The parlour in Fitzroy Street was a very flat background to magic happenings.

Down in the country among the flowers and green fields anything had seemed--and indeed had been--possible.

But it was hard to believe that anything really wonderful could happen so near the Tottenham Court Road.

But the Psammead was there--and it in itself was wonderful.

And it could talk--and it had shown them where a charm could be bought that would make the owner of it perfectly happy.
So the four children hurried home, taking very long steps, with their chins stuck out, and their mouths shut very tight indeed.