the_story_of_the_amulet
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| + | < | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /><br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <h1> | ||
| + | THE STORY OF THE AMULET | ||
| + | </h1> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | by E. Nesbit | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /><br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <h4> | ||
| + | TO<br /><br /> Dr Wallis Budge<br /> of the British Museum as a<br /> small | ||
| + | token of gratitude for his<br /> unfailing kindness and help<br /> in the | ||
| + | making of it | ||
| + | </h4> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /> <br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <hr /> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /> <br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | Contents | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <table summary="" | ||
| + | <tr> | ||
| + | <td> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
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| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
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| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
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| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | CASTLE MOAT& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | JULIUS CAESAR </a> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | EXPELLED LITTLE BOY </a> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | ISLANDS </a> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p class=" | ||
| + | <a href="# | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | </td> | ||
| + | </tr> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /> <br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <hr /> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /> <br /> <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 1. THE PSAMMEAD | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There were once four children who spent their summer holidays in a white | ||
| + | house, happily situated between a sandpit and a chalkpit. One day they had | ||
| + | the good fortune to find in the sandpit a strange creature. Its eyes were | ||
| + | on long horns like snail& | ||
| + | telescopes. It had ears like a bat& | ||
| + | like a spider& | ||
| + | feet like a monkey& | ||
| + | Robert, Anthea, and Jane& | ||
| + | (Psammead is pronounced Sammy-ad.) It was old, old, old, and its birthday | ||
| + | was almost at the very beginning of everything. And it had been buried in | ||
| + | the sand for thousands of years. But it still kept its fairylikeness, | ||
| + | part of this fairylikeness was its power to give people whatever they | ||
| + | wished for. You know fairies have always been able to do this. Cyril, | ||
| + | Robert, Anthea, and Jane now found their wishes come true; but, somehow, | ||
| + | they never could think of just the right things to wish for, and their | ||
| + | wishes sometimes turned out very oddly indeed. In the end their unwise | ||
| + | wishings landed them in what Robert called & | ||
| + | and the Psammead consented to help them out of it in return for their | ||
| + | promise never never to ask it to grant them any more wishes, and never to | ||
| + | tell anyone about it, because it did not want to be bothered to give | ||
| + | wishes to anyone ever any more. At the moment of parting Jane said | ||
| + | politely& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the Psammead, touched by this friendly thought, granted the wish. The | ||
| + | book about all this is called Five Children and It, and it ends up in a | ||
| + | most tiresome way by saying& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it was& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The reason that nothing more could be said was that I had not then been | ||
| + | able to find out exactly when and where the children met the Psammead | ||
| + | again. Of course I knew they would meet it, because it was a beast of its | ||
| + | word, and when it said a thing would happen, that thing happened without | ||
| + | fail. How different from the people who tell us about what weather it is | ||
| + | going to be on Thursday next, in London, the South Coast, and Channel! | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The summer holidays during which the Psammead had been found and the | ||
| + | wishes given had been wonderful holidays in the country, and the children | ||
| + | had the highest hopes of just such another holiday for the next summer. | ||
| + | The winter holidays were beguiled by the wonderful happenings of The | ||
| + | Phoenix and the Carpet, and the loss of these two treasures would have | ||
| + | left the children in despair, but for the splendid hope of their next | ||
| + | holiday in the country. The world, they felt, and indeed had some reason | ||
| + | to feel, was full of wonderful things& | ||
| + | of people that wonderful things happen to. So they looked forward to the | ||
| + | summer holiday; but when it came everything was different, and very, very | ||
| + | horrid. Father had to go out to Manchuria to telegraph news about the war | ||
| + | to the tiresome paper he wrote for& | ||
| + | like that, was its name. And Mother, poor dear Mother, was away in | ||
| + | Madeira, because she had been very ill. And The Lamb& | ||
| + | with her. And Aunt Emma, who was Mother& | ||
| + | Uncle Reginald, who was Father& | ||
| + | which is much too far off for you to expect to be asked to spend the | ||
| + | holidays in, however fond your aunt and uncle may be of you. So the | ||
| + | children were left in the care of old Nurse, who lived in Fitzroy Street, | ||
| + | near the British Museum, and though she was always very kind to them, and | ||
| + | indeed spoiled them far more than would be good for the most grown-up of | ||
| + | us, the four children felt perfectly wretched, and when the cab had driven | ||
| + | off with Father and all his boxes and guns and the sheepskin, with | ||
| + | blankets and the aluminium mess-kit inside it, the stoutest heart quailed, | ||
| + | and the girls broke down altogether, and sobbed in each other& | ||
| + | while the boys each looked out of one of the long gloomy windows of the | ||
| + | parlour, and tried to pretend that no boy would be such a muff as to cry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I hope you notice that they were not cowardly enough to cry till their | ||
| + | Father had gone; they knew he had quite enough to upset him without that. | ||
| + | But when he was gone everyone felt as if it had been trying not to cry all | ||
| + | its life, and that it must cry now, if it died for it. So they cried. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Tea& | ||
| + | watercress was arranged in a hedge round a fat glass salt-cellar, | ||
| + | tasteful device they had never seen before. But it was not a cheerful | ||
| + | meal. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | After tea Anthea went up to the room that had been Father& | ||
| + | saw how dreadfully he wasn& | ||
| + | taking him further and further from her, and nearer and nearer to the guns | ||
| + | of the Russians, she cried a little more. Then she thought of Mother, ill | ||
| + | and alone, and perhaps at that very moment wanting a little girl to put | ||
| + | eau-de-cologne on her head, and make her sudden cups of tea, and she cried | ||
| + | more than ever. And then she remembered what Mother had said, the night | ||
| + | before she went away, about Anthea being the eldest girl, and about trying | ||
| + | to make the others happy, and things like that. So she stopped crying, and | ||
| + | thought instead. And when she had thought as long as she could bear she | ||
| + | washed her face and combed her hair, and went down to the others, trying | ||
| + | her best to look as though crying were an exercise she had never even | ||
| + | heard of. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She found the parlour in deepest gloom, hardly relieved at all by the | ||
| + | efforts of Robert, who, to make the time pass, was pulling Jane& | ||
| + | hard, but just enough to tease. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | awful day when Cyril had carelessly wished that there were Red Indians in | ||
| + | England& | ||
| + | summer holidays and everyone groaned; they thought of the white house with | ||
| + | the beautiful tangled garden& | ||
| + | mignonette, and feathery asparagus& | ||
| + | had once meant to make into an orchard, but which was now, as Father said, | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought of the view across the valley, where the lime-kilns looked like | ||
| + | Aladdin& | ||
| + | with its fringe of yellowy grasses and pale-stringy-stalked wild flowers, | ||
| + | and the little holes in the cliff that were the little sand-martins& | ||
| + | little front doors. And they thought of the free fresh air smelling of | ||
| + | thyme and sweetbriar, and the scent of the wood-smoke from the cottages in | ||
| + | the lane& | ||
| + | said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was. Old Nurse had been in the habit of letting lodgings, till Father | ||
| + | gave her the children to take care of. And her rooms were furnished & | ||
| + | letting& | ||
| + | room & | ||
| + | living in. This room had heavy dark red stuff curtains& | ||
| + | that blood would not make a stain on& | ||
| + | inside. The carpet was yellow, and violet, with bits of grey and brown | ||
| + | oilcloth in odd places. The fireplace had shavings and tinsel in it. There | ||
| + | was a very varnished mahogany chiffonier, or sideboard, with a lock that | ||
| + | wouldn& | ||
| + | crochet antimacassars slipping off their seats, all of which sloped the | ||
| + | wrong way. The table wore a cloth of a cruel green colour with a yellow | ||
| + | chain-stitch pattern round it. Over the fireplace was a looking-glass that | ||
| + | made you look much uglier than you really were, however plain you might be | ||
| + | to begin with. Then there was a mantelboard with maroon plush and wool | ||
| + | fringe that did not match the plush; a dreary clock like a black marble | ||
| + | tomb& | ||
| + | how to tick. And there were painted glass vases that never had any flowers | ||
| + | in, and a painted tambourine that no one ever played, and painted brackets | ||
| + | with nothing on them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Parliament, the Plains of Heaven, and of a blunt-nosed | ||
| + | woodman& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There were two books& | ||
| + | Plumridge& | ||
| + | dwell longer on this painful picture. It was indeed, as Jane said, very | ||
| + | different. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the table miserably. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea tried very hard not to be cross. She succeeded. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | way, but I want to what Father calls define the situation. Do you agree?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | couldn& | ||
| + | top-floor. And there was no one else Father could entrust to take care of | ||
| + | us& | ||
| + | to be made well.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane sniffed miserably. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | horrid it all is. I mean we can& | ||
| + | must do SOMETHING. And I know there are heaps of things you can see in | ||
| + | London without paying for them, and I thought we& | ||
| + | all quite old now, and we haven& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane sniffed harder than before. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | MUST get Nurse to see how quite old we are, and let us go out by | ||
| + | ourselves, or else we shall never have any sort of a time at all. And I | ||
| + | vote we see everything there is, and let& | ||
| + | us some bits of bread and we& | ||
| + | there, I know, we can feed them. Only we must make Nurse let us go by | ||
| + | ourselves.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | morning, and I asked Father, and he said yes; and what& | ||
| + | Nurse we might, only he said we must always say where we wanted to go, and | ||
| + | if it was right she would let us.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | his yawning despair. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they went, old Nurse only begging them to be careful of crossings, and | ||
| + | to ask a policeman to assist in the more difficult cases. But they were | ||
| + | used to crossings, for they had lived in Camden Town and knew the Kentish | ||
| + | Town Road where the trams rush up and down like mad at all hours of the | ||
| + | day and night, and seem as though, if anything, they would rather run over | ||
| + | you than not. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They had promised to be home by dark, but it was July, so dark would be | ||
| + | very late indeed, and long past bedtime. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They started to walk to St James& | ||
| + | stuffed with bits of bread and the crusts of toast, to feed the ducks | ||
| + | with. They started, I repeat, but they never got there. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Between Fitzroy Street and St James& | ||
| + | and, if you go the right way you will pass a great many shops that you | ||
| + | cannot possibly help stopping to look at. The children stopped to look at | ||
| + | several with gold-lace and beads and pictures and jewellery and dresses, | ||
| + | and hats, and oysters and lobsters in their windows, and their sorrow did | ||
| + | not seem nearly so impossible to bear as it had done in the best parlour | ||
| + | at No. 300, Fitzroy Street. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Presently, by some wonderful chance turn of Robert& | ||
| + | Captain because the girls thought it would be good for him& | ||
| + | indeed he thought so himself& | ||
| + | against him because it would have looked like a mean jealousy), they came | ||
| + | into the little interesting criss-crossy streets that held the most | ||
| + | interesting shops of all& | ||
| + | There was one shop window entirely filled with cages, and all sorts of | ||
| + | beautiful birds in them. The children were delighted till they remembered | ||
| + | how they had once wished for wings themselves, and had had them& | ||
| + | then they felt how desperately unhappy anything with wings must be if it | ||
| + | is shut up in a cage and not allowed to fly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They went on, and Cyril tried to think out a scheme for making his fortune | ||
| + | as a gold-digger at Klondyke, and then buying all the caged birds in the | ||
| + | world and setting them free. Then they came to a shop that sold cats, but | ||
| + | the cats were in cages, and the children could not help wishing someone | ||
| + | would buy all the cats and put them on hearthrugs, which are the proper | ||
| + | places for cats. And there was the dog-shop, and that was not a happy | ||
| + | thing to look at either, because all the dogs were chained or caged, and | ||
| + | all the dogs, big and little, looked at the four children with sad wistful | ||
| + | eyes and wagged beseeching tails as if they were trying to say, & | ||
| + | buy me! buy me! and let me go for a walk with you; oh, do buy me, and buy | ||
| + | my poor brothers too! Do! do! do!& | ||
| + | to the ear, as they whined; all but one big Irish terrier, and he growled | ||
| + | when Jane patted him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | his eye& | ||
| + | chained up& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I don& | ||
| + | they had been in a besieged castle, so they knew how hateful it is to be | ||
| + | kept in when you want to get out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Of course they could not buy any of the dogs. They did, indeed, ask the | ||
| + | price of the very, very smallest, and it was sixty-five pounds& | ||
| + | that was because it was a Japanese toy spaniel like the Queen once had her | ||
| + | portrait painted with, when she was only Princess of Wales. But the | ||
| + | children thought, if the smallest was all that money, the biggest would | ||
| + | run into thousands& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And they did not stop at any more cat or dog or bird shops, but passed | ||
| + | them by, and at last they came to a shop that seemed as though it only | ||
| + | sold creatures that did not much mind where they were& | ||
| + | goldfish and white mice, and sea-anemones and other aquarium beasts, and | ||
| + | lizards and toads, and hedgehogs and tortoises, and tame rabbits and | ||
| + | guinea-pigs. And there they stopped for a long time, and fed the | ||
| + | guinea-pigs with bits of bread through the cage-bars, and wondered whether | ||
| + | it would be possible to keep a sandy-coloured double-lop in the basement | ||
| + | of the house in Fitzroy Street. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | most awfully tame sometimes. I expect it would know her voice and follow | ||
| + | her all about.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cotton to snakes somehow& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | because we don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | doesn& | ||
| + | that haven& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | centipedes!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They stood there on the pavement, a cause of some inconvenience to the | ||
| + | passersby, and thus beguiled the time with conversation. Cyril was leaning | ||
| + | his elbow on the top of a hutch that had seemed empty when they had | ||
| + | inspected the whole edifice of hutches one by one, and he was trying to | ||
| + | reawaken the interest of a hedgehog that had curled itself into a ball | ||
| + | earlier in the interview, when a small, soft voice just below his elbow | ||
| + | said, quietly, plainly and quite unmistakably& | ||
| + | whine that had to be translated& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril started as though he had been pinched, and jumped a yard away from | ||
| + | the hutch. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | softly; & | ||
| + | it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril mechanically obeyed. He knelt on one knee on the dry, hot dusty | ||
| + | pavement, peered into the darkness of the hutch and found himself face to | ||
| + | face with& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It seemed much thinner than when he had last seen it. It was dusty and | ||
| + | dirty, and its fur was untidy and ragged. It had hunched itself up into a | ||
| + | miserable lump, and its long snail& | ||
| + | that they hardly showed at all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | begin to cry in a minute, & | ||
| + | will ask a very high price for me. I& | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | beautiful, beautiful eyes. Tell the others I& | ||
| + | look at some of those low, common beasts while I& | ||
| + | creature inside mustn& | ||
| + | upon me far, far beyond your means. I remember in the dear old days last | ||
| + | summer you never had much money. Oh& | ||
| + | glad to see you& | ||
| + | snail& | ||
| + | others I& | ||
| + | me.& | ||
| + | others in firm tones& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | an appeal which in this family was never made in vain. & | ||
| + | hutch& | ||
| + | whatever I say.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He stood in front of it to prevent mistakes. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | old friend of ours& | ||
| + | good old Psammead! it wants us to buy it. It says you& | ||
| + | it. Look at the white rat and count your money! On your honour don& | ||
| + | look!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others responded nobly. They looked at the white rat till they quite | ||
| + | stared him out of countenance, | ||
| + | in a far corner and hid his eyes with his front paws, and pretended he was | ||
| + | washing his face. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril stooped again, busying himself with the other bootlace and listened | ||
| + | for the Psammead& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Then say, & | ||
| + | mangy old thing in the third hutch from the end.& | ||
| + | feelings& | ||
| + | like one! I don& | ||
| + | eleven times since I came here the day before yesterday. If he names a | ||
| + | bigger price than you can afford, say you wish you had the money.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | from you,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | affectionate tones, & | ||
| + | and do exactly what I tell you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril, pointing a stiff and unmeaning finger at the white rat, so as to | ||
| + | pretend that its charms alone employed his tongue, explained matters to | ||
| + | the others, while the Psammead hunched itself, and bunched itself, and did | ||
| + | its very best to make itself look uninteresting. Then the four children | ||
| + | filed into the shop. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with a sudden ferocity which made the whole party back hurriedly on to the | ||
| + | wainscoting of hutches with which the shop was lined. & | ||
| + | ain& | ||
| + | winder, an& | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | customer yet as wanted to buy mice, and lizards, and toads, and guineas | ||
| + | all at once. So hout you goes.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | well-meaningly he had carried out the Psammead& | ||
| + | me one thing. What do you want for the mangy old monkey in the third hutch | ||
| + | from the end?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The shopman only saw in this a new insult. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cheek. Hout you goes!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | see he really DOES want to know THAT!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | suspiciously, | ||
| + | truth when he heard it. His hand was bandaged, and three minutes before he | ||
| + | would have been glad to sell the & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fellow that monkey ain& | ||
| + | which he comes from. And the only one ever seen in London. Ought to be in | ||
| + | the Zoo. Two pun ten, down on the nail, or hout you goes!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children looked at each other& | ||
| + | fivepence was all they had in the world, and it would have been merely | ||
| + | three and fivepence, but for the sovereign which Father had given to them | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fivepence,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | did not believe that Cyril had so much money. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a miserable pause. Then Anthea remembered, and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea& | ||
| + | lifted it. There lay five bright half sovereigns. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have the Sammy,... the monkey I mean.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The dealer looked hard at the money, but he made haste to put it in his | ||
| + | pocket. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | scratched his ear again. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thribble the money, so it is& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He slowly led the way out to the hutch& | ||
| + | made a sudden fierce grab at the Psammead, which the Psammead acknowledged | ||
| + | in one last long lingering bite. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that he nearly choked it. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The man& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead made a leap from his dirty horny hands, and Anthea caught it in | ||
| + | hers, which were not very clean, certainly, but at any rate were soft and | ||
| + | pink, and held it kindly and closely. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | after us,& | ||
| + | collected. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So the whole party went into the shop, and the shopman& | ||
| + | out of his head when, having given Anthea the largest paper-bag he could | ||
| + | find, he saw her hold it open, and the Psammead carefully creep into it. | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | met the brute afore.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | twice the money. & | ||
| + | done so bad, seeing as I only give five bob for the beast. But then | ||
| + | there& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children trembling in agitation and excitement, carried home the | ||
| + | Psammead, trembling in its paper-bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When they got it home, Anthea nursed it, and stroked it, and would have | ||
| + | cried over it, if she hadn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When it recovered enough to speak, it said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | plenty.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They got the sand, and they put it and the Psammead in the round bath | ||
| + | together, and it rubbed itself, and rolled itself, and shook itself and | ||
| + | scraped itself, and scratched itself, and preened itself, till it felt | ||
| + | clean and comfy, and then it scrabbled a hasty hole in the sand, and went | ||
| + | to sleep in it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children hid the bath under the girls& | ||
| + | had got them a lovely supper of bread and butter and fried onions. She was | ||
| + | full of kind and delicate thoughts. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When Anthea woke the next morning, the Psammead was snuggling down between | ||
| + | her shoulder and Jane& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | water on me sooner or later, and then I should have died. I saw him wash | ||
| + | out a guinea-pig& | ||
| + | I think I& | ||
| + | dormouse of a Jane, and when you& | ||
| + | talk.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | about& | ||
| + | children.& | ||
| + | scrambled back into the bath, where they heard it scratching itself out of | ||
| + | sight. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Psammead again.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it can tell us about Megatheriums and things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 2. THE HALF AMULET | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Long ago& | ||
| + | themselves embarrassed by some wish which the Psammead had granted them, | ||
| + | and which the servants had not received in a proper spirit, had wished | ||
| + | that the servants might not notice the gifts which the Psammead gave. And | ||
| + | when they parted from the Psammead their last wish had been that they | ||
| + | should meet it again. Therefore they HAD met it (and it was jolly lucky | ||
| + | for the Psammead, as Robert pointed out). Now, of course, you see that the | ||
| + | Psammead& | ||
| + | and therefore was a Psammead-wish, | ||
| + | servants. And it was soon plain that in the Psammead& | ||
| + | was still a servant, although she had now a house of her own, for she | ||
| + | never noticed the Psammead at all. And that was as well, for she would | ||
| + | never have consented to allow the girls to keep an animal and a bath of | ||
| + | sand under their bed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When breakfast had been cleared away& | ||
| + | with hot rolls to it, a luxury quite out of the common way& | ||
| + | went and dragged out the bath, and woke the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It stretched and shook itself. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | promised.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | out its long eyes suddenly, & | ||
| + | won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | think it most awfully sneakish of me to talk to you without them; do come | ||
| + | down, there& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She knelt before the sand-bath and held out her arms. The Psammead must | ||
| + | have remembered how glad it had been to jump into those same little arms | ||
| + | only the day before, for it gave a little grudging grunt, and jumped once | ||
| + | more. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea wrapped it in her pinafore and carried it downstairs. It was | ||
| + | welcomed in a thrilling silence. At last Anthea said, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | turning them slowly round. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | want us to. What was it you were going to say upstairs when I said the | ||
| + | others wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It looked keenly at her, and she blushed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | should like your brothers and sisters to know exactly how good and | ||
| + | unselfish you were.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | were going to say when she stopped you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was going to say this. You& | ||
| + | it doesn& | ||
| + | rather silly, and I am worth a thousand of you any day of the week.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to stand any nonsense, and if you think what you& | ||
| + | the right to pet me or make me demean myself by playing with you, you& | ||
| + | find out that what you think doesn& | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | deserve. I with respect, and all of you with& | ||
| + | offensive. Do you want me to tell you how I got into that horrible den you | ||
| + | bought me out of? Oh, I& | ||
| + | shan& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all your cleverness, I don& | ||
| + | respectfully we do respect you. Don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others all said yes& | ||
| + | the wishes of all when he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | on. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was tired out with all your silly wishes, and I felt as though I hadn& | ||
| + | really been to sand for a year.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane yawned; the mention of bed made her feel sleepy. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | put me in a bag with a dead hare and a dead rabbit. And he took me to his | ||
| + | house and put me out of the bag into a basket with holes that I could see | ||
| + | through. And I bit him again. And then he brought me to this city, which I | ||
| + | am told is called the Modern Babylon& | ||
| + | old Babylon& | ||
| + | bit them both. Now, what& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Lamb have gone to Madeira because Mother was ill, and don& | ||
| + | that they were both safe home again.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Merely from habit, the Sand-fairy began to blow itself out, but it stopped | ||
| + | short suddenly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | get her to say SHE wishes they were safe home. I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | if you get some one else to wish for you. It won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | didn& | ||
| + | played out.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | could do something; I& | ||
| + | life yesterday. I thought you& | ||
| + | Father, even if you couldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Jane began to cry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | if you cry. I can& | ||
| + | kind of charm.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in the world not a stone& | ||
| + | man that I bit so& | ||
| + | ask how much something cost& | ||
| + | while he was telling the man in the shop how much too much he wanted for | ||
| + | it, I saw the charm in a sort of tray, with a lot of other things. If you | ||
| + | can only buy THAT, you will be able to have your heart& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children looked at each other and then at the Psammead. Then Cyril | ||
| + | coughed awkwardly and took sudden courage to say what everyone was | ||
| + | thinking. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to give us our wishes they almost always got us into some row or other, | ||
| + | and we used to think you wouldn& | ||
| + | about this charm& | ||
| + | we blue it all on this charm and it turns out to be not up to much& | ||
| + | see what I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not far,& | ||
| + | wishes, and of course they turned out badly, in a sort of way, because you | ||
| + | hadn& | ||
| + | different. I haven& | ||
| + | kindness that makes me tell you about it. So it& | ||
| + | See?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we& | ||
| + | he sends us some in a letter. But we DO trust you. And I say all of you,& | ||
| + | she went on, & | ||
| + | there& | ||
| + | NOW? Just think of it! Oh, do let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sand again till you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you see we are? Let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So everybody got its hat. The Psammead was put into a flat bass-bag that | ||
| + | had come from Farringdon Market with two pounds of filleted plaice in it. | ||
| + | Now it contained about three pounds and a quarter of solid Psammead, and | ||
| + | the children took it in turns to carry it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead poked a wary eye out of the top of the basket every now and | ||
| + | then, and told the children which turnings to take. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the Psammead said sharply, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last they came to THE shop. It had all sorts and kinds of things in the | ||
| + | window& | ||
| + | tea-cups, blue Japanese jars, pipes, swords, pistols, lace collars, silver | ||
| + | spoons tied up in half-dozens, | ||
| + | There were officers& | ||
| + | inlaid with red turtle-shell and brass curly-wurlies, | ||
| + | kinds of money, and stacks of different kinds of plates. There was a | ||
| + | beautiful picture of a little girl washing a dog, which Jane liked very | ||
| + | much. And in the middle of the window there was a dirty silver tray full | ||
| + | of mother-of-pearl card counters, old seals, paste buckles, snuff-boxes, | ||
| + | and all sorts of little dingy odds and ends. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead put its head quite out of the fish-basket to look in the | ||
| + | window, when Cyril said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then its long snail& | ||
| + | much that they were as long and thin as new slate-pencils. Its fur | ||
| + | bristled thickly, and its voice was quite hoarse with excitement as it | ||
| + | whispered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | see a bit sticking out. It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | like the common sealing-wax you do up parcels with?& | ||
| + | said the Psammead. & | ||
| + | other things. That blue buckle would do. Then the man will get the tray | ||
| + | out of the window. I think you& | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So the others flattened their noses against the shop window, and presently | ||
| + | a large, dirty, short-fingered hand with a very big diamond ring came | ||
| + | stretching through the green half-curtains at the back of the shop window | ||
| + | and took away the tray. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They could not see what was happening in the interview between Anthea and | ||
| + | the Diamond Ring, and it seemed to them that she had had time& | ||
| + | had had money& | ||
| + | when she stood before them, her face wreathed in grins, as Cyril said | ||
| + | later, and in her hand the charm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was something like this: [Drawing omitted.] and it was made of a red, | ||
| + | smooth, softly shiny stone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a glimpse of it. & | ||
| + | looking at it in the street.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So home they went. The parlour in Fitzroy Street was a very flat | ||
| + | background to magic happenings. Down in the country among the flowers and | ||
| + | green fields anything had seemed& | ||
| + | But it was hard to believe that anything really wonderful could happen so | ||
| + | near the Tottenham Court Road. But the Psammead was there& | ||
| + | itself was wonderful. And it could talk& | ||
| + | a charm could be bought that would make the owner of it perfectly happy. | ||
| + | So the four children hurried home, taking very long steps, with their | ||
| + | chins stuck out, and their mouths shut very tight indeed. They went so | ||
| + | fast that the Psammead was quite shaken about in its fish-bag, but it did | ||
| + | not say anything& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They got home at last, very hot indeed, and set the Psammead on the green | ||
| + | tablecloth. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the Psammead had to have a plate of sand fetched for it, for it was | ||
| + | quite faint. When it had refreshed itself a little it said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | table-cover. The Psammead shot out his long eyes to look at it, then it | ||
| + | turned them reproachfully on Anthea and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This was indeed a blow. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not her fault. & | ||
| + | sort of pin to fasten the two together.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cost seven-and-six.& | ||
| + | silly little idiots!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then there was a wretched silence. Cyril broke it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead. & | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | the other.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Cyril went to the shop. And the Psammead to sand. And the other three | ||
| + | went to dinner, which was now ready. And old Nurse was very cross that | ||
| + | Cyril was not ready too. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The three were watching at the windows when Cyril returned, and even | ||
| + | before he was near enough for them to see his face there was something | ||
| + | about the slouch of his shoulders and set of his knickerbockers and the | ||
| + | way he dragged his boots along that showed but too plainly that his errand | ||
| + | had been in vain. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was a Roman lady& | ||
| + | know anything about arky& | ||
| + | back on a bargain, because it wasn& | ||
| + | customers to act the same. He was simply nasty& | ||
| + | and I want my dinner.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was plain that Cyril was not pleased. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The unlikeliness of anything really interesting happening in that parlour | ||
| + | lay like a weight of lead on everyone& | ||
| + | just as he was swallowing the last mouthful of apple-pudding there was a | ||
| + | scratch at the door. Anthea opened it and in walked the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you won& | ||
| + | other half. You want to get it, of course.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | down and listen with all your ears. Eight, are there? Right& | ||
| + | glad you know arithmetic. Now pay attention, because I don& | ||
| + | tell you everything twice over.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As the children settled themselves on the floor& | ||
| + | comfortable than the chairs, as well as more polite to the Psammead, who | ||
| + | was stroking its whiskers on the hearth-rug& | ||
| + | caught at Anthea& | ||
| + | far away. Then a warm, comfortable feeling flowed through her. The | ||
| + | Psammead was here, and at least half a charm, and there were to be | ||
| + | adventures. (If you don& | ||
| + | sakes, and I hope you never may.) | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | particularly clever, and you& | ||
| + | saved my life& | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | know far too much. But I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do all sorts of things; it can make the corn grow, and the waters flow, | ||
| + | and the trees bear fruit, and the little new beautiful babies come. (Not | ||
| + | that babies ARE beautiful, of course,& | ||
| + | mothers think they are& | ||
| + | true as far as you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert yawned. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead went on. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bad temper, pride, disagreeableness, | ||
| + | Evil spirits, people called them when the Amulet was made. Don& | ||
| + | it would be nice to have it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you to.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | There& | ||
| + | there?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | look for the other half.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This seemed a brilliant prospect till Robert asked& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead shook its head and answered, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hay. Yes& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | but you are quite mistaken. The first thing is to get the thing to talk.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it couldn& | ||
| + | was growing deeper and thicker, and seemed to fill the room like a dream | ||
| + | of a scented fog. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | on the part of the charm that you& | ||
| + | out loud the thing will have power to do& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a silence. The red charm was passed from hand to hand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | chickens and snakes and things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This was what was on the charm: [Hieroglyphics omitted.] | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | must find some one who can. A priest now?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | called a priest in the prayer-book, | ||
| + | and Latin and Hebrew, and this isn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead stamped a furry foot angrily. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | many stone images. Not so much, if I& | ||
| + | man in your Babylon who can pronounce the names of the Great Ones?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | him. He has a lot of stone images in his room, and iron-looking ones too& | ||
| + | peeped in once when he was out. Old Nurse says he doesn& | ||
| + | keep a canary alive. He spends it all on stones and things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than this and uses it against you, your charm will be of no use. Bind him | ||
| + | first with the chains of honour and upright dealing. And then ask his aid& | ||
| + | yes, you& | ||
| + | must have a few minutes& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So the four children hastily washed their hands and brushed their hair& | ||
| + | was Anthea& | ||
| + | learned gentleman& | ||
| + | dealing& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 3. THE PAST | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman had let his dinner get quite cold. It was mutton | ||
| + | chop, and as it lay on the plate it looked like a brown island in the | ||
| + | middle of a frozen pond, because the grease of the gravy had become cold, | ||
| + | and consequently white. It looked very nasty, and it was the first thing | ||
| + | the children saw when, after knocking three times and receiving no reply, | ||
| + | one of them ventured to turn the handle and softly to open the door. The | ||
| + | chop was on the end of a long table that ran down one side of the room. | ||
| + | The table had images on it and queer-shaped stones, and books. And there | ||
| + | were glass cases fixed against the wall behind, with little strange things | ||
| + | in them. The cases were rather like the ones you see in jewellers& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The & | ||
| + | at something very small which he held in a pair of fine pincers. He had a | ||
| + | round spy-glass sort of thing in one eye& | ||
| + | of watchmakers, | ||
| + | gentleman was very long and thin, and his long, thin boots stuck out under | ||
| + | the other side of his table. He did not hear the door open, and the | ||
| + | children stood hesitating. At last Robert gave the door a push, and they | ||
| + | all started back, for in the middle of the wall that the door had hidden | ||
| + | was a mummy-case& | ||
| + | yellow and green and black, and the face of it seemed to look at them | ||
| + | quite angrily. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | You know what a mummy-case is like, of course? If you don& | ||
| + | go to the British Museum at once and find out. Anyway, it is not at all | ||
| + | the sort of thing that you expect to meet in a top-floor front in | ||
| + | Bloomsbury, looking as though it would like to know what business YOU had | ||
| + | there. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So everyone said, & | ||
| + | stumbled back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman took the glass out of his eye and said& | ||
| + | your pardon,& | ||
| + | gentleman who has been to Oxford. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | courtesy, Anthea told herself. & | ||
| + | down? No, not there; allow me to move that papyrus.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He cleared a chair, and stood smiling and looking kindly through his | ||
| + | large, round spectacles. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | know how many of us there are.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ahead.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | three times, and you didn& | ||
| + | couldn& | ||
| + | of the things people do say when you knock at doors, so we opened it. We | ||
| + | knew you were in because we heard you sneeze while we were waiting.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cleared three more chairs. He put the things off them carefully on the | ||
| + | floor. The first chair had things like bricks that tiny, tiny birds& | ||
| + | have walked over when the bricks were soft, only the marks were in regular | ||
| + | lines. The second chair had round things on it like very large, fat, long, | ||
| + | pale beads. And the last chair had a pile of dusty papers on it. The | ||
| + | children sat down. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm, and we want you to read the name on it, because it isn& | ||
| + | or Greek, or Hebrew, or any of the languages WE know& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | which to build an education,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | laughed. His laugh sounded rusty, Cyril thought, as though it wasn& | ||
| + | used. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | been in a dream. You are the children who live downstairs, are you not? | ||
| + | Yes. I have seen you as I have passed in and out. And you have found | ||
| + | something that you think to be an antiquity, and you& | ||
| + | me? That was very kind. I should like to inspect it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | truthful Anthea. & | ||
| + | it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of us if we ask you first, before we show it, to be bound in the | ||
| + | what-do-you-call-it of& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | nervousness. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Sammy& | ||
| + | a one; but it won& | ||
| + | course, if you& | ||
| + | no go; so we want you to give us your word of honour as a gentleman& | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | promised to ask you, so we must. Will you please give us your honourable | ||
| + | word not to say any name stronger than the name on our charm?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The gentleman had put on his spectacles again and was looking at Cyril | ||
| + | through them. He now said: & | ||
| + | you all this?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Some faint memory of a far-off childhood must have come to the learned | ||
| + | gentleman just then, for he smiled. & | ||
| + | game that you are engaged in? Of course! Yes! Well, I will certainly | ||
| + | promise. Yet I wonder how you heard of the names of power?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | With politeness, but without interest, the gentleman took it. But after | ||
| + | the first glance all his body suddenly stiffened, as a pointer& | ||
| + | he sees a partridge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the window. He looked at it; he turned it over. He fixed his spy-glass in | ||
| + | his eye and looked again. No one said anything. Only Robert made a | ||
| + | shuffling noise with his feet till Anthea nudged him to shut up. At last | ||
| + | the learned gentleman drew a long breath. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | far from Charing Cross,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I ought to tell you that it is extremely valuable& | ||
| + | valuable, I may say.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you should wish to part with it, may I ask you to give me the refusal of | ||
| + | it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | opportunity of buying it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to make it do things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gentleman; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | could tell you about our last summer holidays. Only I mustn& | ||
| + | very much. And can you read the name?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Setcheh.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | taken up too much of your time.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | very careful of that most valuable specimen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They said & | ||
| + | of, and filed out of the door and down the stairs. Anthea was last. | ||
| + | Half-way down to the first landing she turned and ran up again. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The door was still open, and the learned gentleman and the mummy-case were | ||
| + | standing opposite to each other, and both looked as though they had stood | ||
| + | like that for years. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The gentleman started when Anthea put her hand on his arm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do look at your chop! Don& | ||
| + | his dinner sometimes when he& | ||
| + | remind him if she& | ||
| + | miss your regular meals. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So I thought perhaps you wouldn& | ||
| + | seem to have anyone else to do it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She glanced at the mummy-case; IT certainly did not look as though it | ||
| + | would ever think of reminding people of their meals. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman looked at her for a moment before he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | remind me about things like that.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He sighed, and looked at the chop. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As he ate it he sighed more than once. Perhaps because the chop was nasty, | ||
| + | perhaps because he longed for the charm which the children did not want to | ||
| + | sell, perhaps because it was so long since anyone cared whether he ate his | ||
| + | chops or forgot them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea caught the others at the stair-foot. They woke the Psammead, and it | ||
| + | taught them exactly how to use the word of power, and to make the charm | ||
| + | speak. I am not going to tell you how this is done, because you might try | ||
| + | to do it. And for you any such trying would be almost sure to end in | ||
| + | disappointment. Because in the first place it is a thousand million to one | ||
| + | against your ever getting hold of the right sort of charm, and if you did, | ||
| + | there would be hardly any chance at all of your finding a learned | ||
| + | gentleman clever enough and kind enough to read the word for you. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children and the Psammead crouched in a circle on the floor& | ||
| + | the girls& | ||
| + | interrupted by old Nurse& | ||
| + | the charm was put in the middle of the circle. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The sun shone splendidly outside, and the room was very light. Through the | ||
| + | open window came the hum and rattle of London, and in the street below | ||
| + | they could hear the voice of the milkman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When all was ready, the Psammead signed to Anthea to say the word. And she | ||
| + | said it. Instantly the whole light of all the world seemed to go out. The | ||
| + | room was dark. The world outside was dark& | ||
| + | night that ever was. And all the sounds went out too, so that there was a | ||
| + | silence deeper than any silence you have ever even dreamed of imagining. | ||
| + | It was like being suddenly deaf and blind, only darker and quieter even | ||
| + | than that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But before the children had got over the sudden shock of it enough to be | ||
| + | frightened, a faint, beautiful light began to show in the middle of the | ||
| + | circle, and at the same moment a faint, beautiful voice began to speak. | ||
| + | The light was too small for one to see anything by, and the voice was too | ||
| + | small for you to hear what it said. You could just see the light and just | ||
| + | hear the voice. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the light grew stronger. It was greeny, like glow-worms& | ||
| + | grew and grew till it was as though thousands and thousands of glow-worms | ||
| + | were signalling to their winged sweethearts from the middle of the circle. | ||
| + | And the voice grew, not so much in loudness as in sweetness (though it | ||
| + | grew louder, too), till it was so sweet that you wanted to cry with | ||
| + | pleasure just at the sound of it. It was like nightingales, | ||
| + | and the fiddle, and the voice of your mother when you have been a long | ||
| + | time away, and she meets you at the door when you get home. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the voice said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I cannot tell you what language the voice used. I only know that everyone | ||
| + | present understood it perfectly. If you come to think of it, there must be | ||
| + | some language that everyone could understand, if we only knew what it was. | ||
| + | Nor can I tell you how the charm spoke, nor whether it was the charm that | ||
| + | spoke, or some presence in the charm. The children could not have told you | ||
| + | either. Indeed, they could not look at the charm while it was speaking, | ||
| + | because the light was too bright. They looked instead at the green | ||
| + | radiance on the faded Kidderminster carpet at the edge of the circle. They | ||
| + | all felt very quiet, and not inclined to ask questions or fidget with | ||
| + | their feet. For this was not like the things that had happened in the | ||
| + | country when the Psammead had given them their wishes. That had been funny | ||
| + | somehow, and this was not. It was something like Arabian Nights magic, and | ||
| + | something like being in church. No one cared to speak. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was Cyril who said at last& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | broken and ground into the dust of the shrine that held it. It and the pin | ||
| + | that joined the two halves are themselves dust, and the dust is scattered | ||
| + | over many lands and sunk in many seas.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | up?& | ||
| + | smashed into dust, and the dust scattered all over the place.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | is, perfect as ever.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead whispered crossly, & | ||
| + | in the Past. If you were in the Past, too, you could find it. It& | ||
| + | difficult to make you understand things. Time and space are only forms of | ||
| + | thought.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | either. What I mean is that if you were only made the right way, you could | ||
| + | see everything happening in the same place at the same time. Now do you | ||
| + | see?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Past. Therefore it& | ||
| + | the charm myself. Ask it things! Find out!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | place that then held it. You yourselves must find it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | away from you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The beautiful voice answered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a shrine, the last of many shrines, and I worked wonders. Then came | ||
| + | strange men with strange weapons and destroyed my shrine, and the Amulet | ||
| + | they bore away with many captives. But of these, one, my priest, knew the | ||
| + | word of power, and spoke it for me, so that the Amulet became invisible, | ||
| + | and thus returned to my shrine, but the shrine was broken down, and ere | ||
| + | any magic could rebuild it one spoke a word before which my power bowed | ||
| + | down and was still. And the Amulet lay there, still perfect, but enslaved. | ||
| + | Then one coming with stones to rebuild the shrine, dropped a hewn stone on | ||
| + | the Amulet as it lay, and one half was sundered from the other. I had no | ||
| + | power to seek for that which was lost. And there being none to speak the | ||
| + | word of power, I could not rejoin it. So the Amulet lay in the dust of the | ||
| + | desert many thousand years, and at last came a small man, a conqueror with | ||
| + | an army, and after him a crowd of men who sought to seem wise, and one of | ||
| + | these found half the Amulet and brought it to this land. But none could | ||
| + | read the name. So I lay still. And this man dying and his son after him, | ||
| + | the Amulet was sold by those who came after to a merchant, and from him | ||
| + | you bought it, and it is here, and now, the name of power having been | ||
| + | spoken, I also am here.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This is what the voice said. I think it must have meant Napoleon by the | ||
| + | small man, the conqueror. Because I know I have been told that he took an | ||
| + | army to Egypt, and that afterwards a lot of wise people went grubbing in | ||
| + | the sand, and fished up all sorts of wonderful things, older than you | ||
| + | would think possible. And of these I believe this charm to have been one, | ||
| + | and the most wonderful one of all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone listened: and everyone tried to think. It is not easy to do this | ||
| + | clearly when you have been listening to the kind of talk I have told you | ||
| + | about. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last Robert said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thing were together. If you could take us there, we might find the other | ||
| + | part still there after all these thousands of years.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Past it won& | ||
| + | it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you were safe in it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and one by one, beginning with the first-born, you shall pass through me | ||
| + | into the Past. But let the last that passes be the one that holds me, and | ||
| + | let him not lose his hold, lest you lose me, and so remain in the Past for | ||
| + | ever.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | towards the East, and speak the word. Then, passing through me, you shall | ||
| + | return to this time and it shall be the present to you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | daylight again so that we can go down. And thank you so much for all your | ||
| + | kindness.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | politely. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The beautiful light faded slowly. The great darkness and silence came and | ||
| + | these suddenly changed to the dazzlement of day and the great soft, | ||
| + | rustling sound of London, that is like some vast beast turning over in its | ||
| + | sleep. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children rubbed their eyes, the Psammead ran quickly to its sandy | ||
| + | bath, and the others went down to tea. And until the cups were actually | ||
| + | filled tea seemed less real than the beautiful voice and the greeny light. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | After tea Anthea persuaded the others to allow her to hang the charm round | ||
| + | her neck with a piece of string. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | anywhere, you know, and it would be rather beastly for us to have to stay | ||
| + | in the Past for ever and ever, wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 4. EIGHT THOUSAND YEARS AGO | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Next morning Anthea got old Nurse to allow her to take up the & | ||
| + | learned gentleman& | ||
| + | when he did he was vaguely pleased to see her. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | light, and then it spoke. Oh! I wish you could have heard it& | ||
| + | such a darling voice& | ||
| + | the Past, so of course we shall have to look for it there!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman rubbed his hair with both hands and looked anxiously | ||
| + | at Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | missing?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | especially after being so kind about telling us the name of power, and all | ||
| + | that, but really, I& | ||
| + | person who told me. You won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman smiled feebly and then frowned& | ||
| + | cross-frown, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | time you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He had not had many adventures with children in them, and he wondered | ||
| + | whether all children were like these. He spent quite five minutes in | ||
| + | wondering before he settled down to the fifty-second chapter of his great | ||
| + | book on & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It is no use to pretend that the children did not feel a good deal of | ||
| + | agitation at the thought of going through the charm into the Past. That | ||
| + | idea, that perhaps they might stay in the Past and never get back again, | ||
| + | was anything but pleasing. Yet no one would have dared to suggest that the | ||
| + | charm should not be used; and though each was in its heart very frightened | ||
| + | indeed, they would all have joined in jeering at the cowardice of any one | ||
| + | of them who should have uttered the timid but natural suggestion, & | ||
| + | let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It seemed necessary to make arrangements for being out all day, for there | ||
| + | was no reason to suppose that the sound of the dinner-bell would be able | ||
| + | to reach back into the Past, and it seemed unwise to excite old Nurse& | ||
| + | curiosity when nothing they could say& | ||
| + | in any way satisfy it. They were all very proud to think how well they had | ||
| + | understood what the charm and the Psammead had said about Time and Space | ||
| + | and things like that, and they were perfectly certain that it would be | ||
| + | quite impossible to make old Nurse understand a single word of it. So they | ||
| + | merely asked her to let them take their dinner out into Regent& | ||
| + | this, with the implied cold mutton and tomatoes, was readily granted. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fancy-like,& | ||
| + | jam-tarts, now& | ||
| + | plates ruination to your clothes, besides your not being able to wash your | ||
| + | hands and faces afterwards.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Cyril took the shilling, and they all started off. They went round by | ||
| + | the Tottenham Court Road to buy a piece of waterproof sheeting to put over | ||
| + | the Psammead in case it should be raining in the Past when they got there. | ||
| + | For it is almost certain death to a Psammead to get wet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The sun was shining very brightly, and even London looked pretty. Women | ||
| + | were selling roses from big baskets-full, | ||
| + | one each, for herself and the others. They were red roses and smelt of | ||
| + | summer& | ||
| + | Christmas-time when you can only get mistletoe, which is pale right | ||
| + | through to its very scent, and holly which pricks your nose if you try to | ||
| + | smell it. So now everyone had a rose in its buttonhole, and soon everyone | ||
| + | was sitting on the grass in Regent& | ||
| + | have been clean, clear green in the country, but here were dusty and | ||
| + | yellowish, and brown at the edges. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | first, you& | ||
| + | to the charm as you go through, don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | added, remembering the beast& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead, however, was unexpectedly amiable. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | drop me. I can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane with trembling hands took the Psammead and its fish-basket under one | ||
| + | arm. The charm& | ||
| + | up. Jane held out the charm at arm& | ||
| + | the word of power. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As he spoke it the charm grew tall and broad, and he saw that Jane was | ||
| + | just holding on to the edge of a great red arch of very curious shape. The | ||
| + | opening of the arch was small, but Cyril saw that he could go through it. | ||
| + | All round and beyond the arch were the faded trees and trampled grass of | ||
| + | Regent& | ||
| + | Ring-o& | ||
| + | yellow and red. Cyril drew a long breath and stiffened his legs so that | ||
| + | the others should not see that his knees were trembling and almost | ||
| + | knocking together. & | ||
| + | arch, disappeared. Then followed Anthea. Robert, coming next, held fast, | ||
| + | at Anthea& | ||
| + | through the arch. And as soon as they were on the other side of the arch | ||
| + | there was no more arch at all and no more Regent& | ||
| + | charm in Jane& | ||
| + | light so bright that they winked and blinked and rubbed their eyes. During | ||
| + | this dazzling interval Anthea felt for the charm and pushed it inside | ||
| + | Jane& | ||
| + | the new wonderful light the children looked around them. The sky was very, | ||
| + | very blue, and it sparkled and glittered and dazzled like the sea at home | ||
| + | when the sun shines on it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They were standing on a little clearing in a thick, low forest; there were | ||
| + | trees and shrubs and a close, thorny, tangly undergrowth. In front of them | ||
| + | stretched a bank of strange black mud, then came the browny-yellowy | ||
| + | shining ribbon of a river. Then more dry, caked mud and more greeny-browny | ||
| + | jungle. The only things that told that human people had been there were | ||
| + | the clearing, a path that led to it, and an odd arrangement of cut reeds | ||
| + | in the river. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They looked at each other. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was. The air was hotter than they could have imagined, even in London | ||
| + | in August. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | or what.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | natural history. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead reached out a hairy arm from its basket and pointed to a heap | ||
| + | of mud at the edge of the water. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | into the river just as a slab of damp mixed mortar will slip from a | ||
| + | bricklayer& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a crashing among the reeds on the other side of the water. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | enormous slaty-blue slug showed itself against the black bank on the far | ||
| + | side of the stream. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the one at the Zoo, doesn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | now there was a crackling of reeds and twigs behind them. This was | ||
| + | horrible. Of course it might be another hippopotamus, | ||
| + | lion& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have a means of escape handy. I& | ||
| + | where simply anything might happen to us.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | very, very big one.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They had all turned to face the danger. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | informal way; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was. It was a girl& | ||
| + | fair, and though her skin was tanned by the sun, you could see that it | ||
| + | would have been fair too if it had had a chance. She had every chance of | ||
| + | being tanned, for she had no clothes to speak of, and the four English | ||
| + | children, carefully dressed in frocks, hats, shoes, stockings, coats, | ||
| + | collars, and all the rest of it, envied her more than any words of theirs | ||
| + | or of mine could possibly say. There was no doubt that here was the right | ||
| + | costume for that climate. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She carried a pot on her head, of red and black earthenware. She did not | ||
| + | see the children, who shrank back against the edge of the jungle, and she | ||
| + | went forward to the brink of the river to fill her pitcher. As she went | ||
| + | she made a strange sort of droning, humming, melancholy noise all on two | ||
| + | notes. Anthea could not help thinking that perhaps the girl thought this | ||
| + | noise was singing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl filled the pitcher and set it down by the river bank. Then she | ||
| + | waded into the water and stooped over the circle of cut reeds. She pulled | ||
| + | half a dozen fine fish out of the water within the reeds, killing each as | ||
| + | she took it out, and threading it on a long osier that she carried. Then | ||
| + | she knotted the osier, hung it on her arm, picked up the pitcher, and | ||
| + | turned to come back. And as she turned she saw the four children. The | ||
| + | white dresses of Jane and Anthea stood out like snow against the dark | ||
| + | forest background. She screamed and the pitcher fell, and the water was | ||
| + | spilled out over the hard mud surface and over the fish, which had fallen | ||
| + | too. Then the water slowly trickled away into the deep cracks. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Now, once for all, I am not going to be bothered to tell you how it was | ||
| + | that the girl could understand Anthea and Anthea could understand the | ||
| + | girl. YOU, at any rate, would not understand ME, if I tried to explain it, | ||
| + | any more than you can understand about time and space being only forms of | ||
| + | thought. You may think what you like. Perhaps the children had found out | ||
| + | the universal language which everyone can understand, and which wise men | ||
| + | so far have not found. You will have noticed long ago that they were | ||
| + | singularly lucky children, and they may have had this piece of luck as | ||
| + | well as others. Or it may have been that... but why pursue the question | ||
| + | further? The fact remains that in all their adventures the muddle-headed | ||
| + | inventions which we call foreign languages never bothered them in the | ||
| + | least. They could always understand and be understood. If you can explain | ||
| + | this, please do. I daresay I could understand your explanation, | ||
| + | could never understand mine. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So when the girl said, & | ||
| + | Anthea replied& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | us where you live?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane put her face right into the Psammead& | ||
| + | into its fur to whisper& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead shrugged its fur. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | crossly. & | ||
| + | fast hold of the charm,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The strange girl was trembling with fright. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea had a bangle on her arm. It was a sevenpenny-halfpenny trumpery | ||
| + | thing that pretended to be silver; it had a glass heart of turquoise blue | ||
| + | hanging from it, and it was the gift of the maid-of-all-work at the | ||
| + | Fitzroy Street house. & | ||
| + | show we will not hurt you. And if you take it I shall know that you won& | ||
| + | hurt us.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl held out her hand. Anthea slid the bangle over it, and the girl& | ||
| + | face lighted up with the joy of possession. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your house and mine.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She picked up her fish and pitcher and led the way up the narrow path by | ||
| + | which she had come and the others followed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | quite different from the Phoenix and Carpet happenings.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The belt of thick-growing acacia trees and shrubs& | ||
| + | unpleasant-looking& | ||
| + | narrow and the wood dark. At last, ahead, daylight shone through the | ||
| + | boughs and leaves. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The whole party suddenly came out of the wood& | ||
| + | the sunlight that shone on a great stretch of yellow sand, dotted with | ||
| + | heaps of grey rocks where spiky cactus plants showed gaudy crimson and | ||
| + | pink flowers among their shabby, sand-peppered leaves. Away to the right | ||
| + | was something that looked like a grey-brown hedge, and from beyond it blue | ||
| + | smoke went up to the bluer sky. And over all the sun shone till you could | ||
| + | hardly bear your clothes. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | right.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead ought to have been touched by this proof of confidence. | ||
| + | Perhaps, however, it looked upon it as a proof of doubt, for it merely | ||
| + | snarled& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all of us getting our heart& | ||
| + | on!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | danger or it wouldn& | ||
| + | on!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This Jane at last consented to do. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As they got nearer to the browny fence they saw that it was a great hedge | ||
| + | about eight feet high, made of piled-up thorn bushes. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | as long as my foot.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was an opening in the hedge, and they followed the girl through it. | ||
| + | A little way further on was another hedge, not so high, also of dry thorn | ||
| + | bushes, very prickly and spiteful-looking, | ||
| + | village of huts. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There were no gardens and no roads. Just huts built of wood and twigs and | ||
| + | clay, and roofed with great palm-leaves, | ||
| + | of these houses were very low, like the doors of dog-kennels. The ground | ||
| + | between them was not paths or streets, but just yellow sand trampled very | ||
| + | hard and smooth. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In the middle of the village there was a hedge that enclosed what seemed | ||
| + | to be a piece of ground about as big as their own garden in Camden Town. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | No sooner were the children well within the inner thorn hedge than dozens | ||
| + | of men and women and children came crowding round from behind and inside | ||
| + | the huts. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl stood protectingly in front of the four children, and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gifts, and I have said that it is peace between us and them.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She held out her arm with the Lowther Arcade bangle on it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children from London, where nothing now surprises anyone, had never | ||
| + | before seen so many people look so astonished. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They crowded round the children, touching their clothes, their shoes, the | ||
| + | buttons on the boys& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | had had to wait in an outer office while his father interviewed a | ||
| + | solicitor, and there had been nothing to read but the Daily Telegraph& | ||
| + | come from the world where the sun never sets. And peace with honour is | ||
| + | what we want. We are the great Anglo-Saxon or conquering race. Not that we | ||
| + | want to conquer YOU,& | ||
| + | houses and your& | ||
| + | return to our own place, and tell of all that we have seen so that your | ||
| + | name may be famed.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril& | ||
| + | eagerly as ever at the clothing of the children. Anthea had an idea that | ||
| + | these people had never seen woven stuff before, and she saw how wonderful | ||
| + | and strange it must seem to people who had never had any clothes but the | ||
| + | skins of beasts. The sewing, too, of modern clothes seemed to astonish | ||
| + | them very much. They must have been able to sew themselves, by the way, | ||
| + | for men who seemed to be the chiefs wore knickerbockers of goat-skin or | ||
| + | deer-skin, fastened round the waist with twisted strips of hide. And the | ||
| + | women wore long skimpy skirts of animals& | ||
| + | tall, their hair was fair, and men and women both had it short. Their eyes | ||
| + | were blue, and that seemed odd in Egypt. Most of them were tattooed like | ||
| + | sailors, only more roughly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | clothes curiously. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea hastily took off Jane& | ||
| + | woman who seemed most friendly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | talk among ourselves.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She spoke in the tone of authority which she had always found successful | ||
| + | when she had not time to coax her baby brother to do as he was told. The | ||
| + | tone was just as successful now. The children were left together and the | ||
| + | crowd retreated. It paused a dozen yards away to look at the lace collar | ||
| + | and to go on talking as hard as it could. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children will never know what those people said, though they knew well | ||
| + | enough that they, the four strangers, were the subject of the talk. They | ||
| + | tried to comfort themselves by remembering the girl& | ||
| + | friendliness, | ||
| + | than anything else. They sat down on the sand in the shadow of the | ||
| + | hedged-round place in the middle of the village, and now for the first | ||
| + | time they were able to look about them and to see something more than a | ||
| + | crowd of eager, curious faces. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They here noticed that the women wore necklaces made of beads of different | ||
| + | coloured stone, and from these hung pendants of odd, strange shapes, and | ||
| + | some of them had bracelets of ivory and flint. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that flint bracelet the woman had that Anthea gave the collar to? That | ||
| + | must have taken some making. Look here, they& | ||
| + | among ourselves, and I do want to know about how they do things. Let& | ||
| + | the girl to show us round, and we can be thinking about how to get the | ||
| + | Amulet at the same time. Only mind, we must keep together.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea beckoned to the girl, who was standing a little way off looking | ||
| + | wistfully at them, and she came gladly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | special skill in such work.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | she had not understood. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | opening her eyes wide. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I wish I had time to tell you of that talk. The English children wanted to | ||
| + | hear all about this new place, but they also wanted to tell of their own | ||
| + | country. It was like when you come back from your holidays and you want to | ||
| + | hear and to tell everything at the same time. As the talk went on there | ||
| + | were more and more words that the girl could not understand, and the | ||
| + | children soon gave up the attempt to explain to her what their own country | ||
| + | was like, when they began to see how very few of the things they had | ||
| + | always thought they could not do without were really not at all necessary | ||
| + | to life. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl showed them how the huts were made& | ||
| + | made that very day she took them to look at it. The way of building was | ||
| + | very different from ours. The men stuck long pieces of wood into a piece | ||
| + | of ground the size of the hut they wanted to make. These were about eight | ||
| + | inches apart; then they put in another row about eight inches away from | ||
| + | the first, and then a third row still further out. Then all the space | ||
| + | between was filled up with small branches and twigs, and then daubed over | ||
| + | with black mud worked with the feet till it was soft and sticky like | ||
| + | putty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl told them how the men went hunting with flint spears and arrows, | ||
| + | and how they made boats with reeds and clay. Then she explained the reed | ||
| + | thing in the river that she had taken the fish out of. It was a fish-trap& | ||
| + | a ring of reeds set up in the water with only one little opening in it, | ||
| + | and in this opening, just below the water, were stuck reeds slanting the | ||
| + | way of the river& | ||
| + | sillily couldn& | ||
| + | platters, some of them ornamented with black and red patterns, and the | ||
| + | most wonderful things made of flint and different sorts of stone, beads, | ||
| + | and ornaments, and tools and weapons of all sorts and kinds. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that& | ||
| + | before anything more happens. You can see for yourselves the charm isn& | ||
| + | here.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought, and pointing to the fence. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | knows what is there. There are many walls, and inside the insidest one IT | ||
| + | is, but no one knows what IT is except the headsmen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | which had already been much admired. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the heads, and I know a water charm to make him talk in his sleep. And he | ||
| + | has spoken. I will tell you. But if they know I have told you they will | ||
| + | kill me. In the insidest inside there is a stone box, and in it there is | ||
| + | the Amulet. None knows whence it came. It came from very far away.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl nodded. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girl& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | they will kill us all. You for taking it, and me for knowing that there | ||
| + | was such a thing. Oh, woe& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | such a little jack-ape again& | ||
| + | you do. Now, tell me& | ||
| + | to speak the question there was a loud shout, and a man bounded in through | ||
| + | the opening in the thorn-hedge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | His breath only served for that, and he lay panting on the ground. & | ||
| + | let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She held up the charm. Fortunately all the strange, fair people were too | ||
| + | busy to notice HER. She held up the charm. And nothing happened. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane hastily said it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Nobody knew. So they opened the fish-bag to ask the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the bag had only a waterproof sheet in it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead was gone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril shrugged his shoulders, and tried to look as brave as he knew he | ||
| + | ought to feel. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | stay and see it out.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 5. THE FIGHT IN THE VILLAGE | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Here was a horrible position! Four English children, whose proper date was | ||
| + | A.D. 1905, and whose proper address was London, set down in Egypt in the | ||
| + | year 6000 B.C. with no means whatever of getting back into their own time | ||
| + | and place. They could not find the East, and the sun was of no use at the | ||
| + | moment, because some officious person had once explained to Cyril that the | ||
| + | sun did not really set in the West at all& | ||
| + | either, for the matter of that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead had crept out of the bass-bag when they were not looking and | ||
| + | had basely deserted them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | An enemy was approaching. There would be a fight. People get killed in | ||
| + | fights, and the idea of taking part in a fight was one that did not appeal | ||
| + | to the children. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The man who had brought the news of the enemy still lay panting on the | ||
| + | sand. His tongue was hanging out, long and red, like a dog& | ||
| + | of the village were hurriedly filling the gaps in the fence with | ||
| + | thorn-bushes from the heap that seemed to have been piled there ready for | ||
| + | just such a need. They lifted the cluster-thorns with long poles& | ||
| + | as men at home, nowadays, lift hay with a fork. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane bit her lip and tried to decide not to cry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert felt in his pocket for a toy pistol and loaded it with a pink paper | ||
| + | cap. It was his only weapon. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril tightened his belt two holes. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Anthea absently took the drooping red roses from the buttonholes of | ||
| + | the others, bit the ends of the stalks, and set them in a pot of water | ||
| + | that stood in the shadow by a hut door. She was always rather silly about | ||
| + | flowers. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | something for us. I don& | ||
| + | in the Past. I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane succeeded in deciding not to cry& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Look! That runner chap& | ||
| + | to say.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The runner had risen to his knees and was sitting back on his heels. Now | ||
| + | he stood up and spoke. He began by some respectful remarks addressed to | ||
| + | the heads of the village. His speech got more interesting when he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hour& | ||
| + | many wings, and looking up, saw many herons circling in the air. And I saw | ||
| + | that they were afraid; so I took thought. A beast may scare one heron, | ||
| + | coming upon it suddenly, but no beast will scare a whole flock of herons. | ||
| + | And still they flew and circled, and would not light. So then I knew that | ||
| + | what scared the herons must be men, and men who knew not our ways of going | ||
| + | softly so as to take the birds and beasts unawares. By this I knew they | ||
| + | were not of our race or of our place. So, leaving my raft, I crept along | ||
| + | the river bank, and at last came upon the strangers. They are many as the | ||
| + | sands of the desert, and their spear-heads shine red like the sun. They | ||
| + | are a terrible people, and their march is towards US. Having seen this, I | ||
| + | ran, and did not stay till I was before you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Cyril, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | runner. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | black as night. Yet these strange children, maybe, are their gods, who | ||
| + | have come before to make ready the way for them.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A murmur ran through the crowd. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | guard your sacred things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The headman seemed impressed by the fact that Cyril knew that there WERE | ||
| + | sacred things to be guarded. He stood a moment gazing at the children. | ||
| + | Then he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | battle.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The crowd dispersed, and nine men, wearing antelope-skins, | ||
| + | themselves in front of the opening in the hedge in the middle of the | ||
| + | village. And presently, one by one, the men brought all sorts of things& | ||
| + | flesh, ostrich-feathers, | ||
| + | chalk, fish from the river, and ibex from the mountains; and the headman | ||
| + | received these gifts. There was another hedge inside the first, about a | ||
| + | yard from it, so that there was a lane inside between the hedges. And | ||
| + | every now and then one of the headmen would disappear along this lane with | ||
| + | full hands and come back with hands empty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | something too.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The pockets of the party, hastily explored, yielded a piece of pink tape, | ||
| + | a bit of sealing-wax, | ||
| + | been able to help taking to pieces at Christmas and had never had time to | ||
| + | rearrange. Most boys have a watch in this condition. They presented their | ||
| + | offerings, and Anthea added the red roses. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The headman who took the things looked at them with awe, especially at the | ||
| + | red roses and the Waterbury-watch fragment. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in me to be astonished. Our maiden said there was peace between you and | ||
| + | us. But for this coming of a foe we should have made sure.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children shuddered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | give you a sign. You see this.& | ||
| + | to it, and if it answers me you will know that I and the others are come | ||
| + | to guard your sacred thing& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | shall I also hear it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | looked at the pistol and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hedged-in space& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He pulled the trigger, and the cap went off. The noise was loud, for it | ||
| + | was a two-shilling pistol, and the caps were excellent. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Every man, woman, and child in the village fell on its face on the sand. | ||
| + | The headman who had accepted the test rose first. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sacred thing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So now the four children were led in through the opening of the hedge and | ||
| + | round the lane till they came to an opening in the inner hedge, and they | ||
| + | went through an opening in that, and so passed into another lane. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The thing was built something like this, and all the hedges were of | ||
| + | brushwood and thorns: [Drawing of maze omitted.] | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The lanes were all open to the sky, but the little hut in the middle of | ||
| + | the maze was round-roofed, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | curtain.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Psammead turns up.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | anything while that man is in there. Let& | ||
| + | again. We can come back later now we know the way in. That man& | ||
| + | fight like the rest, most likely, if it comes to fighting. If we find the | ||
| + | Psammead we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It must be getting late, and I don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They went out and told the headman that they would protect the treasure | ||
| + | when the fighting began. And now they looked about them and were able to | ||
| + | see exactly how a first-class worker in flint flakes and notches an | ||
| + | arrow-head or the edge of an axe& | ||
| + | now alive has ever enjoyed. The boys found the weapons most interesting. | ||
| + | The arrow-heads were not on arrows such as you shoot from a bow, but on | ||
| + | javelins, for throwing from the hand. The chief weapon was a stone | ||
| + | fastened to a rather short stick something like the things gentlemen used | ||
| + | to carry about and call life-preservers in the days of the garrotters. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then there were long things like spears or lances, with flint knives& | ||
| + | sharp& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone in the village was so busy that the place was like an ant-heap | ||
| + | when you have walked into it by accident. The women were busy and even the | ||
| + | children. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Quite suddenly all the air seemed to glow and grow red& | ||
| + | the sudden opening of a furnace door, such as you may see at Woolwich | ||
| + | Arsenal if you ever have the luck to be taken there& | ||
| + | as suddenly it was as though the furnace doors had been shut. For the sun | ||
| + | had set, and it was night. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The sun had that abrupt way of setting in Egypt eight thousand years ago, | ||
| + | and I believe it has never been able to break itself of the habit, and | ||
| + | sets in exactly the same manner to the present day. The girl brought the | ||
| + | skins of wild deer and led the children to a heap of dry sedge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | seemed a good idea. You may think that in the midst of all these dangers | ||
| + | the children would not have been able to sleep& | ||
| + | they were rather frightened now and then, the feeling was growing in them& | ||
| + | down and almost hidden away, but still growing& | ||
| + | to be trusted, and that they were really and truly safe. This did not | ||
| + | prevent their being quite as much frightened as they could bear to be | ||
| + | without being perfectly miserable. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | earth poor old Nurse will do with us out all night; set the police on our | ||
| + | tracks, I expect. I only wish they could find us! A dozen policemen would | ||
| + | be rather welcome just now. But it& | ||
| + | he added soothingly. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And they all fell asleep. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They were awakened by long, loud, terrible sounds that seemed to come from | ||
| + | everywhere at once& | ||
| + | that sounded, as Cyril said later, like the voices of men thirsting for | ||
| + | their enemies& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | trembling through the dark. & | ||
| + | have driven them back. My father says they will not try again till | ||
| + | daylight. But they are shouting to frighten us. As though we were savages! | ||
| + | Dwellers in the swamps!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All night the terrible noise went on, but when the sun rose, as abruptly | ||
| + | as he had set, the sound suddenly ceased. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children had hardly time to be glad of this before a shower of | ||
| + | javelins came hurtling over the great thorn-hedge, | ||
| + | behind the huts. But next moment another shower of weapons came from the | ||
| + | opposite side, and the crowd rushed to other shelter. Cyril pulled out a | ||
| + | javelin that had stuck in the roof of the hut beside him. Its head was of | ||
| + | brightly burnished copper. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the sound of shouting arose again and the crackle of dried thorns. | ||
| + | The enemy was breaking down the hedge. All the villagers swarmed to the | ||
| + | point whence the crackling and the shouting came; they hurled stones over | ||
| + | the hedges, and short arrows with flint heads. The children had never | ||
| + | before seen men with the fighting light in their eyes. It was very strange | ||
| + | and terrible, and gave you a queer thick feeling in your throat; it was | ||
| + | quite different from the pictures of fights in the illustrated papers at | ||
| + | home. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It seemed that the shower of stones had driven back the besiegers. The | ||
| + | besieged drew breath, but at that moment the shouting and the crackling | ||
| + | arose on the opposite side of the village and the crowd hastened to defend | ||
| + | that point, and so the fight swayed to and fro across the village, for the | ||
| + | besieged had not the sense to divide their forces as their enemies had | ||
| + | done. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril noticed that every now and then certain of the fighting-men would | ||
| + | enter the maze, and come out with brighter faces, a braver aspect, and a | ||
| + | more upright carriage. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said it could make people brave.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They crept through the maze, and watching they saw that Cyril was right. A | ||
| + | headman was standing in front of the skin curtain, and as the warriors | ||
| + | came before him he murmured a word they could not hear, and touched their | ||
| + | foreheads with something that they could not see. And this something he | ||
| + | held in his hands. And through his fingers they saw the gleam of a red | ||
| + | stone that they knew. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The fight raged across the thorn-hedge outside. Suddenly there was a loud | ||
| + | and bitter cry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The headman disappeared behind the deer-skin curtain. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | leave us!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Suddenly there was a shriek from inside the hut, and the headman staggered | ||
| + | out white with fear and fled out through the maze. The children were as | ||
| + | white as he. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | How could you!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the sound of the fight sank breathlessly, | ||
| + | around. It was like the rising and falling of the waves of the sea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea shuddered and said again, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | corner by a furry hand, and out peeped the bat& | ||
| + | the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea caught it in her arms and a sigh of desperate relief was breathed | ||
| + | by each of the four. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | noise of wild fighting drew nearer and nearer. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The inside of the hut was pitch dark. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | soft, loose sand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the best sand I& | ||
| + | right. I knew your only chance would be while the fight was going on. That | ||
| + | man won& | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The hut was hung with skins. Heaped in the middle were the offerings that | ||
| + | had been given the night before, Anthea& | ||
| + | heap. At one side of the hut stood a large square stone block, and on it | ||
| + | an oblong box of earthenware with strange figures of men and beasts on it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | finger at it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bury the box in the sand when I jumped out at him and bit him.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | East?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | into its bass-bag and wrapping itself in its waterproof sheet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | shrine is, of course. THERE!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It pointed to the great stone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And still the shouting and the clash of stone on metal sounded nearer and | ||
| + | nearer. The children could hear that the headmen had surrounded the hut to | ||
| + | protect their treasure as long as might be from the enemy. But none dare | ||
| + | to come in after the Psammead& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ready to hold up the charm, and be sure you don& | ||
| + | through.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He made a step forward, but at that instant a great crackling overhead | ||
| + | ended in a blaze of sunlight. The roof had been broken in at one side, and | ||
| + | great slabs of it were being lifted off by two spears. As the children | ||
| + | trembled and winked in the new light, large dark hands tore down the wall, | ||
| + | and a dark face, with a blobby fat nose, looked over the gap. Even at that | ||
| + | awful moment Anthea had time to think that it was very like the face of Mr | ||
| + | Jacob Absalom, who had sold them the charm in the shop near Charing Cross. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | makes them strong to fight and brave to die. And what else have we here& | ||
| + | or demons?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He glared fiercely at the children, and the whites of his eyes were very | ||
| + | white indeed. He had a wet, red copper knife in his teeth. There was not a | ||
| + | moment to lose. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane with trembling hands held up the charm towards the East, and Cyril | ||
| + | spoke the word of power. The Amulet grew to a great arch. Out beyond it | ||
| + | was the glaring Egyptian sky, the broken wall, the cruel, dark, big-nosed | ||
| + | face with the red, wet knife in its gleaming teeth. Within the arch was | ||
| + | the dull, faint, greeny-brown of London grass and trees. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea and the Psammead after him. Robert followed, clutching Jane. And in | ||
| + | the ears of each, as they passed through the arch of the charm, the sound | ||
| + | and fury of battle died out suddenly and utterly, and they heard only the | ||
| + | low, dull, discontented hum of vast London, and the peeking and patting of | ||
| + | the sparrows on the gravel and the voices of the ragged baby children | ||
| + | playing Ring-o& | ||
| + | little charm again in Jane& | ||
| + | dinner and the bathbuns lying just where they had left it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | adventure.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They all lay still, breathing in the safe, quiet air of Regent& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | most frightfully anxious. The sun looks about the same as it did when we | ||
| + | started yesterday. We& | ||
| + | soft still,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They were not hungry, curiously enough. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They picked up the dinner-basket and the Psammead-basket, | ||
| + | straight home. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Old Nurse met them with amazement. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your picnic.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children took this to be bitter irony, which means saying the exact | ||
| + | opposite of what you mean in order to make yourself disagreeable; | ||
| + | you happen to have a dirty face, and someone says, & | ||
| + | look!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | me. Come in and get your dinners comf& | ||
| + | a-boiling.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When she had gone to attend to the potatoes the children looked at each | ||
| + | other. Could it be that old Nurse had so changed that she no longer cared | ||
| + | that they should have been away from home for twenty-four hours& | ||
| + | night in fact& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the Psammead put its head out of its basket and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm-arch at the same time as you go through it. This isn& | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | up the present and the Past, and cutting bits out of one to fit into the | ||
| + | other.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the modern time, anyhow.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | That evening Anthea carried up a steak for the learned gentleman& | ||
| + | She persuaded Beatrice, the maid-of-all-work, | ||
| + | with the blue stone, to let her do it. And she stayed and talked to him, | ||
| + | by special invitation, while he ate the dinner. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She told him the whole adventure, beginning with& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ending up with, & | ||
| + | in Regent& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She did not tell anything about the charm or the Psammead, because that | ||
| + | was forbidden, but the story was quite wonderful enough even as it was to | ||
| + | entrance the learned gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | things?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | long-forgotten word. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He sat long after she had left him. At last he roused himself with a | ||
| + | start. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | order. I actually have a perfectly distinct impression that the little | ||
| + | girl from the rooms below came in and gave me a coherent and graphic | ||
| + | picture of life as I conceive it to have been in pre-dynastic Egypt. | ||
| + | Strange what tricks the mind will play! I shall have to be more careful.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He finished his bread conscientiously, | ||
| + | before he went back to his work. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 6. THE WAY TO BABYLON | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Three score and ten! | ||
| + | Can I get there by candle light? | ||
| + | Yes, and back again!& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane was singing to her doll, rocking it to and fro in the house which she | ||
| + | had made for herself and it. The roof of the house was the dining-table, | ||
| + | and the walls were tablecloths and antimacassars hanging all round, and | ||
| + | kept in their places by books laid on their top ends at the table edge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others were tasting the fearful joys of domestic tobogganing. You know | ||
| + | how it is done& | ||
| + | the stair carpet. It is best to do it on the days when the stair rods are | ||
| + | being cleaned, and the carpet is only held by the nails at the top. Of | ||
| + | course, it is one of the five or six thoroughly tip-top games that | ||
| + | grown-up people are so unjust to& | ||
| + | many respects, was quite enough of a standard grown-up to put her foot | ||
| + | down on the tobogganing long before any of the performers had had half | ||
| + | enough of it. The tea-tray was taken away, and the baffled party entered | ||
| + | the sitting-room, | ||
| + | it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Cyril said, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Robert added, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Even Anthea, who was almost always kind, advised Jane to try another song. | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was a wet day, so none of the plans for seeing all the sights of London | ||
| + | that can be seen for nothing could be carried out. Everyone had been | ||
| + | thinking all the morning about the wonderful adventures of the day before, | ||
| + | when Jane had held up the charm and it had turned into an arch, through | ||
| + | which they had walked straight out of the present time and the Regent& | ||
| + | Park into the land of Egypt eight thousand years ago. The memory of | ||
| + | yesterday& | ||
| + | everyone hoped that no one would suggest another excursion into the past, | ||
| + | for it seemed to all that yesterday& | ||
| + | for at least a week. Yet each felt a little anxious that the others should | ||
| + | not think it was afraid, and presently Cyril, who really was not a coward, | ||
| + | began to see that it would not be at all nice if he should have to think | ||
| + | himself one. So he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | about it, anyhow.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane obediently wriggled to the front of her house and sat there. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She felt for the charm, to make sure that it was still round her neck. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought Robert& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | first-class charm and keeping it idle, just eating its head off in the | ||
| + | stable.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | air of chivalry, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | again& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | place.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Seeing Jane so frightened, made the others feel quite brave. They said | ||
| + | they were certain they ought to go. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | primly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane stood up. She was desperate. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | scream and I& | ||
| + | the charm in the kitchen fire. So now, then!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | You can imagine how furious everyone was with Jane for feeling what each | ||
| + | of them had felt all the morning. In each breast the same thought arose, | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | angry they all felt that all the fault was hers. This made them feel quite | ||
| + | brave. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | And all the dogs in our town shall have a little bit,& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | sang Robert. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | displeasure that was worse than Robert& | ||
| + | said, & | ||
| + | cutting thing of all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane picked up her doll and faced the others with what is sometimes called | ||
| + | the courage of despair. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | places when you don& | ||
| + | to be like! You can laugh at me as much as you like. You& | ||
| + | I hate you all!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | With these awful words she went out and banged the door. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the others would not look at each other, and they did not feel so | ||
| + | brave as they had done. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril took up a book, but it was not interesting to read. Robert kicked a | ||
| + | chair-leg absently. His feet were always eloquent in moments of emotion. | ||
| + | Anthea stood pleating the end of the tablecloth into folds& | ||
| + | seemed earnestly anxious to get all the pleats the same size. The sound of | ||
| + | Jane& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Suddenly Anthea said, & | ||
| + | know she& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you know. At least you did.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | chair-leg cracked to the kick he gave as he said it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it if we row. Come on. I& | ||
| + | anything, hardly.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Far away up the stairs a voice could be heard singing brokenly, but still | ||
| + | defiantly& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Three score and ten! (sniff) | ||
| + | Can I get there by candle light? | ||
| + | Yes (sniff), and back again!& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was trying, for this was plainly meant to annoy. But Anthea would not | ||
| + | give herself time to think this. She led the way up the stairs, taking | ||
| + | three at a time, and bounded to the level of Jane, who sat on the top step | ||
| + | of all, thumping her doll to the tune of the song she was trying to sing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was enough. The kiss of peace was given by all. Jane being the youngest | ||
| + | was entitled to this ceremonial. Anthea added a special apology of her | ||
| + | own. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in my really and truly inside mind I& | ||
| + | rather not go into the Past again either. But then, do think. If we don& | ||
| + | go we shan& | ||
| + | Father and Mother and The Lamb safe back! We MUST go, but we& | ||
| + | or two if you like and then perhaps you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that there was now no ill-feeling, | ||
| + | Tartars eat, and they& | ||
| + | are only for Christmas time, but I& | ||
| + | chop very raw if you like.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | underdone meat. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At this moment the door of the learned gentleman& | ||
| + | looked out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I mistaken in thinking that I caught a familiar word just now? Were you | ||
| + | not singing some old ballad of Babylon?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | shouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He would have said, & | ||
| + | time. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | would you recite them to me?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they all said together& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Three score and ten! | ||
| + | Can I get there by candle light? | ||
| + | Yes, and back again!& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | great and beautiful city, and the centre of learning and Art, and now it | ||
| + | is only ruins, and so covered up with earth that people are not even | ||
| + | agreed as to where it once stood.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He was leaning on the banisters, and his eyes had a far-away look in them, | ||
| + | as though he could see through the staircase window the splendour and | ||
| + | glory of ancient Babylon. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you told us how to say the name that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | been found in very early Egyptian tombs, yet their origin has not been | ||
| + | accurately determined as Egyptian. They may have been brought from Asia. | ||
| + | Or, supposing the charm to have been fashioned in Egypt, it might very | ||
| + | well have been carried to Babylon by some friendly embassy, or brought | ||
| + | back by the Babylonish army from some Egyptian campaign as part of the | ||
| + | spoils of war. The inscription may be much later than the charm. Oh yes! | ||
| + | it is a pleasant fancy, that that splendid specimen of yours was once used | ||
| + | amid Babylonish surroundings.& | ||
| + | Jane who spoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | things about?& | ||
| + | light of her own fears. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | learned gentleman. & | ||
| + | level of culture,& | ||
| + | mean that they made beautiful statues and jewellery, and built splendid | ||
| + | palaces. And they were very learned& | ||
| + | high towers for the purpose of astrological and astronomical observation.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gentleman, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hastened to say & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in dreams, when one is young.& | ||
| + | laboured briskness, & | ||
| + | went into his room and shut the door. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | let& | ||
| + | frightfully jolly place to go to.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they woke the Psammead and put it in its bass-bag with the waterproof | ||
| + | sheet, in case of inclement weather in Babylon. It was very cross, but it | ||
| + | said it would as soon go to Babylon as anywhere else. & | ||
| + | thereabouts,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then Jane held up the charm, and Cyril said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you please let us go there through you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Anthea hastily uttered the word of power, without which the charm could | ||
| + | do nothing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm grew into an arch so tall that the top of it was close against the | ||
| + | bedroom ceiling. Outside the arch was the bedroom painted chest-of-drawers | ||
| + | and the Kidderminster carpet, and the washhand-stand with the riveted | ||
| + | willow-pattern jug, and the faded curtains, and the dull light of indoors | ||
| + | on a wet day. Through the arch showed the gleam of soft green leaves and | ||
| + | white blossoms. They stepped forward quite happily. Even Jane felt that | ||
| + | this did not look like lions, and her hand hardly trembled at all as she | ||
| + | held the charm for the others to go through, and last, slipped through | ||
| + | herself, and hung the charm, now grown small again, round her neck. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children found themselves under a white-blossomed, | ||
| + | fruit-tree, in what seemed to be an orchard of such trees, all | ||
| + | white-flowered and green-foliaged. Among the long green grass under their | ||
| + | feet grew crocuses and lilies, and strange blue flowers. In the branches | ||
| + | overhead thrushes and blackbirds were singing, and the coo of a pigeon | ||
| + | came softly to them in the green quietness of the orchard. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bluer, and whiter, and greener, and the flowers are bigger.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The boys owned that it certainly was fairly decent, and even Jane admitted | ||
| + | that it was all very pretty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | even when people are killing each other. I didn& | ||
| + | learned gentleman said about the hanging gardens. I suppose they have | ||
| + | gardens on purpose to hang people in. I do hope this isn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hung up& | ||
| + | like trays. Come on; let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They began to walk through the cool grass. As far as they could see was | ||
| + | nothing but trees, and trees and more trees. At the end of their orchard | ||
| + | was another one, only separated from theirs by a little stream of clear | ||
| + | water. They jumped this, and went on. Cyril, who was fond of gardening& | ||
| + | meant that he liked to watch the gardener at work& | ||
| + | command the respect of the others by telling them the names of a good many | ||
| + | trees. There were nut-trees and almond-trees, | ||
| + | with their big five-fingered leaves. And every now and then the children | ||
| + | had to cross another brook. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last they came to an orchard which was quite different from the other | ||
| + | orchards. It had a low building in one corner. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I shouldn& | ||
| + | there.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last they got out of the orchards and on to a sort of road, very rough, | ||
| + | and not at all like the roads you are used to. It had cypress trees and | ||
| + | acacia trees along it, and a sort of hedge of tamarisks, like those you | ||
| + | see on the road between Nice and Cannes, or near Littlehampton, | ||
| + | only been as far as that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And now in front of them they could see a great mass of buildings. There | ||
| + | were scattered houses of wood and stone here and there among green | ||
| + | orchards, and beyond these a great wall that shone red in the early | ||
| + | morning sun. The wall was enormously high& | ||
| + | of St Paul& | ||
| + | gold as the rising sun beat on them. Each gate had a solid square tower on | ||
| + | each side of it that stood out from the wall and rose above it. Beyond the | ||
| + | wall were more towers and houses, gleaming with gold and bright colours. | ||
| + | Away to the left ran the steel-blue swirl of a great river. And the | ||
| + | children could see, through a gap in the trees, that the river flowed out | ||
| + | from the town under a great arch in the wall. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | instructively. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | grey-green stuff you see away over there, where it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | anything. I only thought you& | ||
| + | again.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And indeed the great gates swung back with a brazen clang, and instantly a | ||
| + | little crowd of a dozen or more people came out and along the road towards | ||
| + | them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children, with one accord, crouched behind the tamarisk hedge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | when they shut. You& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | out of the basket to remind her. & | ||
| + | you I should just march right into the town and ask to see the king.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was something at once simple and grand about this idea, and it | ||
| + | pleased everyone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So when the work-people had passed (they WERE work-people, | ||
| + | felt sure, because they were dressed so plainly& | ||
| + | shirt thing& | ||
| + | to the brazen gate between the towers. The arch above the gate was quite a | ||
| + | tunnel, the walls were so thick. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bold!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert answered this appeal by unexpectedly bursting into & | ||
| + | Grenadiers& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | And some of Hercules, | ||
| + | Of Hector and Lysander, | ||
| + | And such great names as these. | ||
| + | But of all the gallant heroes...& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This brought them to the threshold of the gate, and two men in bright | ||
| + | armour suddenly barred their way with crossed spears. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | (I think I must have explained to you before how it was that the children | ||
| + | were always able to understand the language of any place they might happen | ||
| + | to be in, and to be themselves understood. If not, I have no time to | ||
| + | explain it now.) | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the sun never sets, and we want to see your King.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ever!),& | ||
| + | Where on earth have you come from not to know that?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | question as to where they had come from. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | today three hours after sunrising.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The gatekeeper seemed neither to know nor to care. He appeared less | ||
| + | interested in them than they could have thought possible. But the man who | ||
| + | had crossed spears with him to bar the children& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | they& | ||
| + | said it in the tone people use for when they call the Atlantic Ocean the | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The gatekeeper hesitated. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | his own. & | ||
| + | place and see if my good woman can& | ||
| + | less outlandish than their present rig. Then they can have a look round | ||
| + | without being mobbed. May I go?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The man led them through the dark arch into the town. And it was very | ||
| + | different from London. For one thing, everything in London seems to be | ||
| + | patched up out of odds and ends, but these houses seemed to have been | ||
| + | built by people who liked the same sort of things. Not that they were all | ||
| + | alike, for though all were squarish, they were of different sizes, and | ||
| + | decorated in all sorts of different ways, some with paintings in bright | ||
| + | colours, some with black and silver designs. There were terraces, and | ||
| + | gardens, and balconies, and open spaces with trees. Their guide took them | ||
| + | to a little house in a back street, where a kind-faced woman sat spinning | ||
| + | at the door of a very dark room. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | go about and see the place till the Queen& | ||
| + | that wool for a bit, and show them round if you like. I must be off now.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The woman did as she was told, and the four children, wrapped in fringed | ||
| + | mantles, went with her all about the town, and oh! how I wish I had time | ||
| + | to tell you all that they saw. It was all so wonderfully different from | ||
| + | anything you have ever seen. For one thing, all the houses were dazzlingly | ||
| + | bright, and many of them covered with pictures. Some had great creatures | ||
| + | carved in stone at each side of the door. Then the people& | ||
| + | no black frock-coats and tall hats; no dingy coats and skirts of good, | ||
| + | useful, ugly stuffs warranted to wear. Everyone& | ||
| + | beautiful with blue and scarlet and green and gold. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The market was brighter than you would think anything could be. There were | ||
| + | stalls for everything you could possibly want& | ||
| + | things that if you wanted here and now, want would be your master. There | ||
| + | were pineapples and peaches in heaps& | ||
| + | glass things, beautiful shapes and glorious colours, there were stalls for | ||
| + | necklaces, and clasps, and bracelets, and brooches, for woven stuffs, and | ||
| + | furs, and embroidered linen. The children had never seen half so many | ||
| + | beautiful things together, even at Liberty& | ||
| + | before the woman said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | as well to be early.& | ||
| + | it was more splendid than anything they had seen yet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | For it was glowing with colours, and with gold and silver and black and | ||
| + | white& | ||
| + | marble steps led up to it, and at the edges of the stairs stood great | ||
| + | images, twenty times as big as a man& | ||
| + | chain armour, and hawks& | ||
| + | there were the statues of great kings. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Between the flights of steps were terraces where fountains played, and the | ||
| + | Queen& | ||
| + | by twos lining the way up the stairs; and a great body of them was massed | ||
| + | by the vast door of the palace itself, where it stood glittering like an | ||
| + | impossibly radiant peacock in the noon-day sun. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All sorts of people were passing up the steps to seek audience of the | ||
| + | Queen. Ladies in richly-embroidered dresses with fringy flounces, poor | ||
| + | folks in plain and simple clothes, dandies with beards oiled and curled. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Cyril, Robert, Anthea and Jane, went with the crowd. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At the gate of the palace the Psammead put one eye cautiously out of the | ||
| + | basket and whispered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | she& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | instructions in Court etiquette to Anthea, and did not hear Jane. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bit of good your having a charm. You never use it. If you want me you& | ||
| + | only got to say the name of power and ask the charm to bring me to you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | she had ever said in her life. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone opened its mouth without thinking of manners, and Anthea, who was | ||
| + | peeping into the Psammead& | ||
| + | anybody& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with queens any more than IT is. And I know, wherever it is, it& | ||
| + | jolly good care that it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead had a way of knowing which side its bread was buttered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She turned to the woman and said, & | ||
| + | you? And let me play with your little girls till the others have done with | ||
| + | the Queen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then Anthea hurriedly stroked the Psammead and embraced Jane, who took | ||
| + | the woman& | ||
| + | under the other arm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others stood looking after her till she, the woman, and the basket | ||
| + | were lost in the many-coloured crowd. Then Anthea turned once more to the | ||
| + | palace& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they took off the garments that the woman had lent them and stood amid | ||
| + | the jostling petitioners of the Queen in their own English frocks and | ||
| + | coats and hats and boots. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the sun never sets!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A murmur of surprise and a thrill of excitement ran through the crowd. The | ||
| + | door-porter spoke to a black man, he spoke to someone else. There was a | ||
| + | whispering, waiting pause. Then a big man, with a cleanly-shaven face, | ||
| + | beckoned them from the top of a flight of red marble steps. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They went up; the boots of Robert clattering more than usual because he | ||
| + | was so nervous. A door swung open, a curtain was drawn back. A double line | ||
| + | of bowing forms in gorgeous raiment formed a lane that led to the steps of | ||
| + | the throne, and as the children advanced hurriedly there came from the | ||
| + | throne a voice very sweet and kind. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hither without fear.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In another minute they were kneeling at the throne& | ||
| + | Queen, live for ever!& | ||
| + | splendid dream-lady, all gold and silver and jewels and snowy drift of | ||
| + | veils, was raising Anthea, and saying& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | never sets! I am delighted to see you! I was getting quite too dreadfully | ||
| + | bored for anything!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And behind Anthea the kneeling Cyril whispered in the ears of the | ||
| + | respectful Robert& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | didn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | IT said so.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | course. So we are! Oh, yes! If we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then Robert saw, and he murmured, & | ||
| + | Babylon; while Cyril hoarsely whispered the plain English fact& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 7. & | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen threw three of the red and gold embroidered cushions off the | ||
| + | throne on to the marble steps that led up to it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | talk to you, and to hear all about your wonderful country and how you got | ||
| + | here, and everything, but I have to do justice every morning. Such a bore, | ||
| + | isn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sort of way, only in private.& | ||
| + | prefer a private audience myself& | ||
| + | opinion has to be considered. Doing justice is very hard work, even when | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | care of her. And scales are music.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | before you do it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | We& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | justice. The way I do it has always been admired. I oughtn& | ||
| + | ought I? Sounds so conceited. But I don& | ||
| + | feel as though I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen settled herself on her throne and made a signal to her | ||
| + | attendants. The children, whispering together among the cushions on the | ||
| + | steps of the throne, decided that she was very beautiful and very kind, | ||
| + | but perhaps just the least bit flighty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The first person who came to ask for justice was a woman whose brother had | ||
| + | taken the money the father had left for her. The brother said it was the | ||
| + | uncle who had the money. There was a good deal of talk and the children | ||
| + | were growing rather bored, when the Queen suddenly clapped her hands, and | ||
| + | said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | innocent.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | does it. And you mustn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then came a woman, in tears, with a torn veil and real ashes on her head& | ||
| + | least Anthea thought so, but it may have been only road-dust. She | ||
| + | complained that her husband was in prison. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it wasn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | beautiful face.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The next case was that of a boy who had stolen a fox. & | ||
| + | boy,& | ||
| + | possible reason for owning a fox, and still less for stealing one. And she | ||
| + | did not believe that there were any foxes in Babylon; she, at any rate, | ||
| + | had never seen one. So the boy was released. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The people came to the Queen about all sorts of family quarrels and | ||
| + | neighbourly misunderstandings& | ||
| + | division of an inheritance, | ||
| + | woman who had borrowed a cooking-pot at the last New Year& | ||
| + | not returned it yet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the Queen decided everything, very, very decidedly indeed. At last she | ||
| + | clapped her hands quite suddenly and with extreme loudness, and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone said, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the children were left alone in the justice-hall with the Queen of | ||
| + | Babylon and her ladies. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | couldn& | ||
| + | of Egypt! Now come into the garden, and we& | ||
| + | talk.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She led them through long, narrow corridors whose walls they somehow felt, | ||
| + | were very, very thick, into a sort of garden courtyard. There were thick | ||
| + | shrubs closely planted, and roses were trained over trellises, and made a | ||
| + | pleasant shade& | ||
| + | is in England in August at the seaside. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Slaves spread cushions on a low, marble terrace, and a big man with a | ||
| + | smooth face served cool drink in cups of gold studded with beryls. He | ||
| + | drank a little from the Queen& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | taught never to drink out of one of the nice, shiny, metal cups that are | ||
| + | chained to the London drinking fountains without first rinsing it out | ||
| + | thoroughly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen overheard him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have SOME ONE as taster, you know, because of poison.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The word made the children feel rather creepy; but Ritti-Marduk had tasted | ||
| + | all the cups, so they felt pretty safe. The drink was delicious& | ||
| + | cold, and tasting like lemonade and partly like penny ices. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | many-folded, | ||
| + | children were left alone with the Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They looked at each other. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Queen of India was when you told her all about us?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril muttered that it was all very well, and so it was. For when he had | ||
| + | told the tale of the Phoenix and the Carpet to the Ranee, it had been only | ||
| + | the truth& | ||
| + | easy to tell a convincing story without mentioning the Amulet& | ||
| + | of course, it wouldn& | ||
| + | they were really living in London, about 2,500 years later than the time | ||
| + | they were talking in. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril took refuge in the tale of the Psammead and its wonderful power of | ||
| + | making wishes come true. The children had never been able to tell anyone | ||
| + | before, and Cyril was surprised to find that the spell which kept them | ||
| + | silent in London did not work here. & | ||
| + | Past, I suppose,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | for the banquet tonight. Its performance will be one of the most popular | ||
| + | turns in the whole programme. Where is it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea explained that they did not know; also why it was that they did not | ||
| + | know. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sigh of relief as she said it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sister went home with.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it interfere with his meal-times, or anything like that, if he went NOW?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | meals at any time,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | account-book, | ||
| + | knew was in one of them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and licking its point. He even had to bite the wood a little, for it was | ||
| + | very blunt. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril wrote on a leaf of the book& | ||
| + | with hairs that stuck out and would have got in his pen if he had been | ||
| + | using one, and ruled for accounts. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mention it& | ||
| + | Queen is a fair treat. There& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Queen. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | like a& | ||
| + | she is to come at once.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Ritti-Marduk, | ||
| + | Babylonish eyes nearly starting out of his Babylonish head, now took the | ||
| + | letter, with some reluctance. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm, most great lady?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | until you& | ||
| + | CAN& | ||
| + | he ended abruptly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm. You needn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Ritti-Marduk went, seeming only partly satisfied; and then the Queen began | ||
| + | to admire the penny account-book and the bit of pencil in so marked and | ||
| + | significant a way that Cyril felt he could not do less than press them | ||
| + | upon her as a gift. She ruffled the leaves delightedly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charms? Make a charm for me! Do you know,& | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Shakespeare, | ||
| + | Sherlock Holmes, while the Queen watched him with & | ||
| + | Anthea said afterwards. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She took the book and hid it reverently among the bright folds of her | ||
| + | gown. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | names of their Ministers& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and Mr Burns a Minister, and so is the Archbishop of Canterbury, I think, | ||
| + | but I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | round with all those great names. You shall teach them to me later& | ||
| + | of course you& | ||
| + | Now tell me& | ||
| + | Besides, I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Queen gently. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | may-he-live-for-ever has gone to fetch home his fourteenth wife? I don& | ||
| + | think even Bluebeard had as many as that. And, besides, he hasn& | ||
| + | YOU at any rate.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen looked bewildered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | least, Henry the Eighth had seven or eight, but not all at once.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | who had only one wife. No one would respect him, and quite right too.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with them, of course, I am the Queen: they& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | this last wife! You never did! It really was TOO funny. We wanted an | ||
| + | Egyptian princess. The King may-he-live-for-ever has got a wife from most | ||
| + | of the important nations, and he had set his heart on an Egyptian one to | ||
| + | complete his collection. Well, of course, to begin with, we sent a | ||
| + | handsome present of gold. The Egyptian king sent back some horses& | ||
| + | a few; he& | ||
| + | much, but what they were really short of was lapis lazuli, so of course we | ||
| + | sent him some. But by that time he& | ||
| + | beams of the roof of the Temple of the Sun-God, and he hadn& | ||
| + | enough to finish the job, so we sent some more. And so it went on, oh, for | ||
| + | years. You see each journey takes at least six months. And at last we | ||
| + | asked the hand of his daughter in marriage.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the story. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | could, and only given the meanest presents in return, he sent to say he | ||
| + | would esteem the honour of an alliance very highly, only unfortunately he | ||
| + | hadn& | ||
| + | should certainly be reserved for the King of Babylon!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | more gifts and more journeys; and now at last the tiresome, black-haired | ||
| + | thing is coming, and the King may-he-live-for-ever has gone seven days& | ||
| + | journey to meet her at Carchemish. And he& | ||
| + | one inlaid with lapis lazuli and gold, with the gold-plated wheels and | ||
| + | onyx-studded hubs& | ||
| + | here tonight; there& | ||
| + | won& | ||
| + | anointings, and all that sort of thing. We always clean our foreign brides | ||
| + | very carefully. It takes two or three weeks. Now it& | ||
| + | shall eat with me, for I can see that you are of high rank.& | ||
| + | into a dark, cool hall, with many cushions on the floor. On these they sat | ||
| + | and low tables were brought& | ||
| + | mounted in gold. On these, golden trays were placed; but there were no | ||
| + | knives, or forks, or spoons. The children expected the Queen to call for | ||
| + | them; but no. She just ate with her fingers, and as the first dish was a | ||
| + | great tray of boiled corn, and meat and raisins all mixed up together, and | ||
| + | melted fat poured all over the tray, it was found difficult to follow her | ||
| + | example with anything like what we are used to think of as good table | ||
| + | manners. There were stewed quinces afterwards, and dates in syrup, and | ||
| + | thick yellowy cream. It was the kind of dinner you hardly ever get in | ||
| + | Fitzroy Street. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | After dinner everybody went to sleep, even the children. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen awoke with a start. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dress for the banquet. I shan& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea asked. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wouldn& | ||
| + | I expect she& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Ritti-Marduk came in a moment later. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | beast she bears with her in a basket has bitten the child of the guard, | ||
| + | and your sister and the beast set out to come to you. The police say they | ||
| + | have a clue. No doubt we shall have news of her in a few weeks.& | ||
| + | and withdrew. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The horror of this threefold loss& | ||
| + | the children something to talk about while the Queen was dressing. I shall | ||
| + | not report their conversation; | ||
| + | himself several times, and the discussion ended in each of them blaming | ||
| + | the other two for having let Jane go. You know the sort of talk it was, | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | jolly careful of itself too. And it isn& | ||
| + | Let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They did enjoy the banquet. They had a beautiful bath, which was | ||
| + | delicious, were heavily oiled all over, including their hair, and that was | ||
| + | most unpleasant. Then, they dressed again and were presented to the King, | ||
| + | who was most affable. The banquet was long; there were all sorts of nice | ||
| + | things to eat, and everybody seemed to eat and drink a good deal. Everyone | ||
| + | lay on cushions and couches, ladies on one side and gentlemen on the | ||
| + | other; and after the eating was done each lady went and sat by some | ||
| + | gentleman, who seemed to be her sweetheart or her husband, for they were | ||
| + | very affectionate to each other. The Court dresses had gold threads woven | ||
| + | in them, very bright and beautiful. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The middle of the room was left clear, and different people came and did | ||
| + | amusing things. There were conjurers and jugglers and snake-charmers, | ||
| + | which last Anthea did not like at all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When it got dark torches were lighted. Cedar splinters dipped in oil | ||
| + | blazed in copper dishes set high on poles. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then there was a dancer, who hardly danced at all, only just struck | ||
| + | attitudes. She had hardly any clothes, and was not at all pretty. The | ||
| + | children were rather bored by her, but everyone else was delighted, | ||
| + | including the King. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have it!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | may-he-live-for-ever is reward enough for me.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the King was so pleased with this modest and sensible reply that he | ||
| + | gave her the gold collar off his own neck. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | means. We always keep a stock of cheap jewellery for these occasions. And | ||
| + | now& | ||
| + | to accompany you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and on all the time, and their music reminded Anthea of the band she and | ||
| + | the others had once had on the fifth of November& | ||
| + | tin whistle, a tea-tray, the tongs, a policeman& | ||
| + | They had enjoyed this band very much at the time. But it was quite | ||
| + | different when someone else was making the same kind of music. Anthea | ||
| + | understood now that Father had not been really heartless and unreasonable | ||
| + | when he had told them to stop that infuriating din. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | two, three. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Oh, who will with me ride, | ||
| + | Oh, who will up and follow me, | ||
| + | To win a blooming bride? | ||
| + | Her father he has locked the door, | ||
| + | Her mother keeps the key; | ||
| + | But neither bolt nor bar shall keep | ||
| + | My own true love from me.& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane, the alto, was missing, and Robert, unlike the mother of the lady in | ||
| + | the song, never could & | ||
| + | sufficiently unlike anything any of them had ever heard to rouse the | ||
| + | Babylonian Court to the wildest enthusiasm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thing. Sing again!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they sang: | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I saw her bower at break of day, | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | |||
| + | The varlets they were all asleep, | ||
| + | And there was none to see | ||
| + | The greeting fair that passed there | ||
| + | | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Shouts of applause greeted the ending of the verse, and the King would not | ||
| + | be satisfied till they had sung all their part-songs (they only knew | ||
| + | three) twice over, and ended up with & | ||
| + | King stood up in his royal robes with his high, narrow crown on his head | ||
| + | and shouted& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the sun never sets!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | excited by the music, and the flaring torches, and the applause and the | ||
| + | opportunity, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | he said, adding as an afterthought, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As he spoke the great name those in the pillared hall fell on their faces, | ||
| + | and lay still. All but the Queen who crouched amid her cushions with her | ||
| + | head in her hands, and the King, who stood upright, perfectly still, like | ||
| + | the statue of a king in stone. It was only for a moment though. Then his | ||
| + | great voice thundered out& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Instantly, from nowhere as it seemed, sprang eight soldiers in bright | ||
| + | armour inlaid with gold, and tunics of red and white. Very splendid they | ||
| + | were, and very alarming. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with them! We will find a way, tomorrow, to make them speak. For without | ||
| + | doubt they can tell us where to find the lost half of It.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A wall of scarlet and white and steel and gold closed up round the | ||
| + | children and hurried them away among the many pillars of the great hall. | ||
| + | As they went they heard the voices of the courtiers loud in horror. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | desperately. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They could not see where they were going, because the guard surrounded | ||
| + | them so closely, but the ground under their feet, smooth marble at first, | ||
| + | grew rougher like stone, then it was loose earth and sand, and they felt | ||
| + | the night air. Then there was more stone, and steps down. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | castle moat this time,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And they were. At least it was not below a moat, but below the river | ||
| + | Euphrates, which was just as bad if not worse. In a most unpleasant place | ||
| + | it was. Dark, very, very damp, and with an odd, musty smell rather like | ||
| + | the shells of oysters. There was a torch& | ||
| + | basket on a high stick with oiled wood burning in it. By its light the | ||
| + | children saw that the walls were green, and that trickles of water ran | ||
| + | down them and dripped from the roof. There were things on the floor that | ||
| + | looked like newts, and in the dark corners creepy, shiny things moved | ||
| + | sluggishly, uneasily, horribly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert& | ||
| + | and Cyril each had a private struggle with that inside disagreeableness | ||
| + | which is part of all of us, and which is sometimes called the Old Adam& | ||
| + | both were victors. Neither of them said to Robert (and both tried hard not | ||
| + | even to think it), & | ||
| + | temptation to add, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gaoler. & | ||
| + | some pleasure out of them tomorrow! He& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do to let domestic sentiment interfere with one& | ||
| + | night.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The soldiers tramped heavily off in their white and red and steel and | ||
| + | gold. The gaoler, with a bunch of big keys in his hand, stood looking | ||
| + | pityingly at the children. He shook his head twice and went out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | REALLY, you know. It MUST be! I don& | ||
| + | something or other of thought. It IS a dream, and we& | ||
| + | all right and safe.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | about it, and tell Father& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | What he had forgotten was that his father was 3,000 miles and 5,000 or | ||
| + | more years away from him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hand and squeezed it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the gaoler came back with a platter of hard, flat cakes made of | ||
| + | coarse grain, very different from the cream-and-juicy-date feasts of the | ||
| + | palace; also a pitcher of water. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | advice is if you& | ||
| + | they& | ||
| + | night.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | vain to render firm. Then he went out, and the three were left alone in | ||
| + | the damp, dim vault. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | brazier. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | charm?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they tried. But the blank silence of the damp dungeon remained | ||
| + | unchanged. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | You know, the slave of the great names?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then Anthea pulled herself together. All her muscles tightened, and the | ||
| + | muscles of her mind and soul, if you can call them that, tightened too. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Great Ones, come and help us!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a waiting silence. Then a cold, blue light awoke in the corner | ||
| + | where the straw was& | ||
| + | strange and terrible figure. I won& | ||
| + | drawing shows it, exactly as it was, and exactly as the old Babylonians | ||
| + | carved it on their stones, so that you can see it in our own British | ||
| + | Museum at this day. I will just say that it had eagle& | ||
| + | eagle& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It came towards them, strong and unspeakably horrible. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The creature hesitated, then bowed low before them on the damp floor of | ||
| + | the dungeon. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | turned in locks. & | ||
| + | your need that you call on the name of Nisroch?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Nisroch raised his great arm and pointed at the wall of the dungeon. And, | ||
| + | as he pointed, the wall disappeared, | ||
| + | surface, there shone and glowed a room with rich hangings of red silk | ||
| + | embroidered with golden water-lilies, | ||
| + | mirrors of polished steel; and in it was the Queen, and before her, on a | ||
| + | red pillow, sat the Psammead, its fur hunched up in an irritated, | ||
| + | discontented way. On a blue-covered couch lay Jane fast asleep. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Servant of the great Name can do for those who speak that name?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | saying. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She caught the hand of the creature, and it was cold and hard in hers, | ||
| + | like a hand of stone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you get here? I KNEW you were magic. I meant to let you out the first | ||
| + | thing in the morning, if I could slip away& | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | lady and she shall call Ritti-Marduk, | ||
| + | and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She shook Jane with energy, and Jane slowly awoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wanted to have the Psammead all to myself for a bit. You& | ||
| + | little natural deception?& | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | rouse someone.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | enough of what the Babylonians were like when they were roused. & | ||
| + | by our own magic. And you will tell the King it wasn& | ||
| + | It was Nisroch.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane sat up, blinking stupidly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | which mechanically bit him, but only very slightly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And there they all were in the dining-room at 300, Fitzroy Street. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sand down for the Psammead.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane went. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the stairs, & | ||
| + | only frighten her so that she& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to save her life. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with the plate of sand. & | ||
| + | it no end.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought we& | ||
| + | wear out your welcome!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 8. THE QUEEN IN LONDON | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | others had told her all about the Queen& | ||
| + | variety entertainment, | ||
| + | the dungeon part of the story. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | It was lost before that. We& | ||
| + | where everyone is kind and pleasant, and look for it there. Now tell us | ||
| + | about your part.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | name?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | had bitten the guard-of-the-gate& | ||
| + | the Palace. And we had supper with the new little Queen from Egypt. She is | ||
| + | a dear& | ||
| + | we played ball after supper. And then the Babylon Queen sent for me. I | ||
| + | like her too. And she talked to the Psammead and I went to sleep. And then | ||
| + | you woke me up. That& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead, roused from its sound sleep, told the same story. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wishes? I sometimes think you were born without even the most rudimentary | ||
| + | imitation of brains.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children did not know the meaning of rudimentary, | ||
| + | rude, insulting word. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not! Quite the contrary! Exactly so! Only she happened to wish that she | ||
| + | might soon find herself in your country. And soon may mean any moment.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | made & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Sand-fairy. & | ||
| + | It wasn& | ||
| + | to go out lion hunting. So she& | ||
| + | as she wishes with. SHE doesn& | ||
| + | thought.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | give her a good time. She was jolly decent to us. I say, suppose we were | ||
| + | to go to St James& | ||
| + | did feed. After all that Babylon and all those years ago, I feel as if I | ||
| + | should like to see something REAL, and NOW. You& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | morosely. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then everybody remembered with pain that the bass bag had, in the | ||
| + | hurry of departure from Babylon, not been remembered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | given to you for nothing if you buy fish in Farringdon Market.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | indifference to the things of this disgusting modern world, to fob me off | ||
| + | with a travelling equipage that costs you nothing. Very well, I shall go | ||
| + | to sand. Please don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And it went then and there to sand, which, as you know, meant to bed. The | ||
| + | boys went to St James& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea and Jane sat sewing all the afternoon. They cut off half a yard | ||
| + | from each of their best green Liberty sashes. A towel cut in two formed a | ||
| + | lining; and they sat and sewed and sewed and sewed. What they were making | ||
| + | was a bag for the Psammead. Each worked at a half of the bag. jane& | ||
| + | had four-leaved shamrocks embroidered on it. They were the only things she | ||
| + | could do (because she had been taught how at school, and, fortunately, | ||
| + | some of the silk she had been taught with was left over). And even so, | ||
| + | Anthea had to draw the pattern for her. Anthea& | ||
| + | letters on it& | ||
| + | They were something like this: | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | PSAMS TRAVEL CAR | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She would have put & | ||
| + | big, so there was no room. The bag was made INTO a bag with old Nurse& | ||
| + | sewing machine, and the strings of it were Anthea& | ||
| + | hair ribbons. At tea-time, when the boys had come home with a most | ||
| + | unfavourable report of the St james& | ||
| + | awaken the Psammead, and to show it its new travelling bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | affectionately, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead seemed to pick up very easily the kind of things that people | ||
| + | said nowadays. For a creature that had in its time associated with | ||
| + | Megatheriums and Pterodactyls, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with a pound of plaice. When do you propose to take me out in it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Jane said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | marry the King in Babylon. She told me about the larks they have in Egypt. | ||
| + | And the cats. Do let& | ||
| + | the Amulet were like. And she said it was Egyptian writing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others exchanged looks of silent rejoicing at the thought of their | ||
| + | cleverness in having concealed from Jane the terrors they had suffered in | ||
| + | the dungeon below the Euphrates. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | History. I would like to go there when Joseph was dreaming those curious | ||
| + | dreams, or when Moses was doing wonderful things with snakes and sticks.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and sweet, sticky stuff. And I expect Egypt& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a good deal of discussion, but it all ended in everybody& | ||
| + | agreeing to Jane& | ||
| + | was kippers and very nice) the Psammead was invited to get into his | ||
| + | travelling carriage. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The moment after it had done so, with stiff, furry reluctance, like that | ||
| + | of a cat when you want to nurse it, and its ideas are not the same as | ||
| + | yours, old Nurse came in. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | going off to see some old ancient relics.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | money too reckless, that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She cleared away the kipper bones and the tea-things, and when she had | ||
| + | swept up the crumbs and removed the cloth, the Amulet was held up and the | ||
| + | order given& | ||
| + | coachmen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of Power. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And there, in the dingy Fitzroy Street dining-room, | ||
| + | and it was an arch, and through it they saw a blue, blue sky and a running | ||
| + | river. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | daren& | ||
| + | THE minute.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hand away from Cyril. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | everyone saw it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | For some days life flowed in a very slow, dusty, uneventful stream. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children could never go out all at once, because they never knew when | ||
| + | the King of Babylon would go out lion hunting and leave his Queen free to | ||
| + | pay them that surprise visit to which she was, without doubt, eagerly | ||
| + | looking forward. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they took it in turns, two and two, to go out and to stay in. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The stay-at-homes would have been much duller than they were but for the | ||
| + | new interest taken in them by the learned gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He called Anthea in one day to show her a beautiful necklace of purple and | ||
| + | gold beads. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | because, as a matter of fact, these beads did come from Babylon.& | ||
| + | other three were all out that day. The boys had been going to the Zoo, and | ||
| + | Jane had said so plaintively, | ||
| + | either of you are,& | ||
| + | had run, catching the boys before that part of the road where Fitzroy | ||
| + | Street suddenly becomes Fitzroy Square. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | such interesting dreams about it& | ||
| + | quite as wonderful.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | her a lot of questions, and she answered them as well as she could. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought-transference, | ||
| + | sort. Yet it must be that, and very bad for YOU, I should think. Doesn& | ||
| + | your head ache very much?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He suddenly put a cold, thin hand on her forehead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a good deal about Babylon, and I unconsciously communicate it to you; | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | understand; they never enter my head, and yet they& | ||
| + | probable.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was not quite so simple when Anthea, having heard the others come in, | ||
| + | went down, and before she had had time to ask how they had liked the Zoo, | ||
| + | heard a noise outside, compared to which the wild beasts& | ||
| + | gentle as singing birds. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The loud hum of many voices came through the open window. Words could be | ||
| + | distinguished. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it is.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then came a clear voice that they knew. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | lingo,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children rushed to the door. A crowd was on the road and pavement. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In the middle of the crowd, plainly to be seen from the top of the steps, | ||
| + | were the beautiful face and bright veil of the Babylonian Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ours, coming to see us.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a handcart. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All the same the crowd made way a little. The Queen met Robert on the | ||
| + | pavement, and Cyril joined them, the Psammead bag still on his arm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | THEY were dressed properly, then they wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead blew itself out till the bag was a very tight fit for it; and | ||
| + | suddenly every man, woman, and child in that crowd felt that it had not | ||
| + | enough clothes on. For, of course, the Queen& | ||
| + | the dress that had been proper for the working-classes 3,000 years ago in | ||
| + | Babylon& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | come out this figure?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sold bootlaces. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | legs; and where& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bootlace-seller. & | ||
| + | dress up like a circus.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The crowd was all talking at once, and getting rather angry. But no one | ||
| + | seemed to think of blaming the Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea bounded down the steps and pulled her up; the others followed, and | ||
| + | the door was shut. & | ||
| + | home, I am.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And the crowd, coming slowly to the same mind, dispersed, followed by | ||
| + | another crowd of persons who were not dressed in what the Queen thought | ||
| + | was the proper way. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | despair. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen leaned against the arm of the horse-hair sofa. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you don& | ||
| + | surprise that makes you behave like this. Yet you ought to be used to | ||
| + | surprises. The way you vanished! I shall never forget it. The best magic | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | upset all those people, and I expect they& | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Cyril. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your own hands.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girls shuddered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | horrid, ignorant people. Do you know they actually can& | ||
| + | single word I say.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | YOU quite well.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I really am not going to explain AGAIN how it was that the children could | ||
| + | understand other languages than their own so thoroughly, and talk them, | ||
| + | too, so that it felt and sounded (to them) just as though they were | ||
| + | talking English. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you think you might as well go home again?& | ||
| + | yet,& | ||
| + | door, and I was. Now I must go and see your King and Queen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you and show you anything you& | ||
| + | she added kindly, because she remembered how nice the Queen had been to | ||
| + | them in Babylon, even if she had been a little deceitful in the matter of | ||
| + | Jane and Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your country there. If only we could disguise you a little.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a lot of her old hats in the big box.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The blue silk, lace-trimmed cloak did indeed hide some of the Queen& | ||
| + | startling splendours, but the hat fitted very badly. It had pink roses in | ||
| + | it; and there was something about the coat or the hat or the Queen, that | ||
| + | made her look somehow not very respectable. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | get her out before Nurse has finished her forty winks. I should think | ||
| + | she& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | haste into the Museum. If any of those people you made guys of do fetch | ||
| + | the police, they won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The blue silk coat and the pink-rosed hat attracted almost as much | ||
| + | attention as the royal costume had done; and the children were uncommonly | ||
| + | glad to get out of the noisy streets into the grey quiet of the Museum. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The party had no umbrellas, and the only parcel was the bag containing the | ||
| + | Psammead, which the Queen had insisted should be brought. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | seat near the drinking fountain. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | might get splashed.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea obediently moved to another seat and waited. Indeed she waited, and | ||
| + | waited, and waited, and waited, and waited. The Psammead dropped into an | ||
| + | uneasy slumber. Anthea had long ceased to watch the swing-door that always | ||
| + | let out the wrong person, and she was herself almost asleep, and still the | ||
| + | others did not come back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was quite a start when Anthea suddenly realized that they HAD come | ||
| + | back, and that they were not alone. Behind them was quite a crowd of men | ||
| + | in uniform, and several gentlemen were there. Everyone seemed very angry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thing home and tell your parents she ought to be properly looked after.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | nastiest gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | really very nice indeed, and seemed to be over all the others. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The nicest gentleman nodded, and the officials stood round the Queen, the | ||
| + | others forming a sort of guard while Robert crossed over to Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | earrings and things in the glass cases were all hers& | ||
| + | out of the cases. Tried to break the glass& | ||
| + | Everybody in the place has been at her. No good. I only got her out by | ||
| + | telling her that was the place where they cut queens& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | meant MUMMY queens. How do you know they don& | ||
| + | see how the embalming is done? What I want to say is, can& | ||
| + | go with you quietly?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | nicer necklace than anything they& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen nodded. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Babylonian, but nonsense. You just go home at once, and tell your parents | ||
| + | exactly what has happened.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea took the Queen& | ||
| + | children followed, and the black crowd of angry gentlemen stood on the | ||
| + | steps watching them. It was when the little party of disgraced children, | ||
| + | with the Queen who had disgraced them, had reached the middle of the | ||
| + | courtyard that her eyes fell on the bag where the Psammead was. She | ||
| + | stopped short. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | would come out to me here& | ||
| + | see the working of the great Queen& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | puffed itself out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Next moment there was a crash. The glass swing doors and all their | ||
| + | framework were smashed suddenly and completely. The crowd of angry | ||
| + | gentlemen sprang aside when they saw what had done this. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the nastiest of them was not quick enough, and he was roughly pushed | ||
| + | out of the way by an enormous stone bull that was floating steadily | ||
| + | through the door. It came and stood beside the Queen in the middle of the | ||
| + | courtyard. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was followed by more stone images, by great slabs of carved stone, | ||
| + | bricks, helmets, tools, weapons, fetters, wine-jars, bowls, bottles, | ||
| + | vases, jugs, saucers, seals, and the round long things, something like | ||
| + | rolling pins with marks on them like the print of little bird-feet, | ||
| + | necklaces, collars, rings, armlets, earrings& | ||
| + | heaps of things, far more than anyone had time to count, or even to see | ||
| + | distinctly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All the angry gentlemen had abruptly sat down on the Museum steps except | ||
| + | the nice one. He stood with his hands in his pockets just as though he was | ||
| + | quite used to seeing great stone bulls and all sorts of small Babylonish | ||
| + | objects float out into the Museum yard. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But he sent a man to close the big iron gates. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A journalist, who was just leaving the museum, spoke to Robert as he | ||
| + | passed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The journalist passed through the gates just before they were shut. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He rushed off to Fleet Street, and his paper got out a new edition within | ||
| + | half an hour. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | MRS BESANT AND THEOSOPHY | ||
| + | |||
| + | | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | People saw it in fat, black letters on the boards carried by the sellers | ||
| + | of newspapers. Some few people who had nothing better to do went down to | ||
| + | the Museum on the tops of omnibuses. But by the time they got there there | ||
| + | was nothing to be seen. For the Babylonian Queen had suddenly seen the | ||
| + | closed gates, had felt the threat of them, and had said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And, of course, instantly they were. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead was furious. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | There& | ||
| + | to work at politics. Why wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all the things were back in their places. Will THAT do for you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead swelled and shrank and spoke very angrily. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | if this goes on. Now then.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | for us too. Don& | ||
| + | soon.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children looked at each other. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | notice her so much then. But we haven& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | prison.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | her hand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hand. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Babylonish studies would bear fruit like this. Horrible! There are more | ||
| + | things in heaven and earth& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | more than anything on earth.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He ran his fingers through his thin hair. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it seems so to me. But perhaps I have hypnotized myself. I will see a | ||
| + | doctor the moment I have corrected the last proofs of my book.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She took the sovereign and ran down to the others. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And now from the window of a four-wheeled cab the Queen of Babylon beheld | ||
| + | the wonders of London. Buckingham Palace she thought uninteresting; | ||
| + | Westminster Abbey and the Houses of Parliament little better. But she | ||
| + | liked the Tower, and the River, and the ships filled her with wonder and | ||
| + | delight. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | they seem,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you suppose I don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Why don& | ||
| + | Tell me in three words.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | No one answered. The wage-system of modern England is a little difficult | ||
| + | to explain in three words even if you understand it& | ||
| + | children didn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not to revolt. It makes all the difference. Father told me so.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | They don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | slaves may have in their hands this moment their fill of their favourite | ||
| + | meat and drink.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Instantly all the people in the Mile End Road, and in all the other | ||
| + | streets where poor people live, found their hands full of things to eat | ||
| + | and drink. From the cab window could be seen persons carrying every kind | ||
| + | of food, and bottles and cans as well. Roast meat, fowls, red lobsters, | ||
| + | great yellowy crabs, fried fish, boiled pork, beef-steak puddings, baked | ||
| + | onions, mutton pies; most of the young people had oranges and sweets and | ||
| + | cake. It made an enormous change in the look of the Mile End Road& | ||
| + | it up, so to speak, and brightened up, more than you can possibly imagine, | ||
| + | the faces of the people. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | just by the Bank the cabman stopped. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They got out rather unwillingly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mound of cabbage, with pork chops and apple sauce, a duck, and a spotted | ||
| + | currant pudding. Also a large can. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | muttering again about his tea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sovereign, if you please.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the cabman, as it turned out, was not at all a nice character. He took | ||
| + | the sovereign, whipped up his horse, and disappeared in the stream of cabs | ||
| + | and omnibuses and wagons, without giving them any change at all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Already a little crowd was collecting round the party. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The crowd round them thickened. They were in a narrow street where many | ||
| + | gentlemen in black coats and without hats were standing about on the | ||
| + | pavement talking very loudly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fine men, some of them, if they were dressed decently, especially the ones | ||
| + | with the beautiful long, curved noses. I wish they were dressed like the | ||
| + | Babylonians of my court.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And of course, it was so. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The moment the almost fainting Psammead had blown itself out every man in | ||
| + | Throgmorton Street appeared abruptly in Babylonian full dress. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All were carefully powdered, their hair and beards were scented and | ||
| + | curled, their garments richly embroidered. They wore rings and armlets, | ||
| + | flat gold collars and swords, and impossible-looking head-dresses. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A stupefied silence fell on them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | only fancy of course& | ||
| + | chaps do look so rum.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hair& | ||
| + | poisoned. You do look a jackape.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | want to know. How was it done? Is it conjuring, or what?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of food& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with an expression of loathing. & | ||
| + | as plain.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bad tream.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Members of the Stock Exchange are said to be at all times a noisy lot. | ||
| + | But the noise they made now to express their disgust at the costumes of | ||
| + | ancient Babylon was far louder than their ordinary row. One had to shout | ||
| + | before one could hear oneself speak. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | quite close to the children and they trembled, because they knew that | ||
| + | whatever he wished would come true. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And, of course, instantly they did know, and they pressed round the Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Fetch the police,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Queen recoiled. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thousand. What is it that they say?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | later. And I don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | panting and trembling, but the Queen& | ||
| + | and brass and iron gear, choked Throgmorton Street, and bared weapons | ||
| + | flashed round the Queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | too hard in that matter of Flowerdew. It& | ||
| + | too.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The members of the Stock Exchange had edged carefully away from the | ||
| + | gleaming blades, the mailed figures, the hard, cruel Eastern faces. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But Throgmorton Street is narrow, and the crowd was too thick for them to | ||
| + | get away as quickly as they wished. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The guards obeyed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | clerk. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | brutes are killing everybody. Henry Hirsh is down now, and Prentice is cut | ||
| + | in two& | ||
| + | off, and Guy Nickalls has lost his head now. A dream? I wish to goodness | ||
| + | it was all a dream.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And, of course, instantly it was! The entire Stock Exchange rubbed its | ||
| + | eyes and went back to close, to over, and either side of seven-eights, | ||
| + | Trunks, and Kaffirs, and Steel Common, and Contangoes, and Backwardations, | ||
| + | Double Options, and all the interesting subjects concerning which they | ||
| + | talk in the Street without ceasing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | No one said a word about it to anyone else. I think I have explained | ||
| + | before that business men do not like it to be known that they have been | ||
| + | dreaming in business hours. Especially mad dreams including such dreadful | ||
| + | things as hungry people getting dinners, and the destruction of the Stock | ||
| + | Exchange. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children were in the dining-room at 300, Fitzroy Street, pale and | ||
| + | trembling. The Psammead crawled out of the embroidered bag, and lay flat | ||
| + | on the table, its leg stretched out, looking more like a dead hare than | ||
| + | anything else. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | precious pound on her. It& | ||
| + | that back.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | lent you anything.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | knock into the presence of the learned gentleman, & | ||
| + | you, but DID you lend me a pound today?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | extraordinary that you should ask me, for I dozed for a few moments this | ||
| + | afternoon, a thing I very rarely do, and I dreamed quite distinctly that | ||
| + | you brought me a ring that you said belonged to the Queen of Babylon, and | ||
| + | that I lent you a sovereign and that you left one of the Queen& | ||
| + | here. The ring was a magnificent specimen.& | ||
| + | been a dream,& | ||
| + | nicely. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea could not be too thankful that the Psammead was not there to grant | ||
| + | his wish. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 9. ATLANTIS | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | You will understand that the adventure of the Babylonian queen in London | ||
| + | was the only one that had occupied any time at all. But the children& | ||
| + | time was very fully taken up by talking over all the wonderful things seen | ||
| + | and done in the Past, where, by the power of the Amulet, they seemed to | ||
| + | spend hours and hours, only to find when they got back to London that the | ||
| + | whole thing had been briefer than a lightning flash. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They talked of the Past at their meals, in their walks, in the | ||
| + | dining-room, | ||
| + | stairs. It was an old house; it had once been a fashionable one, and was a | ||
| + | fine one still. The banister rails of the stairs were excellent for | ||
| + | sliding down, and in the corners of the landings were big alcoves that had | ||
| + | once held graceful statues, and now quite often held the graceful forms of | ||
| + | Cyril, Robert, Anthea, and Jane. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | One day Cyril and Robert in tight white underclothing had spent a pleasant | ||
| + | hour in reproducing the attitudes of statues seen either in the British | ||
| + | Museum, or in Father& | ||
| + | because Robert wanted to be the Venus of Milo, and for this purpose pulled | ||
| + | at the sheet which served for drapery at the very moment when Cyril, | ||
| + | looking really quite like the Discobolos& | ||
| + | saucer for the disc& | ||
| + | foot was the sheet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Of course the Discobolos and his disc and the would-be Venus came down | ||
| + | together, and everyone was a good deal hurt, especially the saucer, which | ||
| + | would never be the same again, however neatly one might join its uneven | ||
| + | bits with Seccotine or the white of an egg. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was rising. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | banisters and bent itself back almost to breaking point. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | so lovely. I& | ||
| + | hot-water tap. It& | ||
| + | them. I saw it in a book.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When he came back Cyril& | ||
| + | had been brought to the state of mind where he was able reluctantly to | ||
| + | admit that he supposed Robert hadn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert replying with equal suavity, Anthea hastened to lead the talk away | ||
| + | from the accident. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | here& | ||
| + | landing, which was the coolest place in the house. & | ||
| + | Pole.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fingers frost-bitten so that we could never hold it up to get home again. | ||
| + | No thanks,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | like us asking, even if we don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead was brought up in its green silk embroidered bag, but before | ||
| + | it could be asked anything the door of the learned gentleman& | ||
| + | and the voice of the visitor who had been lunching with him was heard on | ||
| + | the stairs. He seemed to be speaking with the door handle in his hand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | is just simply twaddle. You& | ||
| + | Dieppe.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | give me some tips for my Nineteenth Century article when you come home.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | care of yourself.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The door was banged, and the visitor came smiling down the stairs& | ||
| + | stout, prosperous, big man. The children had to get up to let him pass. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and the hand of Robert, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wanted him to go to? We couldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Hesperides. Great continent& | ||
| + | about it in Plato.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thought. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wants is a change of scene. You see, his head is crusted so thickly inside | ||
| + | with knowledge about Egypt and Assyria and things that you can& | ||
| + | anything into it unless you keep hard at it all day long for days and | ||
| + | days. And I haven& | ||
| + | incessantly. Just try your hands, will you? Right. So long!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He went down the stairs three at a time, and Jane remarked that he was a | ||
| + | nice man, and she thought he had little girls of his own. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The three elder ones exchanged glances. Cyril nodded. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea; & | ||
| + | change of scene.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | so have the others. I don& | ||
| + | on Jane& | ||
| + | beastly bandages and get into flannels. We can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | well go with us,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This was how it was that the learned gentleman, permitting himself a few | ||
| + | moments of relaxation in his chair, after the fatigue of listening to | ||
| + | opinions (about Atlantis and many other things) with which he did not at | ||
| + | all agree, opened his eyes to find his four young friends standing in | ||
| + | front of him in a row. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | he told himself; & | ||
| + | Babylon?& | ||
| + | quarter of an hour to spare.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you know, and you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dreaming. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea held out her soft, pink hand. He took it. She pulled him gently to | ||
| + | his feet. Jane held up the Amulet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But already the Amulet had grown to a great arch. Cyril pushed the learned | ||
| + | gentleman, as undoubtedly the first-born, through the arch& | ||
| + | water, but on to a wooden floor, out of doors. The others followed. The | ||
| + | Amulet grew smaller again, and there they all were, standing on the deck | ||
| + | of a ship whose sailors were busy making her fast with chains to rings on | ||
| + | a white quay-side. The rings and the chains were of a metal that shone | ||
| + | red-yellow like gold. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone on the ship seemed too busy at first to notice the group of | ||
| + | newcomers from Fitzroy Street. Those who seemed to be officers were | ||
| + | shouting orders to the men. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They stood and looked across the wide quay to the town that rose beyond | ||
| + | it. What they saw was the most beautiful sight any of them had ever seen& | ||
| + | ever dreamed of. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The blue sea sparkled in soft sunlight; little white-capped waves broke | ||
| + | softly against the marble breakwaters that guarded the shipping of a great | ||
| + | city from the wilderness of winter winds and seas. The quay was of marble, | ||
| + | white and sparkling with a veining bright as gold. The city was of marble, | ||
| + | red and white. The greater buildings that seemed to be temples and palaces | ||
| + | were roofed with what looked like gold and silver, but most of the roofs | ||
| + | were of copper that glowed golden-red on the houses on the hills among | ||
| + | which the city stood, and shaded into marvellous tints of green and blue | ||
| + | and purple where they had been touched by the salt sea spray and the fumes | ||
| + | of the dyeing and smelting works of the lower town. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Broad and magnificent flights of marble stairs led up from the quay to a | ||
| + | sort of terrace that seemed to run along for miles, and beyond rose the | ||
| + | town built on a hill. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman drew a long breath. & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with gentle politeness, & | ||
| + | Mr De Something.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mind? I should feel more at home in a dream like this if I& | ||
| + | that made me seem more like one of you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cheek to be saying Jimmy to a grown-up man. & | ||
| + | no effort at all. Jimmy smiled and looked pleased. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But now the ship was made fast, and the Captain had time to notice other | ||
| + | things. He came towards them, and he was dressed in the best of all | ||
| + | possible dresses for the seafaring life. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | or to curse?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | here by magic. We come from the land of the sun-rising,& | ||
| + | explanatorily. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | notice at first, but of course I hope you& | ||
| + | this,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it? And we want to see all your beautiful city, and your temples and | ||
| + | things, and then we shall go back, and he will tell his friend, and his | ||
| + | friend will write a book about it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Babylonian writing, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Some sudden impulse of confidence made Jane pluck the Amulet from the neck | ||
| + | of her frock. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Captain looked at it curiously, but, the other three were relieved to | ||
| + | notice, without any of that overwhelming interest which the mere name of | ||
| + | it had roused in Egypt and Babylon. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it is like our writing, but I cannot read it. What is the name of your | ||
| + | sage?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Captain repeated, & | ||
| + | lead you to the Kings?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Poseidon, the father of us all, has the noble tradition to do honour to | ||
| + | strangers if they come in peace.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your beautiful ship, and sail about in her.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you notice that odd rumbling?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | pilchards coming in, that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a rather anxious pause; then the Captain stepped on to the quay, | ||
| + | and the others followed him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all sorts of things for your friend& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | besides, I can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | No one else could think of anything to say, so that it was in complete | ||
| + | silence that they followed the Captain up the marble steps and through the | ||
| + | streets of the town. There were streets and shops and houses and markets. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | different.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | be kind to strangers,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There were no horses or chariots in the street, but there were handcarts | ||
| + | and low trolleys running on thick log-wheels, and porters carrying packets | ||
| + | on their heads, and a good many of the people were riding on what looked | ||
| + | like elephants, only the great beasts were hairy, and they had not that | ||
| + | mild expression we are accustomed to meet on the faces of the elephants at | ||
| + | the Zoo. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | stone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The people in the streets kept crowding round them as they went along, but | ||
| + | the Captain always dispersed the crowd before it grew uncomfortably thick | ||
| + | by saying& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | City.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then the people would draw back with a low murmur that sounded like a | ||
| + | suppressed cheer. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Many of the buildings were covered with gold, but the gold on the bigger | ||
| + | buildings was of a different colour, and they had sorts of steeples of | ||
| + | burnished silver rising above them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the houses are only oricalchum. It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman, now very pale, stumbled along in a dazed way, | ||
| + | repeating: | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | holding up the charm. Would you rather go back now? We could easily come | ||
| + | some other day without you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Captain, noticing the blundering walk of the learned gentleman; & | ||
| + | are yet very far from the Great Temple, where today the Kings make | ||
| + | sacrifice.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He stopped at the gate of a great enclosure. It seemed to be a sort of | ||
| + | park, for trees showed high above its brazen wall. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The party waited, and almost at once the Captain came back with one of the | ||
| + | hairy elephants and begged them to mount. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This they did. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was a glorious ride. The elephant at the Zoo& | ||
| + | also glorious, but he goes such a very little way, and then he goes back | ||
| + | again, which is always dull. But this great hairy beast went on and on and | ||
| + | on along streets and through squares and gardens. It was a glorious city; | ||
| + | almost everything was built of marble, red, or white, or black. Every now | ||
| + | and then the party crossed a bridge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was not till they had climbed to the hill which is the centre of the | ||
| + | town that they saw that the whole city was divided into twenty circles, | ||
| + | alternately land and water, and over each of the water circles were the | ||
| + | bridges by which they had come. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And now they were in a great square. A vast building filled up one side of | ||
| + | it; it was overlaid with gold, and had a dome of silver. The rest of the | ||
| + | buildings round the square were of oricalchum. And it looked more splendid | ||
| + | than you can possibly imagine, standing up bold and shining in the | ||
| + | sunlight. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | clumsily down on his knees. & | ||
| + | Presence. We have baths for men, women, horses, and cattle. The High Class | ||
| + | Baths are here. Our Father Poseidon gave us a spring of hot water and one | ||
| + | of cold.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children had never before bathed in baths of gold. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The bathing hall had several great pools sunk below the level of the | ||
| + | floor; one went down to them by steps. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all met in the flowery courtyard of the Public, & | ||
| + | seems much more like NOW than Babylon or Egypt& | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with you. A most discerning remark& | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than the Egyptian or Babylonish, and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | through a little crowd of boys who were playing with dried chestnuts | ||
| + | fastened to a string. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Kentish Town Road!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They could see now that three walls surrounded the island on which they | ||
| + | were. The outermost wall was of brass, the Captain told them; the next, | ||
| + | which looked like silver, was covered with tin; and the innermost one was | ||
| + | of oricalchum. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And right in the middle was a wall of gold, with golden towers and gates. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | me to enter. I will await your return here.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He told them what they ought to say, and the five people from Fitzroy | ||
| + | Street took hands and went forward. The golden gates slowly opened. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | our High Priest, at least that& | ||
| + | different name for him at home.& | ||
| + | man who stood in the doorway with his arms extended. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | did seem to be taking a great liberty with so learned a gentleman. & | ||
| + | have come to speak with your Kings in the Temple of Poseidon& | ||
| + | that word sound right?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you say to them, but not what they say to you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The white-robed priest had been joined by others, and all were bowing low. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In an inner courtyard stood the Temple& | ||
| + | pinnacles and doors, and twenty enormous statues in bright gold of men and | ||
| + | women. Also an immense pillar of the other precious yellow metal. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They went through the doors, and the priest led them up a stair into a | ||
| + | gallery from which they could look down on to the glorious place. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | behold,& | ||
| + | gallery. The children looked down. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The roof was of ivory adorned with the three precious metals, and the | ||
| + | walls were lined with the favourite oricalchum. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At the far end of the Temple was a statue group, the like of which no one | ||
| + | living has ever seen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was of gold, and the head of the chief figure reached to the roof. That | ||
| + | figure was Poseidon, the Father of the City. He stood in a great chariot | ||
| + | drawn by six enormous horses, and round about it were a hundred mermaids | ||
| + | riding on dolphins. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Ten men, splendidly dressed and armed only with sticks and ropes, were | ||
| + | trying to capture one of some fifteen bulls who ran this way and that | ||
| + | about the floor of the Temple. The children held their breath, for the | ||
| + | bulls looked dangerous, and the great horned heads were swinging more and | ||
| + | more wildly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea did not like looking at the bulls. She looked about the gallery, | ||
| + | and noticed that another staircase led up from it to a still higher | ||
| + | storey; also that a door led out into the open air, where there seemed to | ||
| + | be a balcony. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So that when a shout went up and Robert whispered, & | ||
| + | looked down and saw the herd of bulls being driven out of the Temple by | ||
| + | whips, and the ten Kings following, one of them spurring with his stick a | ||
| + | black bull that writhed and fought in the grip of a lasso, she answered | ||
| + | the boy& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they crowded out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But very soon the girls crept back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the priest, who was no longer lying on his face, but sitting on the top | ||
| + | step mopping his forehead with his robe, for it was a hot day. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | justice days every five years and six years alternately. And then they | ||
| + | drink the cup of wine with some of the bull& | ||
| + | judge truly. And they wear the sacred blue robe, and put out all the | ||
| + | Temple fires. But this today is because the City& | ||
| + | noises from the sea, and the god inside the big mountain speaking with his | ||
| + | thunder-voice. But all that& | ||
| + | make ME uneasy it wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | country that no man knows, and stay here awhile, and then swim away. This | ||
| + | year they haven& | ||
| + | be wrecked. If anything horrible were going to happen to us, it& | ||
| + | belief those Lemmings would know; and that may be why they& | ||
| + | of us.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | head out of its bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | remember hearing something about a flood here. Look here, you& | ||
| + | turned to Anthea; & | ||
| + | whiskers.& | ||
| + | leaning on the balcony railings. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | High Ji-jimmy is with the Kings.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The ten Kings were no longer alone. The learned gentleman& | ||
| + | noticed how he got there& | ||
| + | on which lay the dead body of the black bull. All the rest of the | ||
| + | courtyard was thick with people, seemingly of all classes, and all were | ||
| + | shouting, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | come towards her through the crowd. They could see from the balcony the | ||
| + | sea-captain edging his way out from among the people. And his face was | ||
| + | dead white, like paper. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | came another voice, louder, more terrible& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girls looked seaward. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Across the smooth distance of the sea something huge and black rolled | ||
| + | towards the town. It was a wave, but a wave a hundred feet in height, a | ||
| + | wave that looked like a mountain& | ||
| + | till suddenly it seemed to break in two& | ||
| + | sea again; the other& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | trembled. They hid their eyes for a moment. They could not bear to look | ||
| + | down, for the wave had broken on the face of the town, sweeping over the | ||
| + | quays and docks, overwhelming the great storehouses and factories, tearing | ||
| + | gigantic stones from forts and bridges, and using them as battering rams | ||
| + | against the temples. Great ships were swept over the roofs of the houses | ||
| + | and dashed down halfway up the hill among ruined gardens and broken | ||
| + | buildings. The water ground brown fishing-boats to powder on the golden | ||
| + | roofs of Palaces. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the wave swept back towards the sea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gentleman had not come. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then suddenly they heard him dash up to the inner gallery, crying& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others followed him. They found themselves in a sort of turret& | ||
| + | but open to the air at the sides. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman was leaning on the parapet, and as they rejoined him | ||
| + | the vast wave rushed back on the town. This time it rose higher& | ||
| + | more. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the last& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | appealed Anthea. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The hills around were black with people fleeing from the villages to the | ||
| + | mountains. And even as they fled thin smoke broke from the great white | ||
| + | peak, and then a faint flash of flame. Then the volcano began to throw up | ||
| + | its mysterious fiery inside parts. The earth trembled; ashes and sulphur | ||
| + | showered down; a rain of fine pumice-stone fell like snow on all the dry | ||
| + | land. The elephants from the forest rushed up towards the peaks; great | ||
| + | lizards thirty yards long broke from the mountain pools and rushed down | ||
| + | towards the sea. The snows melted and rushed down, first in avalanches, | ||
| + | then in roaring torrents. Great rocks cast up by the volcano fell | ||
| + | splashing in the sea miles away. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | stood was now crowded with men and women, and the children were strained | ||
| + | tight against the parapet. The turret rocked and swayed; the wave had | ||
| + | reached the golden wall. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane held up the Amulet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And as Jane said it the Psammead leaped from its bag and bit the hand of | ||
| + | the learned gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At the same moment the boys pushed him through the arch and all followed | ||
| + | him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He turned to look back, and through the arch he saw nothing but a waste of | ||
| + | waters, with above it the peak of the terrible mountain with fire raging | ||
| + | from it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He staggered back to his chair. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Can I do anything for you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The hand was indeed bleeding rather badly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead had crept back to its bag. All the children were very white. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | grown-up person! I will say for you four, you do do as you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | there. It fell on to a ship miles away that managed to escape and got to | ||
| + | Egypt. < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | didn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | chap to go shoving my oar in where it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | article now,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dream, and it& | ||
| + | at all.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert was quite right on both points. The learned gentleman did. And he | ||
| + | never did. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 10. THE LITTLE BLACK GIRL AND JULIUS CAESAR | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A great city swept away by the sea, a beautiful country devastated by an | ||
| + | active volcano& | ||
| + | the week. And when you do see them, no matter how many other wonders you | ||
| + | may have seen in your time, such sights are rather apt to take your breath | ||
| + | away. Atlantis had certainly this effect on the breaths of Cyril, Robert, | ||
| + | Anthea, and Jane. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They remained in a breathless state for some days. The learned gentleman | ||
| + | seemed as breathless as anyone; he spent a good deal of what little breath | ||
| + | he had in telling Anthea about a wonderful dream he had. & | ||
| + | believe,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But Anthea could believe it, she said, quite easily. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He had ceased to talk about thought-transference. He had now seen too many | ||
| + | wonders to believe that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In consequence of their breathless condition none of the children | ||
| + | suggested any new excursions through the Amulet. Robert voiced the mood of | ||
| + | the others when he said that they were & | ||
| + | They undoubtedly were. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As for the Psammead, it went to sand and stayed there, worn out by the | ||
| + | terror of the flood and the violent exercise it had had to take in | ||
| + | obedience to the inconsiderate wishes of the learned gentleman and the | ||
| + | Babylonian queen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children let it sleep. The danger of taking it about among strange | ||
| + | people who might at any moment utter undesirable wishes was becoming more | ||
| + | and more plain. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And there are pleasant things to be done in London without any aid from | ||
| + | Amulets or Psammeads. You can, for instance visit the Tower of London, the | ||
| + | Houses of Parliament, the National Gallery, the Zoological Gardens, the | ||
| + | various Parks, the Museums at South Kensington, Madame Tussaud& | ||
| + | Exhibition of Waxworks, or the Botanical Gardens at Kew. You can go to Kew | ||
| + | by river steamer& | ||
| + | gone if they had gone at all. Only they never did, because it was when | ||
| + | they were discussing the arrangements for the journey, and what they | ||
| + | should take with them to eat and how much of it, and what the whole thing | ||
| + | would cost, that the adventure of the Little Black Girl began to happen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children were sitting on a seat in St James& | ||
| + | watching the pelican repulsing with careful dignity the advances of the | ||
| + | seagulls who are always so anxious to play games with it. The pelican | ||
| + | thinks, very properly, that it hasn& | ||
| + | most of its time pretending that that is not the reason why it won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The breathlessness caused by Atlantis was wearing off a little. Cyril, who | ||
| + | always wanted to understand all about everything, was turning things over | ||
| + | in his mind. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was so grumpy about. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | inside thinking about it yet. Let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | anything like the ones on the island where we united the Cook and the | ||
| + | Burglar by the Reverend Half-Curate.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All disagreeableness was swept away in a pleasant tide of recollections, | ||
| + | and & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | little; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | heard the Little Black Girl sniff. She was quite close to them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She was not really a little black girl. She was shabby and not very clean, | ||
| + | and she had been crying so much that you could hardly see, through the | ||
| + | narrow chink between her swollen lids, how very blue her eyes were. It was | ||
| + | her dress that was black, and it was too big and too long for her, and she | ||
| + | wore a speckled black-ribboned sailor hat that would have fitted a much | ||
| + | bigger head than her little flaxen one. And she stood looking at the | ||
| + | children and sniffing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She put her hand on the little girl& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | little kid.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | asked again. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Union.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mother live?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | girl fiercely, in tones of miserable triumph. Then she opened her swollen | ||
| + | eyes widely, stamped her foot in fury, and ran away. She ran no further | ||
| + | than to the next bench, flung herself down there and began to cry without | ||
| + | even trying not to. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea, quite at once, went to the little girl and put her arms as tight | ||
| + | as she could round the hunched-up black figure. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the large sailor hat, now very crooked indeed. & | ||
| + | Anthea& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others stood at a distance. One or two passers-by stared curiously. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The child was now only crying part of the time; the rest of the time she | ||
| + | seemed to be talking to Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Presently Anthea beckoned Cyril. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | carpenter and he was a steady man, and never touched a drop except on a | ||
| + | Saturday, and he came up to London for work, and there wasn& | ||
| + | then he died; and her name is Imogen, and she& | ||
| + | And now her mother& | ||
| + | a landlady that& | ||
| + | coming for her, and she& | ||
| + | It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And as no one else could think of anything better the whole party walked | ||
| + | back to Fitzroy Street as fast as it could, the little girl holding tight | ||
| + | to Anthea& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman looked up from his writing with the smile that had | ||
| + | grown much easier to him than it used to be. They were quite at home in | ||
| + | his room now; it really seemed to welcome them. Even the mummy-case | ||
| + | appeared to smile as if in its distant superior ancient Egyptian way it | ||
| + | were rather pleased to see them than not. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea sat on the stairs with Imogen, who was nine come next November, | ||
| + | while the others went in and explained the difficulty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman listened with grave attention. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | often heard about rich people who wanted children most awfully& | ||
| + | I know < | ||
| + | who& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | always stealing them. Perhaps they& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | first because we looked jolly and happy, and she wasn& | ||
| + | that, don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | understand that very well. As you say, there must be some home where she | ||
| + | would be welcome.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea outside thought the explanation was taking a very long time. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She was so busy trying to cheer and comfort the little black girl that she | ||
| + | never noticed the Psammead who, roused from sleep by her voice, had shaken | ||
| + | itself free of sand, and was coming crookedly up the stairs. It was close | ||
| + | to her before she saw it. She picked it up and settled it in her lap. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | what?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then Anthea heard the learned gentleman say& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and instantly she felt the Psammead begin to blow itself out as it sat on | ||
| + | her lap. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She jumped up lifting the Psammead in her skirt, and holding Imogen by the | ||
| + | hand, rushed into the learned gentleman& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The circle was like that formed for the Mulberry Bush or Ring-o& | ||
| + | And Anthea was only able to take part in it by holding in her teeth the | ||
| + | hem of her frock which, thus supported, formed a bag to hold the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a moment of suspense; then came that curious upside-down, | ||
| + | inside-out sensation which one almost always feels when transported from | ||
| + | one place to another by magic. Also there was that dizzy dimness of sight | ||
| + | which comes on these occasions. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The mist cleared, the upside-down, | ||
| + | there stood the six in a ring, as before, only their twelve feet, instead | ||
| + | of standing on the carpet of the learned gentleman& | ||
| + | grass. Above them, instead of the dusky ceiling of the Fitzroy Street | ||
| + | floor, was a pale blue sky. And where the walls had been and the painted | ||
| + | mummy-case, were tall dark green trees, oaks and ashes, and in between the | ||
| + | trees and under them tangled bushes and creeping ivy. There were | ||
| + | beech-trees too, but there was nothing under them but their own dead red | ||
| + | drifted leaves, and here and there a delicate green fern-frond. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And there they stood in a circle still holding hands, as though they were | ||
| + | playing Ring-o& | ||
| + | in a wood. That sounds simple, but then you must remember that they did | ||
| + | not know WHERE the wood was, and what& | ||
| + | wood was. There was a curious sort of feeling that made the learned | ||
| + | gentleman say& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | were in a time a very long while ago. As for little Imogen, she said, & | ||
| + | my!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead crossly. & | ||
| + | sticking its head out of the bag formed by Anthea& | ||
| + | turning its snail& | ||
| + | very little changed.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | home where they would be glad to have that unattractive and immature | ||
| + | female human being whom you have picked up& | ||
| + | Megatherium days properly brought-up children didn& | ||
| + | strangers in parks. Your thoughtless friend wanted a place where someone | ||
| + | would be glad to have this undesirable stranger. And now here you are!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the forest. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | YOUR towns?& | ||
| + | country into such a mess that there& | ||
| + | no one to want them.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead still more crossly, & | ||
| + | Ancient Britain was.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | on the ground and, putting the Psammead on it, folded it round so that | ||
| + | only the eyes and furry ears showed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | can cover you up in a minute. Now what are we to do?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others who had stopped holding hands crowded round to hear the answer | ||
| + | to this question. Imogen whispered in an awed tone& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and ears into the tweed covering of Robert& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others looked at each other. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sure to happen if we can prevent ourselves from waking up.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And sure enough, something did. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The brooding silence of the dark forest was broken by the laughter of | ||
| + | children and the sound of voices. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wake up, you know.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a sort of break in the undergrowth that was like a silly | ||
| + | person& | ||
| + | gentleman leading. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Quite soon they came to a large clearing in the forest. There were a | ||
| + | number of houses& | ||
| + | a sort of mud and wood fence. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And it was, rather. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Some children, with no clothes on at all, were playing what looked like | ||
| + | Ring-o& | ||
| + | a ring, holding hands. On a grassy bank several women, dressed in blue and | ||
| + | white robes and tunics of beast-skins sat watching the playing children. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children from Fitzroy Street stood on the fringe of the forest looking | ||
| + | at the games. One woman with long, fair braided hair sat a little apart | ||
| + | from the others, and there was a look in her eyes as she followed the play | ||
| + | of the children that made Anthea feel sad and sorry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The little black-clad London child pulled at Anthea& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mother& | ||
| + | Mother wouldn& | ||
| + | there& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In her eagerness the child had stepped out of the shelter of the forest. | ||
| + | The sad-eyed woman saw her. She stood up, her thin face lighted up with a | ||
| + | radiance like sunrise, her long, lean arms stretched towards the London | ||
| + | child. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | other word& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a moment of great silence; the naked children paused in their | ||
| + | play, the women on the bank stared anxiously. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | across the cleared space. She and her mother clung together& | ||
| + | closely, so strongly that they stood an instant like a statue carved in | ||
| + | stone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the women crowded round. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | my darling, how did you escape? Where have you been? Who has fed and | ||
| + | clothed you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | wolves has turned her brain.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Imogen, clinging with black-clothed arms to the bare neck, answered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | other& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | might stay in the dream.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead blew itself out and granted the wish. So Imogen& | ||
| + | assured. She had found someone to want her. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the woman interrupted. She came towards them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have befriended her; and this I well believe, looking on your faces. Your | ||
| + | garb is strange, but faces I can read. The child is bewitched, I see that | ||
| + | well, but in this she speaks truth. Is it not so?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children said it wasn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | I wish you could have seen all the honours and kindnesses lavished on the | ||
| + | children and the learned gentleman by those ancient Britons. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | You would have thought, to see them, that a child was something to make a | ||
| + | fuss about, not a bit of rubbish to be hustled about the streets and | ||
| + | hidden away in the Workhouse. It wasn& | ||
| + | Babylon, but somehow it was more satisfying. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | learned gentleman. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was when they were alone that night under the stars where the Britons | ||
| + | had spread a heap Of dried fern for them to sleep on, that Cyril spoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | time. I vote we get home again before the fighting begins.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you see that if this is the year fifty-five, Julius Caesar may happen at | ||
| + | any moment.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | his soldiers.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman, before anyone could stop him, said, & | ||
| + | could see Caesar some time.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And, of course, in just the little time the Psammead took to blow itself | ||
| + | out for wish-giving, | ||
| + | themselves in Caesar& | ||
| + | Caesar. The Psammead must have taken advantage of the loose wording of the | ||
| + | learned gentleman& | ||
| + | which the wish had been uttered among the dried ferns. It was sunset, and | ||
| + | the great man sat on a chair outside his tent gazing over the sea towards | ||
| + | Britain& | ||
| + | Britain. Two golden eagles on the top of posts stood on each side of the | ||
| + | tent, and on the flaps of the tent which was very gorgeous to look at were | ||
| + | the letters S.P.Q.R. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The great man turned unchanged on the newcomers the august glance that he | ||
| + | had turned on the violet waters of the Channel. Though they had suddenly | ||
| + | appeared out of nothing, Caesar never showed by the faintest movement of | ||
| + | an eyelid, by the least tightening of that firm mouth, that they were not | ||
| + | some long expected embassy. He waved a calm hand towards the sentinels, | ||
| + | who sprang weapons in hand towards the newcomers. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Caesar feared children and students?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | To the children he seemed to speak in the only language they knew; but the | ||
| + | learned gentleman heard& | ||
| + | intelligibly& | ||
| + | that tongue, a little stiffly, he answered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and another place.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | well woven, and your hair is short as the hair of Roman citizens, not long | ||
| + | like the hair of barbarians, yet such I deem you to be.& | ||
| + | Jane with angry eagerness; & | ||
| + | country where the sun never sets, and we& | ||
| + | our country& | ||
| + | London, and Madame Tussaud& | ||
| + | stopped her. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Caesar looked at the children a moment in silence. Then he called a | ||
| + | soldier and spoke with him apart. Then he said aloud& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | children are privileged to see the camp of Caesar. The student and the | ||
| + | smaller girl-child will remain here with me.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Nobody liked this; but when Caesar said a thing that thing was so, and | ||
| + | there was an end to it. So the three went. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Left alone with Jane and the learned gentleman, the great Roman found it | ||
| + | easy enough to turn them inside out. But it was not easy, even for him, to | ||
| + | make head or tail of the insides of their minds when he had got at them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman insisted that the whole thing was a dream, and | ||
| + | refused to talk much, on the ground that if he did he would wake up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane, closely questioned, was full of information about railways, electric | ||
| + | lights, balloons, men-of-war, cannons, and dynamite. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Caesar wanted to know what guns were. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane found them hard to describe. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | recalled. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The boys explained the pistol to Caesar very fully, and he looked at it | ||
| + | with the greatest interest. It was a two-shilling pistol, the one that had | ||
| + | done such good service in the old Egyptian village. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | till I know whether you have spoken the truth. I had just decided that | ||
| + | Britain was not worth the bother of invading. But what you tell me decides | ||
| + | me that it is very much worth while.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | island& | ||
| + | We know a little girl there named Imogen. And it& | ||
| + | because you can& | ||
| + | for hundreds of years, and we don& | ||
| + | you. Do go straight home, dear Caesar, and let poor little Britain alone.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | interrupted, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | says is true.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | idea of conquering Britain. It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | if it& | ||
| + | children.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that in Babylon.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane held up the Amulet away from the sunset, and said the word. The | ||
| + | learned gentleman was pushed through and the others more quickly than ever | ||
| + | before passed through the arch back into their own times and the quiet | ||
| + | dusty sitting-room of the learned gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It is a curious fact that when Caesar was encamped on the coast of Gaul& | ||
| + | near Boulogne it was, I believe& | ||
| + | the glow of the sunset, looking out over the violet waters of the English | ||
| + | Channel. Suddenly he started, rubbed his eyes, and called his secretary. | ||
| + | The young man came quickly from within the tent. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | I forget, but I remember enough to decide what was not before determined. | ||
| + | Tomorrow the ships that have been brought round from the Ligeris shall be | ||
| + | provisioned. We shall sail for this three-cornered island. First, we will | ||
| + | take but two legions. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This, if what we have heard be true, should suffice. But if my dream be | ||
| + | true, then a hundred legions will not suffice. For the dream I dreamed was | ||
| + | the most wonderful that ever tormented the brain even of Caesar. And | ||
| + | Caesar has dreamed some strange things in his time.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | never have invaded Britain,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | years ago.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thingummy of thought is very confusing. If everything happens at the same | ||
| + | time& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the past.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | triumphantly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And Anthea could not deny it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | one thing,& | ||
| + | about people being happy in the Past, in poetry books. I see what it means | ||
| + | now.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | its bag and taking it in again suddenly, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone remembered this afterwards, when& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 11. BEFORE PHARAOH | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was the day after the adventure of Julius Caesar and the Little Black | ||
| + | Girl that Cyril, bursting into the bathroom to wash his hands for dinner | ||
| + | (you have no idea how dirty they were, for he had been playing shipwrecked | ||
| + | mariners all the morning on the leads at the back of the house, where the | ||
| + | water-cistern is), found Anthea leaning her elbows on the edge of the | ||
| + | bath, and crying steadily into it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cold before you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a stricken pause. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the tap again like you did last week,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a row or anything?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | what you came for, or go.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea was so seldom cross that when she was cross the others were always | ||
| + | more surprised than angry. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril edged along the side of the bath and stood beside her. He put his | ||
| + | hand on her arm. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | she did not at once take his advice she did not seem to resent it, he put | ||
| + | his arm awkwardly across her shoulders and rubbed his head against her | ||
| + | ear. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all possible sorrows. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Mother.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sympathy. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | admitted a good deal. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | her now most dreadfully, awfully much. I never wanted anything so much. | ||
| + | That Imogen child& | ||
| + | And Imogen wasn& | ||
| + | morning! And about The Lamb liking the salt bathing! And she bathed him in | ||
| + | this very bath the night before she went away& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril thumped her on the back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that was partly about Mother. We& | ||
| + | like a sensible kid, and wash your face, I& | ||
| + | right. You let me get to the tap. Can& | ||
| + | door-key down your back?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | are,& | ||
| + | proper shape. You know what an odd shape your mouth gets into when you cry | ||
| + | in earnest. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hands in a thick slime of grey soapsuds. & | ||
| + | just PLAYED with the Amulet so far. We& | ||
| + | for all it& | ||
| + | there all among the fighting. I don& | ||
| + | bother the soap!& | ||
| + | of his fingers, and had hit Anthea& | ||
| + | had been shot from a catapult. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | idea& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and braces, and really useful things& | ||
| + | and never heard about. And the savages love them for their kind | ||
| + | generousness, | ||
| + | cassowaries. And that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Shells and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you by being generous. And that& | ||
| + | into the Past we& | ||
| + | Babylonian Queen froze on to that pocket-book? | ||
| + | like that. And offer them in exchange for a sight of the Amulet.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | is, and we can go and take it in the night when everybody is asleep.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | will be such an awfully long time ago when we do it. Oh, there& | ||
| + | again.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As soon as dinner was eaten (it was tinned salmon and lettuce, and a jam | ||
| + | tart), and the cloth cleared away, the idea was explained to the others, | ||
| + | and the Psammead was aroused from sand, and asked what it thought would be | ||
| + | good merchandise with which to buy the affection of say, the Ancient | ||
| + | Egyptians, and whether it thought the Amulet was likely to be found in the | ||
| + | Court of Pharaoh. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But it shook its head, and shot out its snail& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | out in a minute where the thing was, only I mayn& | ||
| + | to own that your idea of taking things with you isn& | ||
| + | shouldn& | ||
| + | craftily about your persons.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This advice seemed good. Soon the table was littered over with things | ||
| + | which the children thought likely to interest the Ancient Egyptians. | ||
| + | Anthea brought dolls, puzzle blocks, a wooden tea-service, | ||
| + | case with Necessaire written on it in gold letters. Aunt Emma had once | ||
| + | given it to Anthea, and it had then contained scissors, penknife, bodkin, | ||
| + | stiletto, thimble, corkscrew, and glove-buttoner. The scissors, knife, and | ||
| + | thimble, and penknife were, of course, lost, but the other things were | ||
| + | there and as good as new. Cyril contributed lead soldiers, a cannon, a | ||
| + | catapult, a tin-opener, a tie-clip, and a tennis ball, and a padlock& | ||
| + | key. Robert collected a candle (& | ||
| + | self-fitting paraffin one,& | ||
| + | stamp with his father& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane added a key-ring, the brass handle of a poker, a pot that had held | ||
| + | cold-cream, a smoked pearl button off her winter coat, and a key& | ||
| + | lock. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | just each choose one thing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The afternoon passed very agreeably in the attempt to choose from the | ||
| + | table the four most suitable objects. But the four children could not | ||
| + | agree what was suitable, and at last Cyril said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you touch you stick to.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This was done. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril touched the padlock. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea got the Necessaire. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert clutched the candle. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane picked up the tie-clip. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | In the stories it& | ||
| + | forest, and almost throws away because he thinks it& | ||
| + | out to be the magic thing in the end; or else someone& | ||
| + | rewarded with the hand of the King& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | comes to the marriage hands.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | won& | ||
| + | burning-mountain city,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then the Psammead was coaxed into its bag. & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Amulet& | ||
| + | people, and try to work ourselves up by degrees. We might get taken on as | ||
| + | Temple assistants.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of stealing the Temple treasures.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | once again, and once again the warm golden Eastern light glowed softly | ||
| + | beyond it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As the children stepped through it loud and furious voices rang in their | ||
| + | ears. They went suddenly from the quiet of Fitzroy Street dining-room into | ||
| + | a very angry Eastern crowd, a crowd much too angry to notice them. They | ||
| + | edged through it to the wall of a house and stood there. The crowd was of | ||
| + | men, women, and children. They were of all sorts of complexions, | ||
| + | pictures of them might have been coloured by any child with a shilling | ||
| + | paint-box. The colours that child would have used for complexions would | ||
| + | have been yellow ochre, red ochre, light red, sepia, and indian ink. But | ||
| + | their faces were painted already& | ||
| + | red lips. The women wore a sort of pinafore with shoulder straps, and | ||
| + | loose things wound round their heads and shoulders. The men wore very | ||
| + | little clothing& | ||
| + | Egyptian boys and girls wore nothing at all, unless you count the little | ||
| + | ornaments hung on chains round their necks and waists. The children saw | ||
| + | all this before they could hear anything distinctly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone was shouting so. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But a voice sounded above the other voices, and presently it was speaking | ||
| + | in a silence. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | coppery-coloured man who had climbed into a chariot that had been stopped | ||
| + | by the crowd. Its owner had bolted, muttering something about calling the | ||
| + | Guards, and now the man spoke from it. & | ||
| + | long are we to endure the tyranny of our masters, who live in idleness and | ||
| + | luxury on the fruit of our toil? They only give us a bare subsistence | ||
| + | wage, and they live on the fat of the land. We labour all our lives to | ||
| + | keep them in wanton luxury. Let us make an end of it!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A roar of applause answered him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Park last Sunday!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | rest,& | ||
| + | thirsty. You are poor, your wives and children are pining for food. The | ||
| + | barns of the rich are full to bursting with the corn we want, the corn our | ||
| + | labour has grown. To the granaries!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | above the tumult, & | ||
| + | the King! He will listen to the voice of the oppressed!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | For a moment the crowd swayed one way and another& | ||
| + | granaries and then towards the palace. Then, with a rush like that of an | ||
| + | imprisoned torrent suddenly set free, it surged along the street towards | ||
| + | the palace, and the children were carried with it. Anthea found it | ||
| + | difficult to keep the Psammead from being squeezed very uncomfortably. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The crowd swept through the streets of dull-looking houses with few | ||
| + | windows, very high up, across the market where people were not buying but | ||
| + | exchanging goods. In a momentary pause Robert saw a basket of onions | ||
| + | exchanged for a hair comb and five fish for a string of beads. The people | ||
| + | in the market seemed better off than those in the crowd; they had finer | ||
| + | clothes, and more of them. They were the kind of people who, nowadays, | ||
| + | would have lived at Brixton or Brockley. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | half-transparent linen dress, with her black hair very much braided and | ||
| + | puffed out, asked of a date-seller. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | more or less to eat. Dregs of society!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At that moment the voice of the crowd changed, from anger to doubt, from | ||
| + | doubt to fear. There were other voices shouting; they shouted defiance and | ||
| + | menace, and they came nearer very quickly. There was the rattle of wheels | ||
| + | and the pounding of hoofs. A voice shouted, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | took up the cry. & | ||
| + | more, the crowd hung for a moment as it were balanced. Then as the | ||
| + | trampling hoofs came nearer the workmen fled dispersed, up alleys and into | ||
| + | the courts of houses, and the Guards in their embossed leather chariots | ||
| + | swept down the street at the gallop, their wheels clattering over the | ||
| + | stones, and their dark-coloured, | ||
| + | wind of their going. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | blessing! And did you notice the Captain of the Guard? What a very | ||
| + | handsome man he was, to be sure!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The four children had taken advantage of the moment& | ||
| + | crowd turned to fly, to edge themselves and drag each other into an arched | ||
| + | doorway. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Now they each drew a long breath and looked at the others. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | before they could get to the King. He might have done something for them.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hard heart.& | ||
| + | one was quite different. I should like to see Pharaoh& | ||
| + | whether it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | injured tones. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Temple doorkeeper& | ||
| + | wonder which are temples and which are palaces,& | ||
| + | across the market-place to where an enormous gateway with huge side | ||
| + | buildings towered towards the sky. To right and left of it were other | ||
| + | buildings only a little less magnificent. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | behind them, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They turned to find beside them a young man. He was shaved clean from head | ||
| + | to foot, and on his feet were light papyrus sandals. He was clothed in a | ||
| + | linen tunic of white, embroidered heavily in colours. He was gay with | ||
| + | anklets, bracelets, and armlets of gold, richly inlaid. He wore a ring on | ||
| + | his finger, and he had a short jacket of gold embroidery something like | ||
| + | the Zouave soldiers wear, and on his neck was a gold collar with many | ||
| + | amulets hanging from it. But among the amulets the children could see none | ||
| + | like theirs. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Temple of Amen Ra and perhaps I can help you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | never sets.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said the priest with courtesy. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Temple, for a change,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead stirred uneasily in its embroidered bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic mixed up in it. So we can& | ||
| + | to give our gifts for nothing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic. I can make a waxen image of you, and I can say words which, as the | ||
| + | wax image melts before the fire, will make you dwindle away and at last | ||
| + | perish miserably.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | itself!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | unbelievingly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | me.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | priest& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | fasting, it& | ||
| + | Gunpowder, Rule Britannia! Come, Fire, at the end of this little stick!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He had pulled a match from his pocket, and as he ended the incantation | ||
| + | which contained no words that it seemed likely the Egyptian had ever heard | ||
| + | he stooped in the little crowd of his relations and the priest and struck | ||
| + | the match on his boot. He stood up, shielding the flame with one hand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | again?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic, and he will raise you to honour and glory. There& | ||
| + | secrets between initiates,& | ||
| + | out of favour at present owing to a little matter of failure of prophecy. | ||
| + | I told him a beautiful princess would be sent to him from Syria, and, lo! | ||
| + | a woman thirty years old arrived. But she WAS a beautiful woman not so | ||
| + | long ago. Time is only a mode of thought, you know.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children thrilled to the familiar words. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | if I bring you to Pharaoh the little unpleasantness I spoke of will be | ||
| + | forgotten. And I will ask Pharaoh, the Great House, Son of the Sun, and | ||
| + | Lord of the South and North, to decree that you shall lodge in the Temple. | ||
| + | Then you can have a good look round, and teach me your magic. And I will | ||
| + | teach you mine.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This idea seemed good& | ||
| + | that moment occurred to anybody, so they followed the priest through the | ||
| + | city. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The streets were very narrow and dirty. The best houses, the priest | ||
| + | explained, were built within walls twenty to twenty-five feet high, and | ||
| + | such windows as showed in the walls were very high up. The tops of | ||
| + | palm-trees showed above the walls. The poor people& | ||
| + | square huts with a door and two windows, and smoke coming out of a hole in | ||
| + | the back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the first time we came to Egypt,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The huts were roofed with palm branches, and everywhere there were | ||
| + | chickens, and goats, and little naked children kicking about in the yellow | ||
| + | dust. On one roof was a goat, who had climbed up and was eating the dry | ||
| + | palm-leaves with snorts and head-tossings of delight. Over every house | ||
| + | door was some sort of figure or shape. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | simply not a patch on Babylon.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The palace was indeed much more magnificent than anything they had yet | ||
| + | seen that day, though it would have made but a poor show beside that of | ||
| + | the Babylonian King. They came to it through a great square pillared | ||
| + | doorway of sandstone that stood in a high brick wall. The shut doors were | ||
| + | of massive cedar, with bronze hinges, and were studded with bronze nails. | ||
| + | At the side was a little door and a wicket gate, and through this the | ||
| + | priest led the children. He seemed to know a word that made the sentries | ||
| + | make way for him. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Inside was a garden, planted with hundreds of different kinds of trees and | ||
| + | flowering shrubs, a lake full of fish, with blue lotus flowers at the | ||
| + | margin, and ducks swimming about cheerfully, and looking, as Jane said, | ||
| + | quite modern. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | pointing them out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They passed through open courtyards, paved with flat stones, and the | ||
| + | priest whispered to a guard at a great inner gate. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Court of Honour. Now, don& | ||
| + | admiration. It won& | ||
| + | whatever you do, don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | was a little boy.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At the outer end of the great hall a crowd of people were arguing with and | ||
| + | even shoving the Guards, who seemed to make it a rule not to let anyone | ||
| + | through unless they were bribed to do it. The children heard several | ||
| + | promises of the utmost richness, and wondered whether they would ever be | ||
| + | kept. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All round the hall were pillars of painted wood. The roof was of cedar, | ||
| + | gorgeously inlaid. About half-way up the hall was a wide, shallow step | ||
| + | that went right across the hall; then a little farther on another; and | ||
| + | then a steep flight of narrower steps, leading right up to the throne on | ||
| + | which Pharaoh sat. He sat there very splendid, his red and white double | ||
| + | crown on his head, and his sceptre in his hand. The throne had a canopy of | ||
| + | wood and wooden pillars painted in bright colours. On a low, broad bench | ||
| + | that ran all round the hall sat the friends, relatives, and courtiers of | ||
| + | the King, leaning on richly-covered cushions. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The priest led the children up the steps till they all stood before the | ||
| + | throne; and then, suddenly, he fell on his face with hands outstretched. | ||
| + | The others did the same, Anthea falling very carefully because of the | ||
| + | Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The officers of the King& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | what do you mean, Rekh-mara, by daring to come into my presence while your | ||
| + | innocence is not established?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and the likeness of his son Horus in every respect. You know the thoughts | ||
| + | of the hearts of the gods and of men, and you have divined that these | ||
| + | strangers are the children of the children of the vile and conquered Kings | ||
| + | of the Empire where the sun never sets. They know a magic not known to the | ||
| + | Egyptians. And they come with gifts in their hands as tribute to Pharaoh, | ||
| + | in whose heart is the wisdom of the gods, and on his lips their truth.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children, bowing as well as they could in their embarrassment at | ||
| + | finding themselves the centre of interest in a circle more grand, more | ||
| + | golden and more highly coloured than they could have imagined possible, | ||
| + | pulled out the padlock, the Necessaire, and the tie-clip. & | ||
| + | tribute all the same,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Pharaoh examined all the things with great interest when the chief of the | ||
| + | household had taken them up to him. & | ||
| + | Treasury,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic, O Rekh-mara?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the sight of all.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | priest had done. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Cyril, without more ado, did it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | turned on her, & | ||
| + | for bread and onions and beer and a long mid-day rest. If the people had | ||
| + | what they wanted, he could do more.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said, without turning his head. & | ||
| + | rations. There are plenty of slaves to work.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A richly-dressed official hurried out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Temple of Amen will not contain their offerings.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril struck another match, and all the court was overwhelmed with delight | ||
| + | and wonder. And when Cyril took the candle from his pocket and lighted it | ||
| + | with the match, and then held the burning candle up before the King the | ||
| + | enthusiasm knew no bounds. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Rekh-mara insinuatingly, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with you. You are pardoned. Go in peace.& | ||
| + | swiftness. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Show me, oh strangers.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was nothing for it but to show the Psammead. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | nice little novelty for my wild beast collection.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And instantly, the entreaties of the children availing as little as the | ||
| + | bites of the Psammead, though both bites and entreaties were fervent, it | ||
| + | was carried away from before their eyes. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sacred house!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She held up the embroidered bag. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a barefaced robbery, that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was an awful silence. Then Pharaoh spoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | all. Tonight after supper it may be our pleasure to see more magic. Guard | ||
| + | them well, and do not torture them& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | would be! Oh, I wish you hadn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your own idea entirely. Shut up. It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of larks! And now everything& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The room they were shut up in WAS a room, and not a dungeon, as the elder | ||
| + | ones had feared. That, as Anthea said, was one comfort. There were | ||
| + | paintings on the wall that at any other time would have been most | ||
| + | interesting. And a sort of low couch, and chairs. When they were alone | ||
| + | Jane breathed a sigh of relief. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Then he began hammering on the heavy cedar door. It opened, and a guard | ||
| + | put in his head. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | doing nothing but guard us. Wouldn& | ||
| + | too proud to do it for you. Wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | show you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | on me. I daresay its teeth and claws are poisonous.& | ||
| + | said Robert. & | ||
| + | and open it again in five minutes, and we& | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | out and barred the door. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then, of course, they held up the Amulet. They found the East by holding | ||
| + | it up, and turning slowly till the Amulet began to grow big, walked home | ||
| + | through it, and came back with a geranium in full scarlet flower from the | ||
| + | staircase window of the Fitzroy Street house. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said Anthea persuasively, | ||
| + | for yourself.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The soldier looked at the twopence. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert explained how much simpler it was to pay money for things than to | ||
| + | exchange them as the people were doing in the market. Later on the soldier | ||
| + | gave the coins to his captain, who, later still, showed them to Pharaoh, | ||
| + | who of course kept them and was much struck with the idea. That was really | ||
| + | how coins first came to be used in Egypt. You will not believe this, I | ||
| + | daresay, but really, if you believe the rest of the story, I don& | ||
| + | you shouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | right about those workmen? The King won& | ||
| + | them just because he& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | keep to his word right enough.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a nice, kind soldier.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | another chap to take on my duty here I& | ||
| + | grudgingly, and went out. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the other half of the Amulet?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | other half of the Amulet& | ||
| + | brought us here. I do wish we could find it. It is a pity we don& | ||
| + | any REAL magic. Then we could find out. I do wonder where it is& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | If they had only known it, something very like the other half of the | ||
| + | Amulet was very near them. It hung round the neck of someone, and that | ||
| + | someone was watching them through a chink, high up in the wall, specially | ||
| + | devised for watching people who were imprisoned. But they did not know. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was nearly an hour of anxious waiting. They tried to take an | ||
| + | interest in the picture on the wall, a picture of harpers playing very odd | ||
| + | harps and women dancing at a feast. They examined the painted plaster | ||
| + | floor, and the chairs were of white painted wood with coloured stripes at | ||
| + | intervals. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the time went slowly, and everyone had time to think of how Pharaoh | ||
| + | had said, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | leave the Psammead. I believe it can take care of itself well enough. They | ||
| + | won& | ||
| + | They& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | supper& | ||
| + | we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All the same, the sounds of the door being unbarred seemed one of the | ||
| + | prettiest sounds possible. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But that doubt was set at rest by the Psammead itself; for almost before | ||
| + | the door was open it sprang through the chink of it into Anthea& | ||
| + | shivering and hunching up its fur. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | which the Psammead immediately crept. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to get for you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | flower blooming in an earthenware vase you can get anything, I suppose,& | ||
| + | he said. & | ||
| + | treasury. That& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At the word & | ||
| + | THAT bit of magic. It did, and the floor was littered with a spreading | ||
| + | heap of gold and precious stones. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Vanish?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He closed it carefully and set his broad Egyptian back against it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that stood against the wall. There was a sound of someone moving above. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The soldier was as much surprised as anybody. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then Jane held up the Amulet, uttering the word of Power. At the sound | ||
| + | of it and at the sight of the Amulet growing into the great arch the | ||
| + | soldier fell flat on his face among the jewels with a cry of awe and | ||
| + | terror. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children went through the arch with a quickness born of long practice. | ||
| + | But Jane stayed in the middle of the arch and looked back. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others, standing on the dining-room carpet in Fitzroy Street, turned | ||
| + | and saw her still in the arch. & | ||
| + | must go back.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But they pulled at Jane& | ||
| + | course, she did come. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then, as usual, the arch was little again and there they all were. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | priest had come in and he was kicking the soldier, and telling him he& | ||
| + | done it now, and they must take the jewels and flee for their lives.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | liked to see the last of it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As a matter of fact, none of them had seen the last of it& | ||
| + | Jane meant the adventure of the Priest and the Soldier. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 12. THE SORRY-PRESENT AND THE EXPELLED LITTLE BOY | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril was making a boat with a penknife and a piece of wood, and the girls | ||
| + | were making warm frocks for their dolls, for the weather was growing | ||
| + | chilly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | looking for that Amulet. The Past& | ||
| + | the sea is of sand. We& | ||
| + | might spend our lives looking for the Amulet and never see a sight of it. | ||
| + | Why, it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | doing that, what ARE we to do?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Old Nurse had come in with the tray of knives, forks, and glasses, and was | ||
| + | getting the tablecloth and table-napkins out of the chiffonier drawer. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | now, fear you get something to grumble AT.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | like that.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | slave for you day and night, and never a word of thanks. ...& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | shortly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | enough, and almost always two helps. THAT ought to show you!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | forks in their places; & | ||
| + | poor Green, all the years he lived with me I never could get more out of | ||
| + | him than & | ||
| + | And yet, when he lay a-dying, his last words to me was, & | ||
| + | always a good cook!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When she had gone out of the room Anthea said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we& | ||
| + | does, and what a dear she is.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | peas and hair shirts and sleeping on the stones. I mean we& | ||
| + | sorry-present,& | ||
| + | his idea until we& | ||
| + | him,& | ||
| + | all agree?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The others would have been ashamed not to agree, so they did. It was not | ||
| + | till quite near the end of dinner& | ||
| + | apple pie& | ||
| + | pleased everybody and would, they hoped, please Nurse. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril and Robert went out with the taste of apple still in their mouths | ||
| + | and the purple of blackberries on their lips& | ||
| + | Robert, on the wristband as well& | ||
| + | at the stationers. Then at the plumber& | ||
| + | and taps and gas-fittings in the window, they bought a pane of glass the | ||
| + | same size as the cardboard. The man cut it with a very interesting tool | ||
| + | that had a bit of diamond at the end, and he gave them, out of his own | ||
| + | free generousness, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | While they were out the girls had floated four photographs of the four | ||
| + | children off their cards in hot water. These were now stuck in a row along | ||
| + | the top of the cardboard. Cyril put the glue to melt in a jampot, and put | ||
| + | the jampot in a saucepan and saucepan on the fire, while Robert painted a | ||
| + | wreath of poppies round the photographs. He painted rather well and very | ||
| + | quickly, and poppies are easy to do if you& | ||
| + | Anthea drew some printed letters and Jane coloured them. The words were: | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | We like the thigs to eat.& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And when the painting was dry they all signed their names at the bottom | ||
| + | and put the glass on, and glued brown paper round the edge and over the | ||
| + | back, and put two loops of tape to hang it up by. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Of course everyone saw when too late that there were not enough letters in | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do the whole thing over again for just one letter. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | his pocket handkerchief. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a long pause. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sharply. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So no one said any more, and with wrinkled frowns he arranged his ideas. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | what we did when we went to look for the Amulet. And if we& | ||
| + | should remember that too.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we want to go to is where we shall remember about where we did find it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Squirrel, and very slowly.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | blank faces of the other three, & | ||
| + | it. Let& | ||
| + | it. And then we can go back and do the finding really.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anyway we might try.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | say about progress and the world growing better and brighter. I expect | ||
| + | people will be awfully smart in the future.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with glue.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When everyone was clean and dressed, the charm was held up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said Cyril, and Jane said the word of Power. They walked through the big | ||
| + | arch of the charm straight into the British Museum. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They knew it at once, and there, right in front of them, under a glass | ||
| + | case, was the Amulet& | ||
| + | they had never been able to find& | ||
| + | red stone that formed a hinge. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | found it to get anything out of the glass cases in the Museum& | ||
| + | by Psammead magic, and then she hadn& | ||
| + | with her; & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Nor did any of the others! | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | enchanted rule I suppose. I wish people would teach you magic at school | ||
| + | like they do sums& | ||
| + | Amulet then.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | just the same, only lighter and brighter, somehow.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sudden hope. There was no one in the room, but in the next gallery, where | ||
| + | the Assyrian things are and still were, they found a kind, stout man in a | ||
| + | loose, blue gown, and stockinged legs. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When they asked him their question he showed them a label on the case. It | ||
| + | said, & | ||
| + | name of the learned gentleman who, among themselves, and to his face when | ||
| + | he had been with them at the other side of the Amulet, they had called | ||
| + | Jimmy. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | expelled for long I hope?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | could see he did not believe them. There is no company so little pleasing | ||
| + | as that of people who do not believe you. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As they came through the doors of the Museum they blinked at the sudden | ||
| + | glory of sunlight and blue sky. The houses opposite the Museum were gone. | ||
| + | Instead there was a big garden, with trees and flowers and smooth green | ||
| + | lawns, and not a single notice to tell you not to walk on the grass and | ||
| + | not to destroy the trees and shrubs and not to pick the flowers. There | ||
| + | were comfortable seats all about, and arbours covered with roses, and | ||
| + | long, trellised walks, also rose-covered. Whispering, splashing fountains | ||
| + | fell into full white marble basins, white statues gleamed among the | ||
| + | leaves, and the pigeons that swept about among the branches or pecked on | ||
| + | the smooth, soft gravel were not black and tumbled like the Museum pigeons | ||
| + | are now, but bright and clean and sleek as birds of new silver. A good | ||
| + | many people were sitting on the seats, and on the grass babies were | ||
| + | rolling and kicking and playing& | ||
| + | well as women, seemed to be in charge of the babies and were playing with | ||
| + | them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | clothes were of bright, soft colours and all beautifully and very simply | ||
| + | made. No one seemed to have any hats or bonnets, but there were a great | ||
| + | many Japanese-looking sunshades. And among the trees were hung lamps of | ||
| + | coloured glass. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in the future!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They walked down the path, and as they went the people on the benches | ||
| + | looked at the four children very curiously, but not rudely or unkindly. | ||
| + | The children, in their turn, looked& | ||
| + | the faces of these people in the beautiful soft clothes. Those faces were | ||
| + | worth looking at. Not that they were all handsome, though even in the | ||
| + | matter of handsomeness they had the advantage of any set of people the | ||
| + | children had ever seen. But it was the expression of their faces that made | ||
| + | them worth looking at. The children could not tell at first what it was. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And it was. Everybody looked calm, no one seemed to be in a hurry, no one | ||
| + | seemed to be anxious, or fretted, and though some did seem to be sad, not | ||
| + | a single one looked worried. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But though the people looked kind everyone looked so interested in the | ||
| + | children that they began to feel a little shy and turned out of the big | ||
| + | main path into a narrow little one that wound among trees and shrubs and | ||
| + | mossy, dripping springs. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was here, in a deep, shadowed cleft between tall cypresses, that they | ||
| + | found the expelled little boy. He was lying face downward on the mossy | ||
| + | turf, and the peculiar shaking of his shoulders was a thing they had seen, | ||
| + | more than once, in each other. So Anthea kneeled down by him and said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | This was serious. People are not expelled for light offences. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said the child, in the tone of one confessing an unutterable baseness. | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | looking up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | rolled over, and sat up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not a crime to leave a bit of paper about.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do it we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | when you all have play and treats and jolliness, all of you together. On | ||
| + | your expelled days no one& | ||
| + | Expelleder or you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | everyone is kind to you. I know a boy that stole his sister& | ||
| + | badge and wore it when he was expelled for a day. HE got expelled for a | ||
| + | week for that. It must be awful not to go to school for a week.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | my special subject this year, there are such splendid models and things, | ||
| + | and now I shall be all behind because of that torn-up paper.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | flowers, and you choose your special subject for next year. Of course you | ||
| + | have to stick to it for a year at least. Then there are all your other | ||
| + | subjects, of course, reading, and painting, and the rules of Citizenship.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | expelledness only lasts till then. Come home with me. Mother will tell you | ||
| + | all about everything.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | honey-coloured smock and stepping out with hard little bare feet. & | ||
| + | on.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they went. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The streets were wide and hard and very clean. There were no horses, but a | ||
| + | sort of motor carriage that made no noise. The Thames flowed between green | ||
| + | banks, and there were trees at the edge, and people sat under them, | ||
| + | fishing, for the stream was clear as crystal. Everywhere there were green | ||
| + | trees and there was no smoke. The houses were set in what seemed like one | ||
| + | green garden. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The little boy brought them to a house, and at the window was a good, | ||
| + | bright mother-face. The little boy rushed in, and through the window they | ||
| + | could see him hugging his mother, then his eager lips moving and his quick | ||
| + | hands pointing. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A lady in soft green clothes came out, spoke kindly to them, and took them | ||
| + | into the oddest house they had ever seen. It was very bare, there were no | ||
| + | ornaments, and yet every single thing was beautiful, from the dresser with | ||
| + | its rows of bright china, to the thick squares of Eastern-looking carpet | ||
| + | on the floors. I can& | ||
| + | haven& | ||
| + | The lady took them all over it. The oddest thing of all was the big room | ||
| + | in the middle. It had padded walls and a soft, thick carpet, and all the | ||
| + | chairs and tables were padded. There wasn& | ||
| + | anyone could hurt itself with. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The lady looked very shocked. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your country there are no children& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | cornery and hard, like other rooms.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | your country! Why, the children are more than half of the people; it& | ||
| + | much to have one room where they can have a good time and not hurt | ||
| + | themselves.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in a nursery? A child might get burned.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | burned to death every year. Father told me,& | ||
| + | for this piece of information, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The lady turned quite pale. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | furniture padded for?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | where the things were hard and sharp! They might hurt themselves.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert fingered the scar on his forehead where he had hit it against the | ||
| + | nursery fender when he was little. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | lady. & | ||
| + | my dear. Of course, you& | ||
| + | you haven& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | people who haven& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | understand what you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it used to be different in London. Usedn& | ||
| + | because they were hungry? And wasn& | ||
| + | a time? And the Thames all muddy and filthy? And narrow streets, and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than I can. He took Ancient History as one of his special subjects.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | carpenter.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | talk with you. In the dark ages everyone was allowed to have a smoky | ||
| + | chimney, and those nasty horses all over the streets, and all sorts of | ||
| + | rubbish thrown into the Thames. And, of course, the sufferings of the | ||
| + | people will hardly bear thinking of. It& | ||
| + | all. Did you make Ancient History your special subject?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Citizenship Course about?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not? Well, that course teaches you how to be a good citizen, what you must | ||
| + | do and what you mayn& | ||
| + | making your town a beautiful and happy place for people to live in. | ||
| + | There& | ||
| + | it go...? | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | | ||
| + | I must try in work and play | ||
| + | To make things beautiful every day. | ||
| + | I must be kind to everyone, | ||
| + | And never let cruel things be done. | ||
| + | I must be brave, and I must try | ||
| + | When I am hurt never to cry, | ||
| + | And always laugh as much as I can, | ||
| + | And be glad that I& | ||
| + | To work for my living and help the rest | ||
| + | And never do less than my very best.& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | heaps more rhymes. There& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <pre xml: | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | With bits of paper or things to eat; | ||
| + | I must not pick the public flowers, | ||
| + | They are not MINE, but they are OURS.& | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | tray of nice things.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in the dark ages, and he saw that what you ought to do is to find out what | ||
| + | you want and then try to get it. Up to then people had always tried to | ||
| + | tinker up what they& | ||
| + | of. Then & | ||
| + | think?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Here Wells returned with strawberries and cakes and lemonade on a tray, | ||
| + | and everybody ate and enjoyed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Daddy.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Wells kissed her, waved to the others, and went. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and see what it& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The lady laughed. But Jane held up the charm and said the word. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | beautiful, growing arch. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The lady went, laughing. But she did not laugh when she found herself, | ||
| + | suddenly, in the dining-room at Fitzroy Street. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | place!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She ran to the window and looked out. The sky was grey, the street was | ||
| + | foggy, a dismal organ-grinder was standing opposite the door, a beggar and | ||
| + | a man who sold matches were quarrelling at the edge of the pavement on | ||
| + | whose greasy black surface people hurried along, hastening to get to the | ||
| + | shelter of their houses. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | matter with them all?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | stop it, there& | ||
| + | magic-lantern trick, I suppose, like I& | ||
| + | their poor, tired, miserable, wicked faces!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The tears were in her eyes. Anthea signed to Jane. The arch grew, they | ||
| + | spoke the words, and pushed the lady through it into her own time and | ||
| + | place, where London is clean and beautiful, and the Thames runs clear and | ||
| + | bright, and the green trees grow, and no one is afraid, or anxious, or in | ||
| + | a hurry. There was a silence. Then& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said Cyril. & | ||
| + | when he comes home.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Mother and The Lamb.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | could remember if it wasn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they did. This time they said, & | ||
| + | far away.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And they went through the familiar arch into a large, light room with | ||
| + | three windows. Facing them was the familiar mummy-case. And at a table by | ||
| + | the window sat the learned gentleman. They knew him at once, though his | ||
| + | hair was white. He was one of the faces that do not change with age. In | ||
| + | his hand was the Amulet& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He rubbed his other hand across his forehead in the way they were so used | ||
| + | to. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | remember?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Street room, and far more curious and wonderful Assyrian and Egyptian | ||
| + | objects. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you gave it to me.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | mysteries. You dear children! What a difference you made to that old | ||
| + | Bloomsbury house! I wish I could dream you oftener. Now you& | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman pointed to a frame with four photographs in it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children saw four grown-up people& | ||
| + | gentlemen& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | with some insight whispered back. & | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | frightful now.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman was looking at them with wistful kindness. & | ||
| + | let me undream you just yet,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | December, 1905. I shall never forget THAT day.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | a lovely garden!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | This is a beautiful place. Do you know& | ||
| + | just a dream, you do look so exactly real. Do you know...& | ||
| + | dropped, & | ||
| + | that wasn& | ||
| + | Amulet you gave me& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | got it. But about the thing itself. First, the wonderful dreams I used to | ||
| + | have, after you& | ||
| + | that I did, was the beginning of my fame and my fortune, too. And I got it | ||
| + | all out of a dream! And then, & | ||
| + | was only a pamphlet, but it explained a lot of things people hadn& | ||
| + | understood.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it was generous of you!& | ||
| + | seemed to KNOW about the old Egyptian civilization. And they can& | ||
| + | my theories& | ||
| + | can& | ||
| + | like& | ||
| + | the secret rites of the Temple of Amen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Street.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | lovely garden& | ||
| + | me to take more exercise? Well, I feel I owe it all to you& | ||
| + | Amulet.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sister& | ||
| + | remember the day I dreamed you brought me the Babylonish ring?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you were too rich for it?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thing as that. Of course, I left when your old Nurse died and& | ||
| + | the matter!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane held up the Amulet in a hand that twittered. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and then we can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Old Nurse brought in tea almost as soon as they were back in Fitzroy | ||
| + | Street. As she came in with the tray, the girls rushed at her and nearly | ||
| + | upset her and it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | darling old Nurse, don& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Heaven! Whatever on earth& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She put the tray down and hugged the girls in turn. The boys thumped her | ||
| + | on the back with heartfelt affection. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dying! You& | ||
| + | Regular blind man& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The yellow light illuminated four pale faces. & | ||
| + | went on, & | ||
| + | out, Squirrel.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The glazed testimonial was dragged out from under the sofa and displayed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the beautiful writing and all. Well, I always did say your hearts was in | ||
| + | the right place, if a bit careless at times. Well! I never did! I don& | ||
| + | know as I was ever pleased better in my life.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She hugged them all, one after the other. And the boys did not mind it, | ||
| + | somehow, that day. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead with laborious gentleness to put the question. & | ||
| + | remember what we saw in the future, and yet, when we WERE in the future, | ||
| + | we could not remember the bit of the future that was past then, the time | ||
| + | of finding the Amulet?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | remember what hasn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that all right.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | crossly, & | ||
| + | why not visions? You never do seem to understand the simplest thing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It went to sand again at once. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea crept down in her nightgown to give one last kiss to old Nurse, and | ||
| + | one last look at the beautiful testimonial hanging, by its tapes, its glue | ||
| + | now firmly set, in glazed glory on the wall of the kitchen. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | catch your deather-cold!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 13. THE SHIPWRECK ON THE TIN ISLANDS | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <h3> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </h3> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Prussian blue. If you mix Vermilion and Indigo you get the most loathsome | ||
| + | slate colour.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | brush. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They were all painting. Nurse in the flush of grateful emotion, excited by | ||
| + | Robert& | ||
| + | paint-box, and had supplemented the gift with a pile of old copies of the | ||
| + | Illustrated London News. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and blue when they aren& | ||
| + | Tyrian purple.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Anthea, shuddering. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | yet afterwards, it wasn& | ||
| + | Emperors wore it. And it wasn& | ||
| + | was a yellowish-white liquid of a creamy consistency.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | annoyed, & | ||
| + | especially in newspapers.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | annoying tone, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | purple and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | go somewhere by Amulet. I say let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril and Robert agreed that this was an idea. Jane consented to stop | ||
| + | painting because, as she said, Chinese white, though certainly sweet, | ||
| + | gives you a queer feeling in the back of the throat if you paint with it | ||
| + | too long. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Amulet was held up. & | ||
| + | in the Past& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Next moment everyone felt a queer rocking and swaying& | ||
| + | what you feel when you go out in a fishing boat. And that was not | ||
| + | wonderful, when you come to think of it, for it was in a boat that they | ||
| + | found themselves. A queer boat, with high bulwarks pierced with holes for | ||
| + | oars to go through. There was a high seat for the steersman, and the prow | ||
| + | was shaped like the head of some great animal with big, staring eyes. The | ||
| + | boat rode at anchor in a bay, and the bay was very smooth. The crew were | ||
| + | dark, wiry fellows with black beards and hair. They had no clothes except | ||
| + | a tunic from waist to knee, and round caps with knobs on the top. They | ||
| + | were very busy, and what they were doing was so interesting to the | ||
| + | children that at first they did not even wonder where the Amulet had | ||
| + | brought them. And the crew seemed too busy to notice the children. They | ||
| + | were fastening rush baskets to a long rope with a great piece of cork at | ||
| + | the end, and in each basket they put mussels or little frogs. Then they | ||
| + | cast out the rope, the baskets sank, but the cork floated. And all about | ||
| + | on the blue water were other boats and all the crews of all the boats were | ||
| + | busy with ropes and baskets and frogs and mussels. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | clothes than the others, and seemed to be a sort of captain or overseer. | ||
| + | He started and stared at her, but he had seen too many strange lands to be | ||
| + | very much surprised at these queerly-dressed stowaways. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | here?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that hung round his neck. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | voice to one of the sailors. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | said Anthea. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in a little ship like this. I wonder which of them& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the sailors gleamed something red. It was the exact counterpart of their | ||
| + | precious half-Amulet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A silence, full of emotion, was broken by Jane. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He did& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | somewhere before.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | who he& | ||
| + | eyes met Robert& | ||
| + | as to where they had seen him before. It was Rekh-mara, the priest who had | ||
| + | led them to the palace of Pharaoh& | ||
| + | through the arch, when he was counselling Pharaoh& | ||
| + | jewels and fly for his life. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Nobody was quite pleased, and nobody quite knew why. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane voiced the feelings of all when she said, fingering THEIR Amulet | ||
| + | through the folds of her frock, & | ||
| + | nasty happens.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | For the moment nothing worse happened than an offer of food& | ||
| + | cucumbers it was, and very pleasant. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | have honoured my boat by appearing on it, you must stay here till morning. | ||
| + | Then I will lead you to one of our great ones. He loves strangers from far | ||
| + | lands.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the people here are cruel.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But the boys wanted to stay and see the lines taken up in the morning. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | open from outside& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they stayed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | civil. He pointed to a great island rock, that rose steeply from the sea, | ||
| + | crowned with huge walls and towers. There was another city on the | ||
| + | mainland. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | merchants have their pleasure-houses and gardens and farms.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A ship in full sail was passing swiftly through the fishing fleet. The | ||
| + | Captain& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | LITTLE? None greater sail the seas. That ship has been on a three years& | ||
| + | voyage. She is known in all the great trading ports from here to the Tin | ||
| + | Islands. She comes back rich and glorious. Her very anchor is of silver.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | you know.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | scowling. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | glass, and the rough images our young artists carve for practice, the | ||
| + | barbarian King in Tessos lets us work the silver mines. We get so much | ||
| + | silver there that we leave them our iron anchors and come back with silver | ||
| + | ones.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | scornfully. & | ||
| + | dyed& | ||
| + | princes.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | pleasure-houses?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ALL about the dyeing,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Well, you won& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He went away, and everyone felt snubbed and uncomfortable. And all the | ||
| + | time the long, narrow eyes of the Egyptian were watching, watching. They | ||
| + | felt as though he was watching them through the darkness, when they lay | ||
| + | down to sleep on a pile of cloaks. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Next morning the baskets were drawn up full of what looked like whelk | ||
| + | shells. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children were rather in the way, but they made themselves as small as | ||
| + | they could. While the skipper was at the other end of the boat they did | ||
| + | ask one question of a sailor, whose face was a little less unkind than the | ||
| + | others. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | there& | ||
| + | the kind that& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The laden boat was rowed slowly round the end of the island, and was made | ||
| + | fast in one of the two great harbours that lay inside a long breakwater. | ||
| + | The harbour was full of all sorts of ships, so that Cyril and Robert | ||
| + | enjoyed themselves much more than their sisters. The breakwater and the | ||
| + | quays were heaped with bales and baskets, and crowded with slaves and | ||
| + | sailors. Farther along some men were practising diving. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | more skilful. Why, we& | ||
| + | bottom of the sea. Our divers dive down and bring up the fresh water in | ||
| + | skin bottles! Can your barbarian divers do as much?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Captain the English system of waterworks, pipes, taps, and the intricacies | ||
| + | of the plumbers& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As they neared the quay the skipper made a hasty toilet. He did his hair, | ||
| + | combed his beard, put on a garment like a jersey with short sleeves, an | ||
| + | embroidered belt, a necklace of beads, and a big signet ring. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of, who loves barbarians.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then Rekh-mara came forward, and, for the first time, spoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | powers of magic. It was my magic that brought these barbarians to your | ||
| + | boat. And you know how they will profit you. I read your thoughts. Let me | ||
| + | come with you and see the end of them, and then I will work the spell I | ||
| + | promised you in return for the little experience you have so kindly given | ||
| + | me on your boat.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The skipper looked at the Egyptian with some disfavour. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So he came, and the girls wished he hadn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet. We can always fly if anything goes wrong.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The morning was so fresh and bright; their breakfast had been so good and | ||
| + | so unusual; they had actually seen the Amulet round the Egyptian& | ||
| + | One or two, or all these things, suddenly raised the children& | ||
| + | They went off quite cheerfully through the city gate& | ||
| + | arched, but roofed over with a great flat stone& | ||
| + | street, which smelt horribly of fish and garlic and a thousand other | ||
| + | things even less agreeable. But far worse than the street scents was the | ||
| + | scent of the factory, where the skipper called in to sell his night& | ||
| + | catch. I wish I could tell you all about that factory, but I haven& | ||
| + | and perhaps after all you aren& | ||
| + | mention that Robert was triumphantly proved to be right. The dye WAS a | ||
| + | yellowish-white liquid of a creamy consistency, | ||
| + | of garlic than garlic itself does. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | While the skipper was bargaining with the master of the dye works the | ||
| + | Egyptian came close to the children, and said, suddenly and softly& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | distrust me.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | pin that joined them. Our only chance of getting that is to remain | ||
| + | together. Once part these two halves and they may never be found in the | ||
| + | same time and place. Be wise. Our interests are the same.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Before anyone could say more the skipper came back, and with him the | ||
| + | dye-master. His hair and beard were curled like the men& | ||
| + | he was dressed like the skipper, but with added grandeur of gold and | ||
| + | embroidery. He had necklaces of beads and silver, and a glass amulet with | ||
| + | a man& | ||
| + | gold and silver bracelets and armlets. He looked keenly at the children. | ||
| + | Then he said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | house& | ||
| + | frightfully bored on shore.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ever! Oh, Tyre rules the waves!& | ||
| + | and show him my young barbarians.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | frightful clothes, and what a lot of them! Observe the covering of their | ||
| + | feet. Hideous indeed.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert could not help thinking how easy, and at the same time pleasant, it | ||
| + | would be to catch hold of the dye-master& | ||
| + | the great sunken vat just near him. But if he had, flight would have had | ||
| + | to be the next move, so he restrained his impulse. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was something about this Tyrian adventure that was different from | ||
| + | all the others. It was, somehow, calmer. And there was the undoubted fact | ||
| + | that the charm was there on the neck of the Egyptian. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they enjoyed everything to the full, the row from the Island City to | ||
| + | the shore, the ride on the donkeys that the skipper hired at the gate of | ||
| + | the mainland city, and the pleasant country& | ||
| + | cedars all about. It was like a garden& | ||
| + | jasmine clung about the olive and mulberry trees, and there were tulips | ||
| + | and gladiolus, and clumps of mandrake, which has bell-flowers that look as | ||
| + | though they were cut out of dark blue jewels. In the distance were the | ||
| + | mountains of Lebanon. The house they came to at last was rather like a | ||
| + | bungalow& | ||
| + | sycamores grew near it and sheltered it pleasantly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone dismounted, and the donkeys were led away. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the answer. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | place,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | seen? It& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children were left alone in a large hall. The floor was mosaic, done | ||
| + | with wonderful pictures of ships and sea-beasts and fishes. Through an | ||
| + | open doorway they could see a pleasant courtyard with flowers. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | day.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone was feeling very jolly. Even the Egyptian looked pleasanter than | ||
| + | usual. And then, quite suddenly, the skipper came back with a joyous | ||
| + | smile. With him came the master of the house. He looked steadily at the | ||
| + | children and nodded twice. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that high rate for the Egyptian dog.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The two passed on. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A hasty council succeeded the shock of this announcement. The Priest was | ||
| + | allowed to take part in it. His advice was & | ||
| + | danger, and the Amulet in its completeness must be somewhere near, or, of | ||
| + | course, they could not have come to that place at all. And after some | ||
| + | discussion they agreed to this. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children were treated more as guests than as slaves, but the Egyptian | ||
| + | was sent to the kitchen and made to work. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Pheles, the master of the house, went off that very evening, by the King& | ||
| + | orders, to start on another voyage. And when he was gone his wife found | ||
| + | the children amusing company, and kept them talking and singing and | ||
| + | dancing till quite late. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the big, soft cushions that were to be their beds. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was black night when they were awakened, each by a hand passed softly | ||
| + | over its face, and a low voice that whispered& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they were quiet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | brought us has gone to sea again, and he has taken my Amulet from me by | ||
| + | force, and I know no magic to get it back. Is there magic for that in the | ||
| + | Amulet you bear?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Everyone was instantly awake by now. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | well; or he might be angry with us for following him.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | well.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There in the deep blackness of that room in the Tyrian country house the | ||
| + | Amulet was once more held up and the word spoken. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | All passed through on to a ship that tossed and tumbled on a wind-blown | ||
| + | sea. They crouched together there till morning, and Jane and Cyril were | ||
| + | not at all well. When the dawn showed, dove-coloured, | ||
| + | waves, they stood up as well as they could for the tumbling of the ship. | ||
| + | Pheles, that hardy sailor and adventurer, turned quite pale when he turned | ||
| + | round suddenly and saw them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than standing up, & | ||
| + | hangs round your neck.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But Pheles said, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Tin Isles. Tyre alone knows where the Tin Isles are. It is a splendid | ||
| + | secret we keep from all the world. It is as great a thing to us as your | ||
| + | magic to you.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He spoke in quite a new voice, and seemed to respect both the children and | ||
| + | the Amulet a good deal more than he had done before. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | gentlemen and this crew. You shall go with us, and see many wonders.& | ||
| + | bowed and left them. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | be left along with a breakfast of dried fruits and a sort of hard biscuit. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the barbarians to help us. We will attack him by night and tear the sacred | ||
| + | Amulet from his accursed heathen neck,& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | unwell to care about breakfast, hugged himself miserably and shuddered. It | ||
| + | was Robert who said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we were where the Amulet will be when the ship is twenty miles from the | ||
| + | Tin Island. That& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was done& | ||
| + | same ship, between grey northern sky and grey northern sea. The sun was | ||
| + | setting in a pale yellow line. It was the same ship, but it was changed, | ||
| + | and so were the crew. Weather-worn and dirty were the sailors, and their | ||
| + | clothes torn and ragged. And the children saw that, of course, though they | ||
| + | had skipped the nine months, the ship had had to live through them. Pheles | ||
| + | looked thinner, and his face was rugged and anxious. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | these nine months& | ||
| + | help?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | us. A month ago it lay in wait for us, by the pillars of the gods, and it | ||
| + | follows, follows, to find out the secret of Tyre& | ||
| + | Tin Islands. If I could steer by night I could escape them yet, but | ||
| + | tonight there will be no stars.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But Robert said, & | ||
| + | you how to steer without stars.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He took out the shilling compass, still, fortunately, | ||
| + | that he had bought off another boy at school for fivepence, a piece of | ||
| + | indiarubber, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And he showed Pheles how it worked. And Pheles wondered at the compass& | ||
| + | magic truth. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | neck.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Pheles made no answer. He first laughed, snatched the compass from | ||
| + | Robert& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The dusk deepened, and Pheles, crouched beside a dim lantern, steered by | ||
| + | the shilling compass from the Crystal Palace. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | No one ever knew how the other ship sailed, but suddenly, in the deep | ||
| + | night, the look-out man at the stern cried out in a terrible voice& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | then suddenly he altered the ship& | ||
| + | spoke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | brave venture by our King& | ||
| + | our heels. If we land, they land, and only the gods know whether they | ||
| + | might not beat us in fight, and themselves survive to carry back the tale | ||
| + | of Tyre& | ||
| + | be?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | below and could not hear his words. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Egyptian leaped upon him; suddenly, fiercely, as a wild beast leaps. | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that held it snapped, and it lay in the Priest& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Pheles laughed, standing balanced to the leap of the ship that answered | ||
| + | the oarstroke. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | men, and we& | ||
| + | splendid city. & | ||
| + | steer her straight for the Dragon rocks, and we go down for our city, as | ||
| + | brave men should. The creeping cowards who follow shall go down as slaves& | ||
| + | slaves they shall be to us& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A great shout went up, and the slaves below joined in it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | one he had snatched from Pheles. The word was spoken, and the two great | ||
| + | arches grew on the plunging ship in the shrieking wind under the dark sky. | ||
| + | From each Amulet a great and beautiful green light streamed and shone far | ||
| + | out over the waves. It illuminated, | ||
| + | of the great rocks that lay not two ships& | ||
| + | nose. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | doomed rose in a triumphant shout. The children scrambled through the | ||
| + | arch, and stood trembling and blinking in the Fitzroy Street parlour, and | ||
| + | in their ears still sounded the whistle of the wind, and the rattle of the | ||
| + | oars, the crash of the ships bow on the rocks, and the last shout of the | ||
| + | brave gentlemen-adventurers who went to their deaths singing, for the sake | ||
| + | of the city they loved. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | they had told the Psammead all about it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the same half that you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | older, but at any rate it& | ||
| + | wished?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | it did, so you see it was the same half.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that Priest yet.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | again till that date. You& | ||
| + | to meet that Egyptian any more just at present.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | something about his face that I really do like.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril and Jane were feeling far from well, Anthea was always obliging, so | ||
| + | Robert was overruled. And they promised. And none of them, not even the | ||
| + | Psammead, at all foresaw, as you no doubt do quite plainly, exactly what | ||
| + | it was that WOULD happen on that memorable date. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <a name=" | ||
| + | < | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <div style=" | ||
| + | <br /><br /><br /><br /> | ||
| + | </ | ||
| + | <h2> | ||
| + | CHAPTER 14. THE HEART& | ||
| + | </h2> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | If I only had time I could tell you lots of things. For instance, how, in | ||
| + | spite of the advice of the Psammead, the four children did, one very wet | ||
| + | day, go through their Amulet Arch into the golden desert, and there find | ||
| + | the great Temple of Baalbec and meet with the Phoenix whom they never | ||
| + | thought to see again. And how the Phoenix did not remember them at all | ||
| + | until it went into a sort of prophetic trance& | ||
| + | remembering. But, alas! I HAVEN& | ||
| + | though it was a wonderfully thrilling adventure. I must leave out, too, | ||
| + | all about the visit of the children to the Hippodrome with the Psammead in | ||
| + | its travelling bag, and about how the wishes of the people round about | ||
| + | them were granted so suddenly and surprisingly that at last the Psammead | ||
| + | had to be taken hurriedly home by Anthea, who consequently missed half the | ||
| + | performance. Then there was the time when, Nurse having gone to tea with a | ||
| + | friend out Ivalunk way, they were playing & | ||
| + | the midst of that most creepy pastime the postman& | ||
| + | nearly out of her life. She took in the letters, however, and put them in | ||
| + | the back of the hat-stand drawer, so that they should be safe. And safe | ||
| + | they were, for she never thought of them again for weeks and weeks. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | One really good thing happened when they took the Psammead to a | ||
| + | magic-lantern show and lecture at the boys& | ||
| + | lecture was all about our soldiers in South Africa. And the lecturer ended | ||
| + | up by saying, & | ||
| + | seeds of courage and heroism and self-sacrifice, | ||
| + | of you may grow up to be noble and brave and unselfish, worthy citizens of | ||
| + | this great Empire for whom our soldiers have freely given their lives.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And, of course, this came true& | ||
| + | Town. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | As Anthea said, it was unlucky that the lecturer said boys, because now | ||
| + | she and Jane would have to be noble and unselfish, if at all, without any | ||
| + | outside help. But Jane said, & | ||
| + | beautiful natures. It& | ||
| + | nearly led to a first-class row. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And I daresay you would like to know all about the affair of the fishing | ||
| + | rod, and the fish-hooks, and the cook next door& | ||
| + | from some points of view, though not perhaps the cook& | ||
| + | really is no time even for that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The only thing that there& | ||
| + | Maskelyne and Cooke& | ||
| + | the beginning of the end. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was Nurse who broke into the gloomy music of the autumn rain on the | ||
| + | window panes by suggesting a visit to the Egyptian Hall, England& | ||
| + | Mystery. Though they had good, but private reasons to know that their own | ||
| + | particular personal mystery was of a very different brand, the four all | ||
| + | brightened at the idea. All children, as well as a good many grown-ups, | ||
| + | love conjuring. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | number of shillings into Cyril& | ||
| + | from the Circus. There& | ||
| + | place in Holborn, as used to be Day and Martin& | ||
| + | gell. And something like Euston Station, only not so big.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they started. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But though they walked along the left-hand side of Piccadilly they saw no | ||
| + | pillared building that was at all like Carter& | ||
| + | Station or England& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last they stopped a hurried lady, and asked her the way to Maskelyne | ||
| + | and Cooke& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the Stores.& | ||
| + | are. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was a policeman who at last explained to them that England& | ||
| + | are now appropriately enough enacted at St George& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So they tramped to Langham Place, and missed the first two items in the | ||
| + | programme. But they were in time for the most wonderful magic appearances | ||
| + | and disappearances, | ||
| + | their knowledge of a larger magic& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Now there was a vacant seat next to Robert. And it was when all eyes were | ||
| + | fixed on the stage where Mr Devant was pouring out glasses of all sorts of | ||
| + | different things to drink, out of one kettle with one spout, and the | ||
| + | audience were delightedly tasting them, that Robert felt someone in that | ||
| + | vacant seat. He did not feel someone sit down in it. It was just that one | ||
| + | moment there was no one sitting there, and the next moment, suddenly, | ||
| + | there was someone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Robert turned. The someone who had suddenly filled that empty place was | ||
| + | Rekh-mara, the Priest of Amen! | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Though the eyes of the audience were fixed on Mr David Devant, Mr David | ||
| + | Devant& | ||
| + | were more particularly fixed on that empty chair. So that he saw quite | ||
| + | plainly the sudden appearance, from nowhere, of the Egyptian Priest. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in my own hall. I& | ||
| + | that he could not do himself if he tried. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | By this time a good many eyes in the audience had turned on the | ||
| + | clean-shaven, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | trick I have never before performed. The empty seat, third from the end, | ||
| + | second row, gallery& | ||
| + | Egyptian, warranted genuine.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | He little knew how true his words were. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And now all eyes were turned on the Priest and the children, and the whole | ||
| + | audience, after a moment& | ||
| + | lady on the other side of Rekh-mara drew back a little. She KNEW no one | ||
| + | had passed her, and, as she said later, over tea and cold tongue, & | ||
| + | that sudden it made her flesh creep.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Rekh-mara seemed very much annoyed at the notice he was exciting. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | apart.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Ventriloquist.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | leave this crowd.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | got up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | back and take part in the next scene.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | applauding to the last. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | In the vestibule of St George& | ||
| + | they could, but even with Robert& | ||
| + | too striking a figure for foot-exercise in the London streets. It had to | ||
| + | be a cab, and it took the last, least money of all of them. They stopped | ||
| + | the cab a few doors from home, and then the girls went in and engaged old | ||
| + | Nurse& | ||
| + | for dripping-toast with their tea, leaving the front door open so that | ||
| + | while Nurse was talking to them the boys could creep quietly in with | ||
| + | Rekh-mara and smuggle him, unseen, up the stairs into their bedroom. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When the girls came up they found the Egyptian Priest sitting on the side | ||
| + | of Cyril& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | And shut the door, can& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When the door was shut the Egyptian said& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | interesting if you keep following us about in a decent country with no | ||
| + | more clothes on than THAT!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | later than YOUR time.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to move to and fro in time as well as in space?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | directly. What are we to do with you?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | is now needed is the pin to join them.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | as the one we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | be not one, but twain,& | ||
| + | it on the Marcella counterpane. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane watching the eyes of the others, unfastened the string of the Amulet | ||
| + | and laid it on the bed, but too far off for the Priest to seize it, even | ||
| + | if he had been so dishonourable. Cyril and Robert stood beside him, ready | ||
| + | to spring on him if one of his hands had moved but ever so little towards | ||
| + | the magic treasure that was theirs. But his hands did not move, only his | ||
| + | eyes opened very wide, and so did everyone else& | ||
| + | Priest had now quivered and shook; and then, as steel is drawn to the | ||
| + | magnet, it was drawn across the white counterpane, | ||
| + | the Amulet, warm from the neck of Jane. And then, as one drop of water | ||
| + | mingles with another on a rain-wrinkled window-pane, | ||
| + | quick-silver is drawn into another bead, Rekh-mara& | ||
| + | the other one, and, behold! there was no more but the one Amulet! | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | that had swallowed his. But Anthea caught it up, and at the same moment | ||
| + | the Priest was jerked back by a rope thrown over his head. It drew, | ||
| + | tightened with the pull of his forward leap, and bound his elbows to his | ||
| + | sides. Before he had time to use his strength to free himself, Robert had | ||
| + | knotted the cord behind him and tied it to the bedpost. Then the four | ||
| + | children, overcoming the priest& | ||
| + | with more rope. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | to be ready.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The girls, with rather white faces, applauded his foresight. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the seven secret curses of Amen-Ra!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | much right to the thing as we have. This,& | ||
| + | swallowed the other one, & | ||
| + | Let& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | window and call the police& | ||
| + | you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But reason could not be spoken to him till a whispered counsel had been | ||
| + | held in the far corner by the washhand-stand and the towel-horse, | ||
| + | counsel rather long and very earnest. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | At last Anthea detached herself from the group, and went back to the | ||
| + | Priest. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | want to help you. Let& | ||
| + | Amulet& | ||
| + | much as to us, and we shall all get our hearts& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | be fair? Only we want to bind you in the chains of honour and upright | ||
| + | dealing.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | under the Altar of Amen-Ra, I will deal fairly by you. Will you, too, take | ||
| + | the oath of honourable partnership?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | swear in England, except in police courts, where the guards are, you know, | ||
| + | and you don& | ||
| + | the same as an oath to us& | ||
| + | you.& | ||
| + | arms. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When he was free he stood up, stretched his arms, and laughed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | by nothing, and my oath is nothing likewise. For there IS no secret, | ||
| + | sacred name under the altar of Amen-Ra.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | most of all. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Cyril stooped and pulled out the bath of sand where the Psammead slept. | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of Amen,& | ||
| + | the bath edge. & | ||
| + | Amen-Ra. Shall I call on that name?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | natural brownness, & | ||
| + | name under& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | strangely upright land, and having said that I will be your friend& | ||
| + | will be it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | What are you going to do with your distinguished partner? He can& | ||
| + | to tea like that, you know.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | till then?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | rather fun.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert. & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Rekh-mara was taken up to the box-room and made as comfortable as | ||
| + | possible in a snug nook between an old nursery fender and the wreck of a | ||
| + | big four-poster. They gave him a big rag-bag to sit on, and an old, | ||
| + | moth-eaten fur coat off the nail on the door to keep him warm. And when | ||
| + | they had had their own tea they took him some. He did not like the tea at | ||
| + | all, but he liked the bread and butter, and cake that went with it. They | ||
| + | took it in turns to sit with him during the evening, and left him fairly | ||
| + | happy and quite settled for the night. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But when they went up in the morning with a kipper, a quarter of which | ||
| + | each of them had gone without at breakfast, Rekh-mara was gone! There was | ||
| + | the cosy corner with the rag-bag, and the moth-eaten fur coat& | ||
| + | the cosy corner was empty. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | The second was less pleasing, because everyone at once remembered that | ||
| + | since his Amulet had been swallowed up by theirs& | ||
| + | more round the neck of Jane& | ||
| + | returning to his Egyptian past. Therefore he must be still in England, and | ||
| + | probably somewhere quite near them, plotting mischief. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The attic was searched, to prevent mistakes, but quite vainly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | straight away, get the whole Amulet, and come back.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | isn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | accidentally killed him, and took away the& | ||
| + | him, you know& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | of those big trunks in the box-room. SHALL WE GO BACK AND LOOK?& | ||
| + | grimly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | says.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | happened to Rekh-mara a gentleman& | ||
| + | Psammead& | ||
| + | always does.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They tapped at the door, and on the & | ||
| + | gentleman was sitting in front of his untasted breakfast. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Opposite him, in the easy chair, sat Rekh-mara! | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dream will go. I am learning... Oh, what have I not learned in the last | ||
| + | hour!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | myself among these treasures from my own country, I remained. I feel more | ||
| + | at home here somehow.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than ye can control. Already,& | ||
| + | as brothers, and his welfare is dear to me as my own.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | This was no moment for manners. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | do.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Rekh-mara hesitated, then told& | ||
| + | children ever could remember afterwards what it was that he did tell. | ||
| + | Perhaps he used some magic to prevent their remembering. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | When he had done the learned gentleman was silent, leaning his elbow on | ||
| + | the table and his head on his hand. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | find it today, somehow.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | desirable lie beyond the dark gates?& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman raised his head suddenly. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet is unwatched. Wish to be with it, and that it shall be under your | ||
| + | hand.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | It was the simplest thing in the world! And yet none of them had ever | ||
| + | thought of it. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | dream, you know.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Robert with one voice cried, & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | than to let him come.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | again before you have time to know that we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet to which I and these children have equal claims.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane held up the Amulet& | ||
| + | passed through the great arch into which the Amulet grew at the Name of | ||
| + | Power. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The learned gentleman saw through the arch a darkness lighted by smoky | ||
| + | gleams. He rubbed his eyes. And he only rubbed them for ten seconds. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children and the Priest were in a small, dark chamber. A square | ||
| + | doorway of massive stone let in gleams of shifting light, and the sound of | ||
| + | many voices chanting a slow, strange hymn. They stood listening. Now and | ||
| + | then the chant quickened and the light grew brighter, as though fuel had | ||
| + | been thrown on a fire. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | shivering. & | ||
| + | of the world.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then Jane felt that her hand was on a slab or table of stone, and, | ||
| + | under her hand, something that felt like the charm that had so long hung | ||
| + | round her neck, only it was thicker. Twice as thick. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | own voice. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | magic. Listen.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The chanting voices seemed to have grown louder and fiercer, and light | ||
| + | stronger. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane held it up. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | see we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | squeaky and more exalted than usual. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | for a sec, Mr Jimmy, we& | ||
| + | SHE wouldn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then they went down. Nurse was in the hall, an orange envelope in one | ||
| + | hand, and a pink paper in the other. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | directed in letter& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | not shout, she was nearer crying. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | hearts& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | HAD no letter.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | they came that night& | ||
| + | dark& | ||
| + | clothes-brushes and& | ||
| + | here they are!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a letter for Nurse and one for the children. The letters told | ||
| + | how Father had done being a war-correspondent and was coming home; and how | ||
| + | Mother and The Lamb were going to meet him in Italy and all come home | ||
| + | together; and how The Lamb and Mother were quite well; and how a telegram | ||
| + | would be sent to tell the day and the hour of their home-coming. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Jane. I shall have a nice to-do getting things straight for your Pa and | ||
| + | Ma.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | for anything!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | YOU& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was, in fact, something upstairs that they had to settle. Quite a | ||
| + | considerable something, too. And it took much longer than they expected. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | A hasty rush into the boys& | ||
| + | cross. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ought to be there at the final council.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | sees it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | But it didn& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Psammead had been explained to him by Rekh-mara. & | ||
| + | beast before.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Show up, Jane.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Jane untied the string and laid her half Amulet on the table, littered | ||
| + | with dusty papers, and the clay cylinders marked all over with little | ||
| + | marks like the little prints of birds& | ||
| + | whole Amulet, and Anthea gently restrained the eager hand of the learned | ||
| + | gentleman as it reached out yearningly towards the & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And then, just as before on the Marcella quilt, so now on the dusty litter | ||
| + | of papers and curiosities, | ||
| + | as steel is drawn to a magnet, it was drawn across the dusty manuscripts, | ||
| + | nearer and nearer to the perfect Amulet, warm from the pocket of Robert. | ||
| + | And then, as one drop of water mingles with another when the panes of the | ||
| + | window are wrinkled with rain, as one bead of mercury is drawn into | ||
| + | another bead, the half Amulet, that was the children& | ||
| + | Rekh-mara& | ||
| + | only one& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | and The Lamb are coming home today.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | time. But learning too great is useless. If I go back to my own land and | ||
| + | my own age, who will believe my tales of what I have seen in the future? | ||
| + | Let me stay here, be the great knower of all that has been, in that our | ||
| + | time, so living to me, so old to you, about which your learned men | ||
| + | speculate unceasingly, | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | It& | ||
| + | can& | ||
| + | without feeling the effects of it, sooner or later. Prepare the mystic | ||
| + | circle and consult the Amulet.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | love me& | ||
| + | the mystic circle and consult the Amulet!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | They did. As once before, when the sun had shone in August splendour, they | ||
| + | crouched in a circle on the floor. Now the air outside was thick and | ||
| + | yellow with the fog that by some strange decree always attends the Cattle | ||
| + | Show week. And in the street costers were shouting. & | ||
| + | Jane said the Name of Power. And instantly the light went out, and all the | ||
| + | sounds went out too, so that there was a silence and a darkness, both | ||
| + | deeper than any darkness or silence that you have ever even dreamed of | ||
| + | imagining. It was like being deaf or blind, only darker and quieter even | ||
| + | than that. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then out of that vast darkness and silence came a light and a voice. The | ||
| + | light was too faint to see anything by, and the voice was too small for | ||
| + | you to hear what it said. But the light and the voice grew. And the light | ||
| + | was the light that no man may look on and live, and the voice was the | ||
| + | sweetest and most terrible voice in the world. The children cast down | ||
| + | their eyes. And so did everyone. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a pause. Everyone was afraid to speak. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | voice, & | ||
| + | things be. But men may pass through the perfect charm to the perfect | ||
| + | union, which is not of time or space.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | we can understand you? The Psammead said something about Rekh-mara not | ||
| + | being able to live here, and if he can& | ||
| + | heart was beating desperately in her throat, as it seemed. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the voice of glorious sweetness. & | ||
| + | time and land there be found a soul so akin to it as to offer it refuge, | ||
| + | in the body of that land and time, that thus they two may be one soul in | ||
| + | one body.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The children exchanged discouraged glances. But the eyes of Rekh-mara and | ||
| + | the learned gentleman met, and were kind to each other, and promised each | ||
| + | other many things, secret and sacred and very beautiful. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Anthea saw the look. & | ||
| + | it, & | ||
| + | isn& | ||
| + | is as good as gold, and& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | Amulet,& | ||
| + | let the two souls become one for ever and ever more.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The voices were those of the Egyptian Priest and the learned gentleman, | ||
| + | and the voices were eager, alive, thrilled with hope and the desire of | ||
| + | great things. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | So Jane took the Amulet from Robert and held it up between the two men, | ||
| + | and said, for the last time, the word of Power. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The perfect Amulet grew into a double arch; the two arches leaned to each | ||
| + | other making a great A. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The great double arch glowed in and through the green light that had been | ||
| + | there since the Name of Power had first been spoken& | ||
| + | light more bright yet more soft than the other light& | ||
| + | splendour and sweetness unspeakable. & | ||
| + | his hands. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Each moved forward under the glowing, glorious arch of the perfect Amulet. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | Then Rekh-mara quavered and shook, and as steel is drawn to a magnet he | ||
| + | was drawn, under the arch of magic, nearer and nearer to the learned | ||
| + | gentleman. And, as one drop of water mingles with another, when the | ||
| + | window-glass is rain-wrinkled, | ||
| + | another quick-silver bead, Rekh-mara, Divine Father of the Temple of | ||
| + | Amen-Ra, was drawn into, slipped into, disappeared into, and was one with | ||
| + | Jimmy, the good, the beloved, the learned gentleman. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | And suddenly it was good daylight and the December sun shone. The fog has | ||
| + | passed away like a dream. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Amulet was there& | ||
| + | were the other children and the Psammead, and the learned gentleman. But | ||
| + | Rekh-mara& | ||
| + | for his soul... | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | long as your finger, that crawled and wriggled and squirmed at the learned | ||
| + | gentleman& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a deep silence. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | stubborn gentleness. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | in your hand. Yes& | ||
| + | half of it.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | heard it& | ||
| + | I shall be found out, and made a show of, and degraded in every possible | ||
| + | way. I KNOW they& | ||
| + | mud and no sand. That beautiful Baalbec temple in the desert! Plenty of | ||
| + | good sand there, and no politics! I wish I were there, safe in the Past& | ||
| + | I do.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | ever. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | The Psammead swelled itself up, turned its long snail& | ||
| + | lingering look at Anthea& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | thing it ever did really care for was SAND.& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | asleep. I& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | There was a ring at the front-door bell. The opening of a door. Voices. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | the hand of the learned gentleman. & | ||
| + | own& | ||
| + | mean, because you& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | She hugged him briefly but fervently, and the four swept down the stairs | ||
| + | to the hall, where a cabman was bringing in boxes, and where, heavily | ||
| + | disguised in travelling cloaks and wraps, was their hearts& | ||
| + | Father, and The Lamb. | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | & | ||
| + | treasure! The dear children! It must be their affection that has given me | ||
| + | these luminous apercus. I seem to see so many things now& | ||
| + | never saw before! The dear children! The dear, dear children!& | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | <p> | ||
| + | <br /><br /> | ||
| + | </p> | ||
| + | </ | ||
the_story_of_the_amulet.txt · Last modified: 2020/10/04 01:34 by briancarnell