Паутина Шарлотты

           "Goalongtobed,then,"saidCharlotte."Sleepisimportant."

           Wilburtrottedovertothedarkestcornerofhispenandthrewhimselfdown.Heclosedhiseyes.Inanotherminutehespoke.

           "Charlotte?"hesaid.

           "Yes,Wilbur?"

           "MayIgoouttomytroughandseeifIleftanyofmysupper?IthinkIleftjustatinybitofmashedpotato."

           "Verywell,"saidCharlotte."ButIwantyouinbedagainwithoutdelay."

           Wilburstartedtoraceouttohisyard.

           "Slowly,slowly!"saidCharlotte."Neverhurryandneverworry!"

           Wilburcheckedhimselfandcreptslowlytohistrough.Hefoundabitofpotato,cheweditcarefully,swallowedit,andwalkedbacktobed.Heclosedhiseyesandwassilentforawhile.

           "Charlotte?"hesaid,inawhisper.

           "Yes?

           "MayIgetadrinkofmilk?Ithinkthereareafewdropsofmilkleftinmytrough."

           "No,thetroughisdry,andIwantyoutogotosleep.Nomoretalking!Closeyoureyesandgotosleep!"

           Wilburshuthiseyes.Ferngotupfromherstoolandstartedforhome,hermindfullofeverythingshehadseenandheard.

           "Goodnight,Charlotte!"saidWilbur.

           "Goodnight,Wilbur!"

           Therewasapause.

           "Goodnight,Charlotte!"

           "Goodnight,Wilbur!"

           "Goodnight!"

           "Goodnight!"