'So let us raise our voice and sing
The praises of the Phoenix King.
In classes one and two and three,
Oh, trust to him, for kind is he!'
'I'm sure YOU'RE very kind,' said the Phoenix; 'and now we must be
going. An thank you very much for a very pleasant time. May you
all prosper as you deserve to do, for I am sure a nicer,
pleasanter-spoken lot of temple attendants I have never met, and
never wish to meet. I wish you all good-day!'
It fluttered to the wrist of Robert and drew the four children from
the room. The whole of the office staff followed down the wide
stairs and filed into their accustomed places, and the two most
important officials stood on the steps bowing till Robert had
buttoned the golden bird in his Norfolk bosom, and it and he and
the three other children were lost in the crowd.
The two most important gentlemen looked at each other earnestly and
strangely for a moment, and then retreated to those sacred inner
rooms, where they toil without ceasing for the good of the House.
And the moment they were all in their places--managers,
secretaries, clerks, and porters--they all started, and each looked
cautiously round to see if any one was looking at him. For each
thought that he had fallen asleep for a few minutes, and had
dreamed a very odd dream about the Phoenix and the board-room.
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