"I've come at last," said he. "She has kept me out for a long time, but I have got in at last. Aslan is on the move. The Witch's magic is weakening."
And Lucy felt running through her that deep shiver (颤抖) of gladness which you only get if you are being solemn and still.
"And now," said Father Christmas, "for your presents (礼物). There is a new and better sewing machine for you, Mrs. Beaver. I will drop it in your house as, I pass."
"If you please, sir," said Mrs. Beaver, making a curtsey (屈膝礼). "It's locked up."
"Locks and bolts (门闩) make no difference to me," said Father Christmas. "And as for you, Mr. Beaver, when you get home you will find your dam finished and mended (修理) and all the leaks stopped and a new sluicegate fitted (水闸门)."
Mr. Beaver was so pleased that he opened his mouth very wide and then found he couldn't say anything at all.
"Peter, Adam's Son," said Father Christmas.
"Here, sir," said Peter.
"These are your presents," was the answer, "and they are tools not toys. The time to use them is perhaps near at hand. Bear them well." With these words he handed to Peter a shield (盾牌) and a sword (剑).
The shield was the colour of silver (银色) and across it there ramped a red lion, as bright as a ripe (成熟的) strawberry at the moment when you pick it. The hilt (柄) of the sword was of gold and it had a sheath (鞘) and a sword belt and everything it needed, and it was just the right size and weight for Peter to use.
Peter was silent and solemn as he received these gifts, for he felt they were a very serious kind of present.
"Susan, Eve's Daughter," said Father Christmas. "These are for you," and he handed her a bow and a quiver full of arrows and a little ivory horn. "You must use the bow only in great need," he said, "for I do not mean you to fight in the battle.
It does not easily miss. And when you put this horn to your lips; and blow it, then, wherever you are, I think help of some kind will come to you." {1}
Last of all he said, "Lucy, Eve's Daughter," and Lucy came forward. He gave her a little bottle of what looked like glass (but people said afterwards that it was made of diamond) and a small dagger (匕首).
"In this bottle," he said, "there is cordial made of the juice of one of the fireflowers that grow in the mountains of the sun. If you or any of your friends is hurt, a few drops of this restore (恢复) them. And the dagger is to defend yourself at great need. For you also are not to be in battle."
"Why, sir?" said Lucy. "I think - I don't know but I think I could be brave enough."
"That is not the point," he said. "But battles are ugly when women fight. And now" - here he suddenly looked less grave - "here is something for the moment for you all!" and he brought out (I suppose from the big bag at his back, but nobody quite saw him do it) a large tray (托盘) containing five cups and saucers (浅碟), a bowl of lump sugar, a jug of cream, and a great big teapot all sizzling and piping hot.
Then he cried out "Merry Christmas! Long live the true King!" and cracked his whip, and he and the reindeer and the sledge and all were out of sight before anyone realized that they had started. {2}
Peter had just drawn his sword out of its sheath and was showing it to Mr. Beaver, when Mrs. Beaver said:
"Now then, now then! Don't stand talking there till the tea's got cold. Just like men. Come and help to carry the tray down and we'll have breakfast. What a mercy (幸运) I thought of bringing the bread-knife."
So down the steep bank they went and back to the cave, and Mr. Beaver cut some of the bread and ham into sandwiches and Mrs. Beaver poured out the tea and everyone enjoyed themselves.
But long before they had finished enjoying themselves Mr. Beaver said, "Time to be moving on now."
Edmund meanwhile had been having a most disappointing time. When the dwarf had gone to get the sledge ready he expected that the Witch would start being nice to him, as she had been at their last meeting.
But she said nothing at all. And when at last Edmund plucked up his courage to say, "Please, your Majesty, could I have some Turkish Delight? You - you - said -" she answered, "silence, fool!"
Then she appeared to change her mind and said, as if to herself, a "And yet it will not do to have the brat (小孩) fainting (昏倒) on the way," and once more clapped her hands. Another, dwarf appeared.
"Bring the human creature food and drink," she said.
The dwarf went away and presently returned bringing an iron bowl with some water in it and an iron plate with a hunk (块) of dry bread on it. He grinned (露齿笑) in a repulsive (令人厌恶的) manner as he set them down on the floor beside Edmund and said:
"Turkish Delight for the little Prince. Ha! Ha! Ha!"
"Take it away," said Edmund sulkily (闷闷不乐地). "I don't want dry bread." But the Witch suddenly turned on him with such a terrible expression on her face that he, apologized and began to nibble (啃) at the bread, though, it was so stale (不新鲜的) he could hardly get it down.
"You may be glad enough of it before you taste bread again," said the Witch.
While he was still chewing away (咀嚼) the first dwarf came back and announced (宣布) that the sledge was ready. The White Witch rose and went out, ordering Edmund to go with her. {3}
The snow was again falling as they came into the courtyard, but she took no notice of that and made Edmund sit beside her on the sledge. But before they drove off she called Maugrim and he came bounding like an enormous dog to the side of the sledge.
