resence. Three cheers, gentlemen, for the
winged Head of the House!'

The cheers rose, deafening. When they had died away the Phoenix was
asked to say a few words.

It expressed in graceful phrases the pleasure it felt in finding itself
at last in its own temple.

'And,' it went on, 'You must not think me wanting in appreciation of
your very hearty and cordial reception when I ask that an ode may be
recited or a choric song sung. It is what I have always been accustomed
to.'

The four children, dumb witnesses of this wonderful scene, glanced a
little nervously across the foam of white faces above the sea of black
coats. It seemed to them that the Phoenix was really asking a little too
much.

'Time presses,' said the Phoenix, 'and the original ode of invocation is
long, as well as being Greek; and, besides, it's no use invoking me when
here I am; but is there not a song in your own tongue for a great day
such as this?'

Absently the manager began to sing, and one by one the rest joined--

'Absolute security!
No liability!
All kinds of property
insured against fire.
Terms most favourable,
Expenses reasonable,
Moderate rates for annual
Insurance.'

'That one is NOT my favourite,' interrupted the Phoenix, 'and I think
you've forgotten part of it.'

The manager hastily began another--

'O Golden Phoenix, fairest bird,
The whole great world has often heard
Of all the splendid things we do,
Great Phoenix, just to honour you.'

'That's better,' said the bird. And every one sang--

'Class one, for private dwelling-house,
For household goods and shops allows;
Provided these are built of brick
Or stone, and tiled and slated thick.'

'Try another verse,' said the Phoenix, 'further on.'

And again arose the voices of all the clerks and employees and managers
and secretaries and cooks--

'In Scotland our insurance yields
The price of burnt-up stacks in fields.'

'Skip that verse,' said the Phoenix.

'Thatched dwellings and their whole contents
We deal with--also with their rents;
Oh, glorious Phoenix, look and see
That these are dealt with in class three.

'The glories of your temple throng
Too thick to go in any song;
And we attend, O good and wise,
To "days of grace" and merchandise.

'When people's homes are burned away
They never have a cent to pay
If