David thrust the bag of cookies behind his back. "Now, Phoenix," he said firmly, "you have to promise me you won't go away to South America. You said last night that it could be arranged, so let's arrange it right now. Until we do, not one." The Phoenix drew itself up indignantly. "My very dear fellow," it said, "you wound me. You cut me to the quick. I will not be bribed. I--" It stopped and swallowed again. "Oh, well," it continued, more mildly, "one does not fight fate, does one? I suppose under these circumstances, I must accept." "It's settled, then!" David cried joyfully. So they sat down on the grass together, and for a long time nothing was heard but sounds of munching. "My boy," said the Phoenix at last, brushing the crumbs from its chest, "I take a modest pride in my way with words, but nothing in the language can do these--ah--baked poems justice. Words fail me." "I'm glad you like them," David said politely. "And now, my boy," continued the Phoenix, as it settled back comfortably, "I have been thinking. Yesterday you showed an intelligent interest in my problems and asked intelligent questions. You did not scoff, as others might have done. You have very rare qualities." David flushed, and mumbled denials. "Do not be so modest, my boy! I speak the truth. It came to me that such a mind as yours, having these qualities, should be further cultivated and refined. And I should be avoiding my clear-cut duty if I did not take this task in hand myself. Of course, I suppose some attempt to educate you has already been made, has it not?" "Well, I go to school, if that's what you mean. Not now, though, because it's summer vacation." "And what do they teach you there?" "Oh, reading and writing and arithmetic, and things like that." "Aha!" said the Phoenix triumphantly. "Just as I suspected--a classical education. Understand me--I have nothing against a classical education as such. I realize that mathematics, Greek, and Latin are excellent for the discipline of the mind. But in the broad view, a classical education is not a true education. Life is real, life is earnest. One must face it with a _practical_ education. The problems of Life, my dear fellow!--classical education completely ignores them! For example, how do you tell a true Unicorn from a false one?" "I--I don't know." "I thought not. Where do you find the Philosopher's Stone?" "I don't know." "Well, then, I shall ask a simple one. What is the first rule of defense when attacked by a Chimera?" David squirmed uncomfortably. "I'm afraid I don't know that, either," he said in a small voice. "There you are!" cried the Phoenix. "You do not have a true, practical education--you are not ready for Life. I, my boy, am going to take your education in hand."