“Yes，” said the Bear. “But it was always a right of the， bears to supply one marshal of the lists.”
“Don‘t let him，” whispered Trumpkin to Peter. “He’s a good creature， but he‘ll shame us all. He’ll go to sleep and he will suck his paws. In front of the enemy too.”
“I can‘t help that，” said Peter. “Because he’s quite right. The Bears had that privilege. I can‘t imagine how it has been remembered all these years， when so many other things have been forgotten.”
“Please， your Majesty，” said the Bear.
“It is your right，” said Peter. “And you shall be one of the marshals. But you must remember not to suck your paws.”
“Of course not，” said the Bear in a very shocked voice. “Why， you’re doing it this minute！” bellowed Trumpkin.
The Bear whipped his paw out of his mouth and pretended he hadn‘t heard.
“Sire！” came a shrill voice from near the ground. “Ah.Reepicheep！” said Peter after looking up and downand round as people usually did when addressed by the Mouse.