Thereupon she climbed on Grandfather's knee and told him the whole story from the beginning. Grandfather said never a word, but from time to time he looked at Hortense as though he couldn't believe what she said. When she spoke of the flower on the back of the image, he turned it around and traced the pattern with the point of the paper knife as Hortense had done. The little door opened as before. Grandfather looked in.
"This is what was inside," Hortense said and opened her hand in which was the jewel.
Grandfather took it and examined it gravely.
"Do you remember the story I told you about my friend who sought a rare jewel and who, when he died, sent me this image? This must be the jewel he found. It has lain here all these years. It is very strange that you should have found it as you did—your story is very strange. But for the jewel, and the disappearance of the sofa and the firedogs, I could scarcely believe it."
"If you'll come, I'll show you the little door and the tunnel," Hortense said.
"It would be too small for me to approach," Grandfather said, "and I am much too old to eat thirteen cookies."
"But," Hortense urged, "I want you to go with me to see the Little People. I must get Alligator and Coal and Ember back."
Grandfather shook his head.
"If you visit the Little People again, I fear it will have to be with your own friends. But wait a while. We've had enough surprising experiences for a time."
"It's really Jeremiah who is the cause of everything," Hortense said.