Скотный двор

           Thevanhadpreviouslybeenthepropertyoftheknacker,andhadbeenboughtbytheveterinarysurgeon,whohadnotyetpaintedtheoldnameout. Thatwashowthemistakehadarisen. 

           Theanimalswereenormouslyrelievedtohearthis. AndwhenSquealerwentontogivefurthergraphicdetailsofBoxer’sdeath-bed,theadmirablecarehehadreceived,andtheexpensivemedicinesforwhichNapoleonhadpaidwithoutathoughtastothecost,theirlastdoubtsdisappearedandthesorrowthattheyfeltfortheircomrade’sdeathwastemperedbythethoughtthatatleasthehaddiedhappy. 

           NapoleonhimselfappearedatthemeetingonthefollowingSundaymorningandpronouncedashortorationinBoxer’shonour. Ithadnotbeenpossible,hesaid,tobringbacktheirlamentedcomrade’sremainsforintermentonthefarm,buthehadorderedalargewreathtobemadefromthelaurelsinthefarmhousegardenandsentdowntobeplacedonBoxer’sgrave. Andinafewdays’timethepigsintendedtoholdamemorialbanquetinBoxer’shonour. NapoleonendedhisspeechwithareminderofBoxer’stwofavouritemaxims,"Iwillworkharder"and"ComradeNapoleonisalwaysright" —maxims,hesaid,whicheveryanimalwoulddowelltoadoptashisown. 

           Onthedayappointedforthebanquet,agrocer’svandroveupfromWillingdonanddeliveredalargewoodencrateatthefarmhouse. Thatnighttherewasthesoundofuproarioussinging,whichwasfollowedbywhatsoundedlikeaviolentquarrelandendedatabouteleveno’clockwithatremendouscrashofglass. Noonestirredinthefarmhousebeforenoononthefollowingday,andthewordwentroundthatfromsomewhereorotherthepigshadacquiredthemoneytobuythemselvesanothercaseofwhisky.