The House of Arden · Chapter
XIV: The Finding of the Treasure explained
Edred and Elfrida, with the Mouldiwarp's help and Cousin Richard's assistance, use the magic clock to travel to a hidden golden plain where their father and Uncle Jim are imprisoned.
What happens
Edred and Elfrida, with the Mouldiwarp's help and Cousin Richard's assistance, use the magic clock to travel to a hidden golden plain where their father and Uncle Jim are imprisoned. They help them escape through a crevice in the cliff, returning to the smugglers' cave. The chapter ends with Elfrida reuniting with her father at Arden Castle, realizing the true treasure is family love.
Themes in this chapter
Family Heritage and Identity
Edred faces a crisis of identity, torn between his title as Lord Arden and his desire to reunite with his father, highlighting the tension between inherited status and familial bonds.
Courage and Resourcefulness
The children, Cousin Richard, and the Mouldiwarp demonstrate bravery and quick thinking to rescue Lord Arden and Uncle Jim from the golden plain.
Loss and Longing
Elfrida's deep longing for her father culminates in a tearful reunion, emphasizing the emotional core of the chapter.
Characters to notice
- Elfrida Arden
Struggles with disbelief but ultimately finds her father, experiencing a profound emotional reunion.
- Edred Arden
Wavers between desire to remain Lord Arden and hope of finding his father; chooses to believe and proceed.
- The Mouldiwarp
Grows to enormous size, guides the children and Cousin Richard, and helps scratch through the cliff to enable escape.
- Cousin Richard
Assists the children in the rescue, using his magic stick with Arden arms, and returns to his own time after the escape.
- Uncle Jim
Imprisoned with Lord Arden on the golden plain; escapes with the group.
Key passages
“I do wish we could have found the buried treasure," said Edred. "We've got treasure enough," said Aunt Edith, looking at Uncle Jim.”
Edred laments not finding the buried treasure, but Aunt Edith points out that their family's love and reunion are treasure enough.
Contrasts material treasure with emotional wealth.
“And then a great wave of love and longing caught at her, and she knew that, Mouldiwarp or no Mouldiwarp, the treasure was hers, and in one flash she was across the room and in her father's arms, sobbing and laughing and saying again and again— "Oh, my daddy! Oh, my daddy, my daddy!"”
Elfrida realizes that the true treasure is her father's love, and she rushes into his arms, overwhelmed with joy.
Climactic emotional moment affirming the theme of family.
“"I don't believe we shall," said Elfrida, nodding stubbornly, and for the first time in this story she did not believe. "Oh, well," said the Mouldiwarp bitterly, "of course if you don't believe you'll find him, you'll not find him. That's plain as a currant loaf."”
Elfrida expresses doubt about finding her father, and the Mouldiwarp warns that disbelief will prevent success.
Highlights the importance of faith and belief in the magical journey.