Паутина Шарлотты

           "

           "Well,whenthefirstgoslingstuckitslittleheadoutfromunderthegoose,IwassittingonmystoolinthecornerandCharlottewasonherweb.Shemadeaspeech.Shesaid:’Iamsurethateveryoneofushereinthebarncellarwillbegratifiedtolearnthatafterfourweeksofunremittingeffortandpatienceonthepartofthegoose,shenowhassomethingtoshowforit."Don’tyouthinkthatwasapleasantthingforhertosay?"

           "Yes,Ido,"saidMrs.Arable."Andnow,Fern,it’stimetogetreadyforSundaySchool.AndtellAverytogetready.AndthisafternoonyoucantellmemoreaboutwhatgoesoninUncleHomer’sbarn.Aren’tyouspendingquitealotoftimethere?Yougotherealmosteveryafternoon,don’tyou?"

           "Ilikeitthere,"repliedFern.Shewipedhermouthandranupstairs.Aftershehadlefttheroom,Mrs.Arablespokeinalowvoicetoherhusband.

           "IworryaboutFern,"shesaid."Didyouhearthewaysherambledonabouttheanimals,pretendingthattheytalked?"

           Mr.Arablechuckled.

           "Maybetheydotalk,"hesaid."I’vesometimeswondered.Atanyrate,don’tworryaboutFern-she’sjustgotalivelyimagination.Kidsthinktheyhearallsortsofthings."

           "Justthesame,Idoworryabouther,"repliedMrs.Arable."IthinkIshallaskDr.DorianaboutherthenexttimeIseehim.HelovesFernalmostasmuchaswedo,andIwanthimtoknowhowqueerlysheisactingaboutthatpigandeverything.Idon’tthinkit’snormal.Youknowperfectlywellanimalsdon’ttalk."

           Mr.Arablegrinned."Maybeourearsaren’tassharpasFern’s,"hesaid.