Chapter 8

           OnSundaymorningMr.andMrs.ArableandFernweresittingatbreakfastinthekitchen.Averyhadfinishedandwasupstairslookingforhisslingshot.

           "DidyouknowthatUncleHomer’sgoslingshadhatched?"

           askedFern.

           "Howmany?"askedMr.Arable.

           "Seven,"repliedFern."Therewereeighteggsbutoneeggdidn’thatchandthegoosetoldTempletonshedidn’twantitanymore,sohetookitaway."

           "Thegoosedidwhat?"askedMrs.Arable,gazingatherdaughterwithaqueer,worriedlook.

           "ToldTempletonshedidn’twanttheegganymore,"repeatedFern.

           "WhoisTempleton?"askedMrs.Arable.

           "He’stherat,"repliedFern."Noneofuslikehimmuch."

           "Who’s’us’?"askedMr.Arable.

           "Oh,everybodyinthebarncellar.WilburandthesheepandthelambsandthegooseandtheganderandthegoslingsandCharlotteandme."

           "Charlotte?"saidMrs.Arable."Who’sCharlotte?"

           "She’sWilbur’sbestfriend.She’sterriblyclever."

           "Whatdoesshelooklike?"askedMrs.Arable.

           "Well-l,"saidFern,thoughtfully,"shehaseightlegs.Allspidersdo,Iguess."

           "Charlotteisaspider?"askedFern’smother.

           Fernnodded."Abiggreyone.ShehasawebacrossthetopofWilbur’sdoorway.Shecatchesfliesandsuckstheirblood.Wilburadoresher."

           "Doeshereally?"saidMrs.Arable,rathervaguely.ShewasstaringatFernwithaworriedexpressiononherface.

           "Oh,yes,WilburadoresCharlotte,"saidFern."DoyouknowwhatCharlottesaidwhenthegoslingshatched?

           "Ihaven’tthefaintestidea,"saidMr.Arable."Tellus