Мэри Поппинс
The Dancing Cow
TheChiefCourtierwasjoinedbyoneafteranotheroftheotherCourtiers,untilatlasttherewasalongchainofthem,eachholdingthemaninfrontofhimbythewaist,andatug-of-warbeganbetweentheCourtiersandthestar.
"Mindmyhead!"entreatedtheRedCow.
"Pullharder!"roaredtheKing.
Theypulledharder.Theypulleduntiltheirfaceswereredasraspberries.Theypulledtilltheycouldpullnolongerandallfellback,oneontopoftheother.Thestardidnotmove.Itremainedfirmlyfixedtothehorn.
"Tch,tch,tch!"saidtheKing."Secretary,lookintheEncyclopaediaandseewhatitsaysaboutcowswithstarsontheirhorns."
TheSecretarykneltdownandbegantocrawlunderthethrone.Presentlyheemerged,carryingalargegreenbookwhichwasalwayskeptthereincasetheKingwantedtoknowanything.
Heturnedthepages.
"There’snothingatall,yourMajesty,exceptthestoryoftheCowWhoJumpedOvertheMoon,andyouknowallaboutthat."
TheKingrubbedhischin,becausethathelpedhimtothink.
HesighedirritablyandlookedattheRedCow.
"AllIcansay,"hesaid,"isthatyou’dbettertrythattoo."
"Trywhat?"saidtheRedCow.
"Jumpingoverthemoon.Itmighthaveaneffect.Worthtrying,anyway."
"Me?"saidtheRedCow,withanoutragedstare.
"Yes,you—whoelse?"saidtheKingimpatiently.HewasanxioustogettotheBarber’s.
"Sire,"saidtheRedCow,"IbegyoutorememberthatIamadecent,respectableanimalandhavebeentaughtfrommyinfancythatjumpingwasnooccupationforalady."
TheKingstoodupandshookhissceptreather.
