HOW BREE BECAME A WISER HORSE WE must now return to Aravis and the Horses. The Hermit, watg his pool, was able to tell them that Shasta was not killed or even seriously wounded, for he saw him get up and saw how affeately he was greeted by King Lune. But as he could only see, not hear, he did not know what anyone was saying and, ohe fighting had stopped and the talking had begun, it was not worth while looking in the pool any longer.
m, while the Hermit was indoors, the three of them discussed what they should do .
"Ive had enough of this," said Hwin. "The Hermit has been very good to us and Im very much obliged to him Im sure. But Im getting as fat as a pet poing all day aing no exercise. Lets go on to Narnia.」
"Oh not today, Maam," said Bree. "I wouldnt hurry things. Some other day, dont you think?」
"We must see Shasta first and say good-bye to him - and - and apologize," said Aravis.
"Exactly!" said Bree with great enthusiasm. "Just what I was going to say.」
"Oh, of course," said Hwin. "I expect he is in Anvard. Naturally wed look in on him and say good-bye. But thats on our way. And why shouldart at once? After all, I thought it was Narnia we all wao get to?」
"I suppose so," said Aravis. She was beginning to wonder what exactly she would do whe there and was feeling a little lonely.
"Of course, of course," said Bree hastily. "But theres o rush things, if you know what I mean.」
"No, I dont know what you mean," said Hwin. "Why dont you want to go?」
"M-m-m, broo-hoo," muttered Bree. "Well, dont you see, Maam - its an important occasion - returning to ones try - entering society - the best society - it is so essential to make a good impression - not perhaps looking quite ourselves, yet, eh?」
Hwin broke out into a horse-laugh. "Its your tail, Bree! I see it all now. You want to wait till your tails grown again! And we dont even know if tails are worn long in Narnia.
Really, Bree, youre as vain as that Tarkheena in Tashbaan!」
"You are silly, Bree," said Aravis.
"By the Lions Maarkheena, Im nothing of the sort," said Bree indignantly. "I have a proper respeyself and for my fellow horses, thats all.」
"Bree," said Aravis, who was not very ied i of his tail, "Ive been wanting to ask you something for a long time. Why do you keep on swearing By the Lion and By the Lions Mane? I thought you hated lions.」
"So I do," answered Bree. "But when I speak of the Lion of course I mean Aslan, the great deliverer of Narnia who drove away the Witd the Winter. All Narnians swear by him.」
"But is he a lion?」
"No, no, of course not," said Bree in a rather shocked voice.
"All the stories about him in Tashbaan say he is," replied Aravis. "And if he isnt a lion why do you call him a lion?」
"Well, youd hardly uand that at ye," said Bree. "And I was only a little foal when I left so I dont quite fully uand it myself.」
(Bree was standing with his back to the green wall while he said this, and the other two were fag him. He was talking in rather a superior toh his eyes half shut; that was why he didhe ged expression in the faces of Hwin and Aravis. They had good reason to have open mouths and staring eyes; because while Bree spoke they saw an enormous lion leap up from outside and balaself oop of the green wall; only it was a brighter yellow and it was bigger and more beautiful and more alarming than any lio