Паутина Шарлотты
Chapter 1
Averywasten.
Hewasheavilyarmed-anairrifleinonehand,awoodendaggerintheother.
"What’sthat?"hedemanded."What’sFerngot?"
"She’sgotaguestforbreakfast,"saidMrs.Arable."Washyourhandsandface,Avery!"
"Let’sseeit!"saidAvery,settinghisgundown."Youcallthatmiserablethingapig?That’safinespecimenofapigit’snobiggerthanawhiterat."
"Washupandeatyourbreakfast,Avery!"saidhismother.
"Theschoolbuswillbealonginhalfanhour."
"CanIhaveapig,too,Pop?"askedAvery.
"No,Ionlydistributepigstoearlyrisers,"saidMr.Arable."Fernwasupatdaylight,tryingtoridtheworldofinjustice.Asaresult,shenowhasapig.Asmallone,tobesure,butneverthelessapig.Itjustshowswhatcanhappenifapersongetsoutofbedpromptly.Let’seat!"
ButFerncouldn’teatuntilherpighadhadadrinkofmilk.
Mrs.Arablefoundababy’snursingbottleandarubbernipple.Shepouredwarmmilkintothebottle,fittedthenippleoverthetop,andhandedittoFern."Givehimhisbreakfast!"shesaid.
Aminutelater,Fernwasseatedonthefloorinthecornerofthekitchenwithherinfantbetweenherknees,teachingittosuckfromthebottle.Thepig,althoughtiny,hadagoodappetiteandcaughtonquickly.
Theschoolbushonkedfromtheroad.
"Run!"commandedMrs.Arable,takingthepigfromFernandslippingadoughnutintoherhand.Averygrabbedhisgunandanotherdoughnut.
Thechildrenranouttotheroadandclimbedintothebus.Ferntooknonoticeoftheothersinthebus
