5 The way to the castle
　　‘We’re going up to the top of the hill, Mother,’ said Philip. ‘Hunting for an eagle’s nest, to pleaseold Jack¹. He’s seen that eagle again. We won’t go up the road, so you needn’t worry – the road tothe castle, I mean.’
　　‘Take your tea with you,’ said his mother. ‘I shall be glad to be rid of you all for the afternoon! Ican do some reading for a change!’
　　She and Dinah cut sandwiches, and packed up cake and fruit and milk. Philip took the knapsackwith the food, and whistled to Button, who now answered to his name or a whistle for all theworld as if he were a dog.
　　Button came running to him, giving little sharp barks. He was a most attractive cub² and evenMrs Mannering liked him, though she said he smelt³ a bit strong sometimes. She objected to Buttonsleeping on Philip’s bed, and she and Philip had lengthy⁴ arguments about this.
　　‘Your bedroom’s full of all kinds of creatures already,’ she said. ‘There’s that hedgehog alwaysin and out of your room now – and yesterday there was something jumping about all over theplace.’
　　Dinah shuddered⁵. She never went into Philip’s room if she could help it.
　　‘It was only old Terence the Toad,’ said Philip. ‘I’ve got him somewhere about me now, so hewon’t be leaping about in my bedroom. I’ll show him to you – he’s got the most beautiful eyesyou ever . . .’
　　‘No, Philip,’ said his mother firmly. ‘I don’t want to see him. Don’t disturb him.’
　　Philip stopped ferreting about his person, and put on an injured expression. ‘Nobody ever . . .’
　　he began, but Button took his attention by trying to climb up his leg to get into his arms. ‘What’sthe matter, Button? Has Kiki been teasing you again? Has she been pulling your tail?’
　　The fox cub chattered⁶ to him, and finally settled down comfortably on the top of the knapsackwhich Philip had

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