The Castle in the Attic

Ten-year-old William returns home from a frustrating gymnastics practice. His caretaker, Mrs. Phillips, says she’ll help him practice. She also announces that she’s homesick for England, and she’ll return there shortly to live with her brother.

William is stunned. Mrs. Phillips has been part of the family since he was born. She tells him, “You can take care of yourself now” (4), but, hurt and angry, William says he won’t let her leave. He runs from the room, finds the two things Mrs. Phillips would never leave behind—a pearl circle pin of her mother’s and a photo of her husband, who died in World War II—and hides them.

A few days later, Mrs. Phillips realizes what’s happened but doesn’t say anything to him. His mother asks him if he’s seen the two items. He denies it, but he adds that he doesn’t want Mrs. Phillips to leave. She once told him she wanted to be buried with the items; he asks if she’ll stay as long as they’re missing. His mom says Mrs. Phillips will leave them behind if she must.

William quietly replaces the items in Mrs. Phillips’s dresser. He turns and sees her looking at him.