"Edred and Elfrida first went into the past to look for treasure. It is a treasure buried in Arden Castle by the sea, which is their home. They want the treasure to restore the splendour of the old Castle, which in your time is fallen into ruin and decay, and to mend the houses of the tenants, and to do good to the poor and needy. But you know that now they have used their magic to get back their father, and can no longer use it to look for treasure. But your magic will hold. And if you lay out your moon-seeds round them, in the old shape, and stand with them in the midst, holding your Tinkler and your white seal, you will all go whithersoever you choose."
"I shall choose to go straight to the treasure, of course," said practical Dickie, swinging his feet in their resetted shoes.
"That thou canst not. Thou canst only choose some year in the past—any year—go into it and then seek for the treasure there and then."
"I'll do it," Dickie said, "and then I may come back to you, mayn't I?"
"If thou'rt not needed elsewhere. The Ardens stay where duty binds them, and go where duty calls."
"But I'm not an Arden there," said Dickie sadly.
"Thou'rt Richard Arden there as here," she said; "thy grandfather's name got changed, by breathing hard on it, from Arden to Harden, and that again to Harding. Thus names are
