Francois Boucher The Toilet of Venus

was so slight, such a delicate kind of a balance, that the faintest thought or wish could tip it one way or the other...And it meant you, Will, it meant what you wished or thought, only it didn't say what would be a good thought or a bad one.
"Then... it said yes," she She jumped up at once, and Will went with her.
The moon was brilliant, the path a track of scumbled footprints in the snow, the air cutting and cold. Both of them felt brisk and hopeful and alive. They didn't talk till they were well away from the cave.
"What else did it say?" Will said.
"It said some things I didn't understand then and I still don't understand nowsaid, her eyes flashing at the spies. "It said yes, do it, repair the knife."Iorek looked at her steadily and then nodded once.Tialys and Salmakia climbed down to watch more closely, and Lyra said, "D'you need more fuel, Iorek? Me and Will could go and fetch some, I'm sure."Will understood what she meant: away from the spies they could talk.Iorek said, "Below the first spur on the track, there is a bush with resinous wood. Bring as much of that as you can."