d cry--

'_Oh, backstairs_,
_precious backstairs_, _comfortable backstairs_,
_invaluable backstairs_, _humane backstairs_,
_requisite backstairs_, _reasonable backstairs_,
_necessary backstairs_, _long-sought backstairs_,
_good-natured backstairs_, _coveted backstairs_,
_cosmopolitan backstairs_, _aristocratic backstairs_,
_comprehensive backstairs_, _respectable backstairs_,
_accommodating backstairs_, _gentlemanlike backstairs_,
_well-bred backstairs_, _ladylike backstairs_,
_commercial backstairs_, _orthodox backstairs_,
_economical backstairs_, _probable backstairs_,
_practical backstairs_, _credible backstairs_,
_logical backstairs_, _demonstrable backstairs_,
_deductive backstairs_, _irrefragable backstairs_,
_potent backstairs_,
_all-but-omnipotent backstairs_,
_&c._

Save us from the consequences of our own actions, and from the cruel
fairy, Mrs. Bedonebyasyoudid!' Do not you think that you would be a
little tempted then to tell what you know, laddie?"

Tom thought so certainly. "But why do they want so to know about the
backstairs?" asked he, being a little frightened at the long words, and
not understanding them the least; as, indeed, he was not meant to do, or
you either.

"That I shall not tell you. I never put things into little folks' heads
which are but too likely to come there of themselves. So come--now I
must bandage your eyes." So she tied the bandage on his eyes with one
hand, and with the other she took it off.

"Now," she said, "you are safe up the stairs." Tom opened his eyes very
wide, and his mouth too; for he had not, as he thought, moved a single
step. But, when he looked round him, there could be no doubt that he was
safe up the backstairs, whatsoever they may be, which no man is going to
tell you, for the plain reason that no man knows.

The first thing which Tom saw was the black cedars, high and sharp
against the rosy dawn; and St. Brandan's Isle reflected double in the
still broad silver sea. The wind sang softly in the cedars, and the
water sang among the caves: the sea-birds sang as they streamed out into
the ocean, and the land-birds as they built among the boughs; and the
air was so full