WHAT HAPPENED AFTER DINNER
"AND now," said Lucy, "do please tell us whats happeo Mr Tumnus.」
"Ah, thats bad," said Mr Beaver, shaking his head. "Thats a very, very bad business.
Theres no doubt he was taken off by the police. I got that from a bird who saw it done.」
"But wheres he been taken to?" asked Lucy.
"Well, they were heading northwards when they were last seen and we all know what that means.」
"No, we dont," said Susan. Mr Beaver shook his head in a very gloomy fashion.
"Im afraid it means they were taking him to her House," he said.
"But whatll they do to him, Mr Beaver?" gasped Lucy.
"Well," said Mr Beaver, "you t exactly say for sure. But theres not many taken ihat ever es out again. Statues. All full of statues they say it is - in the courtyard and up the stairs and in the hall. People shes turned" - (he paused and shuddered) "turned into stone.」
"But, Mr Beaver," said Lucy, "t we - I mean we must do something to save him. Its too dreadful and its all on my at.」
"I dont doubt youd save him if you could, dearie," said Mrs Beaver, "but youve no ce of getting into that House against her will and ever ing out alive.」
"Couldnt we have some stratagem?" said Peter. "I mean couldnt we dress up as something, or pretend to be - oh, pedlars or anything - or watch till she was go - or- oh, hang it all, there must be some way. This Faun saved my sister at his own risk, Mr Beaver. We t just leave him to be - to be - to have that doo him.」
"Its no good, Son of Adam," said Mr Beaver, "no good your trying, of all people. But now that Aslan is on the move-」
"Oh, yes! Tell us about Aslan!" said several voices at once; for once again that strange feeling - like the first signs of spring, like good news, had e over them.
"Who is Aslan?" asked Susan.
"Aslan?" said Mr Beaver. "Why, dont you know? Hes the King. Hes the Lord of the whole wood, but not often here, you uand. Never in my time or my fathers time.
But the word has reached us that he has e back. He is in Narnia at this moment. Hell settle the White Queen all right. It is he, not you, that will save Mr Tumnus.」
"She wont turn him into stooo?" said Edmund.
"Lord love you, Son of Adam, what a simple thing to say!" answered Mr Beaver with a great laugh. "Turn him into stone? If she stand owo feet and look him in the face itll be the most she do and more than I expect of her. No, no. Hell put all thts as it says in an old rhyme in these parts: Wrong will be right, when Aslan es in sight, At the sound of his roar, sorrows will be no more, When he bares his teeth, winter meets its death, And when he shakes his mane, we shall have spring again.
Youll uand when you see him.」
"But shall we see him?" asked Susan.
"Why, Daughter of Eve, thats what I brought you here for. Im to lead you where you shall meet him," said Mr Beaver.
"Is-is he a man?" asked Lucy.
"Aslan a man!" said Mr Beaver sternly. "Certainly not. I tell you he is the King of the wood and the son of the great Emperor-beyond-the-Sea. Dont you know who is the King of Beasts? Aslan is a lion - the Lion, the great Lion.」
"Ooh!" said Susan, "Id thought he was a man. Is he - quite safe? I shall feel rather nervous about meeting a lion.」
"That you will, dearie, and no mistake," said Mrs Beaver; "if theres anyone who appear before Aslan without their kn