The Story of the Amulet · Chapter
XII: The Sorry-Present and the Expelled Little Boy explained
The children create a 'sorry-present' for Old Nurse to express their gratitude, then visit the Learned Gentleman in the future where they learn of Old Nurse's eventual death and return home to find her alive and well.
What happens
The children create a 'sorry-present' for Old Nurse to express their gratitude, then visit the Learned Gentleman in the future where they learn of Old Nurse's eventual death and return home to find her alive and well.
Free preview opens on this chapter — companions, themes, and character notes appear beside the text.
Narrative arc
Story tension across the book — this chapter sits in Climax.
- Setup
- Escalation
- Breaking point
- Aftermath
- Closing
This scene marks the dramatic climax because Cyril articulates the central crisis—that searching the Past for…
Full beat labels and climax notes unlock in the reader.
Follow the arc while readingThemes in this chapter
- Family and Separation
The children's fear of losing Old Nurse and their efforts to show love before it's too late.
- Sacrifice and Selflessness
The children delay hearing Cyril's idea to create a sorry-present for Old Nurse, prioritizing her feelings.
- Power of Knowledge and History
The Learned Gentleman credits the Amulet with granting him deep knowledge of ancient civilizations.
Characters to notice
- Cyril
Suggests that searching the Past for the Amulet is futile; helps create the sorry-present.
- Robert
Objects to the idea of penance but agrees; paints poppies on the testimonial.
- Anthea
Proposes the sorry-present for Old Nurse; leads the visit to the Learned Gentleman in the future.
- Jane
Anxious about Old Nurse's death; urges the group to return home.
- Old Nurse
Receives the sorry-present with joy; later revealed to have died in the future timeline.
- The Learned Gentleman
Now old and successful; reveals that Old Nurse has died and that the Amulet brought him fame and knowledge.
- The Psammead
Explains the nature of prophetic vision and memory to Anthea.
Key passages
“Look here, I really have got it.”
Cyril announces he has an important idea.
Cyril reveals his plan about the Amulet.
“We do love you so, and we've made you a picture to show you how we love you.”
Anthea expresses their affection and presents the testimonial to Old Nurse.
The children give their sorry-present.
“Of course, I left when your old Nurse died and—what's the matter!”
The Learned Gentleman mentions Old Nurse's death, shocking the children.
Revelation of Old Nurse's fate in the future.
