# XII: The Nobleness of Oswald explained — The Story of the Treasure Seekers > Chapter companion for The Story of the Treasure Seekers by E. Nesbit. ## What happens The Bastable children continue their treasure-seeking adventures, but their plans are thwarted by lack of money and the need to consult their father. On a rainy day, they play at being the Children of the New Forest. Dicky recalls an earlier idea about treasure-seeking, but the conversation shifts when Noël catches a cold. Alice grows worried about Noël's health and, after losing their father's address, goes out secretly. She returns quietly, and later that evening, Albert's uncle unexpectedly arrives, looking tired. ## Themes in this chapter ### Innocence and Moral Development Oswald's decision to return the extra pennies and his refusal to lie, even to protect Alice, highlight his growing sense of honesty and integrity. ### Family Loyalty and Responsibility Alice's deep concern for Noël's health and her secret mission to get help demonstrate the children's strong sense of family duty. ### Creativity and Storytelling The children transform a mundane meal into an adventure by pretending to be the Children of the New Forest, and Noël writes poetry about Oswald's noble deed. ## Character check-ins ### Oswald Bastable Narrates the chapter; demonstrates honesty by returning a lady's extra pennies and shows concern for Alice and Noël. ### Dicky Bastable Remembers an unfinished idea about treasure-seeking; suggests a council of war. ### Noël Bastable Has a cold and stays in bed; writes poetry about Oswald's noble act. ### Alice Bastable Worries about Noël's illness; goes out secretly to seek help and later returns quietly. ### H. O. Bastable Suggests a coconut-shy idea; loses the paper with father's address; opens the door for Albert's uncle. ### Albert Morrison Arrives unexpectedly at the end of the chapter, looking tired. ## Key lines > The part about his nobleness only comes at the end, but you would not understand it unless you knew how it began. Oswald's noble act is revealed at the chapter's conclusion, but the context is necessary to appreciate it. _Sets up the narrative structure, emphasizing that the story builds toward a moral climax._ > I don't know how it is, but having to consult about a thing with grown-up people, even the bravest and the best, seems to make the thing not worth doing afterwards. The children lose interest in an idea once they have to ask an adult for permission. _Reflects the children's desire for independence and their frustration with adult oversight._ > Honesty is the best Policy, and he refused to take back the pennies. Oswald insisted on returning the extra money because he believed in being honest. _Illustrates Oswald's moral development and adherence to principle._ > The noble youth of high degree Consents to play a menial part, All for his sister Alice's sake, Who was so dear to his faithful heart. Noël's poem praises Oswald for humbling himself to help Alice. _Highlights the theme of family loyalty and the children's appreciation of Oswald's sacrifice._ ## Links - HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_treasure_seekers_se/chapters/xii-the-nobleness-of-oswald - Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_treasure_seekers_se - All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_story_of_the_treasure_seekers_se/chapters