So the others flattened their noses against the shop window, and presently a large, dirty, short-fingered hand with a very big diamond ring came stretching through the green half-curtains at the back of the shop window and took away the tray.
They could not see what was happening in the interview between Anthea and the Diamond Ring, and it seemed to them that she had had timeif she had had moneyto buy everything in the shop before the moment came when she stood before them, her face wreathed in grins, as Cyril said later, and in her hand the charm.
It was something like this: [Drawing omitted.] and it was made of a red, smooth, softly shiny stone.
Ive got it, Anthea whispered, just opening her hand to give the others a glimpse of it. Do lets get home. We cant stand here like stuck-pigs looking at it in the street.
So home they went. 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 seemedand indeed had beenpossible. But it was hard to believe that anything really wonderful could happen so near the Tottenham Court Road. But the Psammead was thereand it in itself was wonderful. And it could talkand 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. They went so fast that the Psammead was quite shaken about in its fish-bag, but it did not say anythingperhaps for fear of attracting public notice.
They got home at last, very hot indeed, and set the Psammead on the green tablecloth.
Now then! said Cyril.
But the Psammead had to have a plate of sand fetched for it, for it was quite faint. When it had refreshed itself a little it said
Now then! Let me see the charm, and Anthea laid it on the green table-cover. The Psammead shot out his long eyes to look at it, then it turned them reproachfully on Anthea and said
But theres only half of it here!
This was indeed a blow.
It was all there was, said Anthea, with timid firmness. She knew it was not her fault. There should be another piece, said the Psammead, and a sort of pin to fasten the two together.
Isnt half any good?Wont it work without the other bit?It cost seven-and-six.Oh, bother, bother, bother!Dont be silly little idiots! said everyone and the Psammead altogether.
Then there was a wretched silence. Cyril broke it
What shall we do?
Go back to the shop and see if they havent got the other half, said the Psammead. Ill go to sand till you come back. Cheer up! Even the bit youve got is SOME good, but itll be no end of a bother if you cant find the other.
So Cyril went to the shop. And the Psammead to sand. And the other three went to dinner, which was now ready. And old Nurse was very cross that Cyril was not ready too.
The three were watching at the windows when Cyril returned, and even before he was near enough for them to see his face there was something about the slouch of his shoulders and set of his knickerbockers and the way he dragged his boots along that showed but too plainly that his errand had been in vain.
Well? they all said, hoping against hope on the front-door step.
No go, Cyril answered; the man said the thing was perfect. He said it was a Roman ladys locket, and people shouldnt buy curios if they didnt know anything about arkysomething or other, and that he never went back on a bargain, because it wasnt business, and he expected his customers to act the same. He was simply nastythats what he was, and I want my dinner.
It was plain that Cyril was not pleased.
The unlikeliness of anything really interesting happening in that parlour lay like a weight of lead on everyones spirits. Cyril had his dinner, and just as he was swallowing the last mouthful of apple-pudding there was a scratch at the door. Anthea opened it and in walked the Psammead.
Well, it said, when it had heard the news, things might be worse. Only you wont be surprised if you have a few adventures before you get the other half. You want to get it, of course.
Rather, was the general reply. And we dont mind adventures.
No, said the Psammead, I seem to remember that about you. Well, sit down and listen with all your ears. Eight, are there? RightI am glad you know arithmetic. Now pay attention, because I dont intend to tell you everything twice over.
As the children settled themselves on the floorit was far more comfortable than the chairs, as well as more polite to the Psammead, who was stroking its whiskers on the hearth-ruga sudden cold pain caught at Antheas heart. FatherMotherthe darling Lamball far away. Then a warm, comfortable feeling flowed through her. The Psammead was here, and at least half a charm, and there were to be adventures. (If you dont know what a cold pain is, I am glad for your sakes, and I hope you never may.)
Now, said the Psammead cheerily, you are not particularly nice, nor particularly clever, and youre not at all good-looking. Still, youve saved my lifeoh, when I think of that man and his pail of water!so Ill tell you all I know. At least, of course I cant do that, because I know far too much. But Ill tell you all I know about this red thing.
Do! Do! Do! Do! said everyone.
Well, then, said the Psammead. This thing is half of an Amulet that can do all sorts of things; it can make the corn grow, and the waters flow, and the trees bear fruit, and the little new beautiful babies come. (Not that babies ARE beautiful, of course, it broke off to say, but their mothers think they areand as long as you think a things true it IS true as far as youre concerned.)
Robert yawned.
The Psammead went on.
The complete Amulet can keep off all the things that make people unhappyjealousy, bad temper, pride, disagreeableness, greediness, selfishness, laziness. Evil spirits, people called them when the Amulet was made. Dont you think it would be nice to have it?
Very, said the children, quite without enthusiasm.
And it can give you strength and courage.
Thats better, said Cyril.
And virtue.
I suppose its nice to have that, said Jane, but not with much interest.
And it can give you your hearts desire.
Now youre talking, said Robert.
Of course I am, retorted the Psammead tartly, so theres no need for you to.
Hearts desire is good enough for me, said Cyril.
Yes, but, Anthea ventured, all thats what the WHOLE charm can do. Theres something that the half weve got can win off its own batisnt there? She appealed to the Psammead. It nodded.
Yes, it said; the half has the power to take you anywhere you like to look for the other half.
This seemed a brilliant prospect till Robert asked
Does it know where to look?
The Psammead shook its head and answered, I dont think its likely.
Do you?
No.
Then, said Robert, we might as well look for a needle in a bottle of hay. Yesit IS bottle, and not bundle, Father said so.
Not at all, said the Psammead briskly-, you think you know everything, but you are quite mistaken. The first thing is to get the thing to talk.
Can it? Jane questioned. Janes question did not mean that she thought it couldnt, for in spite of the parlour furniture the feeling of magic was growing deeper and thicker, and seemed to fill the room like a dream of a scented fog.