“That‘s the worst of it，” said Mr Tumnus with a deep groan. “I’m a kidnapper for her， that‘s what I am. Look at me， Daughter of Eve. Would you believe that I’m the sort of Faun to meet a poor innocent child in the wood， one that had never done me any harm， and pretend to be friendly with it， and invite it home to my cave， all for the sake of lulling it asleep and then handing it over to the White Witch？”
“No，” said Lucy. “I‘m sure you wouldn’t do anything of the sort.”
“But I have，” said the Faun.
“Well，” said Lucy rather slowly （for she wanted to be truthful and yet not be too hard on him）， “well， that was pretty bad. But you‘re so sorry for it that I’m sure you will never do it again.”
“Daughter of Eve， don‘t you understand？” said the Faun. “It isn’t something I have done. I‘m doing it now， this very moment.”
“What do you mean？” cried Lucy， turning very white. “You are the child，” said Tumnus. “I had orders fromthe White Witch that if ever I saw a Son of Adam or a Daughter of Eve in the wood， I was to catch them and hand them over to her. And you are the first I’ve ever met. And I‘ve pretended to be your friend an asked you to tea， and all the time I’ve been meaning to wait till you were asleep and then go and tell Her.”
