“We told you in the spell,” said Elfrida.
“Oh, be that all?” said the mole bitterly; “nothing else? I’m to make him brave and wise and show him de treasure. Milksop!” it said, so suddenly and fiercely that it almost seemed to spit the words in poor Edred’s face.
“I’m not,” said Edred, turning turkey-red. “I got into the house and found the spell, anyway.”
“Yes; and who did all the looking for it? She did. Bless you, I was there; I know all about it. If it was showing her the treasure, now, there’d be some sense in it.”
“I think you’re very unfair,” said Elfrida, as earnestly as though she had been speaking to a grown-up human being; “if he was brave and wise we shouldn’t want you to make him it.”
“You ain’t got nothing to do with it,” said the mole crossly.
“Yes, she has,” said Edred. “I mean to share and share with her—whatever I get. And if you could make me wise I’d teach her everything you taught me. But I don’t believe you can. So there!”
“Do you believe I can talk?” the mole asked, and Edred quite definitely and surprisingly said—
“No, I don’t. You’re a dream, that’s all you are,” he said, “and I’m dreaming you.”
“And what do you think?” the mole asked Elfrida, who hesitated.