Part 2 (2/2)

The Phoenix was not in sight when he arrived, and for an instant David was stricken with fright Had the bird gone in spite of its pro noise It came from the thicket, and it sounded very much like a snore

David smiled to himself and shouted, ”hello, Phoenix!”

There was a thrashi+ng sound in the thicket, and the Phoenix appeared, looking very rus, ht sight of the paper bag in David's hand, and sed in a suggestive way

David thrust the bag of cookies behind his back ”Now, Phoenix,” he said firo away to South Aed, 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 sed again ”Oh, well,” it continued, ht 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 ti

”My boy,” said the Phoenix at last, brushi+ng the crumbs from its chest, ”I take a e can do these--ah--baked poelad you like them,” David said politely

”And now, my boy,” continued the Phoenix, as it settled back co Yesterday you showed an intelligent interest in ent questions

You did not scoff, as others ht have done You have very rare qualities”

David flushed, and mumbled denials

”Do not be so modest, my boy! I speak the truth It ca 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 o to school, if that's what you h, because it's summer vacation”

”And what do they teach you there?”

”Oh, reading and writing and ariths like that”

”Aha!” said the Phoenix triumphantly ”Just as I suspected--a classical education Understand ainst 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, nores them! For example, how do you tell a true Unicorn froht 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