyandhotinhislittlewhiteshirt。
’I’msureit’smuchwarmerthantheseasideinthesummer，’saidAnthea。’Motheralwaysletsusgobarefootthen。’
SotheLamb’sshoesandsocksandgaiterscameoff，andhestooddigginghishappynakedpinktoesintothegoldensmoothsand。
’I’malittlewhiteduck-dickie，’saidhe——’alittlewhiteduck-dickiewhatswims，’andsplashedquackingintoasandypool。
’Lethim，’saidAnthea；’itcan’thurthim。Oh，howhotitis！’
Thecooksuddenlyopenedhereyesandscreamed，shutthem，screamedagain，openedhereyesoncemoreandsaid——
’Why，dratmycatsalive，what’sallthis？It’sadream，Iexpect。
Well，it’sthebestIeverdreamed。I’lllookitupinthedream-bookto-morrow。Seasideandtreesandacarpettositon。
Ineverdid！’
’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’itisn’tadream；it’sreal。’
’Hoyes！’saidthecook；’theyalwayssaysthatindreams。’
’It’sREAL，Itellyou，’Robertsaid，stampinghisfoot。’I’mnotgoingtotellyouhowit’sdone，becausethat’soursecret。’Hewinkedheavilyateachoftheothersinturn。’Butyouwouldn’tgoawayandmakethatpudding，soweHADtobringyou，andIhopeyoulikeit。’
’Idothat，andnomistake，’saidthecookunexpectedly；’anditbeingadreamitdon’tmatterwhatIsay；andIWILLsay，ifit’smylastword，thatofalltheaggravatinglittlevarmints——’
’Calmyourself，mygoodwoman，’saidthePhoenix。
’Goodwoman，indeed，’saidthecook；’goodwomanyourself’Thenshesawwhoitwasthathadspoken。’Well，ifIever，’saidshe；’thisissomethinglikeadream！Yellowfowlsa-talkingandall！I’veheardofsuch，butneverdidIthinktoseetheday。’
’Well，then，’saidCyril，impatiently，’sithereandseethedaynow。It’sajollyfineday。Here，youothers——acouncil！’
Theywalkedalongtheshoretilltheywereoutofearshotofthecook，whostillsatgazingaboutherwithahappy，dreamy，vacantsmile。
’Lookhere，’saidCyril，’wemustrollthecarpetupandhideit，sothatwecangetatitatanymoment。TheLambcanbegettingridofhiswhooping-coughallthemorning，andwecanlookabout；
andifthesavagesonthisislandarecannibals，we’llhookit，andtakeherback。Andifnot，we’llLEAVEHERHERE。’
’Isthatbeingkindtoservantsandanimals，liketheclergymansaid？’askedJane。
’Norsheisn’tkind，’retortedCyril。
’Well——anyway，’saidAnthea，’thesafestthingistoleavethecarpettherewithhersittingonit。Perhapsit’llbealessontoher，andanyway，ifshethinksit’sadreamitwon’tmatterwhatshesayswhenshegetshome。’
Sotheextracoatsandhatsandmufflerswerepiledonthecarpet。
CyrilshoulderedthewellandhappyLamb，thePhoenixperchedonRobert’swrist，and’thepartyofexplorerspreparedtoentertheinterior’。
Thegrassyslopewassmooth，butunderthetreesthereweretangledcreeperswithbright，strange-shapedflowers，anditwasnoteasytowalk。
’Weoughttohaveanexplorer’saxe，’saidRobert。’IshallaskfathertogivemeoneforChristmas。’
Therewerecurtainsofcreeperswithscentedblossomshangingfromthetrees，andbrilliantbirdsdartedaboutquiteclosetotheirfaces。
’Now，tellmehonestly，’saidthePhoenix，’arethereanybirdsherehandsomerthanIam？Don’tbeafraidofhurtingmyfeelings——I’mamodestbird，Ihope。’
’Notoneofthem，’saidRobert，withconviction，’isapatchuponyou！’
’Iwasneveravainbird，’saidthePhoenix，’butIownthatyouconfirmmyownimpression。Iwilltakeaflight。’Itcircledintheairforamoment，and，returningtoRobert’swrist，wenton，’Thereisapathtotheleft。’
Andtherewas。Sonowthechildrenwentonthroughthewoodmorequicklyandcomfortably，thegirlspickingflowersandtheLambinvitingthe’prettydickies’toobservethathehimselfwasa’littlewhitereal-water-wetduck！’
Andallthistimehehadn’twhooping-coughedonce。
Thepathturnedandtwisted，and，alwaysthreadingtheirwayamidatangleofflowers，thechildrensuddenlypassedacornerandfoundthemselvesinaforestclearing，wheretherewerealotofpointedhuts——thehuts，astheyknewatonce，ofSAVAGES。
Theboldestheartbeatmorequickly。SupposetheyWEREcannibals。
Itwasalongwaybacktothecarpet。
’Hadn’twebettergoback？’saidJane。’GoNOW，’shesaid，andhervoicetrembledalittle。’Supposetheyeatus。’
’Nonsense，Pussy，’saidCyril，firmly。’Look，there’sagoattiedup。Thatshowstheydon’teatPEOPLE。’
’Let’sgoonandsaywe’remissionaries，’Robertsuggested。
’Ishouldn’tadviseTHAT，’saidthePhoenix，veryearnestly。
’Whynot？’
’Well，foronething，itisn’ttrue，’repliedthegoldenbird。
Itwaswhiletheystoodhesitatingontheedgeoftheclearingthatatallmansuddenlycameoutofoneofthehuts。Hehadhardlyanyclothes，andhisbodyalloverwasadarkandbeautifulcopperycolour——justlikethechrysanthemumsfatherhadbroughthomeonSaturday。Inhishandheheldaspear。Thewhitesofhiseyesandthewhiteofhisteethweretheonlylightthingsabouthim，exceptthatwherethesunshoneonhisshinybrownbodyitlookedwhite，too。Ifyouwilllookcarefullyatthenextshinysavageyoumeetwithnexttonothingon，youwillseeatonce——ifthesunhappenstobeshiningatthetime——thatIamrightaboutthis。
Thesavagelookedatthechildren。Concealmentwasimpossible。Heutteredashoutthatwasmorelike’Oogoggerybag-wag’thananythingelsethechildrenhadeverheard，andatoncebrowncopperypeopleleaptoutofeveryhut，andswarmedlikeantsabouttheclearing。Therewasnotimefordiscussion，andnoonewantedtodiscussanything，anyhow。Whetherthesecopperypeoplewerecannibalsornotnowseemedtomatterverylittle。
Withoutaninstant’shesitationthefourchildrenturnedandranbackalongtheforestpath；theonlypausewasAnthea’s。ShestoodbacktoletCyrilpass，becausehewascarryingtheLamb，whoscreamedwithdelight。（Hehadnotwhooping-coughedasingleoncesincethecarpetlandedhimontheisland。）
’Gee-up，Squirrel；gee-gee，’heshouted，andCyrildidgee-up。Thepathwasashortercuttothebeachthanthecreeper-coveredwaybywhichtheyhadcome，andalmostdirectlytheysawthroughthetreestheshiningblue-and-gold-and-opalofsandandsea。
’Sticktoit，’criedCyril，breathlessly。
Theydidsticktoit；theytoredownthesands——theycouldhearbehindthemastheyranthepatteroffeetwhichtheyknew，toowell，werecopper-coloured。
Thesandsweregoldenandopal-coloured——andBARE。Therewerewreathsoftropicseaweed，therewererichtropicshellsofthekindyouwouldnotbuyintheKentishTownRoadunderatleastfifteenpenceapair。Therewereturtlesbaskinglumpilyonthewater’sedge——butnocook，noclothes，andnocarpet。
’On，on！Intothesea！’gaspedCyril。’TheyMUSThatewater。
I’ve——heard——savagesalways——dirty。’
Theirfeetweresplashinginthewarmshallowsbeforehisbreathlesswordswereended。Thecalmbaby-waveswereeasytogothrough。Itiswarmworkrunningforyourlifeinthetropics，andthecoolnessofthewaterwasdelicious。Theywereuptotheirarm-pitsnow，andJanewasuptoherchin。
’Look！’saidthePhoenix。’Whataretheypointingat？’
Thechildrenturned；andthere，alittletothewestwasahead——aheadtheyknew，withacrookedcapuponit。Itwastheheadofthecook。
Forsomereasonorotherthesavageshadstoppedatthewater’sedgeandwerealltalkingatthetopoftheirvoices，andallwerepointingcopper-colouredfingers，stiffwithinterestandexcitement，attheheadofthecook。
Thechildrenhurriedtowardsherasquicklyasthewaterwouldletthem。
’Whatonearthdidyoucomeoutherefor？’Robertshouted；’andwhereonearth’sthecarpet？’
’It’snotonearth，blessyou，’repliedthecook，happily；’it’sUNDERME——inthewater。Igotabitwarmsettingthereinthesun，andIjustsays，"IwishIwasinacoldbath"——justlikethat——andnextminutehereIwas！It’sallpartofthedream。’
Everyoneatoncesawhowextremelyfortunateitwasthatthecarpethadhadthesensetotakethecooktothenearestandlargestbath——thesea，andhowterribleitwouldhavebeenifthecarpethadtakenitselfandhertothestuffylittlebath-roomofthehouseinCamdenTown！
’Excuseme，’saidthePhoenix’ssoftvoice，breakinginonthegeneralsighofrelief，’butIthinkthesebrownpeoplewantyourcook。’
’To——toeat？’whisperedJane，aswellasshecouldthroughthewaterwhichtheplungingLambwasdashinginherfacewithhappyfathandsandfeet。
’Hardly，’rejoinedthebird。’WhowantscookstoEAT？CooksareENGAGED，noteaten。Theywishtoengageher。’
’Howcanyouunderstandwhattheysay？’askedCyril，doubtfully。
’It’saseasyaskissingyourclaw，’repliedthebird。’IspeakandunderstandALLlanguages，eventhatofyourcook，whichisdifficultandunpleasing。It’squiteeasy，whenyouknowhowit’sdone。Itjustcomestoyou。Ishouldadviseyoutobeachthecarpetandlandthecargo——thecook，Imean。Youcantakemywordforit，thecopper-colouredoneswillnotharmyounow。’
ItisimpossiblenottotakethewordofaPhoenixwhenittellsyouto。Sothechildrenatoncegotholdofthecornersofthecarpet，and，pullingitfromunderthecook，toweditslowlyinthroughtheshallowingwater，andatlastspreaditonthesand。
Thecook，whohadfollowed，instantlysatdownonit，andatoncethecopper-colourednatives，nowstrangelyhumble，formedaringroundthecarpet，andfellontheirfacesontherainbow-and-goldsand。Thetallestsavagespokeinthisposition，whichmusthavebeenveryawkwardforhim；andJanenoticedthatittookhimquitealongtimetogetthesandoutofhismouthafterwards。
’Hesays，’thePhoenixremarkedaftersometime，’thattheywishtoengageyourcookpermanently。’
’Withoutacharacter？’askedAnthea，whohadheardhermotherspeakofsuchthings。
’Theydonotwishtoengageherascook，butasqueen；andqueensneednothavecharacters。’
Therewasabreathlesspause。
’WELL，’saidCyril，’ofallthechoices！Butthere’snoaccountingfortastes。’
Everyonelaughedattheideaofthecook’sbeingengagedasqueen；
theycouldnothelpit。
’Idonotadviselaughter，’warnedthePhoenix，rufflingouthisgoldenfeathers，whichwereextremelywet。’Andit’snottheirownchoice。Itseemsthatthereisanancientprophecyofthiscopper-colouredtribethatagreatqueenshouldsomedayariseoutoftheseawithawhitecrownonherhead，and——and——well，yousee！
There’sthecrown！’
Itpointeditsclawatcook’scap；andaverydirtycapitwas，becauseitwastheendoftheweek。
’That’sthewhitecrown，’itsaid；’atleast，it’snearlywhite——verywhiteindeedcomparedtothecolourTHEYare——andanyway，it’squitewhiteenough。’
Cyriladdressedthecook。’Lookhere！’saidhe，’thesebrownpeoplewantyoutobetheirqueen。They’reonlysavages，andtheydon’tknowanybetter。Nowwouldyoureallyliketostay？or，ifyou’llpromisenottobesojollyaggravatingathome，andnottotellanyoneawordaboutto-day，we’lltakeyoubacktoCamdenTown。’
’No，youdon’t，’saidthecook，infirm，undoubtingtones。’I’vealwayswantedtobetheQueen，Godblessher！andIalwaysthoughtwhatagoodoneIshouldmake；andnowI’mgoingto。IFit’sonlyinadream，it’swellworthwhile。AndIdon’tgobacktothatnastyundergroundkitchen，andmeblamedforeverything；thatI
don’t，nottillthedream’sfinishedandIwakeupwiththatnastybellarang-tanginginmyears——soItellyou。’
’AreyouSURE，’AntheaanxiouslyaskedthePhoenix，’thatshewillbequitesafehere？’
’Shewillfindthenestofaqueenaverypreciousandsoftthing，’
saidthebird，solemnly。
’There——youhear，’saidCyril。’You’reinforaprecioussoftthing，somindyou’reagoodqueen，cook。It’smorethanyou’danyrighttoexpect，butlongmayyoureign。’
Someofthecook’scopper-colouredsubjectsnowadvancedfromtheforestwithlonggarlandsofbeautifulflowers，whiteandsweet-scented，andhungthemrespectfullyroundtheneckoftheirnewsovereign。
’What！allthemlovelybokaysforme！’exclaimedtheenrapturedcook。’Well，thishereissomethingLIKEadream，Imustsay。’
Shesatupverystraightonthecarpet，andthecopper-colouredones，themselveswreathedingarlandsofthegayestflowers，madlystuckparrotfeathersintheirhairandbegantodance。Itwasadancesuchasyouhaveneverseen；itmadethechildrenfeelalmostsurethatthecookwasright，andthattheywereallinadream。
Small，strange-shapeddrumswerebeaten，odd-soundingsongsweresung，andthedancegotfasterandfasterandodderandodder，tillatlastallthedancersfellonthesandtiredout。
Thenewqueen，withherwhitecrown-capallononeside，clappedwildly。
’Brayvo！’shecried，’brayvo！It’sbetterthantheAlbertEdwardMusic-hallintheKentishTownRoad。Goitagain！’
ButthePhoenixwouldnottranslatethisrequestintothecopper-colouredlanguage；andwhenthesavageshadrecoveredtheirbreath，theyimploredtheirqueentoleaveherwhiteescortandcomewiththemtotheirhuts。
’Thefinestshallbeyours，Oqueen，’saidthey。
’Well——solong！’saidthecook，gettingheavilyontoherfeet，whenthePhoenixhadtranslatedthisrequest。’Nomorekitchensandatticsforme，thankyou。I’mofftomyroyalpalace，Iam；
andIonlywishthisheredreamwouldkeeponforeverandever。’
Shepickeduptheendsofthegarlandsthattrailedroundherfeet，andthechildrenhadonelastglimpseofherstripedstockingsandwornelastic-sidebootsbeforeshedisappearedintotheshadowoftheforest，surroundedbyherduskyretainers，singingsongsofrejoicingastheywent。
’WELL！’saidCyril，’Isupposeshe’sallright，buttheydon’tseemtocountusformuch，onewayortheother。’
’Oh，’saidthePhoenix，’theythinkyou’remerelydreams。Theprophecysaidthatthequeenwouldarisefromthewaveswithawhitecrownandsurroundedbywhitedream-children。That’saboutwhattheythinkYOUare！’
’Andwhataboutdinner？’saidRobert，abruptly。
’Therewon’tbeanydinner，withnocookandnopudding-basin，’
Anthearemindedhim；’butthere’salwaysbread-and-butter。’
’Let’sgethome，’saidCyril。
TheLambwasfuriouslyunwishfultobedressedinhiswarmclothesagain，butAntheaandJanemanagedit，byforcedisguisedascoaxing，andheneveroncewhooping-coughed。
Theneveryoneputonitsownwarmthingsandtookitsplaceonthecarpet。
Asoundofuncouthsingingstillcamefrombeyondthetreeswherethecopper-colourednativeswerecrooningsongsofadmirationandrespecttotheirwhite-crownedqueen。ThenAntheasaid’Home，’
justasduchessesandotherpeopledototheircoachmen，andtheintelligentcarpetinonewhirlingmomentlaiditselfdowninitsproperplaceonthenurseryfloor。AndatthatverymomentElizaopenedthedoorandsaid——
’Cook’sgone！Ican’tfindheranywhere，andthere’snodinnerready。Shehasn’ttakenherboxnoryetheroutdoorthings。Shejustranouttoseethetime，Ishouldn’twonder——thekitchenclockneverdidgivehersatisfaction——andshe’sgotrunoverorfelldowninafitaslikelyasnot。You’llhavetoputupwiththecoldbaconforyourdinners；andwhatonearthyou’vegotyouroutdoorthingsonforIdon’tknow。AndthenI’llslipoutandseeiftheyknowanythingaboutheratthepolice-station。’
Butnobodyeverknewanythingaboutthecookanymore，exceptthechildren，and，later，oneotherperson。
Motherwassoupsetatlosingthecook，andsoanxiousabouther，thatAntheafeltmostmiserable，asthoughshehaddonesomethingverywrongindeed。Shewokeseveraltimesinthenight，andatlastdecidedthatshewouldaskthePhoenixtolethertellhermotherallaboutit。Buttherewasnoopportunitytodothisnextday，becausethePhoenix，asusual，hadgonetosleepinsomeout-of-the-wayspot，afterasking，asaspecialfavour，nottobedisturbedfortwenty-fourhours。
TheLambneverwhooping-coughedonceallthatSunday，andmotherandfathersaidwhatgoodmedicineitwasthatthedoctorhadgivenhim。Butthechildrenknewthatitwasthesouthernshorewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-coughthathadcuredhim。TheLambbabbledofcolouredsandandwater，butnoonetookanynoticeofthat。Heoftentalkedofthingsthathadn’thappened。
ItwasonMondaymorning，veryearlyindeed，thatAntheawokeandsuddenlymadeuphermind。Shecreptdownstairsinhernight-gown（itwasverychilly），satdownonthecarpet，andwithabeatingheartwishedherselfonthesunnyshorewhereyoucan’thavewhooping-cough，andnextmomentthereshewas。
Thesandwassplendidlywarm。Shecouldfeelitatonce，eventhroughthecarpet。Shefoldedthecarpet，andputitoverhershoulderslikeashawl，forshewasdeterminednottobepartedfromitforasingleinstant，nomatterhowhotitmightbetowear。
Thentremblingalittle，andtryingtokeepuphercouragebysayingoverandover，’ItismyDUTY，itISmyduty，’shewentuptheforestpath。
’Well，hereyouareagain，’saidthecook，directlyshesawAnthea。
’Thisdreamdoeskeepon！’
Thecookwasdressedinawhiterobe；shehadnoshoesandstockingsandnocapandshewassittingunderascreenofpalm-leaves，foritwasafternoonintheisland，andblazinghot。
Sheworeaflowerwreathonherhair，andcopper-colouredboyswerefanningherwithpeacock’sfeathers。
’They’vegotthecapputaway，’shesaid。’Theyseemtothinkalotofit。Neversawonebefore，Iexpect。’
’Areyouhappy？’askedAnthea，panting；thesightofthecookasqueenquitetookherbreathaway。
’Ibelieveyou，mydear，’saidthecook，heartily。’Nothingtodounlessyouwantto。ButI’mgettingrestednow。TomorrowI’mgoingtostartcleaningoutmyhut，ifthedreamkeepson，andI
shallteachthemcooking；theyburnseverythingtoacindernowunlesstheyeatsitraw。’
’Butcanyoutalktothem？’
’Lor’loveaduck，yes！’thehappycook-queenreplied；’it’squiteeasytopickup。IalwaysthoughtIshouldbequickatforeignlanguages。I’vetaughtthemtounderstand"dinner，"and"Iwantadrink，"and"Youleavemebe，"already。’
’Thenyoudon’twantanything？’Antheaaskedearnestlyandanxiously。
’Notme，miss；exceptifyou’donlygoaway。I’mafraidofmewakingupwiththatbella-goingifyoukeeponstoppingherea-talkingtome。LongasthisheredreamkeepsupI’mashappyasaqueen。’
’Goodbye，then，’saidAnthea，gaily，forherconsciencewasclearnow。
Shehurriedintothewood，threwherselfontheground，andsaid’Home’——andthereshewas，rolledinthecarpetonthenurseryfloor。
’SHE’Sallright，anyhow，’saidAnthea，andwentbacktobed。’I’mgladsomebody’spleased。ButmotherwillneverbelievemewhenI
tellher。’
Thestoryisindeedalittledifficulttobelieve。Still，youmighttry。
CHAPTER4
TWOBAZAARS
Motherwasreallyagreatdear。Shewasprettyandshewasloving，andmostfrightfullygoodwhenyouwereill，andalwayskind，andalmostalwaysjust。Thatis，shewasjustwhensheunderstoodthings。Butofcourseshedidnotalwaysunderstandthings。Nooneunderstandseverything，andmothersarenotangels，thoughagoodmanyofthemcomeprettynearit。ThechildrenknewthatmotheralwaysWANTEDtodowhatwasbestforthem，evenifshewasnotcleverenoughtoknowexactlywhatwasthebest。Thatwaswhyallofthem，butmuchmoreparticularlyAnthea，feltratheruncomfortableatkeepingthegreatsecretfromherofthewishingcarpetandthePhoenix。AndAnthea，whoseinsidemindwasmadesothatshewasabletobemuchmoreuncomfortablethantheothers，haddecidedthatsheMUSTtellhermotherthetruth，howeverlittlelikelyitwasthathermotherwouldbelieveit。
’ThenIshallhavedonewhat’sright，’saidshetothePhoenix；
’andifshedoesn’tbelievemeitwon’tbemyfault——willit？’
’Notintheleast，’saidthegoldenbird。’Andshewon’t，soyou’requitesafe。’
Antheachoseatimewhenshewasdoingherhome-lessons——theywereAlgebraandLatin，German，English，andEuclid——andsheaskedhermotherwhethershemightcomeanddotheminthedrawing-room——’soastobequiet，’shesaidtohermother；andtoherselfshesaid，’Andthat’snottherealreason。IhopeIshan’tgrowupaLIAR。’
Mothersaid，’Ofcourse，dearie，’andAntheastartedswimmingthroughaseaofx’sandy’sandz’s。Motherwassittingatthemahoganybureauwritingletters。
’Motherdear，’saidAnthea。
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