Паутина Шарлотты

           "

           "Whatfinallyhappened?"askedhermother,whosecuriositybegantogetthebetterofher.

           "Charlotte’scousinwon.Shewrappedthefishup,thensheatehimwhenshegotgoodandready.Spidershavetoeat,thesameastherestofus."

           "Yes,Isupposetheydo,"saidMrs.Arable,vaguely.

           "Charlottehasanothercousinwhoisaballoonist.Shestandsonherhead,letsoutalotofline,andiscarriedaloftonthewind.Mother,wouldn’tyousimplylovetodothat?"

           "Yes,Iwould,cometothinkofit,"repliedMrs.Arable."ButFern,darling,IwishyouwouldplayoutdoorstodayinsteadofgoingtoUncleHomer’sbarn.Findsomeofyourplaymatesanddosomethingniceoutdoors.You’respendingtoomuchtimeinthatbarn-itisn’tgoodforyoutobealonesomuch."

           "Alone?"saidFern."Alone?Mybestfriendsareinthebarncellar.Itisaverysociableplace.Notatalllonely."

           Ferndisappearedafterawhile,walkingdowntheroadtowardZuckermans’.Hermotherdustedthesittingroom.AssheworkedshekeptthinkingaboutFern.Itdidn’tseemnaturalforalittlegirltobesointerestedinanimals.FinallyMrs.ArablemadeuphermindshewouldpayacallonoldDoctorDorianandaskhisadvice.Shegotinthecaranddrovetohisofficeinthevillage.

           Dr.Dorianhadathickbeard.HewasgladtoseeMrs.Arableandgaveheracomfortablechair.

           "It’saboutFern,"sheexplained."FernspendsentirelytoomuchtimeintheZuckermans’barn.Itdoesn’tseemnormal.Shesitsonamilkstoolinacornerofthebarncellar,nearthepigpen,andwatchesanimals,hourafterhour.Shejustsitsandlistens.