They woke the Psammead, and it taught them exactly how to use the word of power, and to make the charm speak.

I am not going to tell you how this is done, because you might try to do it.

And for you any such trying would be almost sure to end in disappointment.

Because in the first place it is a thousand million to one against your ever getting hold of the right sort of charm, and if you did, there would be hardly any chance at all of your finding a learned gentleman clever enough and kind enough to read the word for you.
The children and the Psammead crouched in a circle on the floor--in the girls' bedroom, because in the parlour they might have been interrupted by old Nurse's coming in to lay the cloth for tea--and the charm was put in the middle of the circle.
The sun shone splendidly outside, and the room was very light.

Through the open window came the hum and rattle of London, and in the street below they could hear the voice of the milkman.
When all was ready, the Psammead signed to Anthea to say the word.