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thought that they looked kind. The boys thought they stared, and
that it was like their cheek.
The porter returned with the news that Mr Dot Dash Dot (I dare not
reveal his name) was out, but that Mr
Here a really delightful gentleman appeared. He had a beard and a
kind and merry eye, and each one of the four knew at once that this
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The Phoenix and the Carpet
was a man who had kiddies of his own and could understand what
you were talking about. Yet it was a difficult thing to explain.
What is it? ' he asked. Mr he named the name which I will never
reveal is out. Can I do anything? '
Inner sanctuary, ' murmured the Phoenix.
I beg your pardon, ' said the nice gentleman, who thought it was
Robert who had spoken.
We have something to tell you, ' said Cyril, but he glanced at the
porter, who was lingering much nearer than he need have done
this is a very public place. '
The nice gentleman laughed.
Come upstairs then, ' he said, and led the way up a wide and
beautiful staircase. Anthea says the stairs were of white marble, but I
am not sure. On the corner-post of the stairs, at the top, was a
beautiful image of the Phoenix in dark metal, and on the wall at each
side was a flat sort of image of it.
The nice gentleman led them into a room where the chairs, and even
the tables, were covered with reddish leather. He looked at the
children inquiringly.
Don t be frightened, ' he said; tell me exactly what you want. '
May I shut the door? ' asked Cyril.
The gentleman looked surprised, but he shut the door.
Now, ' said Cyril, firmly, I know you ll be awfully surprised, and
you ll think it s not true and we are lunatics; but we aren t, and it is.
Robert s got something inside his Norfolk that s Robert, he s my
young brother. Now don t be upset and have a fit or anything sir. Of
course, I know when you called your shop the Phoenix you never
thought there was one; but there is and Robert s got it buttoned up
against his chest! '
If it s an old curio in the form of a Phoenix, I dare say the Board '
said the nice gentleman, as Robert began to fumble with his buttons.
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The Phoenix and the Carpet
It s old enough, ' said Anthea, going by what it says, but '
My goodness gracious! ' said the gentleman, as the Phoenix, with
one last wriggle that melted into a flutter, got out of its nest in the
breast of Robert and stood up on the leather-covered table.
What an extraordinarily fine bird! ' he went on. I don t think I ever
saw one just like it. '
I should think not, ' said the Phoenix, with pardonable pride. And
the gentleman jumped.
Oh, it s been taught to speak! Some sort of parrot, perhaps? '
I am, ' said the bird, simply, the Head of your House, and I have
come to my temple to receive your homage. I am no parrot its
beak curved scornfully I am the one and only Phoenix, and I
demand the homage of my High Priest. '
In the absence of our manager, ' the gentleman began, exactly as
though he were addressing a valued customer in the absence of
our manager, I might perhaps be able What am I saying? ' He
turned pale, and passed his hand across his brow. My dears, ' he
said, the weather is unusually warm for the time of year, and I don t
feel quite myself. Do you know, for a moment I really thought that
that remarkable bird of yours had spoken and said it was the
Phoenix, and, what s more, that I d believed it. '
So it did, sir, ' said Cyril, and so did you. '
It really Allow me. '
A bell was rung. The porter appeared.
Mackenzie, ' said the gentleman, you see that golden bird? '
Yes, sir. '
The other breathed a sigh of relief.
It IS real, then? '
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The Phoenix and the Carpet
Yes, sir, of course, sir. You take it in your hand, sir, ' said the porter,
sympathetically, and reached out his hand to the Phoenix, who
shrank back on toes curved with agitated indignation.
Forbear! ' it cried; how dare you seek to lay hands on me? '
The porter saluted.
Beg pardon, sir, ' he said, I thought you was a bird. '
I AM a bird THE bird the Phoenix. '
Of course you are, sir, ' said the porter. I see that the first minute,
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