When Edith is well enough to see Robert again he shows her the three feathers he found in Chance House. She asks him to make her a Coat of Feathers, like the one in the Firebird story.

Despite not knowing where to begin he agrees to try, hoping the coat might save the old lady's life.

But with the coat only half finished, he takes it into school where Niker gets hold of it and threatens to destroy it.

In an uncharacteristic rage Robert attacks him, knocks him unconscious and has to be dragged off by a horrified Miss Raynham.