superiority to daily events that
the other children knew at once he had a secret.

"You look just like Dickie's bantam hen when she has laid an egg," said
Nancy; "but I sha'n't try to guess what you're thinking about. It's
sure to have something to do with that stupid museum."

Ambrose meanwhile began his preparations. He and David both possessed
garden spades, which would be useful; but the ground on Rumborough
Common was hard and chalky, and he felt sure that they would require a
pickaxe as well. Andrew had one, but he was surly about lending his
tools, and there was no chance of getting at them, for he kept them
carefully locked up, and never left any lying about in the garden.

"I say, Andrew," said Ambrose in a careless manner, "I wish you'd just
lend me your pickaxe, please; just to break up some hard ground."

"You're not man enough to use it, Master Ambrose," said Andrew. "It's
too heavy for ye. There's a nice light hoe now, I'd let ye have that
for a bit."

"That wouldn't do," said Ambrose. "It's very hard ground. A hoe would
be of no use at all. I want the pickaxe particularly."

Andrew shook his head.

"Can't loan ye the pickaxe, young master. You'd be doing yourself a
mischief;" and he took up his barrow and went his way.

So that was of no use. Ambrose began to long for Monday to come that he
might tell David and have his help and advice. It was an odd thing to
wish for his father and mother to go away. They seldom left home, and
when they did there was a general outcry and lamentation among the
children, because it was so dull without them. Yet now Ambrose felt it
would be a decided relief when they had gone to Nearminster, for then he
might unburden himself of his great secret.

The time came at last. Ruby, the grey horse, stood waiting with the
waggonette at the door. Andrew sat on the box, ready to drive his
master and mistress into Nearminster. He looked quite a different
Andrew on these occasions from the one who worked in the garden, because
he wore his best coat and hat, which were a size too large for him, and
a roomy pair of white gloves.

The children were all in the hall watching the departure.

"Don't stay longer than you can help, mother," said Pennie; "it's horrid
when you're away."

Mrs Hawthorne kissed them all and said good-bye. She hoped they would
be quite obedient to Miss Grey while she was away, and Ambrose thought
she looked specially at him as she spoke