CHAPTER II
THE MOULDIWARP
And it was—it was the living image of the little pig-like animal that was stamped in gold above the chequered shield on the cover of the white book in which they had found the spell. And as on the yellowy white of the vellum book-cover, so here on the thymy grass of the knoll it shone golden. The children stood perfectly still. They were afraid to move lest they should scare away this little creature which, though golden, was alive and moved about at their feet, turning a restless nose to right and left.
“It is,” said Elfrida again, very softly, so as not to frighten it.
“What?” Edred asked, though he knew well enough.
“Off the book that we got the spell out of.”
“That was our crest on the top of our coat-of-arms, like on the old snuff-box that was great-grandpapa’s.”
“Well, this is our crest come alive, that’s all.”
“Don’t you be too clever,” said Edred. “It said badge; I don’t believe badge is the same thing as crest. A badge is leeks, or roses, or thistles—something you can wear in your cap. I shouldn’t like to wear that in my cap.”
And still the golden thing at their feet moved cautiously and without ceasing.
“Why,” said Edred suddenly, “it’s just a common old mole.”