'I've given you one or two hints, but now concealment is at an end, and I see I must speak out.' It perched on the back of a chair and swayed to and fro, like a parrot on a swing.
'What's the matter now ?' said Anthea.

She was not quite so gentle as usual, because she was still weary from the excitement of last night's cats.

'I'm tired of things happening.

I shan't go anywhere on the carpet.

I'm going to darn my stockings.' 'Darn!' said the Phoenix, 'darn! From those young lips these strange expressions--' 'Mend, then,' said Anthea, 'with a needle and wool.' The Phoenix opened and shut its wings thoughtfully.
'Your stockings,' it said, 'are much less important than they now appear to you.