’Mackenzie，’saidthegentleman，’youseethatgoldenbird？’
　　’Yes，sir。’
　　Theotherbreathedasighofrelief。
　　’ItISreal，then？’
　　’Yes，sir，ofcourse，sir。Youtakeitinyourhand，sir，’saidtheporter，sympathetically，andreachedouthishandtothePhoenix，whoshrankbackontoescurvedwithagitatedindignation。
　　’Forbear！’itcried；’howdareyouseektolayhandsonme？’
　　Theportersaluted。
　　’Begpardon，sir，’hesaid，’Ithoughtyouwasabird。’
　　’IAMabird——THEbird——thePhoenix。’
　　’Ofcourseyouare，sir，’saidtheporter。’Iseethatthefirstminute，directlyIgotmybreath，sir。’
　　’Thatwilldo，’saidthegentleman。’AskMrWilsonandMrSterrytostepuphereforamoment，please。’
　　MrSterryandMrWilsonwereintheirturnovercomebyamazement——quicklyfollowedbyconviction。TothesurpriseofthechildreneveryoneintheofficetookthePhoenixatitsword，andafterthefirstshockofsurpriseitseemedtobeperfectlynaturaltoeveryonethatthePhoenixshouldbealive，andthat，passingthroughLondon，itshouldcallatitstemple。
　　’Weoughttohavesomesortofceremony，’saidthenicestgentleman，anxiously。’Thereisn’ttimetosummonthedirectorsandshareholders——wemightdothattomorrow，perhaps。Yes，theboard-roomwouldbebest。Ishouldn’tlikeittofeelwehadn’tdoneeverythinginourpowertoshowourappreciationofitscondescensioninlookinginonusinthisfriendlyway。’
　　Thechildrencouldhardlybelievetheirears，fortheyhadneverthoughtthatanyonebutthemselveswouldbelieveinthePhoenix。
　　Andyeteveryonedid；allthemenintheofficewerebroughtinbytwosandthrees，andthemomentthePhoenixopeneditsbeakitconvincedthecleverestofthem，aswellasthosewhowerenotsoclever。Cyrilwonderedhowthestorywouldlookinthepapersnextday。Heseemedtoseethepostersinthestreets：
　　PHOENIXFIREOFFICE
　　THEPHOENIXATITSTEMPLE
　　MEETINGTOWELCOMEIT
　　DELIGHTOFTHEMANAGERANDEVERYBODY。
　　’Excuseourleavingyouamoment，’saidthenicegentleman，andhewentawaywiththeothers；andthroughthehalf-closeddoorthechildrencouldhearthesoundofmanybootsonstairs，thehumofexcitedvoicesexplaining，suggesting，arguing，thethumpydragofheavyfurniturebeingmovedabout。
　　ThePhoenixstruttedupanddowntheleather-coveredtable，lookingoveritsshoulderatitsprettyback。
　　’YouseewhataconvincingmannerIhave，’itsaidproudly。
　　Andnowanewgentlemancameinandsaid，bowinglow——
　　’Everythingisprepared——wehavedoneourbestatsoshortanotice；themeeting——theceremony——willbeintheboard-room。WilltheHonourablePhoenixwalk——itisonlyafewsteps——orwoulditliketobe——woulditlikesomesortofconveyance？’
　　’MyRobertwillbearmetotheboard-room，ifthatbetheunlovelynameofmytemple’sinmostcourt，’repliedthebird。
　　Sotheyallfollowedthegentleman。Therewasabigtableintheboard-room，butithadbeenpushedrightupunderthelongwindowsatoneside，andchairswerearrangedinrowsacrosstheroom——likethoseyouhaveatschoolswhenthereisamagiclanternon’OurEasternEmpire’，oron’TheWayWeDointheNavy’。Thedoorswereofcarvedwood，verybeautiful，withacarvedPhoenixabove。
　　Antheanoticedthatthechairsinthefrontrowswereofthekindthathermothersolovedtoaskthepriceofinoldfurnitureshops，andnevercouldbuy，becausethepricewasalwaysnearlytwentypoundseach。Onthemantelpieceweresomeheavybronzecandlesticksandaclock，andonthetopoftheclockwasanotherimageofthePhoenix。
　　’Removethateffigy，’saidthePhoenixtothegentlemenwhowerethere，anditwashastilytakendown。ThenthePhoenixflutteredtothemiddleofthemantelpieceandstoodthere，lookingmoregoldenthanever。Theneveryoneinthehouseandtheofficecamein——fromthecashiertothewomenwhocookedtheclerks’dinnersinthebeautifulkitchenatthetopofthehouse。AndeveryonebowedtothePhoenixandthensatdowninachair。
　　’Gentlemen，’saidthenicestgentleman，’wehavemetheretoday——’
　　ThePhoenixwasturningitsgoldenbeakfromsidetoside。
　　’Idon’tnoticeanyincense，’itsaid，withaninjuredsniff。A
　　hurriedconsultationendedinplatesbeingfetchedfromthekitchen。Brownsugar，sealing-wax，andtobaccowereplacedonthese，andsomethingfromasquarebottlewaspouredoveritall。
　　Thenamatchwasapplied。ItwastheonlyincensethatwashandyinthePhoenixoffice，anditcertainlyburnedverybrisklyandsmokedagreatdeal。
　　’Wehavemetheretoday，’saidthegentlemanagain，’onanoccasionunparalleledintheannalsofthisoffice。OurrespectedPhoenix——’
　　’HeadoftheHouse，’saidthePhoenix，inahollowvoice。
　　’Iwascomingtothat。OurrespectedPhoenix，theHeadofthisancientHouse，hasatlengthdoneusthehonourtocomeamongus。
　　IthinkImaysay，gentlemen，thatwearenotinsensibletothishonour，andthatwewelcomewithnouncertainvoiceonewhomwehavesolongdesiredtoseeinourmidst。’
　　Severaloftheyoungerclerksthoughtofsaying’Hear，hear，’buttheyfeareditmightseemdisrespectfultothebird。
　　’Iwillnottakeupyourtime，’thespeakerwenton，’byrecapitulatingtheadvantagestobederivedfromaproperuseofoursystemoffireinsurance。Iknow，andyouknow，gentlemen，thatouraimhaseverbeentobeworthyofthateminentbirdwhosenamewebear，andwhonowadornsourmantelpiecewithhispresence。
　　Threecheers，gentlemen，forthewingedHeadoftheHouse！’
　　Thecheersrose，deafening。WhentheyhaddiedawaythePhoenixwasaskedtosayafewwords。
　　Itexpressedingracefulphrasesthepleasureitfeltinfindingitselfatlastinitsowntemple。
　　’And，’itwenton，’YoumustnotthinkmewantinginappreciationofyourveryheartyandcordialreceptionwhenIaskthatanodemayberecitedorachoricsongsung。ItiswhatIhavealwaysbeenaccustomedto。’
　　Thefourchildren，dumbwitnessesofthiswonderfulscene，glancedalittlenervouslyacrossthefoamofwhitefacesabovetheseaofblackcoats。ItseemedtothemthatthePhoenixwasreallyaskingalittletoomuch。
　　’Timepresses，’saidthePhoenix，’andtheoriginalodeofinvocationislong，aswellasbeingGreek；and，besides，it’snouseinvokingmewhenhereIam；butistherenotasonginyourowntongueforagreatdaysuchasthis？’
　　Absentlythemanagerbegantosing，andonebyonetherestjoined——
　　’Absolutesecurity！
　　Noliability！
　　Allkindsofpropertyinsuredagainstfire。
　　Termsmostfavourable，Expensesreasonable，ModerateratesforannualInsurance。’
　　’ThatoneisNOTmyfavourite，’interruptedthePhoenix，’andI
　　thinkyou’veforgottenpartofit。’
　　Themanagerhastilybegananother——
　　’OGoldenPhoenix，fairestbird，ThewholegreatworldhasoftenheardOfallthesplendidthingswedo，GreatPhoenix，justtohonouryou。’
　　’That’sbetter，’saidthebird。
　　Andeveryonesang——
　　’Classone，forprivatedwelling-house，Forhouseholdgoodsandshopsallows；
　　ProvidedthesearebuiltofbrickOrstone，andtiledandslatedthick。’
　　’Tryanotherverse，’saidthePhoenix，’furtheron。’
　　Andagainarosethevoicesofalltheclerksandemployeesandmanagersandsecretariesandcooks——
　　’InScotlandourinsuranceyieldsThepriceofburnt-upstacksinfields。’
　　’Skipthatverse，’saidthePhoenix。
　　’ThatcheddwellingsandtheirwholecontentsWedealwith——alsowiththeirrents；
　　Oh，gloriousPhoenix，lookandseeThatthesearedealtwithinclassthree。
　　’ThegloriesofyourtemplethrongToothicktogoinanysong；
　　Andweattend，Ogoodandwise，To"daysofgrace"andmerchandise。
　　’Whenpeople’shomesareburnedawayTheyneverhaveacenttopayIftheyhavedoneasallshoulddo，OPhoenix，andhavehonouredyou。
　　’SoletusraiseourvoiceandsingThepraisesofthePhoenixKing。
　　Inclassesoneandtwoandthree，Oh，trusttohim，forkindishe！’
　　’I’msureYOU’REverykind，’saidthePhoenix；’andnowwemustbegoing。Anthankyouverymuchforaverypleasanttime。Mayyouallprosperasyoudeservetodo，forIamsureanicer，pleasanter-spokenlotoftempleattendantsIhavenevermet，andneverwishtomeet。Iwishyouallgood-day！’
　　ItflutteredtothewristofRobertanddrewthefourchildrenfromtheroom。Thewholeoftheofficestafffolloweddownthewidestairsandfiledintotheiraccustomedplaces，andthetwomostimportantofficialsstoodonthestepsbowingtillRoberthadbuttonedthegoldenbirdinhisNorfolkbosom，anditandheandthethreeotherchildrenwerelostinthecrowd。
　　Thetwomostimportantgentlemenlookedateachotherearnestlyandstrangelyforamoment，andthenretreatedtothosesacredinnerrooms，wheretheytoilwithoutceasingforthegoodoftheHouse。
　　Andthemomenttheywereallintheirplaces——managers，secretaries，clerks，andporters——theyallstarted，andeachlookedcautiouslyroundtoseeifanyonewaslookingathim。Foreachthoughtthathehadfallenasleepforafewminutes，andhaddreamedaveryodddreamaboutthePhoenixandtheboard-room。
　　And，ofcourse，noonementionedittoanyoneelse，becausegoingtosleepatyourofficeisathingyousimplyMUSTNOTdo。
　　Theextraordinaryconfusionoftheboard-room，withtheremainsoftheincenseintheplates，wouldhaveshownthematoncethatthevisitofthePhoenixhadbeennodream，butaradiantreality，butnoonewentintotheboard-roomagainthatday；andnextday，beforetheofficewasopened，itwasallcleanedandputniceandtidybyaladywhosebusinessaskingquestionswasnotpartof。
　　ThatiswhyCyrilreadthepapersinvainonthenextdayandthedayafterthat；becausenosensiblepersonthinkshisdreamsworthputtinginthepaper，andnoonewilleverownthathehasbeenasleepinthedaytime。
　　ThePhoenixwasverypleased，butitdecidedtowriteanodeforitself。Itthoughttheonesithadheardatitstemplehadbeentoohastilycomposed。Itsownodebegan——
　　’ForbeautyandformodestworthThePhoenixhasnotitsequalonearth。’
　　Andwhenthechildrenwenttobedthatnightitwasstilltryingtocutdownthelastlinetotheproperlengthwithouttakingoutanyofwhatitwantedtosay。
　　Thatiswhatmakespoetrysodifficult。
　　CHAPTER6
　　DOINGGOOD
　　’Weshan’tbeabletogoanywhereonthecarpetforawholeweek，though，’saidRobert。
　　’AndI’mgladofit，’saidJane，unexpectedly。
　　’Glad？’saidCyril；’GLAD？’
　　Itwasbreakfast-time，andmother’sletter，tellingthemhowtheywereallgoingforChristmastotheiraunt’satLyndhurst，andhowfatherandmotherwouldmeetthemthere，havingbeenreadbyeveryone，layonthetable，drinkinghotbacon-fatwithonecornerandeatingmarmaladewiththeother。
　　’Yes，glad，’saidJane。’Idon’twantanymorethingstohappenjustnow。Ifeellikeyoudowhenyou’vebeentothreepartiesinaweek——likewedidatgranny’sonce——andextrasinbetween，toysandchocsandthingslikethat。Iwanteverythingtobejustreal，andnofancythingshappeningatall。’
　　’Idon’tlikebeingobligedtokeepthingsfrommother，’saidAnthea。’Idon’tknowwhy，butitmakesmefeelselfishandmean。’
　　’Ifwecouldonlygetthematertobelieveit，wemighttakehertothejolliestplaces，’saidCyril，thoughtfully。’Asitis，we’vejustgottobeselfishandmean——ifitisthat——butIdon’tfeelitis。’
　　’IKNOWitisn’t，butIFEELitis，’saidAnthea，’andthat’sjustasbad。’
　　’It’sworse，’saidRobert；’ifyouknewitanddidn’tfeelit，itwouldn’tmattersomuch。’
　　’That’sbeingahardenedcriminal，fathersays，’putinCyril，andhepickedupmother’sletterandwipeditscornerswithhishandkerchief，towhosecolouratrifleofbacon-fatandmarmalademadebutlittledifference。
　　’We’regoingto-morrow，anyhow，’saidRobert。’Don’t，’headded，withagood-boyexpressiononhisface——’don’tlet’sbeungratefulforourblessings；don’tlet’swastethedayinsayinghowhorriditistokeepsecretsfrommother，whenweallknowAntheatriedallsheknewtogiveherthesecret，andshewouldn’ttakeit。
　　Let’sgetonthecarpetandhaveajollygoodwish。You’llhavetimeenoughtorepentofthingsallnextweek。’
　　’Yes，’saidCyril，’let’s。It’snotreallywrong。’
　　’Well，lookhere，’saidAnthea。’Youknowthere’ssomethingaboutChristmasthatmakesyouwanttobegood——howeverlittleyouwishitatothertimes。Couldn’twewishthecarpettotakeussomewherewhereweshouldhavethechancetodosomegoodandkindaction？Itwouldbeanadventurejustthesame，’shepleaded。
　　’Idon’tmind，’saidCyril。’Weshan’tknowwherewe’regoing，andthat’llbeexciting。Nooneknowswhat’llhappen。We’dbestputonouroutersincase——’
　　’Wemightrescueatravellerburiedinthesnow，likeStBernarddogs，withbarrelsroundournecks，’saidJane，beginningtobeinterested。
　　’Orwemightarrivejustintimetowitnessawillbeingsigned——moretea，please，’saidRobert，’andweshouldseetheoldmanhideitawayinthesecretcupboard；andthen，afterlongyears，whentherightfulheirwasindespair，weshouldleadhimtothehiddenpaneland——’
　　’Yes，’interruptedAnthea；’orwemightbetakentosomefreezinggarretinaGermantown，whereapoorlittlepale，sickchild——’
　　’Wehaven’tanyGermanmoney，’interruptedCyril，’soTHAT’Snogo。
　　WhatIshouldlikewouldbegettingintothemiddleofawarandgettingholdofsecretintelligenceandtakingittothegeneral，andhewouldmakemealieutenantorascout，orahussar。’
　　Whenbreakfastwasclearedaway，Antheasweptthecarpet，andthechildrensatdownonit，togetherwiththePhoenix，whohadbeenespeciallyinvited，asaChristmastreat，tocomewiththemandwitnessthegoodandkindactiontheywereabouttodo。
　　Fourchildrenandonebirdwereready，andthewishwaswished。
　　Everyonecloseditseyes，soastofeelthetopsy-turvyswirlofthecarpet’smovementaslittleaspossible。
　　Whentheeyeswereopenedagainthechildrenfoundthemselvesonthecarpet，andthecarpetwasinitsproperplaceontheflooroftheirownnurseryatCamdenTown。
　　’Isay，’saidCyril，’here’sago！’
　　’Doyouthinkit’swornout？Thewishingpartofit，Imean？’
　　RobertanxiouslyaskedthePhoenix。
　　’It’snotthat，’saidthePhoenix；’but——well——whatdidyouwish——？’
　　’Oh！Iseewhatitmeans，’saidRobert，withdeepdisgust；’it’sliketheendofafairystoryinaSundaymagazine。Howperfectlybeastly！’
　　’Youmeanitmeanswecandokindandgoodactionswhereweare？
　　Isee。Isupposeitwantsustocarrycoalsforthecookormakeclothesforthebareheathens。Well，Isimplywon’t。Andthelastdayandeverything。Lookhere！’Cyrilspokeloudlyandfirmly。
　　’Wewanttogosomewherereallyinteresting，wherewehaveachanceofdoingsomethinggoodandkind；wedon’twanttodoithere，butsomewhereelse。See？Now，then。’
　　Theobedientcarpetstartedinstantly，andthefourchildrenandonebirdfellinaheaptogether，andastheyfellwereplungedinperfectdarkness。
　　’Areyouallthere？’saidAnthea，breathlessly，throughtheblackdark。Everyoneownedthatitwasthere。
　　’Wherearewe？Oh！howshiveryandwetitis！Ugh！——oh！——I’veputmyhandinapuddle！’
　　’Hasanyonegotanymatches？’saidAnthea，hopelessly。Shefeltsurethatnoonewouldhaveany。
　　ItwasthenthatRobert，witharadiantsmileoftriumphthatwasquitewastedinthedarkness，where，ofcourse，noonecouldseeanything，drewoutofhispocketaboxofmatches，struckamatchandlightedacandle——twocandles。Andeveryone，withitsmouthopen，blinkedatthesuddenlight。
　　’WelldoneBobs，’saidhissisters，andevenCyril’snaturalbrotherlyfeelingscouldnotcheckhisadmirationofRobert’sforesight。
　　’I’vealwayscarriedthemabouteversincethelonetowerday，’
　　saidRobert，withmodestpride。’Iknewweshouldwantthemsomeday。Ikeptthesecretwell，didn’tI？’
　　’Oh，yes，’saidCyril，withfinescorn。’IfoundthemtheSundayafter，whenIwasfeelinginyourNorfolksfortheknifeyouborrowedoffme。ButIthoughtyou’donlysneakedthemforChineselanterns，orreadinginbedby。’
　　’Bobs，’saidAnthea，suddenly，’doyouknowwhereweare？Thisistheundergroundpassage，andlookthere——there’sthemoneyandthemoney-bags，andeverything。’
　　Bythistimetheteneyeshadgotusedtothelightofthecandles，andnoonecouldhelpseeingthatAntheaspokethetruth。
　　’Itseemsanoddplacetodogoodandkindactsin，though，’saidJane。’There’snoonetodothemto。’
　　’Don’tyoubetoosure，’saidCyril；’justroundthenextturningwemightfindaprisonerwhohaslanguishedhereforyearsandyears，andwecouldtakehimoutonourcarpetandrestorehimtohissorrowingfriends。’
　　’Ofcoursewecould，’saidRobert，standingupandholdingthecandleabovehisheadtoseefurtheroff；’orwemightfindthebonesofapoorprisonerandtakethemtohisfriendstobeburiedproperly——that’salwaysakindactioninbooks，thoughInevercouldseewhatbonesmatter。’
　　’Iwishyouwouldn’t，’saidJane。
　　’Iknowexactlywhereweshallfindthebones，too，’Robertwenton。’Youseethatdarkarchjustalongthepassage？Well，justinsidethere——’
　　’Ifyoudon’tstopgoingonlikethat，’saidJane，firmly，’Ishallscream，andthenI’llfaint——sonowthen！’
　　’And_I_will，too，’saidAnthea。
　　Robertwasnotpleasedatbeingcheckedinhisflightoffancy。
　　’Yougirlswillneverbegreatwriters，’hesaidbitterly。’Theyjustlovetothinkofthingsindungeons，andchains，andknobblybarehumanbones，and——’
　　Janehadopenedhermouthtoscream，butbeforeshecoulddecidehowyoubeganwhenyouwantedtofaint，thegoldenvoiceofthePhoenixspokethroughthegloom。
　　’Peace！’itsaid；’therearenoboneshereexceptthesmallbutusefulsetsthatyouhaveinsideyou。Andyoudidnotinvitemetocomeoutwithyoutohearyoutalkaboutbones，buttoseeyoudosomegoodandkindaction。’
　　’Wecan’tdoithere，’saidRobert，sulkily。
　　’No，’rejoinedthebird。’Theonlythingwecandohere，itseems，istotrytofrightenourlittlesisters。’
　　’Hedidn’t，really，andI’mnotsoVERYlittle，’saidJane，ratherungratefully。
　　Robertwassilent。ItwasCyrilwhosuggestedthatperhapstheyhadbettertakethemoneyandgo。
　　’Thatwouldn’tbeakindact，excepttoourselves；anditwouldn’tbegood，whateverwayyoulookatit，’saidAnthea，’totakemoneythat’snotours。’
　　’Wemighttakeitandspenditallonbenefitstothepoorandaged，’saidCyril。
　　’Thatwouldn’tmakeitrighttosteal，’saidAnthea，stoutly。
　　’Idon’tknow，’saidCyril。Theywereallstandingupnow。
　　’Stealingistakingthingsthatbelongtosomeoneelse，andthere’snooneelse。’
　　’Itcan’tbestealingif——’
　　’That’sright，’saidRobert，withironicalapproval；’standherealldayarguingwhilethecandlesburnout。You’lllikeitawfullywhenit’salldarkagain——andbony。’
　　’Let’sgetout，then，’saidAnthea。’Wecanargueaswego。’Sotheyrolledupthecarpetandwent。Butwhentheyhadcreptalongtotheplacewherethepassageledintothetoplesstowertheyfoundthewayblockedbyagreatstone，whichtheycouldnotmove。
　　’There！’saidRobert。’Ihopeyou’resatisfied！’
　　’Everythinghastwoends，’saidthePhoenix，softly；’evenaquarrelorasecretpassage。’
　　Sotheyturnedroundandwentback，andRobertwasmadetogofirstwithoneofthecandles，becausehewastheonewhohadbeguntotalkaboutbones。AndCyrilcarriedthecarpet。
　　’Iwishyouhadn’tputbonesintoourheads，’saidJane，astheywentalong。
　　’Ididn’t；youalwayshadthem。Morebonesthanbrains，’saidRobert。
　　Thepassagewaslong，andtherewerearchesandstepsandturningsanddarkalcovesthatthegirlsdidnotmuchlikepassing。Thepassageendedinaflightofsteps。Robertwentupthem。
　　SuddenlyhestaggeredheavilybackontothefollowingfeetofJane，andeverybodyscreamed，’Oh！whatisit？’
　　’I’veonlybashedmyheadin，’saidRobert，whenhehadgroanedforsometime；’that’sall。Don’tmentionit；Ilikeit。Thestairsjustgorightslapintotheceiling，andit’sastoneceiling。Youcan’tdogoodandkindactionsunderneathapaving-stone。’
　　’Stairsaren’tmadetoleadjusttopaving-stonesasageneralrule，’saidthePhoenix。’Putyourshouldertothewheel。’
　　’Thereisn’tanywheel，’saidtheinjuredRobert，stillrubbinghishead。
　　ButCyrilhadpushedpasthimtothetopstair，andwasalreadyshovinghishardestagainstthestoneabove。Ofcourse，itdidnotgiveintheleast。
　　’Ifit’satrap-door——’saidCyril。Andhestoppedshovingandbegantofeelaboutwithhishands。
　　’Yes，thereisabolt。Ican’tmoveit。’
　　ByahappychanceCyrilhadinhispockettheoil-canofhisfather’sbicycle；heputthecarpetdownatthefootofthestairs，andhelayonhisback，withhisheadonthetopstepandhisfeetstragglingdownamonghisyoungrelations，andheoiledthebolttillthedropsofrustandoilfelldownonhisface。Oneevenwentintohismouth——open，ashepantedwiththeexertionofkeepingupthisunnaturalposition。Thenhetriedagain，butstilltheboltwouldnotmove。Sonowhetiedhishandkerchief——theonewiththebacon-fatandmarmaladeonit——tothebolt，andRobert’shandkerchieftothat，inareefknot，whichcannotcomeundonehowevermuchyoupull，and，indeed，getstighterandtighterthemoreyoupullit。Thismustnotbeconfusedwithagrannyknot，whichcomesundoneifyoulookatit。AndthenheandRobertpulled，andthegirlsputtheirarmsroundtheirbrothersandpulledtoo，andsuddenlytheboltgavewaywitharustyscrunch，andtheyallrolledtogethertothebottomofthestairs——allbutthePhoenix，whichhadtakentoitswingswhenthepullingbegan。
　　Nobodywashurtmuch，becausetherolled-upcarpetbroketheirfall；andnow，indeed，theshouldersoftheboyswereusedtosomepurpose，forthestoneallowedthemtoheaveitup。Theyfeltitgive；dustfellfreelyonthem。
　　’Now，then，’criedRobert，forgettinghisheadandhistemper，’pushalltogether。One，two，three！’
　　Thestonewasheavedup。Itswunguponacreaking，unwillinghinge，andshowedagrowingoblongofdazzlingdaylight；anditfellbackwithabangagainstsomethingthatkeptitupright。
　　Everyoneclimbedout，buttherewasnotroomforeveryonetostandcomfortablyinthelittlepavedhousewheretheyfoundthemselves，sowhenthePhoenixhadflutteredupfromthedarknesstheyletthestonedown，anditclosedlikeatrap-door，asindeeditwas。
　　Youcanhavenoideahowdustyanddirtythechildrenwere。
　　Fortunatelytherewasnoonetoseethembuteachother。Theplacetheywereinwasalittleshrine，builtonthesideofaroadthatwentwindingupthroughyellow-greenfieldstothetoplesstower。
　　Belowthemwerefieldsandorchards，allbareboughsandbrownfurrows，andlittlehousesandgardens。Theshrinewasakindoftinychapelwithnofrontwall——justaplaceforpeopletostopandrestinandwishtobegood。SothePhoenixtoldthem。Therewasanimagethathadoncebeenbrightlycoloured，buttherainandsnowhadbeateninthroughtheopenfrontoftheshrine，andthepoorimagewasdullandweather-stained。Underitwaswritten：’StJeandeLuz。Priezpournous。’Itwasasadlittleplace，veryneglectedandlonely，andyetitwasnice，Antheathought，thatpoortravellersshouldcometothislittlerest-houseinthehurryandworryoftheirjourneyingsandbequietforafewminutes，andthinkaboutbeinggood。ThethoughtofStJeandeLuz——whohad，nodoubt，inhistime，beenverygoodandkind——madeAntheawantmorethanevertodosomethingkindandgood。
　　’Tellus，’shesaidtothePhoenix，’whatisthegoodandkindactionthecarpetbroughtusheretodo？’
　　’Ithinkitwouldbekindtofindtheownersofthetreasureandtellthemaboutit，’saidCyril。
　　’AndgiveitthemALL？’saidJane。
　　’Yes。Butwhoseisit？’
　　’Ishouldgotothefirsthouseandaskthenameoftheownerofthecastle，’saidthegoldenbird，andreallytheideaseemedagoodone。
　　Theydustedeachotheraswellastheycouldandwentdowntheroad。Alittlewayontheyfoundatinyspring，bubblingoutofthehillsideandfallingintoaroughstonebasinsurroundedbydraggledhart’s-tongueferns，nowhardlygreenatall。Herethechildrenwashedtheirhandsandfacesanddriedthemontheirpocket-handkerchiefs，whichalways，ontheseoccasions，seemunnaturallysmall。Cyril’sandRobert’shandkerchiefs，indeed，ratherundidtheeffectsofthewash。Butinspiteofthisthepartycertainlylookedcleanerthanbefore。
　　Thefirsthousetheycametowasalittlewhitehousewithgreenshuttersandaslateroof。Itstoodinaprimlittlegarden，anddowneachsideoftheneatpathwerelargestonevasesforflowerstogrowin；butalltheflowersweredeadnow。
　　Alongonesideofthehousewasasortofwideveranda，builtofpolesandtrellis-work，andavinecrawledalloverit。ItwaswiderthanourEnglishverandas，andAntheathoughtitmustlooklovelywhenthegreenleavesandthegrapeswerethere；butnowtherewereonlydry，reddish-brownstalksandstems，withafewwitheredleavescaughtinthem。
　　Thechildrenwalkeduptothefrontdoor。Itwasgreenandnarrow。
　　Achainwithahandlehungbesideit，andjoineditselfquiteopenlytoarustybellthathungundertheporch。Cyrilhadpulledthebellanditsnoisyclangwasdyingawaybeforetheterriblethoughtcametoall。Cyrilspokeit。
　　’Myhat！’hebreathed。’Wedon’tknowanyFrench！’
　　Atthismomentthedooropened。Averytall，leanlady，withpaleringletslikewhitey-brownpaperoroakshavings，stoodbeforethem。Shehadanuglygreydressandablacksilkapron。Hereyesweresmallandgreyandnotpretty，andtherimswerered，asthoughshehadbeencrying。
　　Sheaddressedthepartyinsomethingthatsoundedlikeaforeignlanguage，andendedwithsomethingwhichtheyweresurewasaquestion。Ofcourse，noonecouldanswerit。
　　’Whatdoesshesay？’Robertasked，lookingdownintothehollowofhisjacket，wherethePhoenixwasnestling。ButbeforethePhoenixcouldanswer，thewhitey-brownlady’sfacewaslightedupbyamostcharmingsmile。
　　’You——youar-r-refr-r-romtheEngland！’shecried。’IlovesomuchtheEngland。Maisentrez——entrezdonctous！Enter，then——enterall。Oneessuyeshisfeetonthecarpet。’Shepointedtothemat。
　　’Weonlywantedtoask——’
　　’Ishallsayyouallthatwhatyouwish，’saidthelady。’Enteronly！’
　　Sotheyallwentin，wipingtheirfeetonaverycleanmat，andputtingthecarpetinasafecorneroftheveranda。
　　’Themostbeautifuldaysofmylife，’saidthelady，assheshutthedoor，’didpassthemselvesinEngland。AndsincelongtimeI
　　havenotheardanEnglishvoicetorepealmethepast。’
　　Thiswarmwelcomeembarrassedeveryone，butmosttheboys，forthefloorofthehallwasofsuchverycleanredandwhitetiles，andthefloorofthesitting-roomsoveryshiny——likeablacklooking-glass——thateachfeltasthoughhehadonfarmorebootsthanusual，andfarnoisier。
　　Therewasawoodfire，verysmallandverybright，onthehearth——neatlittlelogslaidonbrassfire-dogs。Someportraitsofpowderedladiesandgentlemenhunginovalframesonthepalewalls。Thereweresilvercandlesticksonthemantelpiece，andtherewerechairsandatable，veryslimandpolite，withslenderlegs。Theroomwasextremelybare，butwithabrightforeignbarenessthatwasverycheerful，inanoddwayofitsown。
　　Attheendofthepolishedtableaveryun-Englishlittleboysatonafootstoolinahigh-backed，uncomfortable-lookingchair。Heworeblackvelvet，andthekindofcollar——allfrillsandlacey——
　　thatRobertwouldratherhavediedthanwear；butthenthelittleFrenchboywasmuchyoungerthanRobert。
　　’Oh，howpretty！’saideveryone。ButnoonemeantthelittleFrenchboy，withthevelvetyshortknickerbockersandthevelvetyshorthair。
　　Whateveryoneadmiredwasalittle，littleChristmas-tree，verygreen，andstandinginaveryredlittleflower-pot，andhungroundwithverybrightlittlethingsmadeoftinselandcolouredpaper。
　　Thereweretinycandlesonthetree，buttheywerenotlightedyet。
　　’Butyes——isitnotthatitisgenteel？’saidthelady。’Sitdownyouthen，andletussee。’
　　Thechildrensatdowninarowonthestiffchairsagainstthewall，andtheladylightedalong，slimredtaperatthewoodflame，andthenshedrewthecurtainsandlitthelittlecandles，andwhentheywerealllightedthelittleFrenchboysuddenlyshouted，’Bravo，matante！Oh，quec’estgentil，’andtheEnglishchildrenshouted’Hooray！’
　　ThentherewasastruggleinthebreastofRobert，andoutflutteredthePhoenix——spreadhisgoldwings，flewtothetopoftheChristmas-tree，andperchedthere。
　　’Ah！catchit，then，’criedthelady；’itwillitselfburn——yourgenteelparrakeet！’
　　’Itwon’t，’saidRobert，’thankyou。’
　　AndthelittleFrenchboyclappedhiscleanandtidyhands；buttheladywassoanxiousthatthePhoenixfluttereddownandwalkedupanddownontheshinywalnut-woodtable。
　　’Isitthatittalks？’askedthelady。
　　AndthePhoenixrepliedinexcellentFrench。Itsaid，’Parfaitement，madame！’
　　’Oh，theprettyparrakeet，’saidthelady。’Canitsaystillofotherthings？’
　　AndthePhoenixreplied，thistimeinEnglish，’WhyareyousadsonearChristmas-time？’
　　Thechildrenlookedatitwithonegaspofhorrorandsurprise，fortheyoungestofthemknewthatitisfarfrommannerstonoticethatstrangershavebeencrying，andmuchworsetoaskthemthereasonoftheirtears。And，ofcourse，theladybegantocryagain，verymuchindeed，aftercallingthePhoenixabirdwithoutaheart；andshecouldnotfindherhandkerchief，soAntheaofferedhers，whichwasstillverydampandnouseatall。Shealsohuggedthelady，andthisseemedtobeofmoreusethanthehandkerchief，sothatpresentlytheladystoppedcrying，andfoundherownhandkerchiefanddriedhereyes，andcalledAntheaacherishedangel。
　　’Iamsorrywecamejustwhenyouweresosad，’saidAnthea，’butwereallyonlywantedtoaskyouwhosethatcastleisonthehill。’
　　’Oh，mylittleangel，’saidthepoorlady，sniffing，’to-dayandforhundredsofyearsthecastleistous，toourfamily。To-morrowitmustthatIsellittosomestrangers——andmylittleHenri，whoignoresall，hewillnothaveneverthelandspaternal。Butwhatwillyou？Hisfather，mybrother——MrtheMarquis——hasspentmuchofmoney，anditthemust，despitethesentimentsoffamilialrespect，thatIadmitthatmysaintedfatherhealso——’
　　’Howwouldyoufeelifyoufoundalotofmoney——hundredsandthousandsofgoldpieces？’askedCyril。
　　Theladysmiledsadly。
　　’Ah！onehasalreadyrecountedtoyouthelegend？’shesaid。’Itistruethatonesaysthatitislongtime；oh！butlongtime，oneofourancestorshashidatreasure——ofgold，andofgold，andofgold——enoughtoenrichmylittleHenriforthelife。Butallthat，mychildren，itisbuttheaccountsoffays——’
　　’Shemeansfairystories，’whisperedthePhoenixtoRobert。’Tellherwhatyouhavefound。’
　　SoRoberttold，whileAntheaandJanehuggedtheladyforfearsheshouldfaintforjoy，likepeopleinbooks，andtheyhuggedherwiththeearnest，joyoushugsofunselfishdelight。
　　’It’snouseexplaininghowwegotin，’saidRobert，whenhehadtoldofthefindingofthetreasure，’becauseyouwouldfinditalittledifficulttounderstand，andmuchmoredifficulttobelieve。
　　Butwecanshowyouwherethegoldisandhelpyoutofetchitaway。’
　　TheladylookeddoubtfullyatRobertassheabsentlyreturnedthehugsofthegirls。
　　’No，he’snotmakingitup，’saidAnthea；’it’strue，TRUE，TRUE！——andwearesoglad。’
　　’Youwouldnotbecapabletotormentanoldwoman？’shesaid；’anditisnotpossiblethatitbeadream。’
　　’ItreallyIStrue，’saidCyril；’andIcongratulateyouverymuch。’
　　Histoneofstudiedpolitenessseemedtoconvincemorethantherapturesoftheothers。
　　’IfIdonotdream，’shesaid，’HenricometoManon——andyou——youshallcomeallwithmetoMrtheCurate。Isitnot？’
　　Manonwasawrinkledoldwomanwitharedandyellowhandkerchieftwistedroundherhead。ShetookHenri，whowasalreadysleepywiththeexcitementofhisChristmas-treeandhisvisitors，andwhentheladyhadputonastiffblackcapeandawonderfulblacksilkbonnetandapairofblackwoodenclogsoverherblackcashmerehouse-boots，thewholepartywentdowntheroadtoalittlewhitehouse——veryliketheonetheyhadleft——whereanoldpriest，withagoodface，welcomedthemwithapolitenesssogreatthatithidhisastonishment。
　　Thelady，withherFrenchwavinghandsandhershruggingFrenchshouldersandhertremblingFrenchspeech，toldthestory。Andnowthepriest，whoknewnoEnglish，shruggedHISshouldersandwavedHIShandsandspokealsoinFrench。
　　’Hethinks，’whisperedthePhoenix，’thathertroubleshaveturnedherbrain。WhatapityyouknownoFrench！’
　　’IdoknowalotofFrench，’whisperedRobert，indignantly；’butit’sallaboutthepencilofthegardener’ssonandthepenknifeofthebaker’sniece——nothingthatanyoneeverwantstosay。’
　　’If_I_speak，’thebirdwhispered，’he’llthinkHE’Smad，too。’
　　’Tellmewhattosay。’
　　’Say"C’estvrai，monsieur。Venezdoncvoir，"’saidthePhoenix；
　　andthenRobertearnedtheundyingrespectofeverybodybysuddenlysaying，veryloudlyanddistinctly——
　　’Sayvray，mossoo；vennydongvwaw。’
　　ThepriestwasdisappointedwhenhefoundthatRobert’sFrenchbeganandendedwiththeseusefulwords；but，atanyrate，hesawthatiftheladywasmadshewasnottheonlyone，andheputonabigbeaveryhat，andgotacandleandmatchesandaspade，andtheyallwentupthehilltothewaysideshrineofStJohnofLuz。
　　’Now，’saidRobert，’Iwillgofirstandshowyouwhereitis。’
　　Sotheyprisedthestoneupwithacornerofthespade，andRobertdidgofirst，andtheyallfollowedandfoundthegoldentreasureexactlyastheyhadleftit。Andeveryonewasflushedwiththejoyofperformingsuchawonderfullykindaction。
　　Thentheladyandthepriestclaspedhandsandweptforjoy，asFrenchpeopledo，andkneltdownandtouchedthemoney，andtalkedveryfastandbothtogether，andtheladyembracedallthechildrenthreetimeseach，andcalledthem’littlegardenangels，’andthensheandthepriestshookeachotherbybothhandsagain，andtalked，andtalked，andtalked，fasterandmoreFrenchythanyouwouldhavebelievedpossible。Andthechildrenwerestruckdumbwithjoyandpleasure。
　　’GetawayNOW，’saidthePhoenixsoftly，breakinginontheradiantdream。
　　Sothechildrencreptaway，andoutthroughthelittleshrine，andtheladyandthepriestweresotearfully，talkativelyhappythattheynevernoticedthattheguardianangelshadgone。
　　The’gardenangels’randownthehilltothelady’slittlehouse，wheretheyhadleftthecarpetontheveranda，andtheyspreaditoutandsaid’Home，’andnoonesawthemdisappear，exceptlittleHenri，whohadflattenedhisnoseintoawhitebuttonagainstthewindow-glass，andwhenhetriedtotellhisauntshethoughthehadbeendreaming。Sothatwasallright。
　　’Itismuchthebestthingwe’vedone，’saidAnthea，whentheytalkeditoverattea-time。’Inthefuturewe’llonlydokindactionswiththecarpet。’
　　’Ahem！’saidthePhoenix。
　　’Ibegyourpardon？’saidAnthea。
　　’Oh，nothing，’saidthebird。’Iwasonlythinking！’
　　CHAPTER7
　　MEWSFROMPERSIA
　　WhenyouhearthatthefourchildrenfoundthemselvesatWaterlooStationquiteun-taken-care-of，andwithnoonetomeetthem，itmaymakeyouthinkthattheirparentswereneitherkindnorcareful。Butifyouthinkthisyouwillbewrong。Thefactis，motherarrangedwithAuntEmmathatshewastomeetthechildrenatWaterloo，whentheywentbackfromtheirChristmasholidayatLyndhurst。Thetrainwasfixed，butnottheday。ThenmotherwrotetoAuntEmma，givinghercarefulinstructionsaboutthedayandthehour，andaboutluggageandcabsandthings，andgavethelettertoRoberttopost。ButthehoundshappenedtomeetnearRufusStonethatmorning，andwhatismore，onthewaytothemeettheymetRobert，andRobertmetthem，andinstantlyforgotallaboutpostingAuntEmma’sletter，andneverthoughtofitagainuntilheandtheothershadwanderedthreetimesupanddowntheplatformatWaterloo——whichmakessixinall——andhadbumpedagainstoldgentlemen，andstaredinthefacesofladies，andbeenshovedbypeopleinahurry，and’by-your-leaved’byporterswithtrucks，andwerequite，quitesurethatAuntEmmawasnotthere。
　　ThensuddenlythetruetruthofwhathehadforgottentodocamehometoRobert，andhesaid，’Oh，crikey！’andstoodstillwithhismouthopen，andletaporterwithaGladstonebagineachhandandabundleofumbrellasunderonearmblunderheavilyintohim，andneversomuchassaid，’Whereareyoushovingtonow？’or，’Lookoutwhereyou’regoing，can’tyou？’Theheavierbagsmotehimattheknee，andhestaggered，buthesaidnothing。
　　WhentheothersunderstoodwhatwasthematterIthinktheytoldRobertwhattheythoughtofhim。
　　’WemusttakethetraintoCroydon，’saidAnthea，’andfindAuntEmma。’
　　’Yes，’saidCyril，’andpreciouspleasedthoseJevonseswouldbetoseeusandourtraps。’
　　AuntEmma，indeed，wasstayingwithsomeJevonses——veryprimpeople。Theyweremiddle-agedandworeverysmartblouses，andtheywerefondofmatineesandshopping，andtheydidnotcareaboutchildren。
　　’IknowMOTHERwouldbepleasedtoseeusifwewentback，’saidJane。
　　’Yes，shewould，butshe’dthinkitwasnotrighttoshowshewaspleased，becauseit’sBob’sfaultwe’renotmet。Don’tIknowthesortofthing？’saidCyril。’Besides，we’venotin。No；we’vegotenoughforagrowleramongus，butnotenoughforticketstotheNewForest。Wemustjustgohome。Theywon’tbesosavagewhentheyfindwe’vereallygothomeallright。Youknowauntiewasonlygoingtotakeushomeinacab。’
　　’IbelieveweoughttogotoCroydon，’Antheainsisted。
　　’AuntEmmawouldbeouttoadeadcert，’saidRobert。’ThoseJevonsesgotothetheatreeveryafternoon，Ibelieve。Besides，there’sthePhoenixathome，ANDthecarpet。Ivoteswecallafour-wheeledcabman。’
　　Afour-wheeledcabmanwascalled——hiscabwasoneoftheold-fashionedkindwithstrawinthebottom——andhewasaskedbyAntheatodrivethemverycarefullytotheiraddress。Thishedid，andthepriceheaskedfordoingsowasexactlythevalueofthegoldcoingrandpapahadgivenCyrilforChristmas。Thiscastagloom；butCyrilwouldneverhavestoopedtoargueaboutacab-
　　fare，forfearthecabmanshouldthinkhewasnotaccustomedtotakecabswheneverhewantedthem。Forareasonthatwassomethinglikethishetoldthecabmantoputtheluggageonthesteps，andwaitedtillthewheelsofthegrowlerhadgrittilyretiredbeforeherangthebell。
　　’Yousee，’hesaid，withhishandonthehandle，’wedon’twantcookandElizaaskingusbeforeHIMhowitiswe’vecomehomealone，asifwewerebabies。’
　　Hereherangthebell；andthemomentitsansweringclangwasheard，everyonefeltthatitwouldbesometimebeforethatbellwasanswered。Thesoundofabellisquitedifferent，somehow，whenthereisanyoneinsidethehousewhohearsit。Ican’ttellyouwhythatis——butsoitis。
　　’Iexpectthey’rechangingtheirdresses，’saidJane。
　　’Toolate，’saidAnthea，’itmustbepastfive。IexpectEliza’sgonetopostaletter，andcook’sgonetoseethetime。’
　　Cyrilrangagain。Andthebelldiditsbesttoinformthelisteningchildrenthattherewasreallynoonehumaninthehouse。
　　Theyrangagainandlistenedintently。Theheartsofallsanklow。
　　Itisaterriblethingtobelockedoutofyourownhouse，onadark，muggyJanuaryevening。
　　’Thereisnogasonanywhere，’saidJane，inabrokenvoice。
　　’Iexpectthey’veleftthegasononcetoooften，andthedraughtblewitout，andthey’resuffocatedintheirbeds。Fatheralwayssaidtheywouldsomeday，’saidRobertcheerfully。
　　’Let’sgoandfetchapoliceman，’saidAnthea，trembling。
　　’Andbetakenupfortryingtobeburglars——no，thankyou，’saidCyril。’Iheardfatherreadoutofthepaperaboutayoungmanwhogotintohisownmother’shouse，andtheygothimmadeaburglaronlytheotherday。’
　　’Ionlyhopethegashasn’thurtthePhoenix，’saidAnthea。’Itsaiditwantedtostayinthebathroomcupboard，andIthoughtitwouldbeallright，becausetheservantsnevercleanthatout。Butifit’sgoneandgotoutandbeenchokedbygas——Andbesides，directlyweopenthedoorweshallbechoked，too。IKNEWweoughttohavegonetoAuntEmma，atCroydon。Oh，Squirrel，Iwishwehad。Let’sgoNOW。’
　　’Shutup，’saidherbrother，briefly。’There’ssomeonerattlingthelatchinside。’Everyonelistenedwithallitsears，andeveryonestoodbackasfarfromthedoorasthestepswouldallow。
　　Thelatchrattled，andclicked。Thentheflapoftheletter-boxlifteditself——everyonesawitbytheflickeringlightofthegas-lampthatshonethroughtheleaflesslime-treebythegate——agoldeneyeseemedtowinkatthemthroughtheletter-slit，andacautiousbeakwhispered——
　　’Areyoualone？’
　　’It’sthePhoenix，’saideveryone，inavoicesojoyous，andsofullofrelief，astobeasortofwhisperedshout。
　　’Hush！’saidthevoicefromtheletter-boxslit。’Yourslaveshavegonea-merry-making。Thelatchofthisportalistoostiffformybeak。Butattheside——thelittlewindowabovetheshelfwhereonyourbreadlies——itisnotfastened。’
　　’Righto！’saidCyril。
　　AndAntheaadded，’Iwishyou’dmeetusthere，dearPhoenix。’
　　Thechildrencreptroundtothepantrywindow。Itisatthesideofthehouse，andthereisagreengatelabelled’Tradesmen’sEntrance’，whichisalwayskeptbolted。Butifyougetonefootonthefencebetweenyouandnextdoor，andoneonthehandleofthegate，youareoverbeforeyouknowwhereyouare。This，atleast，wastheexperienceofCyrilandRobert，andeven，ifthetruthmustbetold，ofAntheaandJane。Soinalmostnotimeallfourwereinthenarrowgravelledpassagethatrunsbetweenthathouseandthenext。
　　ThenRobertmadeaback，andCyrilhoistedhimselfupandgothisknicker-bockeredkneeontheconcretewindow-sill。Hedivedintothepantryheadfirst，asonedivesintowater，andhislegswavedintheairashewent，justasyourlegsdowhenyouarefirstbeginningtolearntodive。Thesolesofhisboots——squarishmuddypatches——disappeared。
　　’Givemealegup，’saidRoberttohissisters。
　　’No，youdon’t，’saidJanefirmly。’I’mnotgoingtobeleftoutsideherewithjustAnthea，andhavesomethingcreepupbehindusoutofthedark。Squirrelcangoandopenthebackdoor。’
　　Alighthadsprungawakeinthepantry。CyrilalwayssaidthePhoenixturnedthegasonwithitsbeak，andlighteditwithawaftofitswing；buthewasexcitedatthetime，andperhapshereallydidithimselfwithmatches，andthenforgotallaboutit。Helettheothersinbythebackdoor。Andwhenithadbeenboltedagainthechildrenwentalloverthehouseandlightedeverysinglegas-jettheycouldfind。Fortheycouldn’thelpfeelingthatthiswasjustthedarkdrearywinter’seveningwhenanarmedburglarmighteasilybeexpectedtoappearatanymoment。Thereisnothinglikelightwhenyouareafraidofburglars——orofanythingelse，forthatmatter。
　　Andwhenallthegas-jetswerelighteditwasquiteclearthatthePhoenixhadmadenomistake，andthatElizaandcookwerereallyout，andthattherewasnooneinthehouseexceptthefourchildren，andthePhoenix，andthecarpet，andtheblackbeetleswholivedinthecupboardsoneachsideofthenurseryfire-place。
　　Theselastwereverypleasedthatthechildrenhadcomehomeagain，especiallywhenAntheahadlightedthenurseryfire。But，asusual，thechildrentreatedthelovinglittleblackbeetleswithcoldnessanddisdain。
　　Iwonderwhetheryouknowhowtolightafire？Idon’tmeanhowtostrikeamatchandsetfiretothecornersofthepaperinafiresomeonehaslaidready，buthowtolayandlightafireallbyyourself。IwilltellyouhowAntheadidit，andifeveryouhavetolightoneyourselfyoumayrememberhowitisdone。First，sherakedouttheashesofthefirethathadburnedthereaweekago——forElizahadactuallyneverdonethis，thoughshehadhadplentyoftime。IndoingthisAntheaknockedherknuckleandmadeitbleed。Thenshelaidthelargestandhandsomestcindersinthebottomofthegrate。Thenshetookasheetofoldnewspaper（yououghtnevertolightafirewithto-day’snewspaper——itwillnotburnwell，andthereareotherreasonsagainstit），andtoreitintofourquarters，andscrewedeachoftheseintoalooseball，andputthemonthecinders；thenshegotabundleofwoodandbrokethestring，andstuckthesticksinsothattheirfrontendsrestedonthebars，andthebackendsonthebackofthepaperballs。Indoingthisshecutherfingerslightlywiththestring，andwhenshebrokeit，twoofthesticksjumpedupandhitheronthecheek。Thensheputmorecindersandsomebitsofcoal——nodust。Sheputmostofthatonherhands，butthereseemedtobeenoughleftforherface。Thenshelightedtheedgesofthepaperballs，andwaitedtillsheheardthefizz-crack-crack-fizzofthewoodasitbegantoburn。Thenshewentandwashedherhandsandfaceunderthetapinthebackkitchen。
　　Ofcourse，youneednotbarkyourknuckles，orcutyourfinger，orbruiseyourcheekwithwood，orblackyourselfallover；butotherwise，thisisaverygoodwaytolightafireinLondon。Intherealcountryfiresarelightedinadifferentandprettierway。
　　Butitisalwaysgoodtowashyourhandsandfaceafterwards，whereveryouare。
　　WhileAntheawasdelightingthepoorlittleblackbeetleswiththecheerfulblaze，Janehadsetthetablefor——Iwasgoingtosaytea，butthemealofwhichIamspeakingwasnotexactlytea。Letuscallitatea-ishmeal。Therewastea，certainly，forAnthea’sfireblazedandcrackledsokindlythatitreallyseemedtobeaffectionatelyinvitingthekettletocomeandsituponitslap。
　　Sothekettlewasbroughtandteamade。Butnomilkcouldbefound——soeveryonehadsixlumpsofsugartoeachcupinstead。
　　Thethingstoeat，ontheotherhand，werenicerthanusual。Theboyslookedaboutverycarefully，andfoundinthepantrysomecoldtongue，bread，butter，cheese，andpartofacoldpudding——verymuchnicerthancookevermadewhentheywereathome。AndinthekitchencupboardwashalfaChristmassycake，apotofstrawberryjam，andaboutapoundofmixedcandiedfruit，withsoftcrumblyslabsofdelicioussugarineachcupoflemon，orange，orcitron。
　　Itwasindeed，asJanesaid，’abanquetfitforanArabianKnight。’
　　ThePhoenixperchedonRobert’schair，andlistenedkindlyandpolitelytoalltheyhadtotellitabouttheirvisittoLyndhurst，andunderneaththetable，byjuststretchingatoedownratherfar，thefaithfulcarpetcouldbefeltbyall——evenbyJane，whoselegswereveryshort。
　　’Yourslaveswillnotreturnto-night，’saidthePhoenix。’Theysleepundertheroofofthecook’sstepmother’saunt，whois，I
　　gather，hostesstoalargepartyto-nightinhonourofherhusband’scousin’ssister-in-law’smother’sninetiethbirthday。’
　　’Idon’tthinktheyoughttohavegonewithoutleave，’saidAnthea，’howevermanyrelationstheyhave，orhoweveroldtheyare；butI
　　supposeweoughttowashup。’
　　’It’snotourbusinessabouttheleave，’saidCyril，firmly，’butIsimplywon’twashupforthem。Wegotit，andwe’llclearitaway；andthenwe’llgosomewhereonthecarpet。It’snotoftenwegetachanceofbeingoutallnight。Wecangorightawaytotheothersideoftheequator，tothetropicalclimes，andseethesunriseoverthegreatPacificOcean。’
　　’Rightyouare，’saidRobert。’IalwaysdidwanttoseetheSouthernCrossandthestarsasbigasgas-lamps。’
　　’DON’Tgo，’saidAnthea，veryearnestly，’becauseICOULDN’T。I’mSUREmotherwouldn’tlikeustoleavethehouseandIshouldhatetobeleftherealone。’
　　’I’dstaywithyou，’saidJaneloyally。
　　’Iknowyouwould，’saidAntheagratefully，’butevenwithyouI’dmuchrathernot。’
　　’Well，’saidCyril，tryingtobekindandamiable，’Idon’twantyoutodoanythingyouthink’swrong，BUT——’
　　Hewassilent；thissilencesaidmanythings。
　　’Idon’tsee，’Robertwasbeginning，whenAntheainterrupted——
　　’I’mquitesure。Sometimesyoujustthinkathing’swrong，andsometimesyouKNOW。AndthisisaKNOWtime。’
　　ThePhoenixturnedkindgoldeneyesonherandopenedafriendlybeaktosay——
　　’Whenitis，asyousay，a"knowtime"，thereisnomoretobesaid。Andyournoblebrotherswouldneverleaveyou。’
　　’Ofcoursenot，’saidCyrilratherquickly。AndRobertsaidsotoo。
　　’Imyself，’thePhoenixwenton，’amwillingtohelpinanywaypossible。Iwillgopersonally——eitherbycarpetoronthewing——andfetchyouanythingyoucanthinkoftoamuseyouduringtheevening。InordertowastenotimeIcouldgowhileyouwashup。——Why，’itwentoninamusingvoice，’doesonewashupteacupsandwashdownthestairs？’
　　’Youcouldn’twashstairsup，youknow，’saidAnthea，’unlessyoubeganatthebottomandwentupfeetfirstasyouwashed。Iwishcookwouldtrythatwayforachange。’
　　’Idon’t，’saidCyril，briefly。’Ishouldhatethelookofherelastic-sidebootsstickingup。’
　　’Thisismeretrifling，’saidthePhoenix。’Come，decidewhatI
　　shallfetchforyou。Icangetyouanythingyoulike。’
　　Butofcoursetheycouldn’tdecide。Manythingsweresuggested——arocking-horse，jewelledchessmen，anelephant，abicycle，amotor-car，bookswithpictures，musicalinstruments，andmanyotherthings。Butamusicalinstrumentisagreeableonlytotheplayer，unlesshehaslearnedtoplayitreallywell；booksarenotsociable，bicyclescannotberiddenwithoutgoingoutofdoors，andthesameistrueofmotor-carsandelephants。Onlytwopeoplecanplaychessatoncewithonesetofchessmen（andanywayit’sverymuchtoomuchlikelessonsforagame），andonlyonecanrideonarocking-horse。Suddenly，inthemidstofthediscussion，thePhoenixspreaditswingsandflutteredtothefloor，andfromthereitspoke。
　　’Igather，’itsaid，’fromthecarpet，thatitwantsyoutoletitgotoitsoldhome，whereitwasbornandbroughtup，anditwillreturnwithinthehourladenwithanumberofthemostbeautifulanddelightfulproductsofitsnativeland。’
　　’WhatISitsnativeland？’
　　’Ididn’tgather。Butsinceyoucan’tagree，andtimeispassing，andthetea-thingsarenotwasheddown——Imeanwashedup——’
　　’Ivoteswedo，’saidRobert。’It’llstopallthisjaw，anyway。
　　Andit’snotbadtohavesurprises。Perhapsit’saTurkeycarpet，anditmightbringusTurkishdelight。’
　　’OraTurkishpatrol，’saidRobert。
　　’OraTurkishbath，’saidAnthea。
　　’OraTurkishtowel，’saidJane。
　　’Nonsense，’Roberturged，’itsaidbeautifulanddelightful，andtowelsandbathsaren’tTHAT，howevergoodtheymaybeforyou。
　　Letitgo。Isupposeitwon’tgiveustheslip，’headded，pushingbackhischairandstandingup。