While Edmund and Peter are whispering, the girls cry out because
they robin is out of sight now. Something is moving in the trees. Lucy is nervous. Peter comments that whatever it is, it
is dodging them and doesn't want to be seen. Susan suggests they go home but just as soon realize that they are LOST.
They see the animal's whiskered furry face signaling them to be quiet. Then it
comes out and approaches them as though in fear of someone watching, motions them to join him, then disappears
once more. Peter states it is a beaver.
They discuss following the beaver despite Edmund voicing his doubts and concerns.
The beaver beckons again. The children decide the potentially dangerous beaver is not a match for four children. They
follow and he instructs them to come "further in" and to be weary of the trees, which could be listening, though most are
on their side. Some of them would betray them to Jadis, the White Witch, Queen of Narnia.
Edmund questions the beaver as to which side he is on. The beaver then displays
the white handkerchief Lucy had previously given to Mr. Tumnus. When Mr. Tumnus heard he was going to be arrested, he gave
the handkerchief to the beaver to show as a sign to the children that he was on the right side.
The beaver gathers the children around and says, "Aslan is on the move, perhaps
already landed."
Upon hearing this unfamiliar name and news, Edmund feels horror, while everyone
else feels just great.
The beaver invites them to dinner at his place, so he
can talk with them more. For over an hour he led them through the wood. Finally
they arrive at his dam and beehive-shaped house. Beyond the house Edmund notices two hills in the distance. He assumes the
Queen's palace lies just behind the hills. He thinks vainly of Turkish Delight, being King, and how Peter would react to that.
They meet Mrs. Beaver. He says to her that he has found "the Sons of Adam" and
"the Daughters Eve."
They have a nice dinner of fish [caught by Peter and Mr. Beaver]. Susan helps with
potatoes. Mrs. Beaver is happy that the newly fallen snow will cover any tracks recently left in the snow.
