Later, at the end of the midday meal, Gowther asked the children if they had any plans for the afternoon.

Well said Colin, “if it’s all right with you, we thought we’d like to go in the woods and see what there is there.”

“Good idea! Sam and I are going to mend the pig-cote wall, and it inner a big job. You go and enjoy yourselves. But when you’re up th’Edge sees as you dunner venture down ony caves you might find, and keep an eye open for holes in the ground. You place is riddled with tunnels and shafts from the owd copper-mines. If you went down theer and got lost that’d be the end of you, for even if you missed falling down a hole you’d wander about in the dark until you upped and died.”

“Thanks for telling us,” said Colin. “We’ll be careful.”

“Tea’s at five o’clock,” said Bess.

“And think on you keep away from them mine-holes!” Gowther called after them as they went out of the gate.

It was strange to find an inn there on that road. Its white walls and stone roof had nestled into the woods for centuries, isolated, with no other house in sight: a village inn, without a village. Colin and Susan came to it after a mile and a half of dust and wet tar in the heat of the day. It was named The Wizard, and above the door was fixed a painted sign which held the children’s attention. The painting showed a man, dressed like a monk, with long white hair and beard: behind him a figure in old-fashioned peasant garb struggled with the reins of a white horse which was rearing on its hind legs. In the background were trees.

“I wonder what all that means,” said Susan, Remember to ask Gowther—he’s bound to know.

They left the shimmering road for the green wood, and The Wizard was soon lost behind them as they walked among fir and pine, oak, ash, and silver birch. along tracks through bracken, and across sleek hummocks of grass. There was no end to the peace and beauty.