And we'd rather be afraid of it, than not have it to be afraid of.

But it upsets the government, because we ought to be _happy_ troops of gentle islanders, and you can't be quite happy if you're afraid.

That's why it's one of your deeds to take away our fear.' 'It sounds jolly difficult,' said Philip; 'I shall have to think,' he added desperately.

So he lay and thought with Max and Brenda asleep by his side and the parrot preening its bright feathers on the parapet of the tower, while Lucy and the Lord High Islander played cat's cradle with a long thread of seaweed.
'It's supper time,' said Billy at last.

'Have you thought of anything ?' 'Not a single thing,' said Philip.
'Well, don't swat over it any more,' said Billy; 'just stay with us and have a jolly time.