Chapter 20

           "Specialannouncement!"saidtheloudspeakerinapompousvoice."ThemanagementofthetakesgreatpleasureinpresentingMr.HomerL.Zuckermanandhisfamouspig.Thetruckbearingthisextraordinaryanimalisnowapproachingtheinfield.Kindlystandbackandgivethetruckroomtoproceed!Inafewmomentsthepigwillbeunloadedinthespecialjudgingringinfrontofthegrandstand,whereaspecialawardwillbemade.Willthecrowdpleasemakewayandletthetruckpass.Thankyou."

           Wilburtrembledwhenheheardthisspeech.Hefelthappybutdizzy.Thetruckcreptalongslowlyinlowspeed.Crowdsofpeoplesurroundedit,andMr.Arablehadtodriveverycarefullyinordernottorunoveranybody.Atlasthemanagedtoreachthejudges’stand.Averyjumpedoutandloweredthetailgate.

           "I’mscaredtodeath,"whisperedMrs.Zuckerman."Hundredsofpeoplearelookingatus."

           "Cheerup,"repliedMrs.Arable,"thisisfun."

           "Unloadyourpig,please!"saidtheloudspeaker.

           "Alltogether,now,boys!"saidMr.Zuckerman.Severalmensteppedforwardfromthecrowdtohelpliftthecrate.Averywasthebusiesthelperofall.

           "Tuckyourshirtin,Avery!"criedMrs.Zuckerman."Andtightenyourbelt.Yourpantsarecoming,down."

           "Can’tyouseeI’mbusy?"repliedAveryindisgust.

           "Look!"criedFern,pointing."There’sHenry!"

           "Don’tshout,Fern!"saidhermother."Anddon’tpoint!"

           "Can’tIpleasehavesomemoney?"askedFern."HenryinvitedmetogoontheFerriswheelagain,onlyIdon’tthinkhehasanymoneyleft.Heranoutofmoney."

           Mrs.Arableopenedherhandbag."Here,"shesaid.