The news of Philip's success spread like wild-fire through the city, and the crowds gathered thicker and thicker. The great doors beyond the pillars with the birds on them were thrown open, and Mr. Noah and the principal citizens stood there to see the end of the unravelling. 'Bravo!' said every one in tremendous enthusiasm. 'Bravo! Sir Philip.' 'It wasn't me,' said Philip difficultly, when the crowd paused for breath; 'it was Lucy thought of it.' 'Bravo! Bravo!' shouted the crowd louder than ever. 'Bravo, for the Lady Lucy! Bravo for Sir Philip, the modest truth-teller!' [Illustration: So, all down the wide clear floor, Lucy danced.] 'Bravo, my dear,' said Mr. Noah, waving his hat and thumping Lucy on the back. 'I'm awfully glad I thought of it,' she said; 'that makes two deeds Sir Philip's done, doesn't it? Two out of the seven.' 'Yes, indeed,' said Mr. Noah enthusiastically. 'I must make him a baronet now. His title will grow grander with each deed. There's an old prophecy that the person who finds out how to unravel the carpet must be the first to dance in the Hall of Public Amusements. 'The clever one, the noble one, Who makes the carpet come undone, Shall be the first to dance a measure Within the Hall of public pleasure. I suppose public _amusement_ was too difficult a rhyme even for these highly-skilled poets, our astrologers. You, my child, seem to have been well inspired in your choice of a costume. Dance, then, my Lady Lucy, and let the prophecy be fulfilled.' So, all down the wide clear floor of the Hall of Public Amusement, Lucy danced. And the people of the city looked on and applauded, Philip with the rest. CHAPTER VI THE LIONS IN THE DESERT 'But why?' asked Philip at dinner, which was no painted wonder of wooden make-believe, but real roast guinea-fowl and angel pudding, 'Why do you only have wooden things to eat at your banquets?' 'Banquets are extremely important occasions,' said Mr. Noah, 'and real food--food that you can eat and enjoy--only serves to distract the mind from the serious affairs of life. Many of the most successful caterers in your world have grasped this great truth.' 'But why,' Lucy asked, 'do you have the big silver bowls with nothing in them?' Mr. Noah sighed. 'The bowls are for dessert,' he said. 'But there isn't any dessert _in_ them,' Lucy objected. 'No,' said Mr. Noah, sighing again, 'that's just it. There is no dessert. There has never been any dessert. Will you have a little more angel pudding?' It was quite plain to Lucy and Philip that Mr. Noah wished to change the subject, which, for some reason, was a sad one, and with true politeness they both said 'Yes, please,' to the angel pudding offer, though they had already had quite as much as they really needed.