“Do you know,” said Anthea, “this feels more real than anything else we’ve seen? It’s like a holiday in the country at home.”
The children were left alone in a large hall. The floor was mosaic, done with wonderful pictures of ships and sea-beasts and fishes. Through an open doorway they could see a pleasant courtyard with flowers.
“I should like to spend a week here,” said Jane, “and donkey ride every day.”
Everyone was feeling very jolly. Even the Egyptian looked pleasanter than usual. And then, quite suddenly, the skipper came back with a joyous smile. With him came the master of the house. He looked steadily at the children and nodded twice.
“Yes,” he said, “my steward will pay you the price. But I shall not pay at that high rate for the Egyptian dog.”
The two passed on.
“This,” said the Egyptian, “is a pretty kettle of fish.”
“What is?” asked all the children at once.
“Our present position,” said Rekh-marā. “Our seafaring friend,” he added, “has sold us all for slaves!”
A hasty council succeeded the shock of this announcement. The Priest was allowed to take part in it. His advice was “stay”, because they were in no danger, and the Amulet in its completeness must be somewhere near, or, of course, they could not have come to that place at all. And after some discussion they agreed to this.