The Story of the Treasure Seekers · Chapter
The Council of Ways and Means explained
The Bastable children, faced with their family's reduced circumstances after their mother's death and their father's business troubles, hold a council to brainstorm ways to restore the family fortunes.
What happens
The Bastable children, faced with their family's reduced circumstances after their mother's death and their father's business troubles, hold a council to brainstorm ways to restore the family fortunes. Oswald proposes seeking treasure, and after various suggestions, they decide to try digging for treasure in their garden.
Themes in this chapter
Poverty and Class Consciousness
The chapter details the family's financial decline: loss of servants, mended furniture, and the father's struggles with debt.
Family Loyalty and Responsibility
The children take it upon themselves to restore the family fortunes, showing their sense of duty and care for their father.
Childhood Adventure and Imagination
The council and treasure-seeking plans are driven by the children's imaginative and adventurous spirit.
Characters to notice
- Oswald Bastable
Narrator and initiator of the treasure-seeking idea; thinks of interesting things and leads the council.
- Dora Bastable
Eldest sister, tries to mend stockings, chairs the council, and suggests digging for treasure.
- Dicky Bastable
Good at sums, secretive about his ideas, and wants everything settled exactly.
- Noël Bastable
A poet who suggests reading books for ideas; his chest is delicate.
- Alice Bastable
Twins with Noël, notes the empty exchequer, and once knitted a red scarf.
- H. O. Bastable
Youngest brother, cannot tell the clock, and is afraid of the 'Eat H. O.' advertisement.
Key passages
“This is the story of the different ways we looked for treasure, and I think when you have read it you will see that we were not lazy about the looking.”
The narrator introduces the tale of their treasure-seeking efforts, emphasizing their diligence.
Opening statement setting the tone for the children's active pursuit.
“We are the Bastables. There are six of us besides Father. Our Mother is dead, and if you think we don't care because I don't tell you much about her you only show that you do not understand people at all.”
The narrator introduces the Bastable family and hints at the emotional weight of their mother's death.
Establishes family structure and the narrator's defensive tone about their feelings.
“It was Oswald who first thought of looking for treasure. Oswald often thinks of very interesting things.”
Oswald is credited as the originator of the treasure-hunting idea, highlighting his creativity.
Shows Oswald's role as the imaginative leader.
“We must do something, said Alice, because the exchequer is empty.”
Alice declares the need for action due to the family's lack of money.
Alice's practical concern for the family's finances.
“Let's dig for treasure. Not any tiresome divining-rod—but just plain digging. People who dig for treasure always find it.”
Dora proposes a straightforward method of digging for treasure, dismissing more complicated ideas.
Dora's simple and optimistic plan for finding wealth.
