'I do that, and no mistake,' said the cook unexpectedly; 'and it
being a dream it don't matter what I say; and I WILL say, if it's
my last word, that of all the aggravating little varmints--'
'Calm yourself, my good woman,' said the Phoenix.

'Good woman, indeed,' said the cook; 'good woman yourself' Then she
saw who it was that had spoken. 'Well, if I ever,' said she; 'this
is something like a dream! Yellow fowls a-talking and all! I've
heard of such, but never did I think to see the day.'

'Well, then,' said Cyril, impatiently, 'sit here and see the day
now. It's a jolly fine day. Here, you others--a council!'
They walked along the shore till they were out of earshot of the
cook, who still sat gazing about her with a happy, dreamy, vacant
smile.

'Look here,' said Cyril, 'we must roll the carpet up and hide it,
so that we can get at it at any moment. The Lamb can be getting
rid of his whooping-cough all the morning, and we can look about;
and if the savages on this island are cannibals, we'll hook it, and
take her back. And if not, we'll LEAVE HER HERE.'

'Is that being kind to servants and animals, like the clergyman
said?' asked Jane.

'Nor she isn't kind,' retorted Cyril.

'Well--anyway,' said Anthea, 'the safest thing is to leave the
carpet there with her sitting on it. Perhaps it'll be a lesson to
her, and anyway, if she thinks it's a dream it won't matter what