uncovered their spades from the sand-heap where they had buried them
and began to dig.

"Suppose you were a sensible chap," said Cyril; "one's quite as likely
as the other!"

"Suppose you kept a civil tongue in your head," Robert snapped.

"Suppose we girls take a turn," said Jane, laughing. "You boys seem to
be getting very warm."

"Suppose you don't come putting your silly oar in," said Robert, who was
now warm indeed.

"We won't," said Anthea quickly. "Robert dear, don't be so grumpy--we
won't say a word, you shall be the one to speak to the Fairy and tell
him what we've decided to wish for. You'll say it much better than we
shall."

"Suppose you drop being a little humbug," said Robert, but not crossly.
"Look out--dig with your hands, now!"

So they did, and presently uncovered the spider-shaped brown hairy body,
long arms and legs, bat's ears and snail's eyes of the Sand-fairy
himself. Everyone drew a deep breath of satisfaction, for now of course
it couldn't have been a dream.

The Psammead sat up and shook the sand out of its fur.

"How's your left whisker this morning?" said Anthea politely.