“I know,” said Peter. “The question is, are we to go to it or not? What do you think, Lu?”
“I think it’s a nice beaver,” said Lucy.
“Yes, but how do we know?” said Edmund.
“Shan‘t we have to risk it?” said Susan. “I mean, it’s no good just standing here and I feel I want some dinner.”
At this moment the Beaver again popped its head out from behind the tree and beckoned earnestly to them.
“Come on,” said Peter,“let‘s give it a try. All keep close together. We ought to be a match for one beaver if it turns out to be an enemy.”
So the children all got close together and walked up to the tree and in behind it, and there, sure enough, they found the Beaver; but it still drew back, saying to them in a hoarse throaty whisper, “Further in, come further in. Right in here. We’re not safe in the open!” Only when it had led them into a dark spot where four trees grew so close together that their boughs met and the brown earth and pine needles could be seen underfoot because no snow had been able to fall there, did it begin to talk to them.
“Are you the Sons of Adam and the Daughters of Eve?” itsaid.
“We‘re some of them,” said Peter.
“S.s.s.sh!” said the Beaver, “not so loud, please. We’re not safe even here.”