Chapter 21

           CharlotteandWilburwerealone.ThefamilieshadgonetolookforFern.Templetonwasasleep.Wilburlayrestingaftertheexcitementandstrainoftheceremony.Hismedalstillhungfromhisneck;bylookingoutofthecornerofhiseyehecouldseeit.

           "Charlotte,"saidWilburafterawhile,"whyareyousoquiet?"

           "Iliketositstill,"shesaid."I’vealwaysbeenratherquiet."

           "Yes,butyouseemspeciallysotoday.Doyoufeelallright?"

           "Alittletired,perhaps.ButIfeelpeaceful.Yoursuccessintheringthismorningwas,toasmalldegree,anysuccess.Yourfutureisassured.Youwilllive,secureandsafe,Wilbur.Nothingcanharmyounow.Theseautumndayswillshortenandgrowcold.Theleaveswillshakeloosefromthetreesandfall.

           Christmaswillcome,thenthesnowsofwinter.Youwilllivetoenjoythebeautyofthefrozenworld,foryoumeanagreatdealtoZuckermanandhewillnotharmyou,ever.Winterwillpass,thedayswilllengthen,theicewillmeltinthepasturepond.Thesongsparrowwillreturnandsing,thefrogswillawake,thewarmwindwillblowagain.Allthesesightsandsoundsandsmellswillbeyourstoenjoy,Wilbur-thislovelyworld,thesepreciousdays…"

           Charlottestopped.AmomentlateratearcametoWilbur’seye."Oh,Charlotte,"hesaid."TothinkthatwhenIfirstmetyouIthoughtyouwerecruelandbloodthirsty!"

           Whenherecoveredfromhisemotion,hespokeagain.

           "Whydidyoudoallthisforme?"heasked."Idon’tdeserveit.I’veneverdoneanythingforyou."

           "Youhavebeenmyfriend,"repliedCharlotte.Thatinitselfisatremendousthing.