, asifsatisfiedwithitswork, itturnedandstalkedslowlyaway, backintotheforest.
“Itmustbeadream, itmust, itmust, ” saidJilltoherself.“I'llwakeupinamoment.” Butitwasn't, andshedidn't.
“Idowishwe'dnevercometothisdreadfulplace, ” saidJill.“Idon', ''dleftmealoneweshouldbothbeallright.” ThensherememberedagainthescreamthatScrubbhadgivenwhenhefell, andburstintotears.
, , , , persistentsound, , andfeltalmostsureitwasthesoundofrunningwater.
; , , , stealingcautiouslyfromtreetotree, andstoppingtopeerroundherateverystep.
, soonerthansheexpected, shecametoanopengladeandsawthestream, brightasglass, runningacrosstheturfastone', shedidn',
; justonthissideofthestreamlaythelion.
Itlaywithitsheadraisedanditstwofore-pawsoutinfrontofit, , foritseyeslookedstraightintohersforamomentandthenturnedaway—asifitknewherquitewellanddidn'tthinkmuchofher.
“IfIrunaway, it'llbeaftermeinamoment, ” thoughtJill.“AndifIgoon, Ishallrunstraightintoitsmouth.” Anyway, shecouldn'thavemovedifshehadtried, andshecouldn', shecouldnotbesure; .
“Ifyou'rethirsty, youmaydrink.”
, , “Ifyouarethirsty, comeanddrink, ” andofcoursesherememberedwhatScrubbhadsaidaboutanimalstalkinginthatotherworld, , shehadseenitslipsmovethistime, andthevoicewasnotlikeaman', wilder, andstronger; asortofheavy, , butitmadeherfrightenedinratheradifferentway.
“Areyounotthirsty? ” saidtheLion.
“I'mdyingofthirst, ” saidJill.
“Thendrink, ” saidtheLion.
“MayI—couldI—wouldyoumindgoingawaywhileIdo? ” saidJill.
