de on the floor.

    “As for you, Lyra,” said Fat, “Im pleased to see you taking an interest in ory. You are a lucky co ory around you.” “Mm,” said Lyra.

    “But I  your choice of companions. Are you a lonely child?” “No,”

    she said.

    “Do you...do you miss ty of other children?” “No.”

    “I dont mean Roger tco  sort?” “No.”

    “But other girls, perhaps...” “No.”

    “You see, none of us  you to miss all times. I sometimes t must be a lonely life for you ?” “No.”

    apped ogeterlaced fingers, unable to to ask tubborn child.

    “If troubling you,” ell me about it. I .” “Yes,” she said.

    “Do you say your prayers?”

    “Yes.”

    “Good girl. ell, run along.”

    iturned and left. o find Gobblers beloook to treets again. S here.

    t erest in the Gobblers appeared in Oxford.

    t Lyra  ian family she knew.

    It  time of ts and butty boats, raders and travelers, and terfront in Jeric ealing a ride on a less-ttended unities for provoking warfare.

    And ture of t tended time to make a proper voyage before being turned out. If sc as far as Abingdon, the weir....

    But to be no ering along t Meadoyard in t Roger for once (ailed to ery floor) but  and Simon Parsloolen cigarette from one to anot tentatiously, when she heard a cry in a voice she recognized.

    “ell, w h him, you half-arsed pillock?”

    It  once, because ta,  given  gingerbread on ted for tu-ousness of t. tians, and Lyra admired Ma Costa gr