’Hecannotdoanymoremagic，’saidAntheasuddenly，andalleyeswereturnedonher，’becauseofthevoiceofthefreepeoplewhoareshoutingforbreadandonionsandbeerandalongmid—dayrest。Ifthepeoplehadwhattheywanted，hecoulddomore。’
’Arude—spokengirl，’saidPharaoh。’Butgivethedogswhattheywant，’hesaid，withoutturninghishead。’Letthemhavetheirrestandtheirextrarations。Thereareplentyofslavestowork。’
Arichly—dressedofficialhurriedout。
’Youwillbetheidolofthepeople，’Rekh—marawhisperedjoyously；’theTempleofAmenwillnotcontaintheirofferings。’
Cyrilstruckanothermatch，andallthecourtwasoverwhelmedwithdelightandwonder。AndwhenCyriltookthecandlefromhispocketandlighteditwiththematch，andthenheldtheburningcandleupbeforetheKingtheenthusiasmknewnobounds。
’Oh，greatestofall，beforewhomsunandmoonandstarsbowdown，’saidRekh—marainsinuatingly，’amIpardoned？Ismyinnocencemadeplain？’
’Asplainasiteverwillbe，Idaresay，’saidPharaohshortly。
’Getalongwithyou。Youarepardoned。Goinpeace。’Thepriestwentwithlightningswiftness。
’Andwhat，’saidtheKingsuddenly，’isitthatmovesinthatsack？
Showme，ohstrangers。’
TherewasnothingforitbuttoshowthePsammead。
’Seizeit，’saidPharaohcarelessly。’Averycuriousmonkey。Itwillbeanicelittlenoveltyformywildbeastcollection。’
Andinstantly，theentreatiesofthechildrenavailingaslittleasthebitesofthePsammead，thoughbothbitesandentreatieswerefervent，itwascarriedawayfrombeforetheireyes。
’Oh，DObecareful！’criedAnthea。’Atleastkeepitdry！Keepitinitssacredhouse！’
Shehelduptheembroideredbag。
’It’samagiccreature，’criedRobert；’it’ssimplypriceless！’
’You’venorighttotakeitaway，’criedJaneincautiously。
’It’sashame，abarefacedrobbery，that’swhatitis！’
Therewasanawfulsilence。ThenPharaohspoke。
’Takethesacredhouseofthebeastfromthem，’hesaid，’andimprisonall。Tonightaftersupperitmaybeourpleasuretoseemoremagic。Guardthemwell，anddonottorturethem——yet！’
’Oh，dear！’sobbedJane，astheywereledaway。’Iknewexactlywhatitwouldbe！Oh，Iwishyouhadn’t！’
’Shutup，silly，’saidCyril。’YouknowyouWOULDcometoEgypt。
Itwasyourownideaentirely。Shutup。It’llbeallright。’
’Ithoughtweshouldplayballwithqueens，’sobbedJane，’andhavenoendoflarks！Andnoweverything’sgoingtobeperfectlyhorrid！’
TheroomtheywereshutupinWASaroom，andnotadungeon，astheelderoneshadfeared。That，asAntheasaid，wasonecomfort。Therewerepaintingsonthewallthatatanyothertimewouldhavebeenmostinteresting。Andasortoflowcouch，andchairs。WhentheywerealoneJanebreathedasighofrelief。
’Nowwecangethomeallright，’shesaid。
’AndleavethePsammead？’saidAntheareproachfully。
’Waitasec。I’vegotanidea，’saidCyril。Heponderedforafewmoments。Thenhebeganhammeringontheheavycedardoor。
Itopened，andaguardputinhishead。
’Stopthatrow，’hesaidsternly，’or——’
’Lookhere，’Cyrilinterrupted，’it’sverydullforyouisn’tit？justdoingnothingbutguardus。Wouldn’tyouliketoseesomemagic？We’renottooproudtodoitforyou。Wouldn’tyouliketoseeit？’
’Idon’tmindifIdo，’saidtheguard。
’Wellthen，yougetusthatmonkeyofoursthatwastakenaway，andwe’llshowyou。’
’HowdoIknowyou’renotmakinggameofme？’askedthesoldier。
’Shouldn’twonderifyouonlywantedtogetthecreaturesoastosetitonme。Idaresayitsteethandclawsarepoisonous。’
’Well，lookhere，’saidRobert。’Youseewe’vegotnothingwithus？Youjustshutthedoor，andopenitagaininfiveminutes，andwe’llhavegotamagic——oh，Idon’tknow——amagicflowerinapotforyou。’
’Ifyoucandothatyoucandoanything，’saidthesoldier，andhewentoutandbarredthedoor。
Then，ofcourse，theyhelduptheAmulet。TheyfoundtheEastbyholdingitup，andturningslowlytilltheAmuletbegantogrowbig，walkedhomethroughit，andcamebackwithageraniuminfullscarletflowerfromthestaircasewindowoftheFitzroyStreethouse。
’Well！’saidthesoldierwhenhecamein。’Ireallyam——！’
’Wecandomuchmorewonderfulthingsthanthat——oh，eversomuch，’saidAntheapersuasively，’ifweonlyhaveourmonkey。
Andhere’stwopenceforyourself。’
Thesoldierlookedatthetwopence。
’What’sthis？’hesaid。
Robertexplainedhowmuchsimpleritwastopaymoneyforthingsthantoexchangethemasthepeopleweredoinginthemarket。
Lateronthesoldiergavethecoinstohiscaptain，who，laterstill，showedthemtoPharaoh，whoofcoursekeptthemandwasmuchstruckwiththeidea。ThatwasreallyhowcoinsfirstcametobeusedinEgypt。Youwillnotbelievethis，Idaresay，butreally，ifyoubelievetherestofthestory，Idon’tseewhyyoushouldn’tbelievethisaswell。
’Isay，’saidAnthea，struckbyasuddenthought，’Isupposeit’llbeallrightaboutthoseworkmen？TheKingwon’tgobackonwhathesaidaboutthemjustbecausehe’sangrywithus？’
’Oh，no，’saidthesoldier，’yousee，he’sratherafraidofmagic。He’llkeeptohiswordrightenough。’
’ThenTHAT’Sallright，’saidRobert；andAntheasaidsoftlyandcoaxingly——
’Ah，DOgetusthemonkey，andthenyou’llseesomelovelymagic。
Do——there’sanice，kindsoldier。’
’Idon’tknowwherethey’veputyourpreciousmonkey，butifI
cangetanotherchaptotakeonmydutyhereI’llseewhatIcando，’hesaidgrudgingly，andwentout。
’Doyoumean，’saidRobert，’thatwe’regoingoffwithoutevenTRYINGfortheotherhalfoftheAmulet？’
’Ireallythinkwe’dbetter，’saidAntheatremulously。’OfcoursetheotherhalfoftheAmulet’sheresomewhereorourhalfwouldn’thavebroughtushere。Idowishwecouldfindit。Itisapitywedon’tknowanyREALmagic。Thenwecouldfindout。
Idowonderwhereitis——exactly。’
Iftheyhadonlyknownit，somethingveryliketheotherhalfoftheAmuletwasverynearthem。Ithungroundtheneckofsomeone，andthatsomeonewaswatchingthemthroughachink，highupinthewall，speciallydevisedforwatchingpeoplewhowereimprisoned。Buttheydidnotknow。
Therewasnearlyanhourofanxiouswaiting。Theytriedtotakeaninterestinthepictureonthewall，apictureofharpersplayingveryoddharpsandwomendancingatafeast。Theyexaminedthepaintedplasterfloor，andthechairswereofwhitepaintedwoodwithcolouredstripesatintervals。
Butthetimewentslowly，andeveryonehadtimetothinkofhowPharaohhadsaid，’Don’ttorturethem——YET。’
’Iftheworstcomestotheworst，’saidCyril，’wemustjustbunk，andleavethePsammead。Ibelieveitcantakecareofitselfwellenough。Theywon’tkillitorhurtitwhentheyfinditcanspeakandgivewishes。They’llbuilditatemple，I
shouldn’twonder。’
’Icouldn’tbeartogowithoutit，’saidAnthea，’andPharaohsaid"Aftersupper"，thatwon’tbejustyet。AndthesoldierWAS
curious。I’msurewe’reallrightforthepresent。’
Allthesame，thesoundsofthedoorbeingunbarredseemedoneoftheprettiestsoundspossible。
’Supposehehasn’tgotthePsammead？’whisperedJane。
ButthatdoubtwassetatrestbythePsammeaditself；foralmostbeforethedoorwasopenitsprangthroughthechinkofitintoAnthea’sarms，shiveringandhunchingupitsfur。
’Here’sitsfancyovercoat，’saidthesoldier，holdingoutthebag，intowhichthePsammeadimmediatelycrept。
’Now，’saidCyril，’whatwouldyoulikeustodo？Anythingyou’dlikeustogetforyou？’
’Anylittletrickyoulike，’saidthesoldier。’Ifyoucangetastrangeflowerbloominginanearthenwarevaseyoucangetanything，Isuppose，’hesaid。’IjustwishI’dgottwomen’sloadsofjewelsfromtheKing’streasury。That’swhatI’vealwayswishedfor。’
Attheword’WISH’thechildrenknewthatthePsammeadwouldattendtoTHATbitofmagic。Itdid，andthefloorwaslitteredwithaspreadingheapofgoldandpreciousstones。
’Anyotherlittletrick？’askedCyrilloftily。’Shallwebecomeinvisible？Vanish？’
’Yes，ifyoulike，’saidthesoldier；’butnotthroughthedoor，youdon’t。’
HecloseditcarefullyandsethisbroadEgyptianbackagainstit。
’No！no！’criedavoicehighupamongthetopsofthetallwoodenpillarsthatstoodagainstthewall。Therewasasoundofsomeonemovingabove。
Thesoldierwasasmuchsurprisedasanybody。
’That’smagic，ifyoulike，’hesaid。
AndthenJanehelduptheAmulet，utteringthewordofPower。AtthesoundofitandatthesightoftheAmuletgrowingintothegreatarchthesoldierfellflatonhisfaceamongthejewelswithacryofaweandterror。
Thechildrenwentthroughthearchwithaquicknessbornoflongpractice。ButJanestayedinthemiddleofthearchandlookedback。
Theothers，standingonthedining—roomcarpetinFitzroyStreet，turnedandsawherstillinthearch。’Someone’sholdingher，’
criedCyril。’Wemustgoback。’
ButtheypulledatJane’shandsjusttoseeifshewouldcome，and，ofcourse，shedidcome。
Then，asusual，thearchwaslittleagainandtheretheyallwere。
’Oh，Idowishyouhadn’t！’Janesaidcrossly。"ItWASsointeresting。Thepriesthadcomeinandhewaskickingthesoldier，andtellinghimhe’ddoneitnow，andtheymusttakethejewelsandfleefortheirlives。’
’Anddidthey？’
’Idon’tknow。Youinterfered，’saidJaneungratefully。’I
SHOULDhavelikedtoseethelastofit。’
Asamatteroffact，noneofthemhadseenthelastofit——ifby’it’JanemeanttheadventureofthePriestandtheSoldier。
CHAPTER12
THESORRY—PRESENTANDTHEEXPELLEDLITTLEBOY
’Lookhere，saidCyril，sittingonthedining—tableandswinginghislegs；’Ireallyhavegotit。’
’Gotwhat？’wasthenotunnaturalrejoinderoftheothers。
Cyrilwasmakingaboatwithapenknifeandapieceofwood，andthegirlsweremakingwarmfrocksfortheirdolls，fortheweatherwasgrowingchilly。
’Why，don’tyousee？It’sreallynotanygoodourgoingintothePastlookingforthatAmulet。ThePast’sasfullofdifferenttimesas——astheseaisofsand。We’resimplyboundtohituponthewrongtime。WemightspendourliveslookingfortheAmuletandneverseeasightofit。Why，it’stheendofSeptemberalready。It’slikelookingforaneedlein——’
’Abottleofhay——Iknow，’interruptedRobert；’butifwedon’tgoondoingthat，whatAREwetodo？’
’That’sjustit，’saidCyrilinmysteriousaccents。’Oh，BOTHER！’
OldNursehadcomeinwiththetrayofknives，forks，andglasses，andwasgettingthetableclothandtable—napkinsoutofthechiffonierdrawer。
’It’salwaysmeal—timesjustwhenyoucometoanythinginteresting。’
’AndaniceinterestinghandfulYOU’Dbe，MasterCyril，’saidoldNurse，’ifIwasn’ttobringyourmealsuptotime。Don’tyoubegingrumblingnow，fearyougetsomethingtogrumbleAT。’
’Iwasn’tgrumbling，’saidCyrilquiteuntruly；’butitdoesalwayshappenlikethat。’
’YoudeservetoHAVEsomethinghappen，’saidoldNurse。’Slave，slave，slaveforyoudayandnight，andneverawordofthanks……’
’Why，youdoeverythingbeautifully，’saidAnthea。
’It’sthefirsttimeanyofyou’stroubledtosayso，anyhow，’
saidNurseshortly。
’What’stheuseofSAYING？’inquiredRobert。’WeEATourmealsfastenough，andalmostalwaystwohelps。THAToughttoshowyou！’
’Ah！’saidoldNurse，goingroundthetableandputtingtheknivesandforksintheirplaces；’you’reamanallover，MasterRobert。TherewasmypoorGreen，alltheyearshelivedwithmeInevercouldgetmoreoutofhimthan"It’sallright！"whenI
askedhimifhe’dfanciedhisdinner。Andyet，whenhelaya—dying，hislastwordstomewas，"Maria，youwasalwaysagoodcook！"’Sheendedwithatremblingvoice。
’Andsoyouare，’criedAnthea，andsheandJaneinstantlyhuggedher。
WhenshehadgoneoutoftheroomAntheasaid——
’Iknowexactlyhowshefeels。Now，lookhere！Let’sdoapenancetoshowwe’resorrywedidn’tthinkabouttellingherbeforewhatnicecookingshedoes，andwhatadearsheis。’
’Penancesaresilly，’saidRobert。
’Notifthepenanceissomethingtopleasesomeoneelse。I
didn’tmeanoldpeasandhairshirtsandsleepingonthestones。
Imeanwe’llmakeherasorry—present，’explainedAnthea。’Lookhere！IvoteCyrildoesn’ttellushisideauntilwe’vedonesomethingforoldNurse。It’sworseforusthanhim，’sheaddedhastily，’becauseheknowswhatitisandwedon’t。Doyouallagree？’
Theotherswouldhavebeenashamednottoagree，sotheydid。Itwasnottillquiteneartheendofdinner——muttonfrittersandblackberryandapplepie——thatoutoftheearnesttalkofthefourcameanideathatpleasedeverybodyandwould，theyhoped，pleaseNurse。
CyrilandRobertwentoutwiththetasteofapplestillintheirmouthsandthepurpleofblackberriesontheirlips——and，inthecaseofRobert，onthewristbandaswell——andboughtabigsheetofcardboardatthestationers。Thenattheplumber’sshop，thathastubesandpipesandtapsandgas—fittingsinthewindow，theyboughtapaneofglassthesamesizeasthecardboard。Themancutitwithaveryinterestingtoolthathadabitofdiamondattheend，andhegavethem，outofhisownfreegenerousness，alargepieceofputtyandasmallpieceofglue。
Whiletheywereoutthegirlshadfloatedfourphotographsofthefourchildrenofftheircardsinhotwater。Thesewerenowstuckinarowalongthetopofthecardboard。Cyrilputthegluetomeltinajampot，andputthejampotinasaucepanandsaucepanonthefire，whileRobertpaintedawreathofpoppiesroundthephotographs。Hepaintedratherwellandveryquickly，andpoppiesareeasytodoifyou’veoncebeenshownhow。ThenAntheadrewsomeprintedlettersandJanecolouredthem。Thewordswere：
’WithallourlovestoshewWelikethethigstoeat。’
Andwhenthepaintingwasdrytheyallsignedtheirnamesatthebottomandputtheglasson，andgluedbrownpaperroundtheedgeandovertheback，andputtwoloopsoftapetohangitupby。
Ofcourseeveryonesawwhentoolatethattherewerenotenoughlettersin’things’，sothemissing’n’wasputin。Itwasimpossible，ofcourse，todothewholethingoveragainforjustoneletter。
’There！’saidAnthea，placingitcarefully，faceup，underthesofa。’It’llbehoursbeforetheglue’sdry。Now，Squirrel，fireahead！’
’Well，then，’saidCyrilinagreathurry，rubbingathisglueyhandswithhispockethandkerchief。’WhatImeantosayisthis。’
Therewasalongpause。
’Well，’saidRobertatlast，’WHATisitthatyoumeantosay？’
’It’slikethis，’saidCyril，andagainstoppedshort。
’LikeWHAT？’askedJane。
’HowcanItellyouifyouwillallkeeponinterrupting？’saidCyrilsharply。
Sonoonesaidanymore，andwithwrinkledfrownshearrangedhisideas。
’Lookhere，’hesaid，’whatIreallymeanis——wecanremembernowwhatwedidwhenwewenttolookfortheAmulet。Andifwe’dfounditweshouldrememberthattoo。’
’Rather！’saidRobert。’Only，youseewehaven’t。’
’Butinthefutureweshallhave。’
’Shallwe，though？’saidJane。
’Yes——unlesswe’vebeenmadefoolsofbythePsammead。Sothen，wherewewanttogotoiswhereweshallrememberaboutwherewedidfindit。’
’Isee，’saidRobert，buthedidn’t。
’_I_don’t，’saidAnthea，whodid，verynearly。’Sayitagain，Squirrel，andveryslowly。’
’If，’saidCyril，veryslowlyindeed，’wegointothefuture——afterwe’vefoundtheAmulet——’
’Butwe’vegottofinditfirst，’saidJane。
’Hush！’saidAnthea。
’Therewillbeafuture，’saidCyril，driventogreaterclearnessbytheblankfacesoftheotherthree，’therewillbeatimeAFTERwe’vefoundit。Let’sgointoTHATtime——andthenweshallrememberHOWwefoundit。Andthenwecangobackanddothefindingreally。’
’Isee，’saidRobert，andthistimehedid，andIhopeYOUdo。
’Yes，’saidAnthea。’Oh，Squirrel，howcleverofyou！’
’ButwilltheAmuletworkbothways？’inquiredRobert。
’Itoughtto，’saidCyril，’iftime’sonlyathingummyofwhatsitsname。Anywaywemighttry。’
’Let’sputonourbestthings，then，’urgedJane。’Youknowwhatpeoplesayaboutprogressandtheworldgrowingbetterandbrighter。Iexpectpeoplewillbeawfullysmartinthefuture。’
’Allright，’saidAnthea，’weshouldhavetowashanyway，I’mallthickwithglue。’
Wheneveryonewascleananddressed，thecharmwasheldup。
’WewanttogointothefutureandseetheAmuletafterwe’vefoundit，’saidCyril，andJanesaidthewordofPower。TheywalkedthroughthebigarchofthecharmstraightintotheBritishMuseum。
Theyknewitatonce，andthere，rightinfrontofthem，underaglasscase，wastheAmulet——theirownhalfofit，aswellastheotherhalftheyhadneverbeenabletofind——andthetwowerejoinedbyapinofredstonethatformedahinge。
’Oh，glorious！’criedRobert。’Hereitis！’
’Yes，’saidCyril，verygloomily，’hereitis。Butwecan’tgetitout。’
’No，’saidRobert，rememberinghowimpossibletheQueenofBabylonhadfoundittogetanythingoutoftheglasscasesintheMuseum——exceptbyPsammeadmagic，andthenshehadn’tbeenabletotakeanythingawaywithher；’no——butwerememberwherewegotit，andwecan——’
’Oh，DOwe？’interruptedCyrilbitterly，’doYOUrememberwherewegotit？’
’No，’saidRobert，’Idon’texactly，nowIcometothinkofit。’
Nordidanyoftheothers！
’ButWHYcan’twe？’saidJane。
’Oh，_I_don’tknow，’Cyril’stonewasimpatient，’somesillyoldenchantedruleIsuppose。Iwishpeoplewouldteachyoumagicatschoolliketheydosums——orinsteadof。ItwouldbesomeusehavinganAmuletthen。’
’Iwonderhowfarweareinthefuture，’saidAnthea；theMuseumlooksjustthesame，onlylighterandbrighter，somehow。’
’Let’sgobackandtrythePastagain，’saidRobert。
’PerhapstheMuseumpeoplecouldtellushowwegotit，’saidAntheawithsuddenhope。Therewasnooneintheroom，butinthenextgallery，wheretheAssyrianthingsareandstillwere，theyfoundakind，stoutmaninaloose，bluegown，andstockingedlegs。
’Oh，they’vegotanewuniform，howpretty！’saidJane。
Whentheyaskedhimtheirquestionheshowedthemalabelonthecase。Itsaid，’Fromthecollectionof——。’Anamefollowed，anditwasthenameofthelearnedgentlemanwho，amongthemselves，andtohisfacewhenhehadbeenwiththemattheothersideoftheAmulet，theyhadcalledJimmy。
’THAT’Snotmuchgood，’saidCyril，’thankyou。’
’Howisityou’renotatschool？’askedthekindmaninblue。
’NotexpelledforlongIhope？’
’We’renotexpelledatall，’saidCyrilratherwarmly。
’Well，Ishouldn’tdoitagain，ifIwereyou，’saidtheman，andtheycouldseehedidnotbelievethem。Thereisnocompanysolittlepleasingasthatofpeoplewhodonotbelieveyou。
’Thankyouforshowingusthelabel，’saidCyril。Andtheycameaway。
AstheycamethroughthedoorsoftheMuseumtheyblinkedatthesuddengloryofsunlightandbluesky。ThehousesoppositetheMuseumweregone。Insteadtherewasabiggarden，withtreesandflowersandsmoothgreenlawns，andnotasinglenoticetotellyounottowalkonthegrassandnottodestroythetreesandshrubsandnottopicktheflowers。Therewerecomfortableseatsallabout，andarbourscoveredwithroses，andlong，trellisedwalks，alsorose—covered。Whispering，splashingfountainsfellintofullwhitemarblebasins，whitestatuesgleamedamongtheleaves，andthepigeonsthatsweptaboutamongthebranchesorpeckedonthesmooth，softgravelwerenotblackandtumbledliketheMuseumpigeonsarenow，butbrightandcleanandsleekasbirdsofnewsilver。Agoodmanypeopleweresittingontheseats，andonthegrassbabieswererollingandkickingandplaying——withverylittleonindeed。Men，aswellaswomen，seemedtobeinchargeofthebabiesandwereplayingwiththem。
’It’slikealovelypicture，’saidAnthea，anditwas。Forthepeople’sclotheswereofbright，softcoloursandallbeautifullyandverysimplymade。Nooneseemedtohaveanyhatsorbonnets，buttherewereagreatmanyJapanese—lookingsunshades。Andamongthetreeswerehunglampsofcolouredglass。
’Iexpecttheylightthoseintheevening，’saidJane。’Idowishwelivedinthefuture！’
Theywalkeddownthepath，andastheywentthepeopleonthebencheslookedatthefourchildrenverycuriously，butnotrudelyorunkindly。Thechildren，intheirturn，looked——Ihopetheydidnotstare——atthefacesofthesepeopleinthebeautifulsoftclothes。Thosefaceswereworthlookingat。Notthattheywereallhandsome，thougheveninthematterofhandsomenesstheyhadtheadvantageofanysetofpeoplethechildrenhadeverseen。Butitwastheexpressionoftheirfacesthatmadethemworthlookingat。Thechildrencouldnottellatfirstwhatitwas。
’Iknow，’saidAntheasuddenly。’They’renotworried；that’swhatitis。’
Anditwas。Everybodylookedcalm，nooneseemedtobeinahurry，nooneseemedtobeanxious，orfretted，andthoughsomedidseemtobesad，notasingleonelookedworried。
Butthoughthepeoplelookedkindeveryonelookedsointerestedinthechildrenthattheybegantofeelalittleshyandturnedoutofthebigmainpathintoanarrowlittleonethatwoundamongtreesandshrubsandmossy，drippingsprings。
Itwashere，inadeep，shadowedcleftbetweentallcypresses，thattheyfoundtheexpelledlittleboy。Hewaslyingfacedownwardonthemossyturf，andthepeculiarshakingofhisshoulderswasathingtheyhadseen，morethanonce，ineachother。SoAntheakneeleddownbyhimandsaid——
’What’sthematter？’
’I’mexpelledfromschool，’saidtheboybetweenhissobs。
Thiswasserious。Peoplearenotexpelledforlightoffences。
’Doyoumindtellinguswhatyou’ddone？’
’I——Itoreupasheetofpaperandthrewitaboutintheplayground，’saidthechild，inthetoneofoneconfessinganunutterablebaseness。’Youwon’ttalktomeanymorenowyouknowthat，’headdedwithoutlookingup。
’Wasthatall？’askedAnthea。
’It’saboutenough，’saidthechild；’andI’mexpelledforthewholeday！’
’Idon’tquiteunderstand，’saidAnthea，gently。Theboyliftedhisface，rolledover，andsatup。
’Why，whoeveronearthareyou？’hesaid。
’We’restrangersfromafarcountry，’saidAnthea。’Inourcountryit’snotacrimetoleaveabitofpaperabout。’
’Itishere，’saidthechild。’Ifgrown—upsdoitthey’refined。
Whenwedoitwe’reexpelledforthewholeday。’
’Well，but，’saidRobert，’thatjustmeansaday’sholiday。’
’YouMUSTcomefromalongwayoff，’saidthelittleboy。’A
holiday’swhenyouallhaveplayandtreatsandjolliness，allofyoutogether。Onyourexpelleddaysnoone’llspeaktoyou。
Everyoneseesyou’reanExpellederoryou’dbeinschool。’
’Supposeyouwereill？’
’Nobodyis——hardly。Iftheyare，ofcoursetheywearthebadge，andeveryoneiskindtoyou。Iknowaboythatstolehissister’sillnessbadgeandworeitwhenhewasexpelledforaday。HEgotexpelledforaweekforthat。Itmustbeawfulnottogotoschoolforaweek。’
’DoyouLIKEschool，then？’askedRobertincredulously。
’OfcourseIdo。It’stheloveliestplacethereis。Ichoserailwaysformyspecialsubjectthisyear，therearesuchsplendidmodelsandthings，andnowIshallbeallbehindbecauseofthattorn—uppaper。’
’Youchooseyourownsubject？’askedCyril。
’Yes，ofcourse。WhereDIDyoucomefrom？Don’tyouknowANYTHING？’
’No，’saidJanedefinitely；’soyou’dbettertellus。’
’Well，onMidsummerDayschoolbreaksupandeverything’sdecoratedwithflowers，andyouchooseyourspecialsubjectfornextyear。Ofcourseyouhavetosticktoitforayearatleast。Thenthereareallyourothersubjects，ofcourse，reading，andpainting，andtherulesofCitizenship。’
’Goodgracious！’saidAnthea。
’Lookhere，’saidthechild，jumpingup，’it’snearlyfour。Theexpellednessonlylaststillthen。Comehomewithme。Motherwilltellyouallabouteverything。’
’Willyourmotherlikeyoutakinghomestrangechildren？’askedAnthea。
’Idon’tunderstand，’saidthechild，settlinghisleatherbeltoverhishoney—colouredsmockandsteppingoutwithhardlittlebarefeet。’Comeon。’
Sotheywent。
Thestreetswerewideandhardandveryclean。Therewerenohorses，butasortofmotorcarriagethatmadenonoise。TheThamesflowedbetweengreenbanks，andthereweretreesattheedge，andpeoplesatunderthem，fishing，forthestreamwasclearascrystal。Everywherethereweregreentreesandtherewasnosmoke。Thehousesweresetinwhatseemedlikeonegreengarden。
Thelittleboybroughtthemtoahouse，andatthewindowwasagood，brightmother—face。Thelittleboyrushedin，andthroughthewindowtheycouldseehimhugginghismother，thenhiseagerlipsmovingandhisquickhandspointing。
Aladyinsoftgreenclothescameout，spokekindlytothem，andtookthemintotheoddesthousetheyhadeverseen。Itwasverybare，therewerenoornaments，andyeteverysinglethingwasbeautiful，fromthedresserwithitsrowsofbrightchina，tothethicksquaresofEastern—lookingcarpetonthefloors。Ican’tdescribethathouse；Ihaven’tthetime。AndIhaven’thearteither，whenIthinkhowdifferentitwasfromourhouses。Theladytookthemalloverit。Theoddestthingofallwasthebigroominthemiddle。Ithadpaddedwallsandasoft，thickcarpet，andallthechairsandtableswerepadded。Therewasn’tasinglethinginitthatanyonecouldhurtitselfwith。
’Whatever’sthisfor？——lunatics？’askedCyril。
Theladylookedveryshocked。
’No！It’sforthechildren，ofcourse，’shesaid。’Don’ttellmethatinyourcountrytherearenochildren’srooms。’
’Therearenurseries，’saidAntheadoubtfully，’butthefurniture’sallcorneryandhard，likeotherrooms。’
’Howshocking！’saidthelady；’youmustbeVERYmuchbehindthetimesinyourcountry！Why，thechildrenaremorethanhalfofthepeople；it’snotmuchtohaveoneroomwheretheycanhaveagoodtimeandnothurtthemselves。’
’Butthere’snofireplace，’saidAnthea。
’Hot—airpipes，ofcourse，’saidthelady。’Why，howcouldyouhaveafireinanursery？Achildmightgetburned。’
’Inourcountry，’saidRobertsuddenly，’morethan3，000childrenareburnedtodeatheveryyear。Fathertoldme，’headded，asifapologizingforthispieceofinformation，’oncewhenI’dbeenplayingwithfire。’
Theladyturnedquitepale。
’Whatafrightfulplaceyoumustlivein！’shesaid。’What’sallthefurniturepaddedfor？’Antheaasked，hastilyturningthesubject。
’Why，youcouldn’thavelittletotsoftwoorthreerunningaboutinroomswherethethingswerehardandsharp！Theymighthurtthemselves。’
Robertfingeredthescaronhisforeheadwherehehadhititagainstthenurseryfenderwhenhewaslittle。
’Butdoeseveryonehaveroomslikethis，poorpeopleandall？’
askedAnthea。
’There’saroomlikethiswhereverthere’sachild，ofcourse，’
saidthelady。’Howrefreshinglyignorantyouare！——no，Idon’tmeanignorant，mydear。Ofcourse，you’reawfullywellupinancientHistory。ButIseeyouhaven’tdoneyourDutiesofCitizenshipCourseyet。’
’Butbeggars，andpeoplelikethat？’persistedAnthea’andtrampsandpeoplewhohaven’tanyhomes？’
’Peoplewhohaven’tanyhomes？’repeatedthelady。’IreallyDON’Tunderstandwhatyou’retalkingabout。’
’It’salldifferentinourcountry，’saidCyrilcarefully；andI
havereaditusedtobedifferentinLondon。Usedn’tpeopletohavenohomesandbegbecausetheywerehungry？Andwasn’tLondonveryblackanddirtyonceuponatime？AndtheThamesallmuddyandfilthy？Andnarrowstreets，and——’
’Youmusthavebeenreadingveryold—fashionedbooks，’saidthelady。’Why，allthatwasinthedarkages！MyhusbandcantellyoumoreaboutitthanIcan。HetookAncientHistoryasoneofhisspecialsubjects。’
’Ihaven’tseenanyworkingpeople，’saidAnthea。
’Why，we’reallworkingpeople，’saidthelady；’atleastmyhusband’sacarpenter。’
’Goodgracious！’saidAnthea；’butyou’realady！’
’Ah，’saidthelady，’thatquaintoldword！Well，myhusbandWILLenjoyatalkwithyou。Inthedarkageseveryonewasallowedtohaveasmokychimney，andthosenastyhorsesalloverthestreets，andallsortsofrubbishthrownintotheThames。
And，ofcourse，thesufferingsofthepeoplewillhardlybearthinkingof。It’sverylearnedofyoutoknowitall。DidyoumakeAncientHistoryyourspecialsubject？’
’Notexactly，’saidCyril，ratheruneasily。’WhatistheDutiesofCitizenshipCourseabout？’
’Don’tyouREALLYknow？Aren’tyoupretending——justforfun？
Reallynot？Well，thatcourseteachesyouhowtobeagoodcitizen，whatyoumustdoandwhatyoumayn’tdo，soastodoyourfullshareoftheworkofmakingyourtownabeautifulandhappyplaceforpeopletolivein。There’saquitesimplelittlethingtheyteachthetinychildren。Howdoesitgo……？
’ImustnotstealandImustlearn，NothingisminethatIdonotearn。
ImusttryinworkandplayTomakethingsbeautifuleveryday。
Imustbekindtoeveryone，Andneverletcruelthingsbedone。
Imustbebrave，andImusttryWhenIamhurtnevertocry，AndalwayslaughasmuchasIcan，AndbegladthatI’mgoingtobeamanToworkformylivingandhelptherestAndneverdolessthanmyverybest。’
’That’sveryeasy，’saidJane。’_I_couldrememberthat。’
’That’sonlytheverybeginning，ofcourse，’saidthelady；
’thereareheapsmorerhymes。There’stheonebeginning——
’ImustnotlitterthebeautifulstreetWithbitsofpaperorthingstoeat；
Imustnotpickthepublicflowers，TheyarenotMINE，buttheyareOURS。’
’And"thingstoeat"remindsme——areyouhungry？Wells，runandgetatrayofnicethings。’
’Whydoyoucallhim"Wells"？’askedRobert，astheboyranoff。
’It’safterthegreatreformer——surelyyou’veheardofHIM？Helivedinthedarkages，andhesawthatwhatyououghttodoistofindoutwhatyouwantandthentrytogetit。Uptothenpeoplehadalwaystriedtotinkerupwhatthey’dgot。We’vegotagreatmanyofthethingshethoughtof。Then"Wells"meansspringsofclearwater。It’sanicename，don’tyouthink？’
HereWellsreturnedwithstrawberriesandcakesandlemonadeonatray，andeverybodyateandenjoyed。
’Now，Wells，’saidthelady，’runofforyou’llbelateandnotmeetyourDaddy。’
Wellskissedher，wavedtotheothers，andwent。
’Lookhere，’saidAntheasuddenly，’wouldyouliketocometoOUR
country，andseewhatit’slike？Itwouldn’ttakeyouaminute。’
Theladylaughed。ButJaneheldupthecharmandsaidtheword。
’Whatasplendidconjuringtrick！’criedthelady，enchantedwiththebeautiful，growingarch。
’Gothrough，’saidAnthea。
Theladywent，laughing。Butshedidnotlaughwhenshefoundherself，suddenly，inthedining—roomatFitzroyStreet。
’Oh，whataHORRIBLEtrick！’shecried。’Whatahateful，dark，uglyplace！’
Sherantothewindowandlookedout。Theskywasgrey，thestreetwasfoggy，adismalorgan—grinderwasstandingoppositethedoor，abeggarandamanwhosoldmatcheswerequarrellingattheedgeofthepavementonwhosegreasyblacksurfacepeoplehurriedalong，hasteningtogettotheshelteroftheirhouses。
’Oh，lookattheirfaces，theirhorriblefaces！’shecried。
’What’sthematterwiththemall？’
’They’repoorpeople，that’sall，’saidRobert。
’Butit’sNOTall！They’reill，they’reunhappy，they’rewicked！
Oh，dostopit，there’sdearchildren。It’svery，veryclever。
Somesortofmagic—lanterntrick，Isuppose，likeI’vereadof。
ButDOstopit。Oh！theirpoor，tired，miserable，wickedfaces！’
Thetearswereinhereyes。AntheasignedtoJane。Thearchgrew，theyspokethewords，andpushedtheladythroughitintoherowntimeandplace，whereLondoniscleanandbeautiful，andtheThamesrunsclearandbright，andthegreentreesgrow，andnooneisafraid，oranxious，orinahurry。Therewasasilence。Then——
’I’mgladwewent，’saidAnthea，withadeepbreath。
’I’llneverthrowpaperaboutagainaslongasIlive，’saidRobert。
’Motheralwaystoldusnotto，’saidJane。
’IwouldliketotakeuptheDutiesofCitizenshipforaspecialsubject，’saidCyril。’IwonderifFathercouldputmethroughit。Ishallaskhimwhenhecomeshome。’
’Ifwe’dfoundtheAmulet，FathercouldbehomeNOW，’saidAnthea，’andMotherandTheLamb。’
’Let’sgointothefutureAGAIN，’suggestedJanebrightly。
’Perhapswecouldrememberifitwasn’tsuchanawfulwayoff。’
Sotheydid。Thistimetheysaid，’Thefuture，wheretheAmuletis，notsofaraway。’
Andtheywentthroughthefamiliararchintoalarge，lightroomwiththreewindows。Facingthemwasthefamiliarmummy—case。
Andatatablebythewindowsatthelearnedgentleman。Theyknewhimatonce，thoughhishairwaswhite。Hewasoneofthefacesthatdonotchangewithage。InhishandwastheAmulet——completeandperfect。
Herubbedhisotherhandacrosshisforeheadinthewaytheyweresousedto。
’Dreams，dreams！’hesaid；’oldageisfullofthem！’
’You’vebeenindreamswithusbeforenow，’saidRobert，’don’tyouremember？’
’Ido，indeed，’saidhe。TheroomhadmanymorebooksthantheFitzroyStreetroom，andfarmorecuriousandwonderfulAssyrianandEgyptianobjects。’ThemostwonderfuldreamsIeverhadhadyouinthem。’
’Where，’askedCyril，’didyougetthatthinginyourhand？’
’Ifyouweren’tjustadream，’heanswered，smiling，you’drememberthatyougaveittome。’
’Butwheredidwegetit？’Cyrilaskedeagerly。
’Ah，youneverwouldtellmethat，’hesaid，’Youalwayshadyourlittlemysteries。Youdearchildren！WhatadifferenceyoumadetothatoldBloomsburyhouse！IwishIcoulddreamyouoftener。
Nowyou’regrownupyou’renotlikeyouusedtobe。’
’Grownup？’saidAnthea。
Thelearnedgentlemanpointedtoaframewithfourphotographsinit。
’Thereyouare，’hesaid。
Thechildrensawfourgrown—uppeople’sportraits——twoladies，twogentlemen——andlookedonthemwithloathing。
’ShallwegrowuplikeTHAT？’whisperedJane。’Howperfectlyhorrid！’
’Ifwe’reeverlikethat，wesha’n’tknowit’shorrid，Iexpect，’
Antheawithsomeinsightwhisperedback。’Yousee，yougetusedtoyourselfwhileyou’rechanging。It’s——it’sbeingsosuddenmakesitseemsofrightfulnow。’
Thelearnedgentlemanwaslookingatthemwithwistfulkindness。
’Don’tletmeundreamyoujustyet，’hesaid。Therewasapause。
’DoyourememberWHENwegaveyouthatAmulet？’Cyrilaskedsuddenly。
’Youknow，oryouwouldifyouweren’tadream，thatitwasonthe3rdDecember，1905。IshallneverforgetTHATday。’
’Thankyou，’saidCyril，earnestly；’oh，thankyouverymuch。’
’You’vegotanewroom，’saidAnthea，lookingoutofthewindow，’andwhatalovelygarden！’
’Yes，’saidhe，’I’mtoooldnowtocareevenaboutbeingneartheMuseum。Thisisabeautifulplace。Doyouknow——Icanhardlybelieveyou’rejustadream，youdolooksoexactlyreal。
Doyouknow……’hisvoicedropped，’IcansayittoYOU，though，ofcourse，ifIsaidittoanyonethatwasn’tadreamthey’dcallmemad；therewassomethingaboutthatAmuletyougaveme——somethingverymysterious。’
’Therewasthat，’saidRobert。
’Ah，Idon’tmeanyourprettylittlechildishmysteriesaboutwhereyougotit。Butaboutthethingitself。First，thewonderfuldreamsIusedtohave，afteryou’dshownmethefirsthalfofit！Why，mybookonAtlantis，thatIdid，wasthebeginningofmyfameandmyfortune，too。AndIgotitalloutofadream！Andthen，"BritainattheTimeoftheRomanInvasion"——thatwasonlyapamphlet，butitexplainedalotofthingspeoplehadn’tunderstood。’
’Yes，’saidAnthea，’itwould。’
’Thatwasthebeginning。Butafteryou’dgivenmethewholeoftheAmulet——ah，itwasgenerousofyou！——then，somehow，Ididn’tneedtotheorize，IseemedtoKNOWabouttheoldEgyptiancivilization。Andtheycan’tupsetmytheories’——herubbedhisthinhandsandlaughedtriumphantly——’theycan’t，thoughthey’vetried。Theories，theycallthem，butthey’remorelike——Idon’tknow——morelikememories。IKNOWI’mrightaboutthesecretritesoftheTempleofAmen。’
’I’msogladyou’rerich，’saidAnthea。’Youweren’t，youknow，atFitzroyStreet。’
’IndeedIwasn’t，’saidhe，’butIamnow。Thisbeautifulhouseandthislovelygarden——Idiginitsometimes；youremember，youusedtotellmetotakemoreexercise？Well，IfeelIoweitalltoyou——andtheAmulet。’
’I’msoglad，’saidAnthea，andkissedhim。Hestarted。
’THATdidn’tfeellikeadream，’hesaid，andhisvoicetrembled。
’Itisn’texactlyadream，’saidAntheasoftly，’it’sallpartoftheAmulet——it’sasortofextraspecial，realdream，dearJimmy。’
’Ah，’saidhe，’whenyoucallmethat，IknowI’mdreaming。Mylittlesister——Idreamofhersometimes。Butit’snotreallikethis。DoyourememberthedayIdreamedyoubroughtmetheBabylonishring？’
’Werememberitall，’saidRobert。’DidyouleaveFitzroyStreetbecauseyouweretoorichforit？’
’Oh，no！’hesaidreproachfully。’YouknowIshouldneverhavedonesuchathingasthat。Ofcourse，IleftwhenyouroldNursediedand——what’sthematter！’
’OldNurseDEAD？’saidAnthea。’Oh，NO！’
’Yes，yes，it’sthecommonlot。It’salongtimeagonow。’
JanehelduptheAmuletinahandthattwittered。
’Come！’shecried，’oh，comehome！Shemaybedeadbeforewegetthere，andthenwecan’tgiveittoher。Oh，come！’
’Ah，don’tletthedreamendnow！’pleadedthelearnedgentleman。
’Itmust，’saidAntheafirmly，andkissedhimagain。
’Whenitcomestopeopledying，’saidRobert，’good—bye！I’msogladyou’rerichandfamousandhappy。’
’DOcome！’criedJane，stampinginheragonyofimpatience。Andtheywent。OldNursebroughtinteaalmostassoonastheywerebackinFitzroyStreet。Asshecameinwiththetray，thegirlsrushedatherandnearlyupsetherandit。
’Don’tdie！’criedJane，’oh，don’t！’andAntheacried，’Dear，ducky，darlingoldNurse，don’tdie！’
’Lord，loveyou！’saidNurse，’I’mnotagoin’todieyetawhile，pleaseHeaven！Whateveronearth’sthematterwiththechicks？’
’Nothing。Onlydon’t！’
Sheputthetraydownandhuggedthegirlsinturn。Theboysthumpedheronthebackwithheartfeltaffection。
’I’maswellaseverIwasinmylife，’shesaid。’Whatnonsenseaboutdying！You’vebeenasittingtoolonginthedusk，that’swhatitis。Regularblindman’sholiday。Leavegoofme，whileIlightthegas。’
Theyellowlightilluminatedfourpalefaces。’Wedoloveyouso，’Antheawenton，’andwe’vemadeyouapicturetoshowyouhowweloveyou。Getitout，Squirrel。’
Theglazedtestimonialwasdraggedoutfromunderthesofaanddisplayed。
’Theglue’snotdryyet，’saidCyril，’lookout！’
’Whatabeauty！’criedoldNurse。’Well，Inever！Andyourpicturesandthebeautifulwritingandall。Well，Ialwaysdidsayyourheartswasintherightplace，ifabitcarelessattimes。Well！Ineverdid！Idon’tknowasIwaseverpleasedbetterinmylife。’
Shehuggedthemall，oneaftertheother。Andtheboysdidnotmindit，somehow，thatday。
’Howisitwecanrememberallaboutthefuture，NOW？’AntheawokethePsammeadwithlaboriousgentlenesstoputthequestion。
’Howisitwecanrememberwhatwesawinthefuture，andyet，whenweWEREinthefuture，wecouldnotrememberthebitofthefuturethatwaspastthen，thetimeoffindingtheAmulet？’
’Why，whatasillyquestion！’saidthePsammead，’ofcourseyoucannotrememberwhathasn’thappenedyet。’
’ButtheFUTUREhasn’thappenedyet，’Antheapersisted，’andwerememberthatallright。’
’Oh，thatisn’twhat’shappened，mygoodchild，’saidthePsammead，rathercrossly，’that’spropheticvision。Andyourememberdreams，don’tyou？Sowhynotvisions？Youneverdoseemtounderstandthesimplestthing。’
Itwenttosandagainatonce。
AntheacreptdowninhernightgowntogiveonelastkisstooldNurse，andonelastlookatthebeautifultestimonialhanging，byitstapes，itsgluenowfirmlyset，inglazedgloryonthewallofthekitchen。
’Good—night，blessyourlovingheart，’saidoldNurse，’ifonlyyoudon’tcatchyourdeather—cold！’
CHAPTER13
THESHIPWRECKONTHETINISLANDS
’Blueandred，’saidJanesoftly，’makepurple。’
’Notalwaystheydon’t，’saidCyril，’ithastobecrimsonlakeandPrussianblue。IfyoumixVermilionandIndigoyougetthemostloathsomeslatecolour。’
’Sepia’sthenastiestcolourinthebox，Ithink，’saidJane，suckingherbrush。
Theywereallpainting。Nurseintheflushofgratefulemotion，excitedbyRobert’sborderofpoppies，hadpresentedeachofthefourwithashillingpaint—box，andhadsupplementedthegiftwithapileofoldcopiesoftheIllustratedLondonNews。
’Sepia，’saidCyrilinstructively，’ismadeoutofbeastlycuttlefish。’
’Purple’smadeoutofafish，aswellasoutofredandblue，’
saidRobert。’Tyrianpurplewas，Iknow。’
’Outoflobsters？’saidJanedreamily。’They’reredwhenthey’reboiled，andbluewhentheyaren’t。Ifyoumixedliveanddeadlobstersyou’dgetTyrianpurple。’
’_I_shouldn’tliketomixanythingwithalivelobster，’saidAnthea，shuddering。
’Well，therearen’tanyotherredandbluefish，’saidJane；
’you’dhaveto。’
’I’drathernothavethepurple，’saidAnthea。
’TheTyrianpurplewasn’tthatcolourwhenitcameoutofthefish，noryetafterwards，itwasn’t，’saidRobert；’itwasscarletreally，andRomanEmperorsworeit。Anditwasn’tanynicecolourwhilethefishhadit。Itwasayellowish—whiteliquidofacreamyconsistency。’
’Howdoyouknow？’askedCyril。
’Ireadit，’saidRobert，withthemeekprideofsuperiorknowledge。
’Where？’askedCyril。
’Inprint，’saidRobert，stillmoreproudlymeek。
’Youthinkeverything’strueifit’sprinted，’saidCyril，naturallyannoyed，’butitisn’t。Fathersaidso。Quitealotofliesgetprinted，especiallyinnewspapers。’
’Yousee，asithappens，’saidRobert，inwhatwasreallyaratherannoyingtone，’itwasn’tanewspaper，itwasinabook。’
’HowsweetChinesewhiteis！’saidJane，dreamilysuckingherbrushagain。
’Idon’tbelieveit，’saidCyriltoRobert。
’Haveasuckyourself，’suggestedRobert。
’Idon’tmeanabouttheChinesewhite。Imeanaboutthecreamfishturningpurpleand——"
’Oh！’criedAnthea，jumpingupveryquickly，’I’mtiredofpainting。Let’sgosomewherebyAmulet。Isaylet’sletIT
choose。’
CyrilandRobertagreedthatthiswasanidea。Janeconsentedtostoppaintingbecause，asshesaid，Chinesewhite，thoughcertainlysweet，givesyouaqueerfeelinginthebackofthethroatifyoupaintwithittoolong。