# XII: The Sorry-Present and the Expelled Little Boy explained — The Story of the Amulet

> Chapter companion for The Story of the Amulet by E. Nesbit.

## What happens

The children create a 'sorry-present' for Old Nurse to express their gratitude, then visit the Learned Gentleman in the future where they learn of Old Nurse's eventual death and return home to find her alive and well.

## Themes in this chapter

### Family and Separation

The children's fear of losing Old Nurse and their efforts to show love before it's too late.

### Sacrifice and Selflessness

The children delay hearing Cyril's idea to create a sorry-present for Old Nurse, prioritizing her feelings.

### Power of Knowledge and History

The Learned Gentleman credits the Amulet with granting him deep knowledge of ancient civilizations.

## Character check-ins

### Cyril

Suggests that searching the Past for the Amulet is futile; helps create the sorry-present.

### Robert

Objects to the idea of penance but agrees; paints poppies on the testimonial.

### Anthea

Proposes the sorry-present for Old Nurse; leads the visit to the Learned Gentleman in the future.

### Jane

Anxious about Old Nurse's death; urges the group to return home.

### Old Nurse

Receives the sorry-present with joy; later revealed to have died in the future timeline.

### The Learned Gentleman

Now old and successful; reveals that Old Nurse has died and that the Amulet brought him fame and knowledge.

### The Psammead

Explains the nature of prophetic vision and memory to Anthea.

## Key lines

> Look here, I really have got it.

Cyril announces he has an important idea.

_Cyril reveals his plan about the Amulet._

> We do love you so, and we've made you a picture to show you how we love you.

Anthea expresses their affection and presents the testimonial to Old Nurse.

_The children give their sorry-present._

> Of course, I left when your old Nurse died and—what's the matter!

The Learned Gentleman mentions Old Nurse's death, shocking the children.

_Revelation of Old Nurse's fate in the future._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_amulet_se/chapters/xii-the-sorry-present-and-the-expelled-little-boy
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_amulet_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_amulet_se/chapters