The House of Arden · Chapter
Films and Clouds explained
After developing photographs of the castle, the children accidentally burn their films.
What happens
After developing photographs of the castle, the children accidentally burn their films. They hide the prints in the History of the Ardens and discuss rebuilding the castle and helping the villagers with the treasure. Aunt Edith shares the story of the family's financial ruin due to supporting the Young Pretender. Later, the Mouldiwarp appears and uses cloud magic to transport them to the past, where they dance inside a swirling cloud funnel.
Themes in this chapter
Family Heritage and Identity
The children's connection to the Arden legacy is highlighted through their desire to rebuild the castle, buy back the land, and help the villagers, as well as Aunt Edith's story of the family's sacrifice for Prince Charlie.
Magic and Adventure
The Mouldiwarp's cloud magic creates a swirling funnel that transports the children, blending everyday life with fantastical adventure.
The Past as a Living Presence
The photographs of the castle's past, the History of the Ardens, and the Mouldiwarp's time-travel magic all emphasize how the past remains active and influential in the present.
Characters to notice
- Elfrida Arden
Helps print photographs, reads about the moat in the History of the Ardens, and wishes to see the nurse witch again.
- Edred Arden
Prints photographs with Elfrida, hides the prints, and thinks about finding the treasure to rebuild the castle and help the villagers.
- Aunt Edith
Plays Proverbs with the children, tells the story of the family's debt to the Tallow King due to supporting Prince Charlie, and expresses concern about the children visiting cottages.
- The Mouldiwarp
Appears to the children, uses cloud magic to create a funnel, and encourages them to dance as they are transported to the past.
- Mrs. Honeysett
Cleans the parlour and accidentally burns the films after the children say they are done with the litter.
- Old Beale
Mentioned as having advised the children to visit villagers in case they find the treasure, and as the source of information about the Tallow King selling the land.
Key passages
“We must find the treasure, said Edred, looking as he always did when he was very much in earnest, so like his lost father that Aunt Edith could hardly bear it—so as to be able to look after our people properly.”
Edred, with a serious expression that reminded Aunt Edith painfully of his deceased father, insisted they needed to find the treasure in order to take care of their tenants.
Edred's determination to find the treasure is tied to his sense of duty as Lord Arden.
“And old Lord Arden mortgaged everything. That means he borrowed money, and if he didn't pay back the money by a certain time he agreed to let them take the land instead. And he couldn't pay; so they took the land—all except a bit in the village and Arden Knoll—that was fixed so that he couldn't part from it.”
Aunt Edith explained that an earlier Lord Arden had borrowed money against the land to support Prince Charlie, and when he couldn't repay, the lender seized most of the property, leaving only the village and Arden Knoll.
This explains the family's current poverty and the origin of the Tallow King's holdings.
“Up! it cried, up! Shall the very clouds dance for your delight, and you alone refrain and tread not a measure?”
The Mouldiwarp urged the children to rise and dance, questioning why they would hold back when even the clouds were moving for their pleasure.
The Mouldiwarp's poetic command initiates the magical dance within the cloud funnel.
