’They’refilingsomething，’whisperedtherobber，’here—shutup，givemethatpistol，andthepoker。Thereisaburglarnow，andnomistake。’
’It’sonlyatoyoneanditwon’tgooff，’Isaid，’butyoucancockit。’
Thenweheardasnap。’Theregoesthewindowbar，’saidtherobbersoftly。’Jove！whatanadventure！Youkidsstayhere，I’lltackleit。’
ButDickyandIsaidweshouldcome。Soheletusgoasfarasthebottomofthekitchenstairs，andwetookthetongsandshovelwithus。Therewasalightinthekitchen;averylittlelight。Itiscuriousweneverthought，anyofus，thatthismightbeaplantofourrobber’stogetaway。Weneverthoughtofdoubtinghiswordofhonour。Andwewereright。
Thatnoblerobberdashedthekitchendooropen，andrushedinwiththebigtoypistolinonehandandthepokerintheother，shoutingoutjustlikeOswaldhaddone—
’Surrender！Youarediscovered！Surrender，orI’llfire！Throwupyourhands！’AndDickyandIrattledthetongsandshovelsothathemightknowthereweremoreofus，allbristlingwithweapons。
Andweheardahuskyvoiceinthekitchensaying—
’Allright，governor！Stowthatscentsprinkler。I’llgivein。
BlowedifIain’tprettywellsickofthejob，anyway。’
Thenwewentin。Ourrobberwasstandinginthegrandestmannerwithhislegsverywideapart，andthepistolpointingatthecoweringburglar。Theburglarwasalargemanwhodidnotmeantohaveabeard，Ithink，buthehadgotsomeofone，andaredcomforter，andafurcap，andhisfacewasredandhisvoicewasthick。Howdifferentfromourownrobber！Theburglarhadadarklantern，andhewasstandingbytheplate—basket。Whenwehadlitthegasweallthoughthewasverylikewhataburglaroughttobe。
Hedidnotlookasifhecouldeverhavebeenapirateorahighwayman，oranythingreallydashingornoble，andhescowledandshuffledhisfeetandsaid：’Well，goon：whydon’tyerfetchthepleece？’
’Uponmyword，Idon’tknow，’saidourrobber，rubbinghischin。
’Oswald，whydon’twefetchthepolice？’
ItisnoteveryrobberthatIwouldstandChristiannamesfrom，I
cantellyoubutjustthenIdidn’tthinkofthat。Ijustsaid—
’DoyoumeanI’mtofetchone？’
Ourrobberlookedattheburglarandsaidnothing。
Thentheburglarbegantospeakveryfast，andtolookdifferentwayswithhishard，shinylittleeyes。
’Lookee’ere，governor，’hesaid，’Iwasstonybroke，sohelpme，Iwas。AndblessedifI’venickedahaporthofyourlittlelot。
Youknowyourselfthereain’tmuchtotemptabloke，’heshooktheplate—basketasifhewasangrywithit，andtheyellowyspoonsandforksrattled。’Iwasjusta—lookingthroughthis’ereBank—ollerdayshow，whenyoucome。Letmeoff，sir。Comenow，I’vegotkidsofmyownathome，strikemeifIain’t—sameasyours—I’vegotanipperjustabout’issize，andwhat’llcomeofthemifI’mlagged？Iain’tbeeninitlong，sir，andIain’t’andyatit。’
’No，’saidourrobber;’youcertainlyarenot。’Aliceandtheothershadcomedownbynowtoseewhatwashappening。Alicetoldmeafterwardstheythoughtitreallywasthecatthistime。
’No，Iain’t’andy，asyousay，sir，andifyouletmeoffthisonceI’llchuckthewholebloomingbizz;rakemycivvy，Iwill。
Don’tbehardonacove，mister;thinkofthemissisandthekids。
I’vegotonejustthecutoflittlemissytherebless’erpretty’eart。’
’Yourfamilycertainlyfitsyourcircumstancesverynicely，’saidourrobber。ThenAlicesaid—
’Oh，dolethimgo！Ifhe’sgotalittlegirllikeme，whateverwillshedo？SupposeitwasFather！’
’Idon’tthinkhe’sgotalittlegirllikeyou，mydear，’saidourrobber，’andIthinkhe’llbesaferunderlockandkey。’
’YouaskyerFathertoletmego，miss，’saidtheburglar;"ewon’t’avethe’arttorefuseyou。’
’IfIdo，’saidAlice，’willyoupromisenevertocomeback？’
’Notme，miss，’theburglarsaidveryearnestly，andhelookedattheplate—basketagain，asifthatalonewouldbeenoughtokeephimaway，ourrobbersaidafterwards。
’Andwillyoubegoodandnotrobanymore？’saidAlice。
’I’llturnoveranooleaf，miss，sohelpme。’
ThenAlicesaid—’Oh，dolethimgo！I’msurehe’llbegood。’
Butourrobbersaidno，itwouldn’tberight;wemustwaittillFathercamehome。ThenH。O。said，verysuddenlyandplainly：
’Idon’tthinkit’satallfair，whenyou’rearobberyourself。’
Theminutehe’dsaidittheburglarsaid，’Kidded，bygum！’—andthenourrobbermadeasteptowardshimtocatchholdofhim，andbeforeyouhadtimetothink’Hullo！’theburglarknockedthepistolupwithonehandandknockedourrobberdownwiththeother，andwasoffoutofthewindowlikeashot，thoughOswaldandDickydidtrytostophimbyholdingontohislegs。
Andthatburglarhadthecheektoputhisheadinatthewindowandsay，’I’llgiveyerlovetothekidsandthemissis’—andhewasofflikewinking，andtherewereAliceandDoratryingtopickupourrobber，andaskinghimwhetherhewashurt，andwhere。Hewasn’thurtatall，exceptalumpatthebackofhishead。Andhegotup，andwedustedthekitchenflooroffhim。Elizaisadirtygirl。
Thenhesaid，’Let’sputuptheshutters。Itneverrainsbutitpours。Nowyou’vehadtwoburglarsIdaresayyou’llhavetwenty。’
Soweputuptheshutters，whichElizahasstrictorderstodobeforeshegoesout，onlysheneverdoes，andwewentbacktoFather’sstudy，andtherobbersaid，’Whatanightwearehaving！’
andputhisbootsbackinthefendertogoonsteaming，andthenwealltalkedatonce。Itwasthemostwonderfuladventureweeverhad，thoughitwasn’ttreasure—seeking—atleastnotours。I
supposeitwastheburglar’streasure—seeking，buthedidn’tgetmuch—andourrobbersaidhedidn’tbelieveawordaboutthosekidsthatweresolikeAliceandme。
Andthentherewastheclickofthegate，andwesaid，’Here’sFather，’andtherobbersaid，’Andnowforthepolice。’
Thenwealljumpedup。Wedidlikehimsomuch，anditseemedsounfairthatheshouldbesenttoprison，andthehorrid，lumpingbigburglarnot。
AndAlicesaid，’Oh，no—run！Dickywillletyououtatthebackdoor。Oh，dogo，gonow。’
Andweallsaid，’Yes，go，’andpulledhimtowardsthedoor，andgavehimhishatandstickandthethingsoutofhispockets。
ButFather’slatchkeywasinthedoor，anditwastoolate。
Fathercameinquickly，purringwiththecold，andbegantosay，’It’sallright，Foulkes，I’vegot—’Andthenhestoppedshortandstaredatus。Thenhesaid，inthevoiceweallhate，’Children，whatisthemeaningofallthis？’Andforaminutenobodyspoke。
ThenmyFathersaid，’Foulkes，Imustreallyapologizefortheseverynaughty—’
Andthenourrobberrubbedhishandsandlaughed，andcriedout：
’You’remistaken，mydearsir，I’mnotFoulkes;I’marobber，capturedbytheseyoungpeopleinthemostgallantmanner。"Handsup，surrender，orIfire，"andalltherestofit。Myword，Bastable，butyou’vegotsomekidsworthhaving！IwishmyDennyhadtheirpluck。’
Thenwebegantounderstand，anditwaslikebeingknockeddown，itwassosudden。Andourrobbertoldushewasn’tarobberafterall。HewasonlyanoldcollegefriendofmyFather’s，andhehadcomeafterdinner，whenFatherwasjusttryingtomendthelockH。
O。hadbroken，toaskFathertogethimalettertoadoctorabouthislittleboyDenny，whowasill。AndFatherhadgoneovertheHeathtoVanbrughParktoseesomerichpeopleheknowsandgettheletter。AndhehadleftMrFoulkestowaittillhecameback，becauseitwasimportanttoknowatoncewhetherFathercouldgettheletter，andifhecouldn’tMrFoulkeswouldhavehadtotrysomeoneelsedirectly。
Weweredumbwithamazement。
OurrobbertoldmyFatherabouttheotherburglar，andsaidhewassorryhe’dlethimescape，butmyFathersaid，’Oh，it’sallright：
poorbeggar;ifhereallyhadkidsathome：younevercantell—
forgiveusourdebts，don’tyouknow;buttellmeaboutthefirstbusiness。Itmusthavebeenmoderatelyentertaining。’
ThenourrobbertoldmyFatherhowIhadrushedintotheroomwithapistol，cryingout……butyouknowallaboutthat。Andhelaiditonsothickandfataboutpluckyyoung—uns，andchipsofoldblocks，andthingslikethat，thatIfeltIwaspurplewithshame，evenundertheblanket。SoIswallowedthatthingthattriestopreventyouspeakingwhenyououghtto，andIsaid，’Lookhere，Father，Ididn’treallythinktherewasanyoneinthestudy。Wethoughtitwasacatatfirst，andthenIthoughttherewasnoonethere，andIwasjustlarking。AndwhenIsaidsurrenderandallthat，itwasjustthegame，don’tyouknow？’
Thenourrobbersaid，’Yes，oldchap;butwhenyoufoundtherereallywassomeonethere，youdroppedthepistolandbunked，didn’tyou，eh？’
AndIsaid，’No;Ithought，"Hullo！here’sarobber！Well，it’sallup，Isuppose，butImayaswellholdonandseewhathappens。"’
AndIwasgladI’downedup，forFatherslappedmeontheback，andsaidIwasayoungbrick，andourrobbersaidIwasnofunkanyway，andthoughIgotveryhotundertheblanketIlikedit，andI
explainedthattheotherswouldhavedonethesameiftheyhadthoughtofit。
ThenFathergotupsomemorebeer，andlaughedaboutDora’sresponsibility，andhegotoutaboxoffigshehadboughtforus，onlyhehadn’tgivenittousbecauseoftheWaterRates，andElizacameinandbroughtupthebreadandcheese，andwhattherewasleftoftheneckofmutton—coldwreckofmutton，Fathercalledit—andwehadafeast—likeapicnic—allsittinganywhere，andeatingwithourfingers。Itwasprime。Wesatuptillpasttwelveo’clock，andIneverfeltsopleasedtothinkIwasnotbornagirl。Itwashardontheothers;theywouldhavedonejustthesameifthey’dthoughtofit。Butitdoesmakeyoufeeljollywhenyourpatersaysyou’reayoungbrick！
WhenMrFoulkeswasgoing，hesaidtoAlice，’Good—bye，Hardy。’
AndAliceunderstood，ofcourse，andkissedhimashardasshecould。
Andshesaid，’Iwantedto，whenyousaidnoonekissedyouwhenyouleftoffbeingapirate。’Andhesaid，’Iknowyoudid，mydear。’AndDorakissedhimtoo，andsaid，’Isupposenoneofthesetalesweretrue？’
Andourrobberjustsaid，’Itriedtoplaythepartproperly，mydear。’
Andhejollywelldidplayit，andnomistake。Wehaveoftenseenhimsince，andhisboyDenny，andhisgirlDaisy，butthatcomesinanotherstory。
Andifanyofyoukidswhoreadthiseverhadtwosuchadventuresinonenightyoucanjustwriteandtellme。That’sall。
CHAPTER14
THEDIVINING—ROD
Youhavenoideahowuncomfortablethehousewasonthedaywhenwesoughtforgoldwiththedivining—rod。Itwaslikeaspring—cleaninginthewinter—time。Allthecarpetswereup，becauseFatherhadtoldElizatomaketheplacedecentastherewasagentlemancomingtodinnerthenextday。Soshegotinacharwoman，andtheysloppedwaterabout，andleftbroomsandbrushesonthestairsforpeopletotumbleover。H。O。gotabigbumponhisheadinthatway，andwhenhesaiditwastoobad，Elizasaidheshouldkeepinthenurserythen，andnotbewherehe’dnobusiness。Webandagedhisheadwithatowel，andthenhestoppedcryingandplayedatbeingEngland’swoundedherodyinginthecockpit，whileeverymanwasdoinghisduty，astheherohadtoldthemto，andAlicewasHardy，andIwasthedoctor，andtheotherswerethecrew。PlayingatHardymadeusthinkofourowndearrobber，andwewishedhewasthere，andwonderedifweshouldeverseehimanymore。
WewereratherastonishedatFather’shavinganyonetodinner，becausenowheneverseemstothinkofanythingbutbusiness。
BeforeMotherdiedpeopleoftencametodinner，andFather’sbusinessdidnottakeupsomuchofhistimeandwasnotthebotheritisnow。Andweusedtoseewhocouldgofurthestdowninournightgownsandgetnicethingstoeat，withoutbeingseen，outofthedishesastheycameoutofthedining—room。Elizacan’tcookverynicethings。ShetoldFathershewasagoodplaincook，buthesaysitwasafancyportrait。Westayedinthenurserytillthecharwomancameinandtoldustobeoff—shewasgoingtomakeonejobofit，andhaveourcarpetupaswellasalltheothers，nowthemanwasheretobeatthem。Itcameup，anditwasverydusty—andunderitwefoundmythreepenny—bitthatIlostagesago，whichshowswhatElizais。H。O。hadgottiredofbeingthewoundedhero，andDickywassotiredofdoingnothingthatDorasaidsheknewhe’dbegintoteaseNoelinaminute;thenofcourseDickysaidhewasn’tgoingtoteaseanybody—hewasgoingouttotheHeath。Hesaidhe’dheardthatnaggingwomendroveamanfromhishome，andnowhefounditwasquitetrue。Oswaldalwaystriestobeapeacemaker，sohetoldDickytoshutupandnotmakeanassofhimself。AndAlicesaid，’Well，Dorabegan—AndDoratossedherchinupandsaiditwasn’tanybusinessofOswald’sanyway，andnooneaskedAlice’sopinion。SoweallfeltveryuncomfortabletillNoElsaid，’Don’tlet’squarrelaboutnothing。
Youknowletdogsdelight—andImadeupanotherpiecewhileyouweretalking—
Quarrellingisanevilthing，Itfillswithgalllife’scup;
ForwhenonceyoubeginIttakessuchalongtimetomakeitup。’
Wealllaughedthenandstoppedjawingateachother。Noelisveryfunnywithhispoetry。Butthatpiecehappenedtocomeoutquitetrue。Youbegintoquarrelandthenyoucan’tstop;often，longbeforetheothersarereadytocryandmakeitup，Iseehowsillyitis，andIwanttolaugh;butitdoesn’tdotosayso—foritonlymakestheotherscrosserthantheywerebefore。Iwonderwhythatis？
AlicesaidNoeloughttobepoetlaureate，andsheactuallywentoutinthecoldandgotsomelaurelleaves—thespottedkind—outofthegarden，andDoramadeacrownandweputitonhim。Hewasquitepleased;buttheleavesmadeamess，andElizasaid，’Don’t。’
Ibelievethat’sawordgrown—upsusemorethananyother。ThensuddenlyAlicethoughtofthatoldideaofhersforfindingtreasure，andshesaid—’Dolet’strythedivining—rod。’
SoOswaldsaid，’Fairpriestess，wedogreatlydesiretofindgoldbeneathourland，thereforewepraytheepractisewiththedivining—rod，andtelluswherewecanfindit。’
’Doyedesiretofashionofithelmsandhauberks？’saidAlice。
’Yes，’saidNoel;’andchainsandouches。’
’Ibetyoudon’tknowwhatan"ouch"is，’saidDicky。
’YesIdo，sothere！’saidNoel。’It’sacarcanet。Ilookeditoutinthedicker，nowthen！’
Weaskedhimwhatacarcanetwas，buthewouldn’tsay。
’Andwewanttomakefairgobletsofthegold，’saidOswald。
’Yes，todrinkcoconutmilkoutof，’saidH。O。
’Andwedesiretobuildfairpalacesofit，’saidDicky。
’Andtobuythings，’saidDora;’agreatmanythings。NewSundayfrocksandhatsandkidglovesand—’
Shewouldhavegoneonforeversolongonlyweremindedherthatwehadn’tfoundthegoldyet。
BythisAlicehadputonthenurserytablecloth，whichisgreen，andtiedtheoldblueandyellowantimacassaroverherhead，andshesaid—
’Ifyourintentionsarecorrect，fearnothingandfollowme。’
Andshewentdownintothehall。Weallfollowedchanting’Heroes。’ItisagloomythingthegirlslearntattheHighSchool，andwealwaysuseitwhenwewantapriestlychant。
Alicestoppedshortbythehat—stand，andheldupherhandsaswellasshecouldforthetablecloth，andsaid—
’Now，greataltarofthegoldenidol，yieldmethedivining—rodthatImayuseitforthegoodofthesufferingpeople。’
Theumbrella—standwasthealtarofthegoldenidol，andityieldedhertheoldschoolumbrella。Shecarrieditbetweenherpalms。
’Now，’shesaid，’Ishallsingthemagicchant。Youmustn’tsayanything，butjustfollowwhereverIgo—likefollowmyleader，youknow—andwhenthereisgoldunderneaththemagicrodwilltwistinthehandofthepriestesslikealivethingthatseekstobefree。Thenyouwilldig，andthegoldentreasurewillberevealed。H。O。，ifyoumakethatclatterwithyourbootsthey’llcomeandtellusnotto。Nowcomeonallofyou。’
Soshewentupstairsanddownandintoeveryroom。Wefollowedherontiptoe，andAlicesangasshewent。Whatshesangisnotoutofabook—Noelmadeitupwhileshewasdressingupforthepriestess。
AshenrodcoldThathereIhold，Teachmewheretofindthegold。
WhenwecametowhereElizawas，shesaid，’Getalongwithyou’;
butDorasaiditwasonlyagame，andwewouldn’ttouchanything，andourbootswerequiteclean，andElizamightaswellletus。Soshedid。
Itwasallrightforthepriestess，butitwasalittledullfortherestofus，becauseshewouldn’tletussing，too;sowesaidwe’dhadenoughofit，andifshecouldn’tfindthegoldwe’dleaveoffandplaysomethingelse。Thepriestesssaid，’Allright，waitaminute，’andwentonsinging。Thenweallfollowedherbackintothenursery，wherethecarpetwasupandtheboardssmeltofsoftsoap。Thenshesaid，’Itmoves，itmoves！Oncemorethechoralhymn！’Sowesang’Heroes’again，andinthemiddletheumbrelladroppedfromherhands。
’Themagicrodhasspoken，’saidAlice;’dighere，andthatwithcourageanddespatch。’Wedidn’tquiteseehowtodig，butweallbegantoscratchonthefloorwithourhands，butthepriestesssaid，’Don’tbesosilly！It’stheplacewheretheycometodothegas。Theboard’sloose。Diganyouvalueyourlives，foreresundownthedragonwhoguardsthisspoilwillreturninhisfieryfuryandmakeyouhisunresistingprey。’
Sowedug—thatis，wegotthelooseboardup。AndAlicethrewupherarmsandcried—
’Seetherichtreasure—thegoldinthicklayers，withsilveranddiamondsstuckinit！’
’Likecurrantsincake，’saidH。O。
’It’salovelytreasure，’saidDickyyawning。’Let’scomebackandcarryitawayanotherday。’
ButAlicewaskneelingbythehole。
’Letmefeastmyeyesonthegoldensplendour，’shesaid，’hiddentheselongcenturiesfromthehumaneye。Beholdhowthemagicrodhasledustotreasuresmore—Oswald，don’tpushso！—morebrightthanevermonarch—Isay，thereissomethingdownthere，really。
Isawitshine！’
Wethoughtshewaskidding，butwhenshebegantotrytogetintothehole，whichwasmuchtoosmall，wesawshemeantit，soIsaid，’Let’shaveasquint，’andIlooked，butIcouldn’tseeanything，evenwhenIlaydownonmystomach。Theotherslaydownontheirstomachstooandtriedtosee，allbutNoel，whostoodandlookedatusandsaidwewerethegreatserpentscomedowntodrinkatthemagicpool。Hewantedtobetheknightandslaythegreatserpentswithhisgoodsword—heevendrewtheumbrellaready—butAlicesaid，’Allright，wewillinaminute。Butnow—I’msureIsawit;dogetamatch，Noel，there’sadear。’
’Whatdidyousee？’askedNoel，beginningtogoforthematchesveryslowly。
’Somethingbright，awayinthecornerundertheboardagainstthebeam。’
’Perhapsitwasarat’seye，’Noelsaid，’orasnake’s，’andwedidnotputourheadsquitesoclosetotheholetillhecamebackwiththematches。
ThenIstruckamatch，andAlicecried，’Thereitis！’Andthereitwas，anditwasahalf—sovereign，partlydustyandpartlybright。Wethinkperhapsamouse，disturbedbythecarpetsbeingtakenup，mayhavebrushedthedustofyearsfrompartofthehalf—sovereignwithhistail。Wecan’timaginehowitcamethere，onlyDorathinkssheremembersoncewhenH。O。wasverylittleMothergavehimsomemoneytohold，andhedroppedit，anditrolledalloverthefloor。Sowethinkperhapsthiswaspartofit。Wewereveryglad。H。O。wantedtogooutatonceandbuyamaskhehadseenforfourpence。Ithadbeenashillingmask，butnowitwasgoingverycheapbecauseGuyFawkes’Daywasover，anditwasalittlecrackedatthetop。butDorasaid，’Idon’tknowthatit’sourmoney。Let’swaitandaskFather。’
ButH。O。didnotcareaboutwaiting，andIfeltforhim。Doraisratherlikegrown—upsinthatway;shedoesnotseemtounderstandthatwhenyouwantathingyoudowantit，andthatyoudon’twishtowait，evenaminute。
SowewentandaskedAlbert—next—door’suncle。Hewaspeggingawayatoneoftherottennovelshehastowritetomakehisliving，buthesaidweweren’tinterruptinghimatall。
’Myhero’sfollyhasinvolvedhiminadifficulty，’hesaid。’Itishisownfault。Iwillleavehimtomeditateontheincrediblefatuity—thehare—brainedrecklessness—whichhavebroughthimtothispass。Itwillbealessontohim。I，meantime，willgivemyselfunreservedlytothepleasuresofyourconversation。’
That’sonethingIlikeAlbert’sunclefor。Healwaystalkslikeabook，andyetyoucanalwaysunderstandwhathemeans。Ithinkheismorelikeus，insideofhismind，thanmostgrown—uppeopleare。Hecanpretendbeautifully。Inevermetanyoneelsesogoodatit，exceptourrobber，andwebeganit，withhim。ButitwasAlbert’sunclewhofirsttaughtushowtomakepeopletalklikebookswhenyou’replayingthings，andhemadeuslearntotellastorystraightfromthebeginning，notstartinginthemiddlelikemostpeopledo。SonowOswaldrememberedwhathehadbeentold，ashegenerallydoes，andbeganatthebeginning，butwhenhecametowhereAlicesaidshewasthepriestess，Albert’sunclesaid—
’Letthepriestessherselfsetforththetaleinfittingspeech。’
SoAlicesaid，’Ohighpriestofthegreatidol，thehumblestofthyslavestooktheschoolumbrellaforadivining—rod，andsangthesongofinver—what’s—it’s—name？’
’Invocationperhaps？’saidAlbert’suncle。
’Yes;andthenIwentaboutandaboutandtheothersgottired，sothedivining—rodfellonacertainspot，andIsaid，"Dig"，andwedug—itwaswherethelooseboardisforthegasmen—andthentherereallyandtrulywasahalf—sovereignlyingundertheboards，andhereitis。’
Albert’suncletookitandlookedatit。
’Thegreathighpriestwillbiteittoseeifit’sgood，’hesaid，andhedid。’Icongratulateyou，’hewenton;’youareindeedamongthosefavouredbytheImmortals。Firstyoufindhalf—crownsinthegarden，andnowthis。ThehighpriestadvisesyoutotellyourFather，andaskifyoumaykeepit。Myherohasbecomepenitent，butimpatient。Imustpullhimoutofthisscrape。Yehavemyleavetodepart。’
OfcourseweknowfromKiplingthatthatmeans，’You’dbetterbunk，andbesharpaboutit，’sowecameaway。IdolikeAlbert’suncle。
IshallbelikethatwhenI’maman。Hegaveusourjunglebooks，andheisawfullyclever，thoughhedoeshavetowritegrown—uptales。
WetoldFatheraboutitthatnight。Hewasverykind。Hesaidwemightcertainlyhavethehalf—sovereign，andhehopedweshouldenjoyourselveswithourtreasure—trove。
Thenhesaid，’YourdearMother’sIndianUncleiscomingtodinnerhereto—morrownight。Sowillyounotdragthefurnitureaboutoverhead，please，morethanyou’reabsolutelyobliged;andH。O。
mightwearslippersorsomething。IcanalwaysdistinguishthenoteofH。O。’sboots。’
Wesaidwewouldbeveryquiet，andFatherwenton—
’ThisIndianUncleisnotusedtochildren，andheiscomingtotalkbusinesswithme。Itisreallyimportantthatheshouldbequiet。Doyouthink，Dora，thatperhapsbedatsixforH。O。andNoel—’
ButH。O。said，’Father，Ireallyandtrulywon’tmakeanoise。
I’llstandonmyheadalltheeveningsoonerthandisturbtheIndianUnclewithmyboots。’
AndAlicesaidNoelnevermadearowanyhow。SoFatherlaughedandsaid，’Allright。’Andhesaidwemightdoaswelikedwiththehalf—sovereign。’Onlyforgoodness’sakedon’ttrytogoinforbusinesswithit，’hesaid。’It’salwaysamistaketogointobusinesswithaninsufficientcapital。’
Wetalkeditoverallthatevening，andwedecidedthataswewerenottogointobusinesswithourhalf—sovereignitwasnousenotspendingitatonce，andsowemightaswellhavearightroyalfeast。Thenextdaywewentoutandboughtthethings。Wegotfigs，andalmondsandraisins，andarealrawrabbit，andElizapromisedtocookitforusifwewouldwaittilltomorrow，becauseoftheIndianUnclecomingtodinner。Shewasverybusycookingnicethingsforhimtoeat。Wegottherabbitbecausewearesotiredofbeefandmutton，andFatherhasn’tabillatthepoultryshop。Andwegotsomeflowerstogoonthedinner—tableforFather’sparty。Andwegothardbakeandraspberrynoyauandpeppermintrockandorangesandacoconut，withothernicethings。
Weputitallinthetoplongdrawer。ItisH。O。’splaydrawer，andwemadehimturnhisthingsoutandputtheminFather’soldportmanteau。H。O。isgettingoldenoughnowtolearntobeunselfish，andbesides，hisdrawerwantedtidyingverybadly。ThenweallvowedbythehonouroftheancientHouseofBastablethatwewouldnottouchanyofthefeasttillDoragavethewordnextday。
AndwegaveH。O。someofthehardbake，tomakeiteasierforhimtokeephisvow。Thenextdaywasthemostrememorabledayinallourlives，butwedidn’tknowthatthen。Butthatisanotherstory。Ithinkthatissuchausefulwaytoknowwhenyoucan’tthinkhowtoendupachapter。IlearntitfromanotherwriternamedKipling。I’vementionedhimbefore，Ibelieve，buthedeservesit！
CHAPTER15
’Lo，THEPOORINDIAN！’
ItwasallverywellforFathertoaskusnottomakearowbecausetheIndianUnclewascomingtotalkbusiness，butmyyoungbrother’sbootsarenottheonlythingsthatmakeanoise。WetookhisbootsawayandmadehimwearDora’sbathslippers，whicharesoftandwoolly，andhardlyanysolestothem;andofcoursewewantedtoseetheUncle，sowelookedoverthebanisterswhenhecame，andwewereasquietasmice—butwhenElizahadlethiminshewentstraightdowntothekitchenandmadethemostawfulrowyoueverheard，itsoundedliketheDayofjudgement，orallthesaucepansandcrockeryinthehousebeingkickedaboutthefloor，butshetoldmeafterwardsitwasonlythetea—trayandoneortwocupsandsaucers，thatshehadknockedoverinherflurry。WeheardtheUnclesay，’Godblessmysoul！’andthenhewentintoFather’sstudyandthedoorwasshut—wedidn’tseehimproperlyatallthattime。
Idon’tbelievethedinnerwasverynice。SomethinggotburnedI’msure—forwesmeltit。Itwasanextrasmell，besidesthemutton。
Iknowthatgotburned。Elizawouldn’thaveanyofusinthekitchenexceptDora—tilldinnerwasover。Thenwegotwhatwasleftofthedessert，andhaditonthestairs—justroundthecornerwheretheycan’tseeyoufromthehall，unlessthefirstlandinggasislighted。SuddenlythestudydooropenedandtheUnclecameoutandwentandfeltinhisgreatcoatpocket。Itwashiscigar—casehewanted。Wesawthatafterwards。Wegotamuchbetterviewofhimthen。Hedidn’tlooklikeanIndianbutjustlikeakindofbrown，bigEnglishman，andofcoursehedidn’tseeus，butweheardhimmuttertohimself—
’Shockingbaddinner！Eh！—what？’
Whenhewentbacktothestudyhedidn’tshutthedoorproperly。
ThatdoorhasalwaysbeenalittletiresomesincethedaywetookthelockofftogetoutthepencilsharpenerH。O。hadshovedintothekeyhole。Wedidn’tlisten—reallyandtruly—buttheIndianUnclehasaverybigvoice，andFatherwasnotgoingtobebeatenbyapoorIndianintalkingoranythingelse—sohespokeuptoo，likeaman，andIheardhimsayitwasaverygoodbusiness，andonlywantedalittlecapital—andhesaiditasifitwasanimpositionhehadlearned，andhehatedhavingtosayit。TheUnclesaid，’Pooh，pooh！’tothat，andthenhesaidhewasafraidthatwhatthatsamebusinesswantedwasnotcapitalbutmanagement。
ThenIheardmyFathersay，’Itisnotapleasantsubject：IamsorryIintroducedit。Supposewechangeit，sir。Letmefillyourglass。’ThenthepoorIndiansaidsomethingaboutvintage—
andthatapoor，broken—downmanlikehewascouldn’tbetoocareful。AndthenFathersaid，’Well，whiskythen，’andafterwardstheytalkedaboutNativeRacesandImperialsomethingorotheranditgotverydull。
SothenOswaldrememberedthatyoumustnothearwhatpeopledonotintendyoutohear—evenifyouarenotlisteningandhesaid，’Weoughtnottostayhereanylonger。Perhapstheywouldnotlikeustohear。’
Alicesaid，’Oh，doyouthinkitcouldpossiblymatter？’andwentandshutthestudydoorsoftlybutquitetight。Soitwasnousestayingthereanylonger，andwewenttothenursery。
ThenNoelsaid，’NowIunderstand。OfcoursemyFatherismakingabanquetfortheIndian，becauseheisapoor，broken—downman。
Wemighthaveknownthatfrom"Lo，thepoorIndian！"youknow。’
Weallagreedwithhim，andweweregladtohavethethingexplained，becausewehadnotunderstoodbeforewhatFatherwantedtohavepeopletodinnerfor—andnotletuscomein。
’Poorpeopleareveryproud，’saidAlice，’andIexpectFatherthoughttheIndianwouldbeashamed，ifallofuschildrenknewhowpoorhewas。’
ThenDorasaid，’Povertyisnodisgrace。WeshouldhonourhonestPoverty。’
Andweallagreedthatthatwasso。
’Iwishhisdinnerhadnotbeensonasty，’Dorasaid，whileOswaldputlumpsofcoalonthefirewithhisfingers，soasnottomakeanoise。Heisaverythoughtfulboy，andhedidnotwipehisfingersonhistrouserlegasperhapsNoelorH。O。wouldhavedone，buthejustrubbedthemonDora’shandkerchiefwhileshewastalking。
’Iamafraidthedinnerwashorrid。’Dorawenton。’Thetablelookedverynicewiththeflowerswegot。Isetitmyself，andElizamademeborrowthesilverspoonsandforksfromAlbert—next—door’sMother。’
’IhopethepoorIndianishonest，’saidDickygloomily，’whenyouareapoor，broken—downmansilverspoonsmustbeagreattemptation。’
Oswaldtoldhimnottotalksuchtommy—rotbecausetheIndianwasarelation，soofcoursehecouldn’tdoanythingdishonourable。
AndDorasaiditwasallrightanyway，becauseshehadwashedupthespoonsandforksherselfandcountedthem，andtheywereallthere，andshehadputthemintotheirwash—leatherbag，andtakenthembacktoAlbert—next—door’sMother。
’Andthebrusselssproutswereallwetandswimmy，’shewenton，’andthepotatoeslookedgrey—andtherewerebitsofblackinthegravy—andthemuttonwasbluey—redandsoftinthemiddle。Isawitwhenitcameout。Theapple—pielookedverynice—butitwasn’tquitedoneintheapplypart。Theotherthingthatwasburnt—youmusthavesmeltit，wasthesoup。’
’Itisapity，’saidOswald;’Idon’tsupposehegetsagooddinnereveryday。’
’Nomoredowe，’saidH。O。，’butweshallto—morrow。’
Ithoughtofallthethingswehadboughtwithourhalf—sovereign—therabbitandthesweetsandthealmondsandraisinsandfigsandthecoconut：andIthoughtofthenastymuttonandthings，andwhileIwasthinkingaboutitallAlicesaid—
’let’saskthepoorIndiantocometodinnerwithusto—morrow。’
Ishouldhavesaiditmyselfifshehadgivenmetime。
Wegotthelittleonestogotobedbypromisingtoputanoteontheirdressing—tablesayingwhathadhappened，sothattheymightknowthefirstthinginthemorning，orinthemiddleofthenightiftheyhappenedtowakeup，andthenweeldersarrangedeverything。
Iwaitedbythebackdoor，andwhentheUnclewasbeginningtogoDickywastodropamarbledownbetweenthebanistersforasignal，sothatIcouldrunroundandmeettheUncleashecameout。
Thisseemslikedeceit，butifyouareathoughtfulandconsiderateboyyouwillunderstandthatwecouldnotgodownandsaytotheUncleinthehallunderFather’seye，’Fatherhasgivenyouabeastly，nastydinner，butifyouwillcometodinnerwithustomorrow，wewillshowyouourideaofgoodthingstoeat。’Youwillsee，ifyouthinkitover，thatthiswouldnothavebeenatallpolitetoFather。
SowhentheUncleleft，Fathersawhimtothedoorandlethimout，andthenwentbacktothestudy，lookingverysad，Dorasays。
AsthepoorIndiancamedownourstepshesawmethereatthegate。
Ididnotmindhisbeingpoor，andIsaid，’Goodevening，Uncle，’
justaspolitelyasthoughhehadbeenabouttoascendintooneofthegildedchariotsoftherichandaffluent，insteadofhavingtowalktothestationaquarterofamileinthemud，unlesshehadthemoneyforatramfare。
’Goodevening，Uncle。’Isaiditagain，forhestoodstaringatme。Idon’tsupposehewasusedtopolitenessfromboys—someboysareanythingbut—especiallytotheAgedPoor。
SoIsaid，’Goodevening，Uncle，’yetonceagain。Thenhesaid—
’Timeyouwereinbed，youngman。Eh！—what？’
ThenIsawImustspeakplainlywithhim，mantoman。SoIdid。
Isaid—
’You’vebeendiningwithmyFather，andwecouldn’thelphearingyousaythedinnerwasshocking。Sowethoughtasyou’reanIndian，perhapsyou’reverypoor’—Ididn’tliketotellhimwehadheardthedreadfultruthfromhisownlips，soIwenton，’becauseof"Lo，thepoorIndian"—youknow—andyoucan’tgetagooddinnereveryday。Andweareverysorryifyou’repoor;andwon’tyoucomeandhavedinnerwithusto—morrow—withuschildren，Imean？It’savery，verygooddinner—rabbit，andhardbake，andcoconut—andyouneedn’tmindusknowingyourepoor，becauseweknowhonourablepovertyisnodisgrace，and—’I
couldhavegoneonmuchlonger，butheinterruptedmetosay—
’Uponmyword！Andwhat’syourname，eh？’
’OswaldBastable，’Isaid;andIdohopeyoupeoplewhoarereadingthisstoryhavenotguessedbeforethatIwasOswaldallthetime。
’OswaldBastable，eh？Blessmysoul！’saidthepoorIndian。’Yes，I’lldinewithyou，MrOswaldBastable，withallthepleasureinlife。Verykindandcordialinvitation，I’msure。Goodnight，sir。Atoneo’clock，Ipresume？’
’Yes，atone，’Isaid。’Goodnight，sir。’
ThenIwentinandtoldtheothers，andwewroteapaperandputitontheboy’sdressing—table，anditsaid—
’ThepoorIndianiscomingatone。Heseemedverygratefultomeformykindness。’
WedidnottellFatherthattheUnclewascomingtodinnerwithus，forthepolitereasonthatIhaveexplainedbefore。ButwehadtotellEliza;sowesaidafriendwascomingtodinnerandwewantedeverythingverynice。IthinkshethoughtitwasAlbert—next—door，butshewasinagoodtemperthatday，andsheagreedtocooktherabbitandtomakeapuddingwithcurrantsinit。Andwhenoneo’clockcametheIndianUnclecametoo。Ilethiminandhelpedhimoffwithhisgreatcoat，whichwasallfurryinside，andtookhimstraighttothenursery。Weweretohavedinnerthereasusual，forwehaddecidedfromthefirstthathewouldenjoyhimselfmoreifhewasnotmadeastrangerof。Weagreedtotreathimasoneofourselves，becauseifweweretoopolite，hemightthinkitwasourpridebecausehewaspoor。
Heshookhandswithusallandaskedourages，andwhatschoolswewentto，andshookhisheadwhenwesaidwewerehavingaholidayjustnow。Ifeltratheruncomfortable—Ialwaysdowhentheytalkaboutschools—andIcouldn’tthinkofanythingtosaytoshowhimwemeanttotreathimasoneofourselves。Ididaskifheplayedcricket。Hesaidhehadnotplayedlately。Andthennoonesaidanythingtilldinnercamein。Wehadallwashedourfacesandhandsandbrushedourhairbeforehecamein，andwealllookedverynice，especiallyOswald，whohadhadhishaircutthatverymorning。WhenElizahadbroughtintherabbitandgoneoutagain，welookedateachotherinsilentdespair，likeinbooks。ItseemedasifitweregoingtobejustadulldinnerliketheonethepoorIndianhadhadthenightbefore;only，ofcourse，thethingstoeatwouldbenicer。DickykickedOswaldunderthetabletomakehimsaysomething—andhehadhisnewbootson，too！—butOswalddidnotkickback;thentheUncleasked—
’Doyoucarve，sir，orshallI？’
SuddenlyAlicesaid—
’Wouldyoulikegrown—updinner，Uncle，orplay—dinner？’
Hedidnothesitateamoment，butsaid，’Play—dinner，byallmeans。
Eh！—what？’andthenweknewitwasallright。
SoweatonceshowedtheUnclehowtobeadauntlesshunter。Therabbitwasthedeerwehadslaininthegreenforestwithourtrustyyewbows，andwetoastedthejointsofit，whentheUnclehadcarvedit，onbitsoffirewoodsharpenedtoapoint。TheUncle’spiecegotalittleburnt，buthesaiditwasdelicious，andhesaidgamewasalwaysnicerwhenyouhadkilledityourself。
WhenElizahadtakenawaytherabbitbonesandbroughtinthepudding，wewaitedtillshehadgoneoutandshutthedoor，andthenweputthedishdownonthefloorandslewthepuddinginthedishinthegoodold—fashionedway。Itwasawildboaratbay，andveryhardindeedtokill，evenwithforks。TheUnclewasveryfierceindeedwiththepudding，andjumpedandhowledwhenhespearedit，butwhenitcametohisturntobehelped，hesaid，’No，thankyou;thinkofmyliver。Eh！—what？’
Buthehadsomealmondsandraisins—whenwehadclimbedtothetopofthechestofdrawerstopluckthemfromtheboughsofthegreattrees;andhehadafigfromthecargothattherichmerchantsbroughtintheirship—thelongdrawerwastheship—
andtherestofushadthesweetsandthecoconut。Itwasaverygloriousandbeautifulfeast，andwhenitwasoverwesaidwehopeditwasbetterthanthedinnerlastnight。Andhesaid：
’Ineverenjoyedadinnermore。’HewastoopolitetosaywhathereallythoughtaboutFather’sdinner。Andwesawthatthoughhemightbepoor，hewasatruegentleman。
Hesmokedacigarwhilewefinishedupwhattherewaslefttoeat，andtoldusabouttigershootingandaboutelephants。Weaskedhimaboutwigwams，andwampum，andmocassins，andbeavers，buthedidnotseemtoknow，orelsehewasshyabouttalkingofthewondersofhisnativeland。
Welikedhimverymuchindeed，andwhenhewasgoingatlast，Alicenudgedme，andIsaid—’There’soneandthreepencefarthingleftoutofourhalf—sovereign。Willyoutakeit，please，becausewedolikeyouverymuchindeed，andwedon’twantit，really;andwewouldratheryouhadit。’AndIputthemoneyintohishand。
’I’lltakethethreepenny—bit，’hesaid，turningthemoneyoverandlookingatit，’butIcouldn’trobyouoftherest。Bytheway，wheredidyougetthemoneyforthismostroyalspread—halfasovereignyousaid—eh，what？’
Wetoldhimallaboutthedifferentwayswehadlookedfortreasure，andwhenwehadbeentellingsometimehesatdown，tolistenbetterandatlastwetoldhimhowAlicehadplayedatdivining—rod，andhowitreallyhadfoundahalf—sovereign。
Thenhesaidhewouldliketoseeherdoitagain。Butweexplainedthattherodwouldonlyshowgoldandsilver，andthatwewerequitesuretherewasnomoregoldinthehouse，becausewehappenedtohavelookedverycarefully。
’Well，silver，then，’saidhe;’let’shidetheplate—basket，andlittleAliceshallmakethedivining—rodfindit。Eh！—what？’
’Thereisn’tanysilverintheplate—basketnow，’Dorasaid。
’ElizaaskedmetoborrowthesilverspoonsandforksforyourdinnerlastnightfromAlbert—next—door’sMother。Fathernevernotices，butshethoughtitwouldbenicerforyou。Ourownsilverwenttohavethedentstakenout;andIdon’tthinkFathercouldaffordtopaythemanfordoingit，forthesilverhasn’tcomeback。’
’Blessmysoul！’saidtheUncleagain，lookingattheholeinthebigchairthatweburntwhenwehadGuyFawkes’Dayindoors。’Andhowmuchpocket—moneydoyouget？Eh！—what？’
’Wedon’thaveanynow，’saidAlice;’butindeedwedon’twanttheothershilling。We’dmuchratheryouhadit，wouldn’twe？’
Andtherestofussaid，’Yes。’TheUnclewouldn’ttakeit，butheaskedalotofquestions，andatlasthewentaway。Andwhenhewenthesaid—
’Well，youngsters，I’veenjoyedmyselfverymuch。Ishan’tforgetyourkindhospitality。PerhapsthepoorIndianmaybeinapositiontoaskyoualltodinnersomeday。’
Oswaldsaidifheevercouldweshouldliketocomeverymuch，buthewasnottotroubletogetsuchanicedinnerasours，becausewecoulddoverywellwithcoldmuttonandricepudding。Wedonotlikethesethings，butOswaldknowshowtobehave。ThenthepoorIndianwentaway。
Wehadnotgotanytreasurebythisparty，butwehadhadaverygoodtime，andIamsuretheUncleenjoyedhimself。
Weweresosorryhewasgonethatwecouldnoneofuseatmuchtea;
butwedidnotmind，becausewehadpleasedthepoorIndianandenjoyedourselvestoo。Besides，asDorasaid，’Acontentedmindisacontinualfeast，’soitdidnotmatteraboutnotwantingtea。
OnlyH。O。didnotseemtothinkacontinualfeastwasacontentedmind，andElizagavehimapowderinwhatwasleftofthered—currantjellyFatherhadforthenastydinner。
Buttherestofuswerequitewell，andIthinkitmusthavebeenthecoconutwithH。O。WehopednothinghaddisagreedwiththeUncle，butweneverknew。
CHAPTER16
THEENDOFTHETREASURE—SEEKING
Nowitiscomingneartheendofourtreasure—seeking，andtheendwassowonderfulthatnownothingislikeItusedtobe。Itislikeasifourfortuneshadbeeninanearthquake，andafterthose，youknow，everythingcomesoutwrong—wayup。
ThedayaftertheUnclespearedthepuddingwithusopenedingloomandsadness。Butyouneverknow。Itwasdestinedtobeadaywhenthingshappened。Yetnosignofthisappearedintheearlymorning。Thenallwasmiseryandupsetness。Noneofusfeltquitewell;Idon’tknowwhy：andFatherhadoneofhisawfulcolds，soDorapersuadedhimnottogotoLondon，buttostaycosyandwarminthestudy，andshemadehimsomegruel。ShemakesitbetterthanElizadoes;Eliza’sgruelisalllittlelumps，andwhenyousuckthemitisdryoatmealinside。
Wekeptasquietaswecould，andImadeH。O。dosomelessons，liketheG。B。hadadvisedusto。Butitwasverydull。Therearesomedayswhenyouseemtohavegottotheendofallthethingsthatcouldeverpossiblyhappentoyou，andyoufeelyouwillspendalltherestofyourlifedoingdullthingsjustthesameway。
Dayslikethisaregenerallywetdays。But，asIsaid，youneverknow。
ThenDickysaidifthingswentonlikethisheshouldrunawaytosea，andAlicesaidshethoughtitwouldberathernicetogointoaconvent。H。O。wasalittledisagreeablebecauseofthepowderElizahadgivenhim，sohetriedtoreadtwobooksatonce，onewitheacheye，justbecauseNoelwantedoneofthebooks，whichwasveryselfishofhim，soitonlymadehisheadacheworse。H。O。isgettingoldenoughtolearnbyexperiencethatitiswrongtobeselfish，andwhenhecomplainedabouthisheadOswaldtoldhimwhosefaultitwas，becauseIamolderthanheis，anditismydutytoshowhimwhereheiswrong。Buthebegantocry，andthenOswaldhadtocheerhimupbecauseofFatherwantingtobequiet。
SoOswaldsaid—
’They’lleatH。O。ifyoudon’tlookout！’AndDorasaidOswaldwastoobad。
OfcourseOswaldwasnotgoingtointerfereagain，sohewenttolookoutofthewindowandseethetramsgoby，andbyandbyH。O。
cameandlookedouttoo，andOswald，whoknowswhentobegenerousandforgiving，gavehimapieceofbluepencilandtwonibs，asgoodasnew，tokeep。
Astheywerelookingoutattherainsplashingonthestonesinthestreettheysawafour—wheeledcabcomelumberingupfromthewaythestationis。Oswaldcalledout—
’HerecomesthecoachoftheFairyGodmother。It’llstophere，youseeifitdoesn’t！’
Sotheyallcametothewindowtolook。Oswaldhadonlysaidthataboutstoppingandhewasstrickenwithwonderandamazewhenthecabreallydidstop。Ithadboxesonthetopandknobbyparcelsstickingoutofthewindow，anditwassomethinglikegoingawaytotheseasideandsomethinglikethegentlemanwhotakesthingsaboutinacarriagewiththewoodenshuttersup，toselltothedrapers’
shops。Thecabmangotdown，andsomeoneinsidehandedouteversomanyparcelsofdifferentshapesandsizes，andthecabmanstoodholdingtheminhisarmsandgrinningoverthem。
Dorasaid，’Itisapitysomeonedoesn’ttellhimthisisn’tthehouse。’Andthenfrominsidethecabsomeoneputoutafootfeelingforthestep，likeatortoise’sfootcomingoutfromunderhisshellwhenyouareholdinghimofftheground，andthenalegcameandmoreparcels，andthenNoelcried—
’It’sthepoorIndian！’
Anditwas。
Elizaopenedthedoor，andwewereallleaningoverthebanisters。
Fatherheardthenoiseofparcelsandboxesinthehall，andhecameoutwithoutrememberinghowbadhiscoldwas。Ifyoudothatyourselfwhenyouhaveacoldtheycallyoucarelessandnaughty。
ThenweheardthepoorIndiansaytoFather—
’Isay，Dick，Idinedwithyourkidsyesterday—asIdaresaythey’vetoldyou。jolliestlittlecubsIeversaw！Whydidn’tyouletmeseethemtheothernight？TheeldestistheimageofpoorJaney—andastoyoungOswald，he’saman！Ifhe’snotaman，I’manigger！Eh！—what？AndDick，Isay，Ishouldn’twonderifI
couldfindafriendtoputabitintothatbusinessofyours—eh？’
ThenheandFatherwentintothestudyandthedoorwasshut—andwewentdownandlookedattheparcels。Someweredoneupinold，dirtynewspapers，andtiedwithbitsofrag，andsomewereinbrownpaperandstringfromtheshops，andtherewereboxes。WewonderediftheUnclehadcometostayandthiswashisluggage，orwhetheritwastosell。Someofitsmeltofspices，likemerchandise—andonebundleAlicefeltcertainwasabale。Weheardahandontheknobofthestudydoorafterabit，andAlicesaid—
’Fly！’andweallgotawaybutH。O。，andtheUnclecaughthimbythelegashewastryingtogetupstairsafterus。
’Peepingatthebaggage，eh？’saidtheUncle，andtherestofuscamedownbecauseitwouldhavebeendishonourabletoleaveH。O。
aloneinascrape，andwewantedtoseewhatwasintheparcels。
’Ididn’ttouch，’saidH。O。’Areyoucomingtostay？Ihopeyouare。’
’Noharmdoneifyoudidtouch，’saidthegood，kind，Indianmantoallofus。’Foralltheseparcelsareforyou。’
Ihaveseveraltimestoldyouaboutourbeingdumbwithamazementandterrorandjoy，andthingslikethat，butIneverrememberusbeingdumberthanwewerewhenhesaidthis。
TheIndianUnclewenton：’ItoldanoldfriendofminewhatapleasantdinnerIhadwithyou，andaboutthethreepenny—bit，andthedivining—rod，andallthat，andhesentalltheseoddsandendsaspresentsforyou。SomeofthethingscamefromIndia。’
’HaveyoucomefromIndia，Uncle？’Noelasked;andwhenhesaid’Yes’wewereallverymuchsurprised，forweneverthoughtofhisbeingthatsortofIndian。WethoughthewastheRedkind，andofcoursehisnotbeingaccountedforhisignoranceofbeaversandthings。
HegotElizatohelp，andwetookalltheparcelsintothenurseryandheundidthemandundidthemandundidthem，tillthepaperslaythickonthefloor。FathercametooandsatintheGuyFawkeschair。IcannotbegintotellyouallthethingsthatkindfriendofUncle’shadsentus。Hemustbeaveryagreeableperson。
ThereweretoysforthekidsandmodelenginesforDickandme，andalotofbooks，andJapanesechinatea—setsforthegirls，redandwhiteandgold—thereweresweetsbythepoundandbythebox—
andlongyardsandyardsofsoftsilkfromIndia，tomakefrocksforthegirls—andarealIndianswordforOswaldandabookofJapanesepicturesforNoel，andsomeivorychessmenforDicky：thecastlesofthechessmenareelephant—and—castles。Thereisarailwaystationcalledthat;Ineverknewwhatitmeantbefore。
Thebrownpaperandstringparcelshadboxesofgamesinthem—andbigcasesofpreservedfruitsandthings。AndtheshabbyoldnewspaperparcelsandtheboxeshadtheIndianthingsin。Ineversawsomanybeautifulthingsbefore。Therewerecarvedfansandsilverbanglesandstringsofamberbeads，andnecklacesofuncutgems—turquoisesandgarnets，theUnclesaidtheywere—andshawlsandscarvesofsilk，andcabinetsofbrownandgold，andivoryboxesandsilvertrays，andbrassthings。TheUnclekeptsaying，’Thisisforyou，youngman，’or’LittleAlicewilllikethisfan，’or’MissDorawouldlookwellinthisgreensilk，I
think。Eh！—what？’
AndFatherlookedonasifitwasadream，tilltheUnclesuddenlygavehimanivorypaper—knifeandaboxofcigars，andsaid，’Myoldfriendsentyouthese，Dick;he’sanoldfriendofyourstoo，hesays。’AndhewinkedatmyFather，forH。O。andIsawhim。
AndmyFatherwinkedback，thoughhehasalwaystoldusnotto。
Thatwasawonderfulday。Itwasatreasure，andnomistake！I
neversawsuchheapsandheapsofpresents，likethingsoutofafairy—tale—andevenElizahadashawl。Perhapsshedeservedit，forshedidcooktherabbitandthepudding;andOswaldsaysitisnotherfaultifhernoseturnsupandshedoesnotbrushherhair。
IdonotthinkElizalikesbrushingthings。Itisthesamewiththecarpets。ButOswaldtriestomakeallowancesevenforpeoplewhodonotwashtheirears。
TheIndianUnclecametoseeusoftenafterthat，andhisfriendalwayssentussomething。Oncehetippedusasovereigneach—theUnclebroughtit;andoncehesentusmoneytogototheCrystalPalace，andtheUncletookus;andanothertimetoacircus;andwhenChristmaswasneartheUnclesaid—
’YourememberwhenIdinedwithyou，sometimeago，youpromisedtodinewithmesomeday，ifIcouldeveraffordtogiveadinner—party。Well，I’mgoingtohaveone—aChristmasparty。
NotonChristmasDay，becauseeveryonegoeshomethen—butonthedayafter。Coldmuttonandricepudding。You’llcome？Eh！—
what？’
Wesaidweshouldbedelighted，ifFatherhadnoobjection，becausethatistheproperthingtosay，andthepoorIndian，ImeantheUncle，said，’No，yourFatherwon’tobject—he’scomingtoo，blessyoursoul！’
WeallgotChristmaspresentsfortheUncle。Thegirlsmadehimahandkerchiefcaseandacombbag，outofsomeofthepiecesofsilkhehadgiventhem。Igothimaknifewiththreeblades;H。O。gotasirenwhistle，averystrongone，andDickyjoinedwithmeintheknife，andNoelwouldgivetheIndianivoryboxthatUncle’sfriendhadsentonthewonderfulFairyCabday。Hesaiditwastheverynicestthinghehad，andhewassureUnclewouldn’tmindhisnothavingboughtitwithhisownmoney。
IthinkFather’sbusinessmusthavegotbetter—perhapsUncle’sfriendputmoneyinitandthatdiditgood，likefeedingthestarving。Anywayweallhadnewsuits，andthegirlshadthegreensilkfromIndiamadeintofrocks，andonBoxingDaywewentintwocabs—Fatherandthegirlsinone，andusboysintheother。
WewonderedverymuchwheretheIndianUnclelived，becausewehadnotbeentold。AndwethoughtwhenthecabbegantogoupthehilltowardstheHeaththatperhapstheUnclelivedinoneofthepokylittlehousesupatthetopofGreenwich。ButthecabwentrightovertheHeathandinatsomebiggates，andthroughashrubberyallwhitewithfrostlikeafairyforest，becauseitwasChristmastime。Andatlastwestoppedbeforeoneofthosejolly，big，uglyredhouseswithalotofwindows，thataresocomfortableinside，andonthestepswastheIndianUncle，lookingverybigandgrand，inablueclothcoatandyellowsealskinwaistcoat，withabunchofsealshangingfromit。
’Iwonderwhetherhehastakenaplaceasbutlerhere？’saidDicky。
’Apoor，broken—downman—’
Noelthoughtitwasverylikely，becauseheknewthatinthesebighousestherewerealwaysthousandsofstatelybutlers。
TheUnclecamedownthestepsandopenedthecabdoorhimself，whichIdon’tthinkbutlerswouldexpecttohavetodo。Andhetookusin。Itwasalovelyhall，withbearandtigerskinsonthefloor，andabigclockwiththefacesofthesunandmoondodgingoutwhenitwasdayornight，andFatherTimewithascythecomingoutatthehours，andthenameonitwas’Flint。Ashford。1776’;
andtherewasafoxeatingastuffedduckinaglasscase，andhornsofstagsandotheranimalsoverthedoors。
’We’lljustcomeintomystudyfirst，’saidtheUncle，’andwisheachotheraMerryChristmas。’Sothenweknewhewasn’tthebutler，butitmustbehisownhouse，foronlythemasterofthehousehasastudy。
HisstudywasnotmuchlikeFather’s。Ithadhardlyanybooks，butswordsandgunsandnewspapersandagreatmanyboots，andboxeshalfunpacked，withmoreIndianthingsbulgingoutofthem。
Wegavehimourpresentsandhewasawfullypleased。ThenhegaveushisChristmaspresents。Youmustbetiredofhearingaboutpresents，butImustremarkthatalltheUncle’spresentswerewatches;therewasawatchforeachofus，withournamesengravedinside，allsilverexceptH。O。’s，andthatwasaWaterbury，’Tomatchhisboots，’theUnclesaid。Idon’tknowwhathemeant。
ThentheUnclelookedatFather，andFathersaid，’Youtellthem，sir。’
SotheUnclecoughedandstoodupandmadeaspeech。Hesaid—
’Ladiesandgentlemen，wearemettogethertodiscussanimportantsubjectwhichhasforsomeweeksengrossedtheattentionofthehonourablememberoppositeandmyself。’
Isaid，’Hear，hear，’andAlicewhispered，’Whathappenedtotheguinea—pig？’Ofcourseyouknowtheanswertothat。
TheUnclewenton—
’Iamgoingtoliveinthishouse，andasit’sratherbigforme，yourFatherhasagreedthatheandyoushallcomeandlivewithme。
Andso，ifyou’reagreeable，we’reallgoingtoliveheretogether，and，pleaseGod，it’llbeahappyhomeforusall。Eh！—what？’
Heblewhisnoseandkissedusallround。AsitwasChristmasI
didnotmind，thoughIammuchtoooldforitonotherdates。Thenhesaid，’Thankyouallverymuchforyourpresents;butI’vegotapresenthereIvaluemorethananythingelseIhave。’
Ithoughtitwasnotquitepoliteofhimtosayso，tillIsawthatwhathevaluedsomuchwasathreepenny—bitonhiswatch—chain，and，ofcourse，Isawitmustbetheonewehadgivenhim。
Hesaid，’YouchildrengavemethatwhenyouthoughtIwasthepoorIndian，andI’llkeepitaslongasIlive。AndI’veaskedsomefriendstohelpustobejolly，forthisisourhouse—warming。Eh！
—what？’
ThenheshookFatherbythehand，andtheyblewtheirnoses;andthenFathersaid，’YourUnclehasbeenmostkind—most—’
ButUncleinterruptedbysaying，’Now，Dick，nononsense！’
ThenH。O。said，’Thenyou’renotpooratall？’asifhewereverydisappointed。
TheUnclereplied，’Ihaveenoughformysimplewants，thankyou，H。O。;andyourFather’sbusinesswillprovidehimwithenoughforyours。Eh！—what？’
Thenweallwentdownandlookedatthefoxthoroughly，andmadetheUncletaketheglassoffsothatwecouldseeitallroundandthentheUncletookusalloverthehouse，whichisthemostcomfortableoneIhaveeverbeenin。ThereisabeautifulportraitofMotherinFather’ssitting—room。TheUnclemustbeveryrichindeed。ThisendingislikewhathappensinDickens’sbooks;butIthinkitwasmuchjolliertohappenlikeabook，anditshowswhatanicemantheUncleis，thewayhediditall。
ThinkhowflatitwouldhavebeeniftheUnclehadsaid，whenwefirstofferedhimtheoneandthreepencefarthing，’Oh，Idon’twantyourdirtyoneandthree—pence！I’mveryrichindeed。’
InsteadofwhichhesavedupthenewsofhiswealthtillChristmas，andthentoldusallinonegloriousburst。Besides，Ican’thelpitifitislikeDickens，becauseithappensthisway。Reallifeisoftensomethinglikebooks。
Presently，whenwehadseenthehouse，weweretakenintothedrawing—room，andtherewasMrsLeslie，whogaveustheshillingsandwishedusgoodhunting，andLordTottenham，andAlbert—next—door’sUncle—andAlbert—next—door，andhisMother（I’mnotveryfondofher），andbestofallourownRobberandhistwokids，andourRobberhadanewsuiton。TheUncletoldushehadaskedthepeoplewhohadbeenkindtous，andNoelsaid，’WhereismynobleeditorthatIwrotethepoetryto？’
TheUnclesaidhehadnothadthecouragetoaskastrangeeditortodinner;butLordTottenhamwasanoldfriendofUncle’s，andhehadintroducedUncletoMrsLeslie，andthatwashowhehadtheprideandpleasureofwelcominghertoourhouse—warming。AndhemadeherabowlikeyouseeonaChristmascard。
ThenAliceasked，’WhataboutMrRosenbaum？Hewaskind;itwouldhavebeenapleasantsurpriseforhim。’
Buteverybodylaughed，andUnclesaid—
’Yourfatherhaspaidhimthesovereignhelentyou。Idon’tthinkhecouldhaveborneanotherpleasantsurprise。’
AndIsaidtherewasthebutcher，andhewasreallykind;buttheyonlylaughed，andFathersaidyoucouldnotaskallyourbusinessfriendstoaprivatedinner。
Thenitwasdinner—time，andwethoughtofUncle’stalkaboutcoldmuttonandrice。Butitwasabeautifuldinner，andIneversawsuchadessert！Wehadoursonplatestotakeawayintoanothersitting—room，whichwasmuchjollierthansittingroundthetablewiththegrown—ups。ButtheRobber’skidsstayedwiththeirFather。Theywereveryshyandfrightened，andsaidhardlyanything，butlookedallaboutwithverybrighteyes。H。O。
thoughttheywerelikewhitemice;butafterwardswegottoknowthemverywell，andintheendtheywerenotsomousy。Andthereisagooddealofinterestingstufftotellaboutthem;butIshallputallthatinanotherbook，forthereisnoroomforitinthisone。WeplayeddesertislandsalltheafternoonanddrankUncle’shealthingingerwine。ItwasH。O。thatupsethisoverAlice’sgreensilkdress，andsheneverevenrowedhim。Brothersoughtnottohavefavourites，andOswaldwouldneverbesomeanastohaveafavouritesister，or，ifhehad，wildhorsesshouldnotmakehimtellwhoitwas。
AndnowwearetogoonlivinginthebighouseontheHeath，anditisveryjolly。
MrsLeslieoftencomestoseeus，andourownRobberandAlbert—next—door’suncle。TheIndianUnclelikeshimbecausehehasbeeninIndiatooandisbrown;butourUncledoesnotlikeAlbert—next—door。Hesaysheisamuff。AndIamtogotoRugby，andsoareNoelandH。O。，andperhapstoBalliolafterwards。
BalliolismyFather’scollege。Ithastwoseparatecoatsofarms，whichmanyothercollegesarenotallowed。NoelisgoingtobeapoetandDickywantstogointoFather’sbusiness。
TheUncleisarealgoodoldsort;andjustthink，weshouldneverhavefoundhimifwehadn’tmadeupourmindstobeTreasureSeekers！Noelmadeapoemaboutit—
Lo！thepoorIndianfromlandsafar，Comeswherethetreasureseekersare;
Welookedfortreasure，butwefindThebesttreasureofallistheUnclegoodandkind。
Ithoughtitwasratherrot，butAlicewouldshowittotheUncle，andhelikeditverymuch。HekissedAliceandhesmackedNoelontheback，andhesaid，’Idon’tthinkI’vedonesobadlyeither，ifyoucometothat，thoughIwasneveraregularprofessionaltreasureseeker。Eh！—what？’