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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)

The_Complete_Chronicles_of_Narnia_(volumes_1-7,_in_order_of_publication)

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"Andrew," said Aunt Letty, look<strong>in</strong>g him straight <strong>in</strong> the face, "I wonder you are not<br />

ashamed to ask me for money."<br />

<strong>The</strong>re was a long, dull story <strong>of</strong> a grown-up k<strong>in</strong>d beh<strong>in</strong>d these words. All you need to<br />

know about it is that Uncle Andrew, what with "manag<strong>in</strong>g dear Letty's bus<strong>in</strong>ess matters<br />

for her", and never do<strong>in</strong>g any work, and runn<strong>in</strong>g up large bills for brandy and cigars<br />

(which Aunt Letty had paid aga<strong>in</strong> and aga<strong>in</strong>) had made her a good deal poorer than she<br />

had been thirty years ago.<br />

"My dear gel," said Uncle Andrew, "you don't understand. I shall have some quite<br />

unexpected expenses today. I have to do a little enterta<strong>in</strong><strong>in</strong>g. Come now, don't be<br />

tiresome."<br />

"And who, pray, are you go<strong>in</strong>g to enterta<strong>in</strong>, Andrew?" asked Aunt Letty.<br />

"A - a most dist<strong>in</strong>guished visitor has just arrived."<br />

"Dist<strong>in</strong>guished fiddlestick!" said Aunt Letty. "<strong>The</strong>re hasn't been a r<strong>in</strong>g at the hell for the<br />

last hour."<br />

At that moment the door was suddenly flung open. Aunt Letty looked round and saw with<br />

amazement that an enormous woman, splendidly dressed, with bare arms and flash<strong>in</strong>g<br />

eyes, stood <strong>in</strong> the doorway. It was the Witch.<br />

CHAPTER SEVEN<br />

WHAT HAPPENED AT THE FRONT DOOR<br />

"Now; slave, how long am I to wait for my chariot?" thundered the Witch. Uncle Andrew<br />

cowered away from her. Now that she was really present, all the silly thoughts he had had<br />

while look<strong>in</strong>g at himself <strong>in</strong> the glass were ooz<strong>in</strong>g out <strong>of</strong> him. But Aunt Letty at once got<br />

up from her knees and came over to the centre <strong>of</strong> the room.<br />

"And who is this young person, Andrew, may I ask?" said Aunt Letty <strong>in</strong> icy tones.<br />

"Dist<strong>in</strong>guished foreigner - v-very important p-person," he stammered.<br />

"Rubbish!" said Aunt Letty, and then, turn<strong>in</strong>g to the Witch, "Get out <strong>of</strong> my house this<br />

moment, you shameless hussy, or I'll send for the police." She thought the Witch must be<br />

someone out <strong>of</strong> a circus and she did not approve <strong>of</strong> bare arms.<br />

"What woman is this?" said Jadis. "Down on your knees, m<strong>in</strong>ion, before I blast you."<br />

"No strong language <strong>in</strong> this house if you please, young woman," said Aunt Letty.

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