“Speak， vermin！” she said again. “Or do you want my dwarf to find you a tongue with his whip？ What is the meaning of all this gluttony， this waste， this self.indulgence？ Where did you get all these things？”
“Please， your Majesty，” said the Fox， “we were given them. And if I might make so bold as to drink your Majesty’s very good health.”
“Who gave them to you？” said the Witch.
“F.F.F.Father Christmas，” stammered the Fox.
“What？” roared the Witch， springing from the sledge andtaking a few strides nearer to the terrified animals. “He has not been here！ He cannot have been here！ How dare you. but no. Say you have been lying and you shall even now be forgiven.”
At that moment one of the young squirrels lost its head completely.
“He has.he has.he has！” it squeaked， beating its little spoon on the table.
Edmund saw the Witch bite her lips so that a drop of blood appeared on her white cheek. Then she raised her wand.
