Towards the end of the hymn Digor y felt someone plucking at his elbow and from a general smell of brandy and cigars and good clothes he decided that it must be Uncle Andrew. Uncle Andrew was cautiously pulling him away from the others. When they had gone a little distance， the old man put his mouth so close to Digory’s ear that it tickled， and whispered：
“Now， my boy. Slip on your ring. Let‘s be off.”
But the Witch had very good ears. “Fool！” came her voice and she leapt off the horse. “Have you forgotten that I can hear men’s thoughts？ Let go the boy. If you attempt treachery I will take such vengeance upon you as never was heard of in all worlds from the beginning.”
“And，” added Digory， “if you think I‘m such a mean pig as to go off and leave Polly.and the Cabby.and the horse. in a place like this， you’re well mistaken.”
“You are a very naughty and impertinent little boy，” said Uncle Andrew.
“Hush！” said the Cabby. They all listened.