Chapter 4

           Thenextdaywasrainyanddark.Rainfellontheroofofthebarnanddrippedsteadilyfromtheeaves.Rainfellinthebarnyardandranincrookedcoursesdownintothelanewherethistlesandpigweedgrew.RainspatteredagainstMrs.Zuckerman’skitchenwindowsandcamegushingoutofthedownspouts.Rainfellonthebacksofthesheepastheygrazedinthemeadow.Whenthesheeptiredofstandingintherain,theywalkedslowlyupthelaneandintothefold.

           RainupsetWilbur’splans.Wilburhadplannedtogoout,thisday,anddiganewholeinhisyard.Hehadotherplans,too.Hisplansforthedaywentsomethinglikethis:

           Breakfastatsix-thirty.Skimmilk,crusts,middlings,bitsofdoughnuts,wheatcakeswithdropsofmaplesyrupstickingtothem,potatoskins,leftovercustardpuddingwithraisins,andbitsofShreddedWheat.

           Breakfastwouldbefinishedatseven.

           Fromseventoeight,WilburplannedtohaveatalkwithTempleton,theratthatlivedunderhistrough.TalkingwithTempletonwasnotthemostinterestingoccupationintheworldbutitwasbetterthannothing.

           Fromeighttonine,Wilburplannedtotakeanapoutdoorsinthesun.

           Fromninetoelevenheplannedtodigahole,ortrench,andpossiblyfindsomethinggoodtoeatburiedinthedirt.

           Fromeleventotwelveheplannedtostandstillandwatchfliesontheboards,watchbeesintheclover,andwatchswallowsintheair.

           Twelveo’clock-lunchtime.Middlings,warmwater,appleparings,meatgravy,carrotscrapings,meatscraps,stalehominy,andthewrapperoffapackageofcheese.Lunchwouldbeoveratone.