The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

trying to keep his head on by them and writhing to and fro as if he had a pain in his
inside.
"Don't speak to me, don't speak to me," said Tumnus. "I'm thinking. I'm thinking so that I
can hardly breathe. Wait, wait, do wait."
There was a moment's puzzled silence and then the Faun looked up, drew a long breath,
mopped its forehead and said:
"The only difficulty is how to get down to our ship-with some stores, too-without being
seen and stopped."
"Yes," said a Dwarf dryly. "Just as the beggar's only difficulty about riding is that he has
no horse."
"Wait, wait," said Mr Tumnus impatiently. "All we need is some pretext for going down
to our ship today and taking stuff on board."
"Yes," said King Edmund doubtfully.
"Well, then," said the Faun, "how would it be if your majesties bade the Prince to a great
banquet to be held on board our own galleon, the Spendour Hyaline, tomorrow night?
And let the message be worded as graciously as the Queen can contrive without pledging
her honour: so as to give the Prince a hope that she is weakening."
"This is very good counsel, Sire," croaked the Raven.
"And then," continued Tumnus excitedly, "everyone will expect us to be going down to
the ship all day, making preparations for our guests. And let some of us go to the bazaars
and spend every minim we have at the fruiterers and the sweetmeat sellers and the wine
merchants, just as we would if we were really giving a feast. And let us order magicians
and jugglers and dancing girls and flute players, all to be on board tomorrow night."
"I see, I see," said King Edmund, rubbing his hands.
"And then," said Tumnus, "we'll all be on board tonight. And as soon as it is quite dark-"
"Up sails and out oars-!" said the King.
"And so to sea," cried Tumnus, leaping up and beginning to dance.
"And our nose Northward," said the first Dwarf.
"Running for home! Hurrah for Narnia and the North!" said the other.