Grandpa Joe Takes a Gamble

           Thenextday,whenCharliecamehomefromschoolandwentintoseehisgrandparents,hefoundthatonlyGrandpaJoewasawake.Theotherthreewereallsnoringloudly. 

           ’Ssshh! ’whisperedGrandpaJoe,andhebeckonedCharlietocomecloser. Charlietiptoedoverandstoodbesidethebed. TheoldmangaveCharlieaslygrin,andthenhestartedrummagingunderhispillowwithonehand; andwhenthehandcameoutagain,therewasanancientleatherpurseclutchedinthefingers. Undercoverofthebedclothes,theoldmanopenedthepurseandtippeditupsidedown. Outfellasinglesilversixpence. ’It’smysecrethoard,’hewhispered. ’Theothersdon’tknowI’vegotit. Andnow,youandIaregoingtohaveonemoreflingatfindingthatlastticket.Howaboutit,eh? Butyou’llhavetohelpme.’ 

           ’Areyousureyouwanttospendyourmoneyonthat,Grandpa? ’Charliewhispered. 

           ’OfcourseI’msure! ’splutteredtheoldmanexcitedly. ’Don’tstandtherearguing! I’maskeenasyouaretofindthatticket! Here—takethemoneyandrundownthestreettothenearestshopandbuythefirstWonkabaryouseeandbringitstraightbacktome,andwe’llopenittogether.’ 

           Charlietookthelittlesilvercoin,andslippedquicklyoutoftheroom. Infiveminutes,hewasback. 

           ’Haveyougotit? ’whisperedGrandpaJoe,hiseyesshiningwithexcitement. 

           Charlienoddedandheldoutthebarofchocolate. WONKA’SNUTTYCRUNCHSURPRISE,itsaidonthewrapper.