ion? It would be an
adventure just the same,' she pleaded.

'I don't mind,' said Cyril. 'We shan't know where we're going, and
that'll be exciting. No one knows what'll happen. We'd best put on our
outers in case--'

'We might rescue a traveller buried in the snow, like St Bernard dogs,
with barrels round our necks,' said Jane, beginning to be interested.

'Or we might arrive just in time to witness a will being signed--more
tea, please,' said Robert, 'and we should see the old man hide it away
in the secret cupboard; and then, after long years, when the rightful
heir was in despair, we should lead him to the hidden panel and--'

'Yes,' interrupted Anthea; 'or we might be taken to some freezing garret
in a German town, where a poor little pale, sick child--'

'We haven't any German money,' interrupted Cyril, 'so THAT'S no go. What
I should like would be getting into the middle of a war and getting hold
of secret intelligence and taking it to the general, and he would make
me a lieutenant or a scout, or a hussar.'

When breakfast was cleared away, Anthea swept the carpet, and the
children sat down on it, together with the Phoenix, who had been
especially invited, as a Christmas treat, to come with them and witness
the good and kind action they were about to do.

Four children and one bird were ready, and the wish was wished.

Every one closed its eyes, so as to feel the topsy-turvy swirl of the
carpet's movement as little as possible.

When the eyes were opened again the children found themselves on the
carpet, and the carpet was in its proper place on the floor of their own
nursery at Camden Town.

'I say,' said Cyril, 'here's a go!'

'Do you think it's worn out? The wishing part of it, I mean?' Robert
anxiously asked the Phoenix.

'It's not that,' said the Phoenix; 'but--well--what did you wish--?'

'Oh! I see what it means,' said Robert, with deep disgust; 'it's like
the end of a fairy story in a Sunday magazine. How perfectly beastly!'

'You mean it means we can do kind and good actions where we are? I see.
I suppose it wants us to carry coals for the cook or make clothes
for the bare heathens. Well, I simply won't. And the last day and
everything. Look here!' Cyril spoke loudly and firmly. 'We want to go
somewhere really interesting, where we have a chance of doing something
good and kind; we don't want to do it here, but somewhere else. See?
Now, then.'

The obedient carpet started instantly, and