He looked at the children inquiringly.
'Don't be frightened,' he said; 'tell me exactly what you want.' 'May I shut the door ?' asked Cyril.
The gentleman looked surprised, but he shut the door.
'Now,' said Cyril, firmly, 'I know you'll be awfully surprised, and you'll think it's not true and we are lunatics; but we aren't, and it is.

Robert's got something inside his Norfolk--that's Robert, he's my young brother.

Now don't be upset and have a fit or anything sir.

Of course, I know when you called your shop the "Phoenix" you never thought there was one; but there is--and Robert's got it buttoned up against his chest!' 'If it's an old curio in the form of a Phoenix, I dare say the Board--' said the nice gentleman, as Robert began to fumble with his buttons.
'It's old enough,' said Anthea, 'going by what it says, but--' 'My goodness gracious!' said the gentleman, as the Phoenix, with one last wriggle that melted into a flutter, got out of its nest in the breast of Robert and stood up on the leather-covered table.
'What an extraordinarily fine bird!' he went on.

'I don't think I ever saw one just like it.' 'I should think not,' said the Phoenix, with pardonable pride.