It was the strongest
thing he could think of.
Then they set to work to line the carpet throughout with the
oil-cloth. The nursery felt very odd and empty without the others,
and Cyril did not feel so sure as he had done about their being
able to 'tram it' home. So he tried to help Anthea, which was very
good of him, but not much use to her.
The Phoenix watched them for a time, but it was plainly growing
more and more restless. It fluffed up its splendid feathers, and
stood first on one gilded claw and then on the other, and at last
it said--
'I can bear it no longer. This suspense! My Robert--who set my
egg to hatch--in the bosom of whose Norfolk raiment I have nestled
so often and so pleasantly! I think, if you'll excuse me--'
'Yes--DO,' cried Anthea, 'I wish we'd thought of asking you
before.'
Cyril opened the window. The Phoenix flapped its sunbright wings
and vanished.
'So THAT'S all right,' said Cyril, taking up his needle and
instantly pricking his hand in a new place.
Of course I know that what you have really wanted to know about all
this time is not what Anthea and Cyril did, but what happened to
Jane and Robert after they fell through the carpet on to the leads
of the house which was called number 705, Amersham Road.
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