. lorek never lies.”

    “o ed himself your guardian.”

    “No. Joold o look after me, and  because of t. hes following John Faas orders.”

    “o this?”

    “Ill tell you if you tell me somet you?”

    “Yes. So w?”

    “So you sold me before, ts upid s cruel.

    difference  make if I kneold me and asked me to keep it secret, and I ter  if you asked me. Id orn it out of me, if you asked me to keep it secret. But you never. You let ot you never told me.”

    “ell you?”

    “John Faa.”

    “Did ell you about your mother?”

    “Yes.”

    “t muc for me to tell. I dont t to be interrogated and condemned by an insolent c to  youve seen and done on the way here.”

    “I brouger, didnt I?” Lyra burst out. So tears. “I looked after it all t and I treasured it, all ts o us, and I learned about using it, and I carried it all t given up and been safe, and you ent even said t youre glad to see me. I dont kno I did, and I kept on going, even in lofur Raknisons stinking palace  on going, all on me oricked o figo fainted, as if I o see again. You ent human, Lord Asriel.

    You ent my fat treat me like t. Fato love ters, ent t love me, and I dont love you, and ts a fact. I love Farder Coram, and I love lorek Byrnison; I love an armored bear moren I love my fat lorek Byrnison loves me moren you do.”

    “You told me yourself hes only following John Faas orders.

    If youre going to be sentimental, I s e time talking to you.”

    “take your b