'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 shoving 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.

'Nothing to boast of,' said it, 'it had rather a restless night.
But thank you for asking.'

'I say,' said Robert, 'do you feel up to giving wishes to-day,
because we very much want an extra besides the regular one? The