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The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"I am confounded," said Reepicheep to Aslan. "I am completely out <strong>of</strong> countenance. I<br />

must crave your <strong>in</strong>dulgence for appear<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> this unseemly fashion."<br />

"It becomes you very well, Small One," said Aslan.<br />

"All the same," replied Reepicheep, "if anyth<strong>in</strong>g could be done... Perhaps her Majesty?"<br />

and here he bowed to Lucy.<br />

"But what do you want with a tail?" asked Aslan.<br />

"Sir," said the Mouse, "I can eat and sleep and die for my K<strong>in</strong>g without one. But a tail is<br />

the honour and glory <strong>of</strong> a Mouse."<br />

"I have sometimes wondered, friend," said Aslan, "whether you do not th<strong>in</strong>k too much<br />

about your honour."<br />

"Highest <strong>of</strong> all High K<strong>in</strong>gs," said Reepicheep, "permit me to rem<strong>in</strong>d you that a very small<br />

size has been bestowed on us Mice, and if we did not guard our dignity, some (who<br />

weigh worth by <strong>in</strong>ches) would allow themselves very unsuitable pleasantries at our<br />

expense. That is why I have been at some pa<strong>in</strong>s to make it known that no one who does<br />

not wish to feel this sword as near his heart as I can reach shall talk <strong>in</strong> my presence about<br />

Traps or Toasted Cheese or Candles: no, Sir - not the tallest fool <strong>in</strong> <strong>Narnia</strong>!" Here he<br />

glared very fiercely up at Wimbleweather, but the Giant, who was always a stage beh<strong>in</strong>d<br />

everyone else, had not yet discovered what was be<strong>in</strong>g talked about down at his feet, and<br />

so missed the po<strong>in</strong>t.<br />

"Why have your followers all drawn their swords, may I ask?" said Aslan.<br />

"May it please your High Majesty," said the second Mouse, whose name was Peepiceek,<br />

"we are all wait<strong>in</strong>g to cut <strong>of</strong>f our own tails if our Chief must go without his. We will not<br />

bear the shame <strong>of</strong> wear<strong>in</strong>g an honour which is denied to the High Mouse."<br />

"Ah!" roared Aslan. "You have conquered me. You have great hearts. Not for the sake <strong>of</strong><br />

your dignity, Reepicheep, but for the love that is between you and your people, and still<br />

more for the k<strong>in</strong>dness your people showed me long ago when you ate away the cords that<br />

bound me on the Stone Table (and it was then, though you have long forgotten it, that<br />

you began to be Talk<strong>in</strong>g Mice), you shall have your tail aga<strong>in</strong>."<br />

Before Aslan had f<strong>in</strong>ished speak<strong>in</strong>g the new tail was <strong>in</strong> its place. <strong>The</strong>n, at Aslan's<br />

command, Peter bestowed the Knighthood <strong>of</strong> the Order <strong>of</strong> the Lion on Caspian, and<br />

Caspian, as soon as he was knighted, himself bestowed it on Trufflehunter and Trumpk<strong>in</strong><br />

and Reepicheep, and made Doctor Cornelius his Lord Chancellor, and confirmed the<br />

Bulgy Bear <strong>in</strong> his hereditary <strong>of</strong>fice <strong>of</strong> Marshal <strong>of</strong> the Lists. And there was great applause.

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