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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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soon get <strong>in</strong>to it, if you keep your eyes on me. <strong>The</strong>y th<strong>in</strong>k I'm a funny fellow already, you<br />

see. I dare say you two thought I was a trifle tipsy last night, but I do assure you it was -<br />

well, most <strong>of</strong> it was - put on. I had an idea it would come <strong>in</strong> useful, somehow."<br />

<strong>The</strong> children, when they talked over their adventures afterwards, could never feel sure<br />

whether this last statement was quite strictly true; but they were sure that Puddleglum<br />

thought it was true when he made it.<br />

"All right. Gay's the word," said Scrubb. "Now, if we could only get someone to open<br />

this door. While we're fool<strong>in</strong>g about and be<strong>in</strong>g gay, we've got to f<strong>in</strong>d out all we can about<br />

this castle."<br />

Luckily, at that very moment the door opened, and the giant Nurse bustled <strong>in</strong> say<strong>in</strong>g,<br />

"Now, my poppets. Like to come and see the K<strong>in</strong>g and all the court sett<strong>in</strong>g out on the<br />

hunt<strong>in</strong>g? Such a pretty sight!"<br />

<strong>The</strong>y lost no time <strong>in</strong> rush<strong>in</strong>g out past her and climb<strong>in</strong>g down the first staircase they came<br />

to. <strong>The</strong> noise <strong>of</strong> hounds and horns and giant voices guided them, so that <strong>in</strong> a few m<strong>in</strong>utes<br />

they reached the courtyard. <strong>The</strong> giants were all on foot, for there are no giant horses <strong>in</strong><br />

that part <strong>of</strong> the world, and the giants' hunt<strong>in</strong>g is done on foot; like beagl<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> England.<br />

<strong>The</strong> hounds were also <strong>of</strong> normal size. When Jill saw that there were no horses she was at<br />

first dreadfully disappo<strong>in</strong>ted, for she felt sure that the great fat Queen would never go<br />

after hounds on foot; and it would never do to have her about the house all day. But then<br />

she saw the Queen <strong>in</strong> a k<strong>in</strong>d <strong>of</strong> litter supported on the shoulders <strong>of</strong> six young giants. <strong>The</strong><br />

silly old creature was all got up <strong>in</strong> green and had a horn at her side.<br />

Twenty or thirty giants, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g the K<strong>in</strong>g, were assembled, ready for the sport, all<br />

talk<strong>in</strong>g and laugh<strong>in</strong>g fit to deafen you: and down below, nearer Jill's level, there were<br />

wagg<strong>in</strong>g tails, and bark<strong>in</strong>g, and loose, slobbery mouths and noses <strong>of</strong> dogs thrust <strong>in</strong>to your<br />

hand. Puddleglum was just beg<strong>in</strong>n<strong>in</strong>g to strike what he thought a gay and gamesome<br />

attitude (which might have spoiled everyth<strong>in</strong>g if it had been noticed) when Jill put on her<br />

most attractively childish smile, rushed across to the Queen's litter and shouted up to the<br />

Queen.<br />

"Oh, please! You're not go<strong>in</strong>g away, are you? You will come back?"<br />

"Yes, my dear," said the Queen. "I'll be back tonight."<br />

"Oh, good. How lovely!" said Jill. "And we may come to the feast tomorrow night,<br />

mayn't we? We're so long<strong>in</strong>g for tomorrow night! And we do love be<strong>in</strong>g here. And while<br />

you're out, we may run over the whole castle and see everyth<strong>in</strong>g, mayn't we? Do say<br />

yes."<br />

<strong>The</strong> Queen did say yes, but the laughter <strong>of</strong> all the courtiers nearly drowned her voice.

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