When
the two wanderers end up at the Valiant Soldier Inn, Nell's grandfather sees a card game going
on at a table nearby. Being a compulsive gambler, he goes over there and cuts into the game
himself. Nell carries their traveling money, since she is the more responsible of the two of
them, but her grandfather uses what authority he has as an adult to make her give him everything
they have in her purse. Nell, being obedient, reluctantly complies; however, she is crafty
enough to hide some money on her person, so she can arrange for the two of them to have a room
for the evening.
Of course, Nell's grandfather loses their money as always.
That night, Nell has a hard time sleeping because a servant told her robbers prowl the inn. And
Nell does hear a man going about the room when she is in bed. However, the next morning, she
realizes the man was her own grandfather, robbing her so he could get more gambling
money.
This is an important illustration of Nell and her grandfather's
relationship. Though the grandfather is the adult and should be looking out for Nell, he gambles
constantly and acts in irresponsible ways, while Nell is forced to endure it because she is
still just a child.
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