# II: Burglars explained — Harding’s Luck

> Chapter companion for Harding’s Luck by E. Nesbit.

## What happens

Dickie assists Mr. Beale and his accomplices in a burglary at a grand house, successfully opening a side door for them. However, he experiences a sudden sense of shame and tries to stop them. The burglars are discovered, a shot is fired, and they flee. Dickie is found by the lady of the house, who takes him in and cares for him.

## Themes in this chapter

### Morality and Redemption

Dickie's sudden shame and attempt to stop the burglary highlight his emerging moral conscience.

### Social Class and Poverty

Dickie's involvement in crime is driven by his poverty and association with Mr. Beale, contrasting with the wealthy household.

## Character check-ins

### Dickie Harding

Acts as the burglar's accomplice, opening the door, but feels shame and tries to stop the crime.

### Mr. Beale

Leads the burglary, carrying Dickie and instructing him, but shows concern for Dickie's safety.

### Lady Talbot

Discovers Dickie after the burglary, takes him in, and expresses a wish to adopt him.

### Edward Talbot

Lady Talbot's husband; fires a shot at the burglars and later comforts his wife.

## Key lines

> He had a feeling, very queer and very strong, that he, Dickie, was not the sort of person to open doors for the letting in of burglars.

Dickie suddenly felt that helping burglars was beneath him and morally wrong.

_Dickie's moral awakening during the crime._

> I will not pretend that he was not frightened. He was, very. But he was more brave than he was frightened, which is the essence of bravery, after all.

Dickie was terrified, but his courage outweighed his fear, which is true bravery.

_Narrator's reflection on Dickie's courage._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters/ii-burglars
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/harding_s_luck_se/chapters