rapid, light steps
to twist and gather around something
plural of bandits
crumble
coming down
a tower, as on a castle
fixed in place
climb
serious
over
The Question and Answer section for The Children’s Hour is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.
The speaker's daughters invade the castle, as they burst into his study.
It is stated that the setting is the speaker's study looking out into the broad hall stair,
From my study I see in the lamplight, Descending the broad hall stair, Grave Alice, and laughing Allegra, And Edith with golden hair.
Actually the "old man" is the children's father... he wants to keep the children and the memory locked within his heart.
But put you down into the dungeon In the round-tower of my heart. And there will I keep you forever, Yes, forever and a...