-had given them a magic carpet (you've heard of a magic
carpet?), and they had just sat on it and told it to take them right
away from every one--and it had brought them to the wilderness. And as
they meant to stay there they had no further use for the carpet, so they
gave it to me. That was indeed the chance of a lifetime!'

'I don't see what you wanted with a carpet,' said Jane, 'when you've got
those lovely wings.'

'They ARE nice wings, aren't they?' said the Phoenix, simpering and
spreading them out. 'Well, I got the prince to lay out the carpet, and I
laid my egg on it; then I said to the carpet, "Now, my excellent carpet,
prove your worth. Take that egg somewhere where it can't be hatched for
two thousand years, and where, when that time's up, some one will light
a fire of sweet wood and aromatic gums, and put the egg in to hatch;"
and you see it's all come out exactly as I said. The words were no
sooner out of my beak than egg and carpet disappeared. The royal lovers
assisted to arrange my pile, and soothed my last moments. I burnt myself
up and knew no more till I awoke on yonder altar.'

It pointed its claw at the grate.

'But the carpet,' said Robert, 'the magic carpet that takes you anywhere
you wish. What became of that?'

'Oh, THAT?' said the Phoenix, carelessly--'I should say that that is the
carpet. I remember the pattern perfectly.'

It pointed as it spoke to the floor, where lay the carpet which mother
had bought in the Kentish Town Road for twenty-two shillings and
ninepence.

At that instant father's latch-key was heard in the door.

'OH,' whispered Cyril, 'now we shall catch it for not being in bed!'

'Wish yourself there,' said the Phoenix, in a hurried whisper, 'and then
wish the carpet back in its place.'

No sooner said than done. It made one a little giddy, certainly, and a
little breathless; but when things seemed right way up again, there the
children were, in bed, and the lights were out.

They heard the soft voice of the Phoenix through the darkness.

'I shall sleep on the cornice above your curtains,' it said. 'Please
don't mention me to your kinsfolk.'

'Not much good,' said Robert, 'they'd never believe us. I say,' he
called through the half-open door to the girls; 'talk about adventures
and things happening. We ought to be able to get some fun out of a magic
carpet AND a Phoenix.'

'Rather,' said the girls, in bed.

'Children,' said father, on the stairs, 'go to sleep