“I wish we may find it,” said Cyril.
The Psammead whispered crossly, “Don’t you understand? The thing existed in the Past. If you were in the Past, too, you could find it. It’s very difficult to make you understand things. Time and space are only forms of thought.”
“I see,” said Cyril.
“No, you don’t,” said the Psammead, “and it doesn’t matter if you don’t, either. What I mean is that if you were only made the right way, you could see everything happening in the same place at the same time. Now do you see?”
“I’m afraid I don’t,” said Anthea; “I’m sorry I’m so stupid.”
“Well, at any rate, you see this. That lost half of the Amulet is in the Past. Therefore it’s in the Past we must look for it. I mustn’t speak to the charm myself. Ask it things! Find out!”
“Where can we find the other part of you?” asked Cyril obediently.
“In the Past,” said the voice.
“What part of the Past?”
“I may not tell you. If you will choose a time, I will take you to the place that then held it. You yourselves must find it.”