For there, on the floor, lay the carpet, and on the carpet,
surrounded by his brothers and by Jane, sat the Lamb. He had
covered his face and clothes with vaseline and violet powder, but
he was easily recognizable in spite of this disguise.
'You are right,' said the Phoenix, who was also present; 'it is
evident that, as you say, "Aggety dag" is Bosh for "I want to be
where my mother is," and so the faithful carpet understood it.'
'But how,' said Anthea, catching up the Lamb and hugging him--'how
did he get back here?'
'Oh,' said the Phoenix, 'I flew to the Psammead and wished that
your infant brother were restored to your midst, and immediately it
was so.'
'Oh, I am glad, I am glad!' cried Anthea, still hugging the baby.
'Oh, you darling! Shut up, Jane! I don't care HOW much he comes
off on me! Cyril! You and Robert roll that carpet up and put it
in the beetle-cupboard. He might say "Aggety dag" again, and it
might mean something quite different next time. Now, my Lamb,
Panther'll clean you a little. Come on.'
'I hope the beetles won't go wishing,' said Cyril, as they rolled
up the carpet.
Two days later mother was well enough to go out, and that evening
the coconut matting came home. The children had talked and talked,
and thought and thought, but they had not found any polite way of
telling the Phoenix that they did not want it to stay any longer.
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