, notsee, Jill'seffortstogetontotheMarsh-wiggle', theyheardhimsaying, “Youneedn'tputyourfingerinmyeye, ” and, “Noryourfootinmymoutheither, ” and, “That'smorelikeit, ” and, “Now, I''llleaveyourarmsfreetosteadyyourselfagainsttheearth.”
ThentheylookedupandsoontheysawtheblackshapeofJill'sheadagainstthepatchoflight.
“Well? ” theyallshoutedupanxiously.
“It'sahole, ” calledJill'svoice.“IcouldgetthroughitifIwasalittlebithigher.”
“Whatdoyouseethroughit? ” askedEustace.
“Nothingmuchyet, ” saidJill.“Isay, Puddleglum, .”
Theycouldhearhermovingandthenmuchmoreofhercameintosightagainstthegraynessoftheopening; infactallofherdowntothewaist.
“Isay—” beganJill, butsuddenlybrokeoffwithacry: , buttheycouldn'; andtheyheardbothascuffling, strugglingsoundandthevoiceoftheMarsh-wigglegasping:“Quick! Help! Holdontoherlegs.
Someone'! No, ! ”
Theopening, andthecoldlightwhichfilledit, .
“Jill! Jill! ” theyshoutedfrantically, buttherewasnoanswer.
“Whythedickenscouldn'tyouhaveheldherfeet? ” saidEustace.
“Idon'tknow, Scrubb, ” groanedPuddleglum.“Borntobeamisfit, Ishouldn''sdeath, 'tmyownfaultaswell, ofcourse.”
“Thisisthegreatestshameandsorrowthatcouldhavefallenonus, ” saidthePrince.“Wehavesentabraveladyintothehandsofenemiesandstayedbehindinsafety.”
“Don'tpaintittooblack, Sir, ” saidPuddleglum.“We'renotverysafeexceptfordeathbystarvationinthishole.”
“IwonderamIsmallenoughtogetthroughwhereJilldid? ” saidEustace.
, 'tatfirsttakeinwhattheywereseeing:exceptthatshewasnotlookingatthedaylit, , .
