Chapter 7

           WilburlikedCharlottebetterandbettereachday.Hercampaignagainstinsectsseemedsensibleanduseful.Hardlyanybodyaroundthefarmhadagoodwordtosayforafly.Fliesspenttheirtimepesteringothers.Thecowshatedthem.Thehorsesdetestedthem.Thesheeploathedthem.Mr.andMrs.Zuckermanwerealwayscomplainingaboutthem,andputtingupscreens.

           WilburadmiredthewayCharlottemanaged.Hewasparticularlygladthatshealwaysputhervictimtosleepbeforeeatingit.

           "It’srealthoughtfulofyoutodothat,Charlotte,"hesaid.

           "Yes,"sherepliedinhersweet,musicalvoice,"Ialwaysgivethemananaestheticsotheywon’tfeelpain.It’salittleserviceIthrowin."

           Asthedayswentby,Wilburgrewandgrew.Heatethreebigmealsaday.Hespentlonghourslyingonhisside,halfasleep,dreamingpleasantdreams.Heenjoyedgoodhealthandhegainedalotofweight.Oneafternoon,whenFernwassittingonherstool,theoldestsheepwalkedintothebarn,andstoppedtopayacallonWilbur.

           "Hello!"shesaid."Seemstomeyou’reputtingonweight."

           "Yes,IguessIam,"repliedWilbur."Atmyageit’sagoodideatokeepgaining."

           "Justthesame,Idon’tenvyyou,"saidtheoldsheep."Youknowwhythey’refatteningyouup,don’tyou?"

           "No,"saidWilbur.

           "Well,Idon’tliketospreadbadnews,"saidthesheep,"butthey’refatteningyouupbecausethey’regoingtokillyou,that’swhy."

           "They’regoingtowhat?"screamedWilbur.Ferngrewrigidonherstool.

           "Killyou.Turnyouintosmokedbaconandham,"continuedtheoldsheep.