The Phoenix and the Carpet by E. (Edith) Nesbit
page 48 of 272 (17%)
page 48 of 272 (17%)
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'Don't,' said Anthea, 'don't, Pussy--you'll exhaust the air if you
cry. We can get out all right.' 'Yes,' said Jane, through her sobs, 'and find the Phoenix has come back and gone away again--because it thought we'd gone home some other way, and--Oh, I WISH we hadn't come.' Every one stood quite still--only Anthea cuddled Jane up to her and tried to wipe her eyes in the dark. 'D-DON'T,' said Jane; 'that's my EAR--I'm not crying with my ears.' 'Come, let's get on out,' said Robert; but that was not so easy, for no one could remember exactly which way they had come. It is very difficult to remember things in the dark, unless you have matches with you, and then of course it is quite different, even if you don't strike one. Every one had come to agree with Jane's constant wish--and despair was making the darkness blacker than ever, when quite suddenly the floor seemed to tip up--and a strong sensation of being in a whirling lift came upon every one. All eyes were closed--one's eyes always are in the dark, don't you think? When the whirling feeling stopped, Cyril said 'Earthquakes!' and they all opened their eyes. They were in their own dingy breakfast-room at home, and oh, how light and bright and safe and pleasant and altogether delightful it seemed after that dark underground tunnel! The carpet lay on the floor, looking as calm as though it had never been for an excursion |
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