“Of course，” said Uncle Andrew， with his hateful smile. “Very well. I‘ll go. But there’s one thing I jolly well meanto say first. I didn‘t believe in Magic till today. I see now it’s real. Well， if it is， I suppose all the old fairy tales are more or less true. And you‘re simply a wicked， cruel magician like the ones in the stories. Well， I’ve never read a story in which people of that sort weren‘t paid out in the end， and Ibet you will be. And serve you right.”
Of all the things Digory had said this was the first that really went home. Uncle Andrew started and there came over his face a look of such horror that， beast though he was， you could almost feel sorry for him. But a second later he smoothed it all away and said with a rather forced laugh，“Well， well， I suppose that is a natural thing for a child to think.brought up among women， as you have been. Old wives’ tales， eh？ I don‘t think you need worry about my danger， Digory. Wouldn’t it be better to worry about the danger of your little friend？ She‘s been gone some time. If there are any dangers Over There.well， it would be a pity to arrive a moment too late.”
“A lot you care，” said Digory fiercely. “But I’m sick of thisjaw. What have I got to do？”