He warmed to his work, and told the tale of the Phoenix and the Carpet, and the Lone Tower, and the Queen-Cook, in language that grew insensibly more and more Arabian Nightsy, and the ranee and her ladies listened to the interpreter, and rolled about on their fat cushions with laughter.
When the story was ended she spoke, and the interpreter explained that she had said, 'Little one, thou art a heaven-born teller of tales,' and she threw him a string of turquoises from round her neck.
'OH, how lovely!' cried Jane and Anthea.
Cyril bowed several times, and then cleared his throat and said-- 'Thank her very, very much; but I would much rather she gave me some of the cheap things in the bazaar.

Tell her I want them to sell again, and give the money to buy clothes for poor people who haven't any.' 'Tell him he has my leave to sell my gift and clothe the naked with its price,' said the queen, when this was translated.
But Cyril said very firmly, 'No, thank you.

The things have got to be sold to-day at our bazaar, and no one would buy a turquoise necklace at an English bazaar.

They'd think it was sham, or else they'd want to know where we got it.' So then the queen sent out for little pretty things, and her servants piled the carpet with them.
'I must needs lend you an elephant to carry them away,' she said, laughing.
But Anthea said, 'If the queen will lend us a comb and let us wash our hands and faces, she shall see a magic thing.

We and the carpet and all these brass trays and pots and carved things and stuffs and things will just vanish away like smoke.' The queen clapped her hands at this idea, and lent the children a sandal-wood comb inlaid with ivory lotus-flowers.