CHAPTER NINE
ICHSHOUSEANDnowofcourseyouwanttoknowwhathadhappeoEdmund.Hehadeatenhisshareofthedinner,buthehadntreallyebecausehewasthinkingallthetimeaboutTurkishDelight-andtheresnothingthatspoilsthetasteofgoodordinaryfoodhalfsomuchasthememoryofbadmagicfood.Andhehadheardtheversation,andhadntemucheither,becausehekeptonthinkingthattheothersweretakingnonotiandtryingtogivehimthecoldshoulder.Theywerent,butheimagi.
AndthenhehadlisteilMrBeavertoldthemaboutAslananduntilhehadheardthewhementformeetingAslanattheStoable.Itwasthenthathebeganveryquietlytoedgehimselfuhecurtainwhigoverthedoor.Forthemention
ofAslangavehimamysteriousandhorriblefeelingjustasitgavetheothersamysteriousandlovelyfeeling.
JustasMrBeaverhadbeeingtherhymeaboutAdamsfleshandAdamsboneEdmundhadbeenveryquietlyturningthedoorhandle;andjustbeforeMrBeaverhadbeguntellihattheWhiteWitchwasntreallyhumanatallbuthalfaJinnandhalfagiantess,Edmundhadgotoutsideintothesnowandcautiouslyclosedthedoorbehindhim.
YoumustntthinkthatevennowEdmundwasquitesobadthatheactuallywantedhisbrotherandsisterstobeturostone.HedidwantTurkishDelightandtobeaPrindlateraKing)andtopayPeteroutforcallinghimabeast.AsforwhattheWitchwoulddowiththeothers,hedidntwaobeparticularlyhem-certainlynottoputthemonthesamelevelashimself;buthemaobelieve,ortopretendhebelieved,thatshewouldntdoanythingverybadtothem,"Because,"hesaidtohimself,"allthesepeoplewhosaynastythingsaboutherareherenemiesandprobablyhalfofitisnttrue.Shewasjollyome,anyway,muicerthantheyare.IexpectsheistherightfulQueenreally.Anyway,shellbebetterthanthatawfulAslan!"Atleast,thatwastheexcusehemadeinhisownmindforwhathewasdoing.Itwasntaverygoodexcuse,however,fordeepdowninsidehimhereallykhattheWhiteWitchwasbadandcruel.
Thefirstthingherealizedwheoutsideandfoundthesnowfallingallroundhim,wasthathehadlefthiscoatbehindintheBeavershouse.Andofcoursetherewasnoceofgoingbacktogetitnow.Thehingherealizedwasthatthedaylightwasalmostgone,forithadbeennearlythreeoclockwhedowntodinneraerdayswereshort.Hehadntreedonthis;buthehadtomakethebestofit.Soheturneduphiscollarandshuffledacrossthetopofthedam(luckilyitwasntsoslipperysihesnowhadfallen)tothefarsideoftheriver.
Itrettybadwhenhereachedthefarside.Itwasgrowingdarkereveryminuteandwhatwiththatandthesnowflakesswirlingallroundhimhecouldhardlyseethreefeetahead.Aootherewasnoroad.Hekeptslippingintodeepdriftsofsnow,andskiddingonfrozenpuddles,andtrippingoverfallerunks,andslidingdownsteepbanks,andbarkinghisshinsagainstrocks,tillhewaswetandcoldandbruisedallover.
Thesilehelonelinessweredreadful.InfactIreallythinkhemighthavegivenupthewholeplanandgonebadownedupandmadefriendswiththeothers,ifhehadnthappeosaytohimself,"WhenImKingofNarniathefirstthingIshalldowillbetomakesomedetroads."AndofcoursethatsethimoffthinkingaboutbeingaKingandalltheotherthingshewoulddoandthischeeredhimupagooddeal.Hehadjustsettledinhismindwhatsortofpalacehewouldhaveandhowmanycarsandallabouthisprivateemaaheprincipalrailwayswouldrunandwhatlawshewouldmakeagainstbeaversanddamsanduttingthefinishingtouchestosomeschemesforkeepierinhisplace,wheherged.Firstthesnowstopped.Thenawindsprangupanditbecamefreezingcold.Finally,thecloudsrolled
awayandthemoo.Itwasafullmoonand,shiningonallthatsnow,itmadeeverythingalmostasbrightasday-onlytheshadowswereratherfusing.
HewouldneverhavefoundhiswayifthemoonhadnteoutbythetimehegottotheotherriveryourememberhehadseeheyfirstarrivedattheBeavers)asmallerriverflowingintothegreatonelowerdown.Henowreachedthisandturofollowitup.Butthelittlevalleydownwhichitcamewasmuchsteeperandrockierthantheonehehadjustleftandmuchrownwithbushes,sothathecouldnothavemaatallinthedark.Evenasitwas,hegotwetthroughforhehadtostoopunderbranchesaloadsofsnowcameslidingoffontohisbadeverytimethishappehoughtmoreandmorehoeter-justasifallthishadbeeersfault.
Butatlasthecametoapartwhereitwasmorelevelandthevalleyope.Andthere,ohersideoftheriver,quiteclosetohim,inthemiddleofalittleplaiweentwohills,hesawwhatmustbetheWhiteWitchsHouse.AndthemoonwasshiningbrighterthaheHousewasreallyasmallcastle.Itseemedtobealltowers;littletowerswithlongpointedspiresonthem,sharpasneedles.Theylookedlikehugeduncescapsorsorcererscaps.Andtheyshohemoonlightandtheirlongshadowslookedstrahesnow.EdmuobeafraidoftheHouse.
Butitwastoolatetothinkbaow.
HecrossedtheriverontheidwalkeduptotheHouse.Therewasnothingstirring;nottheslightestsoundanywhere.Evenhisowmadenohedeepnewlyfallensnow.Hewalkedonandon,pasteraftereroftheHouse,andpastturretafterturrettofindthedoor.Hehadthtroundtothefarsidebeforehefoundit.Itwasahugearchbutthegreatirooodwideopen.
Edmuuptotheardlookediothecourtyard,andtherehesawasightthatnearlymadehisheartstopbeating.Justihegate,withthemoonlightshiningonit,stoodanenormouslioncrouchedasifitwasreadyt.AndEdmundstoodintheshadowofthearch,afraidtogoonandafraidtogoback,withhiskneesknogtogether.Hestoodtheresolongthathisteethwouldhavebeenchatteringwithcoldeveniftheyhadnotbeenchatteringwithfear.HowlongthisreallylastedIdontknow,butitseemedtoEdmundtolastforhours.
Thenatlasthebegantowonderwhythelionwasstandingsostill-forithadntmovedoneincehefirstseteyesonit.Edmunduredalittleillkeepingintheshadowofthearchasmuchashecould.Henowsawfromthewaythelionwasstandingthatitcouldnthavebeenlookingathimatall.("Butsupposingitturnsitshead?"thoughtEdmund.)Infactitwasstaringatsomethingelsenamelyalittle:dwarfwhostoodwithhisbacktoitaboutfourfeetaway."Aha!"thoughtEdmund."Whenitspringsatthedwarfthenwillbemycetoescape."Butstillthelionnevermoved,nordidthedwarf.AndnowatlastEdmundrememberedwhattheothershadsaidabouttheWhiteWitchturningpeopleintostone.Perhapsthiswasonlyastonelion.Andassoohoughtofthathenoticedthatthelionsbadthetopofitsheadwere
coveredwithsnow.Ofcourseitmustbeonlyastatue!Nolivinganimalwouldhaveletitselfgetcoveredwithsnow.Thenveryslowlyandwithhisheartbeatingasifitwouldburst,Edmuuredtogouptothelion.Evennowhehardlydaredtotouchit,butatlastheputouthishand,veryquickly,anddid.Itwascoldstone.Hehadbeenfrightenedofamerestatue!
ThereliefwhichEdmuwassogreatthatinspiteofthecoldhesuddenlygotwarmallhtdowntohistoes,andatthesametimetherecameintohisheadwhatseemedaperfectlylovelyidea."Probably,"hethought,"thisisthegreatLionAslanthattheywerealltalkingabout.Shescaughthimalreadyandturnedhimintostohatstheendofalltheirfineideasabouthim!Pooh!WhosafraidofAslan?”
Aoodtheregloatihestonelion,alyhedidsomethingverysillyandchildish.Hetookastumpofleadpenciloutofhispocketandscribbledamoustathelionsupperlipandthenapairofspectaclesonitseyes.Thenhesaid,"Yah!SillyoldAslan!Howdoyoulikebeingastone?Youthoughtyourselfmightyfine,didntyou?"Butinspiteofthescribblesonitthefaceofthegreatstostilllookedsoterrible,andsad,andaringupinthemoonlight,thatEdmunddidntreallygetanyfunoutofjeeringatit.Heturnedawayaocrossthecourtyard.
Ashegotintothemiddleofithesawthatthereweredozensofstatuesallabout-standinghereandthereratherasthepiecesstandonachess-boardwhenitishalf-waythroughthegame.Therewerestoyrs,andstonewolves,andbearsandfoxesandcat-amountainsofstoherewerelovelystoneshapesthatlookedlikewomenbutwhowerereallythespiritsoftrees.TherewasthegreatshapeofataurandawingedhorseandalonglithecreaturethatEdmundtooktobeadragon.Theyalllookedsestandingthereperfectlylife-likeandalsoperfectlystill,inthebrightoonlight,thatitwaseerieworkcrossingthecourtyard.Rightintheverymiddlestoodahugeshapelikeaman,butastallasatree,withafiercefadashaggybeardandagreatclubinitsrighthahoughhekhatitwasonlyastonegiantandnotaliveone,Edmunddidnotlikegoingpastit.
Henowsawthattherewasadimlightshowingfromadoorwayonthefarsideofthecourtyard.Hewenttoit;therewasaflightofstoepsgoinguptoanopendoor.
Edmuupthem.Acrossthethresholdlayagreatwolf.
"Itsallright,itsallright,"hekeptsayingtohimself;"itsonlyastonewolf.Itthurtme",andheraisedhislegtostepoverit.Instantlythehugecreaturerose,withallthehairbristlingalongitsback,openedagreat,redmouthandsaidinagrowlingvoice:"Whosthere?Whosthere?Standstill,stranger,andtellmewhoyouare.”
"Ifyouplease,sir,"saidEdmund,tremblingsothathecouldhardlyspeak,"mynameisEdmund,andImtheSonofAdamthatHerMajestymetinthewoodtheotherdayandIveetherthehatmybrotherandsistersarenowinNarnia-quiteclose,intheBeavershouse.She-shewaoseethem.”
"IwilltellHerMajesty,"saidtheWolf."Meanwhile,standstillohreshold,asyouvalueyourlife."Thenitvaothehouse.
Edmundstoodandwaited,hisfingersagwithcoldandhisheartpoundinginhischest,alythegreywolf,Maugrim,theChiefoftheWitchsSecretPolice,cameboundingbadsaid,"ein!ein!FortunatefavouriteoftheQueen-orelsenotsofortunate.”
AndEdmuin,takiottotreadontheWolfspaws.
Hefoundhimselfinalonggloomyhallwithmanypillars,full,asthecourtyardhadbeen,ofstatues.TheonehedoorwasalittlefaunwithaverysadexpressiononitsfadEdmundcouldnthelpwifthismightbeLucysfriend.TheonlylightcamefromasinglelampandclosebesidethissattheWhiteWitch.
"Ime,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,rushingeagerlyforward.
"Howdareyouealone?"saidtheWitaterriblevoice."DidInottellyouttheotherswithyou?”
"Please,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,"IvedoI.Ivebroughtthemquiteclose.TheyreilehouseontopofthedamjustuptheriverwithMrandMrsBeaver.”
AslowcruelsmilecameovertheWitchsface.
"Isthisallyournews?"sheasked.
"No,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,andproceededtotellherallhehadheardbeforeleavingtheBeavershouse.
"What!Aslan?"criedtheQueen,"Aslan!Isthistrue?IfIfindyouhaveliedtome-”
"Please,Imoingwhattheysaid,"stammeredEdmund.
ButtheQueen,whowasnoloendingtohim,clappedherhands.InstantlythesamedwarfwhomEdmundhadseenwithherbeforeappeared.
"Makereadyoursledge,"orderedtheWitch,"aheharnesswithoutbells.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读
AndthenhehadlisteilMrBeavertoldthemaboutAslananduntilhehadheardthewhementformeetingAslanattheStoable.Itwasthenthathebeganveryquietlytoedgehimselfuhecurtainwhigoverthedoor.Forthemention
ofAslangavehimamysteriousandhorriblefeelingjustasitgavetheothersamysteriousandlovelyfeeling.
JustasMrBeaverhadbeeingtherhymeaboutAdamsfleshandAdamsboneEdmundhadbeenveryquietlyturningthedoorhandle;andjustbeforeMrBeaverhadbeguntellihattheWhiteWitchwasntreallyhumanatallbuthalfaJinnandhalfagiantess,Edmundhadgotoutsideintothesnowandcautiouslyclosedthedoorbehindhim.
YoumustntthinkthatevennowEdmundwasquitesobadthatheactuallywantedhisbrotherandsisterstobeturostone.HedidwantTurkishDelightandtobeaPrindlateraKing)andtopayPeteroutforcallinghimabeast.AsforwhattheWitchwoulddowiththeothers,hedidntwaobeparticularlyhem-certainlynottoputthemonthesamelevelashimself;buthemaobelieve,ortopretendhebelieved,thatshewouldntdoanythingverybadtothem,"Because,"hesaidtohimself,"allthesepeoplewhosaynastythingsaboutherareherenemiesandprobablyhalfofitisnttrue.Shewasjollyome,anyway,muicerthantheyare.IexpectsheistherightfulQueenreally.Anyway,shellbebetterthanthatawfulAslan!"Atleast,thatwastheexcusehemadeinhisownmindforwhathewasdoing.Itwasntaverygoodexcuse,however,fordeepdowninsidehimhereallykhattheWhiteWitchwasbadandcruel.
Thefirstthingherealizedwheoutsideandfoundthesnowfallingallroundhim,wasthathehadlefthiscoatbehindintheBeavershouse.Andofcoursetherewasnoceofgoingbacktogetitnow.Thehingherealizedwasthatthedaylightwasalmostgone,forithadbeennearlythreeoclockwhedowntodinneraerdayswereshort.Hehadntreedonthis;buthehadtomakethebestofit.Soheturneduphiscollarandshuffledacrossthetopofthedam(luckilyitwasntsoslipperysihesnowhadfallen)tothefarsideoftheriver.
Itrettybadwhenhereachedthefarside.Itwasgrowingdarkereveryminuteandwhatwiththatandthesnowflakesswirlingallroundhimhecouldhardlyseethreefeetahead.Aootherewasnoroad.Hekeptslippingintodeepdriftsofsnow,andskiddingonfrozenpuddles,andtrippingoverfallerunks,andslidingdownsteepbanks,andbarkinghisshinsagainstrocks,tillhewaswetandcoldandbruisedallover.
Thesilehelonelinessweredreadful.InfactIreallythinkhemighthavegivenupthewholeplanandgonebadownedupandmadefriendswiththeothers,ifhehadnthappeosaytohimself,"WhenImKingofNarniathefirstthingIshalldowillbetomakesomedetroads."AndofcoursethatsethimoffthinkingaboutbeingaKingandalltheotherthingshewoulddoandthischeeredhimupagooddeal.Hehadjustsettledinhismindwhatsortofpalacehewouldhaveandhowmanycarsandallabouthisprivateemaaheprincipalrailwayswouldrunandwhatlawshewouldmakeagainstbeaversanddamsanduttingthefinishingtouchestosomeschemesforkeepierinhisplace,wheherged.Firstthesnowstopped.Thenawindsprangupanditbecamefreezingcold.Finally,thecloudsrolled
awayandthemoo.Itwasafullmoonand,shiningonallthatsnow,itmadeeverythingalmostasbrightasday-onlytheshadowswereratherfusing.
HewouldneverhavefoundhiswayifthemoonhadnteoutbythetimehegottotheotherriveryourememberhehadseeheyfirstarrivedattheBeavers)asmallerriverflowingintothegreatonelowerdown.Henowreachedthisandturofollowitup.Butthelittlevalleydownwhichitcamewasmuchsteeperandrockierthantheonehehadjustleftandmuchrownwithbushes,sothathecouldnothavemaatallinthedark.Evenasitwas,hegotwetthroughforhehadtostoopunderbranchesaloadsofsnowcameslidingoffontohisbadeverytimethishappehoughtmoreandmorehoeter-justasifallthishadbeeersfault.
Butatlasthecametoapartwhereitwasmorelevelandthevalleyope.Andthere,ohersideoftheriver,quiteclosetohim,inthemiddleofalittleplaiweentwohills,hesawwhatmustbetheWhiteWitchsHouse.AndthemoonwasshiningbrighterthaheHousewasreallyasmallcastle.Itseemedtobealltowers;littletowerswithlongpointedspiresonthem,sharpasneedles.Theylookedlikehugeduncescapsorsorcererscaps.Andtheyshohemoonlightandtheirlongshadowslookedstrahesnow.EdmuobeafraidoftheHouse.
Butitwastoolatetothinkbaow.
HecrossedtheriverontheidwalkeduptotheHouse.Therewasnothingstirring;nottheslightestsoundanywhere.Evenhisowmadenohedeepnewlyfallensnow.Hewalkedonandon,pasteraftereroftheHouse,andpastturretafterturrettofindthedoor.Hehadthtroundtothefarsidebeforehefoundit.Itwasahugearchbutthegreatirooodwideopen.
Edmuuptotheardlookediothecourtyard,andtherehesawasightthatnearlymadehisheartstopbeating.Justihegate,withthemoonlightshiningonit,stoodanenormouslioncrouchedasifitwasreadyt.AndEdmundstoodintheshadowofthearch,afraidtogoonandafraidtogoback,withhiskneesknogtogether.Hestoodtheresolongthathisteethwouldhavebeenchatteringwithcoldeveniftheyhadnotbeenchatteringwithfear.HowlongthisreallylastedIdontknow,butitseemedtoEdmundtolastforhours.
Thenatlasthebegantowonderwhythelionwasstandingsostill-forithadntmovedoneincehefirstseteyesonit.Edmunduredalittleillkeepingintheshadowofthearchasmuchashecould.Henowsawfromthewaythelionwasstandingthatitcouldnthavebeenlookingathimatall.("Butsupposingitturnsitshead?"thoughtEdmund.)Infactitwasstaringatsomethingelsenamelyalittle:dwarfwhostoodwithhisbacktoitaboutfourfeetaway."Aha!"thoughtEdmund."Whenitspringsatthedwarfthenwillbemycetoescape."Butstillthelionnevermoved,nordidthedwarf.AndnowatlastEdmundrememberedwhattheothershadsaidabouttheWhiteWitchturningpeopleintostone.Perhapsthiswasonlyastonelion.Andassoohoughtofthathenoticedthatthelionsbadthetopofitsheadwere
coveredwithsnow.Ofcourseitmustbeonlyastatue!Nolivinganimalwouldhaveletitselfgetcoveredwithsnow.Thenveryslowlyandwithhisheartbeatingasifitwouldburst,Edmuuredtogouptothelion.Evennowhehardlydaredtotouchit,butatlastheputouthishand,veryquickly,anddid.Itwascoldstone.Hehadbeenfrightenedofamerestatue!
ThereliefwhichEdmuwassogreatthatinspiteofthecoldhesuddenlygotwarmallhtdowntohistoes,andatthesametimetherecameintohisheadwhatseemedaperfectlylovelyidea."Probably,"hethought,"thisisthegreatLionAslanthattheywerealltalkingabout.Shescaughthimalreadyandturnedhimintostohatstheendofalltheirfineideasabouthim!Pooh!WhosafraidofAslan?”
Aoodtheregloatihestonelion,alyhedidsomethingverysillyandchildish.Hetookastumpofleadpenciloutofhispocketandscribbledamoustathelionsupperlipandthenapairofspectaclesonitseyes.Thenhesaid,"Yah!SillyoldAslan!Howdoyoulikebeingastone?Youthoughtyourselfmightyfine,didntyou?"Butinspiteofthescribblesonitthefaceofthegreatstostilllookedsoterrible,andsad,andaringupinthemoonlight,thatEdmunddidntreallygetanyfunoutofjeeringatit.Heturnedawayaocrossthecourtyard.
Ashegotintothemiddleofithesawthatthereweredozensofstatuesallabout-standinghereandthereratherasthepiecesstandonachess-boardwhenitishalf-waythroughthegame.Therewerestoyrs,andstonewolves,andbearsandfoxesandcat-amountainsofstoherewerelovelystoneshapesthatlookedlikewomenbutwhowerereallythespiritsoftrees.TherewasthegreatshapeofataurandawingedhorseandalonglithecreaturethatEdmundtooktobeadragon.Theyalllookedsestandingthereperfectlylife-likeandalsoperfectlystill,inthebrightoonlight,thatitwaseerieworkcrossingthecourtyard.Rightintheverymiddlestoodahugeshapelikeaman,butastallasatree,withafiercefadashaggybeardandagreatclubinitsrighthahoughhekhatitwasonlyastonegiantandnotaliveone,Edmunddidnotlikegoingpastit.
Henowsawthattherewasadimlightshowingfromadoorwayonthefarsideofthecourtyard.Hewenttoit;therewasaflightofstoepsgoinguptoanopendoor.
Edmuupthem.Acrossthethresholdlayagreatwolf.
"Itsallright,itsallright,"hekeptsayingtohimself;"itsonlyastonewolf.Itthurtme",andheraisedhislegtostepoverit.Instantlythehugecreaturerose,withallthehairbristlingalongitsback,openedagreat,redmouthandsaidinagrowlingvoice:"Whosthere?Whosthere?Standstill,stranger,andtellmewhoyouare.”
"Ifyouplease,sir,"saidEdmund,tremblingsothathecouldhardlyspeak,"mynameisEdmund,andImtheSonofAdamthatHerMajestymetinthewoodtheotherdayandIveetherthehatmybrotherandsistersarenowinNarnia-quiteclose,intheBeavershouse.She-shewaoseethem.”
"IwilltellHerMajesty,"saidtheWolf."Meanwhile,standstillohreshold,asyouvalueyourlife."Thenitvaothehouse.
Edmundstoodandwaited,hisfingersagwithcoldandhisheartpoundinginhischest,alythegreywolf,Maugrim,theChiefoftheWitchsSecretPolice,cameboundingbadsaid,"ein!ein!FortunatefavouriteoftheQueen-orelsenotsofortunate.”
AndEdmuin,takiottotreadontheWolfspaws.
Hefoundhimselfinalonggloomyhallwithmanypillars,full,asthecourtyardhadbeen,ofstatues.TheonehedoorwasalittlefaunwithaverysadexpressiononitsfadEdmundcouldnthelpwifthismightbeLucysfriend.TheonlylightcamefromasinglelampandclosebesidethissattheWhiteWitch.
"Ime,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,rushingeagerlyforward.
"Howdareyouealone?"saidtheWitaterriblevoice."DidInottellyouttheotherswithyou?”
"Please,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,"IvedoI.Ivebroughtthemquiteclose.TheyreilehouseontopofthedamjustuptheriverwithMrandMrsBeaver.”
AslowcruelsmilecameovertheWitchsface.
"Isthisallyournews?"sheasked.
"No,yourMajesty,"saidEdmund,andproceededtotellherallhehadheardbeforeleavingtheBeavershouse.
"What!Aslan?"criedtheQueen,"Aslan!Isthistrue?IfIfindyouhaveliedtome-”
"Please,Imoingwhattheysaid,"stammeredEdmund.
ButtheQueen,whowasnoloendingtohim,clappedherhands.InstantlythesamedwarfwhomEdmundhadseenwithherbeforeappeared.
"Makereadyoursledge,"orderedtheWitch,"aheharnesswithoutbells.”松语文学www.16sy.coM免费小说阅读