Chapter 18

           Inthecooloftheevening,whenshadowsdarkenedtheFairGrounds,Templetoncreptfromthecrateandlookedaround.Wilburlayasleepinthestraw.Charlottewasbuildingaweb.Templeton’skeennosedetectedmanyfinesmellsintheair.Theratwashungryandthirsty.Hedecidedtogoexploring.Withoutsayinganythingtoanybody,hestartedoff.

           "Bringmebackaword!"Charlottecalledafterhim."Ishallbewritingtonightforthelasttime."

           Theratmumbledsomethingtohimselfanddisappearedintotheshadows.Hedidnotlikebeingtreatedlikeamessengerboy.

           Aftertheheatoftheday,theeveningcameasawelcomerelieftoall.TheFerriswheelwaslightednow.Itwentroundandroundintheskyandseemedtwiceashighasbyday.Therewerelightsonthemidway,andyoucouldhearthecrackleofthegamblingmachinesandthemusicofthemerry-go-roundandthevoiceofthemaninthebeanoboothcallingnumbers.Thechildrenfeltrefreshedaftertheirnap.FernmetherfriendHenryFussy,andheinvitedhertoridewithhimintheFerriswheel.Heevenboughtaticketforher,soitdidn’tcostheranything.WhenMrs.ArablehappenedtolookupintothestarryskyandsawherlittledaughtersittingwithHenryFussyandgoinghigherandhigherintotheair,andsawhowhappyFernlooked,shejustshookherhead."My,my!"shesaid."HenryFussy.Thinkofthat!"

           Templetonkeptoutofsight.Inthetallgrassbehindthecattlebarnhefoundafoldednewspaper.