the great big treasury of beatrix potter-第14章

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She　pointed　at　Pigling's　plate；　he　hastily　gave　it　to　her；　and　fled　to　the　meal　chest〃How　did　you　come　here？〃　asked　Pigling　Bland。

〃Stolen；〃　replied　Pig…wig；　with　her　mouth　full。　Pigling　helped　himself　to　meal　without　scruple。　〃What　for？〃　〃Bacon；　hams；〃　replied　Pig…　wig　cheerfully。　〃Why　on　earth　don't　you　run　away？〃　exclaimed　the　horrified　Pigling。

〃I　shall　after　supper；〃　said　Pig…　wig　decidedly。

Pigling　Bland　made　more　porridge　and　watched　her　shyly。

She　finished　a　second　plate；　got　up；　and　looked　about　her；　as　though　she　were　going　to　start。

〃You　can't　go　in　the　dark；〃　said　Pigling　Bland。

Pig…wig　looked　anxious。

〃Do　you　know　your　way　by　day…　light？〃

〃I　know　we　can　see　this　little　white　house　from　the　hills　across　the　river。　Which　way　are　_you_　going；　Mr。　Pig？〃

〃To　marketI　have　two　pig　papers。　I　might　take　you　to　the　bridge；　if　you　have　no　objection；〃　said

Pigling　much　confused　and　sitting　on　the　edge　of　his　coppy　stool。　Pig…　wig's　gratitude　was　such　and　she　asked　so　many　questions　that　it　became　embarrassing　to　Pigling　Bland。

He　was　obliged　to　shut　his　eyes　and　pretend　to　sleep。　She　became　quiet；　and　there　was　a　smell　of　peppermint。

〃I　thought　you　had　eaten　them？〃　said　Pigling；　waking　suddenly。

〃Only　the　corners；〃　replied　Pig…　wig；　studying　the　sentiments　with　much　interest　by　the　firelight。

〃I　wish　you　wouldn't；　he　might　smell　them　through　the　ceiling；〃　said　the　alarmed　Pigling。

Pig…wig　put　back　the　sticky　peppermints　into　her　pocket；　〃Sing　something；〃　she　demanded。

〃I　am　sorry。　。　。　I　have　tooth…　ache；〃　said　Pigling　much　dismayed。

〃Then　I　will　sing；〃　replied　Pig…　wig；　〃You　will　not　mind　if　I　say　iddy　tidditty？　I　have　forgotten　some　of　the　words。〃

Pigling　Bland　made　no　objection；　he　sat　with　his　eyes　half　shut；　and　watched　her。

She　wagged　her　head　and　rocked　about；　clapping　time　and　singing　in　a　sweet　little　grunty　voice

　〃A　funny　old　mother　pig　lived　in　a　stye；　　　　　　and　three　little　piggies　had　she；　　〃（Ti　idditty　idditty）　umph；　umph；　　　　　　umph！　and　the　little　pigs　said　wee；　　　　　　wee！〃


She　sang　successfully　through　three　or　four　verses；　only　at　every

verse　her　head　nodded　a　little　lower；　and　her　little　twinkly　eyes　closed　up

　〃Those　three　little　piggies　grew　peaky　　　　　　and　lean；　and　lean　they　might　very　　　　　　well　be；　　〃For　somehow　they　couldn't　say　umph；　　　　　　umph；　umph！　and　they　wouldn't　　　　　　say　wee；　wee；　wee！　　〃For　somehow　they　couldn't　say


Pig…wig's　head　bobbed　lower　and　lower；　until　she　rolled　over；　a　little　round　ball；　fast　asleep　on　the　hearth…rug。

Pigling　Bland；　on　tiptoe；　covered　her　up　with　an　antimacassar。

He　was　afraid　to　go　to　sleep　himself；　for　the　rest　of　the　night　he　sat　listening　to　the　chirping　of　the　crickets　and　to　the　snores　of　Mr。　Piperson　overhead。

Early　in　the　morning；　between　dark　and　daylight；　Pigling　tied　up　his　little　bundle　and　woke　up　Pig…　wig。　She　was　excited　and　half…　frightened。　〃But　it's　dark！　How　can　we　find　our　way？〃

〃The　cock　has　crowed；　we　must　start　before　the　hens　come　out；　they　might　shout　to　Mr。　Piperson。〃

Pig…wig　sat　down　again；　and　commenced　to　cry。


〃Come　away　Pig…wig；　we　can　see　when　we　get　used　to　it。　Come！　I　can　hear　them　clucking！〃

Pigling　had　never　said　shuh！　to　a　hen　in　his　life；　being　peaceable；　also　he　remembered　the　hamper。

He　opened　the　house　door　quietly　and　shut　it　after　them。　There　was　no　garden；　the　neighborhood　of　Mr。　Piperson's　was　all　scratched　up　by　fowls。　They　slipped　away　hand　in　hand　across　an　untidy　field　to　the　road。　　〃Tom；　Tom　the　piper's　son；　stole　a　pig　　　　　　and　away　he　ran！　　〃But　all　the　tune　that　he　could　play；　was　　　　　　‘Over　the　hills　and　far　away！'〃


〃Come　Pig…wig；　we　must　get　to　the　bridge　before　folks　are　stirring。〃

〃Why　do　you　want　to　go　to　market；　Pigling？〃　inquired　Pig…wig

The　sun　rose　while　they　were　crossing　the　moor；　a　dazzle　of　light　over　the　tops　of　the　hills。　The　sunshine　crept　down　the　slopes　into　the　peaceful　green　valleys；　where　little　white　cottages　nestled　in　gardens　and　orchards。

〃That's　Westmorland；〃　said　Pig…　wig。　She　dropped　Pigling's　hand　and　commenced　to　dance；　singing

presently。　〃I　don't　want；　I　want　to　grow　potatoes。〃　〃Have　a　peppermint？〃　said　Pig…wig。　Pigling　Bland　refused　quite　crossly。　〃Does　your　poor　toothy　hurt？〃　inquired　Pig…　wig。　Pigling　Bland　grunted。

Pig…wig　ate　the　peppermint　herself；　and　followed　the　opposite　side　of　the　road。　〃Pig…wig！　keep　under　the　wall；　there's　a　man　ploughing。〃　Pig…wig　crossed　over；　they　hurried　down　hill　towards　the　county　boundary。

Suddenly　Pigling　stopped；　he　heard　wheels。

Slowly　jogging　up　the　road　below　them　came　a　tradesman's　cart。　The　reins　flapped　on　the　horse's　back；　the　grocer　was　reading　a　newspaper。

〃Take　that　peppermint　out　of　your　mouth；　Pig…wig；　we　may　have　to　run。　Don't　say　one　word。　Leave　it　to　me。　And　in　sight　of　the　bridge！〃　said　poor　Pigling；　nearly　crying。　He　began　to　walk　frightfully　lame；　holding　Pig…wig's　arm。

The　grocer；　intent　upon　his　newspaper；　might　have　passed　them；　if　his　horse　had　not　shied　and　snorted。　He　pulled　the　cart

crossways；　and　held　down　his　whip。　〃Hallo？　Where　are　you　going　to？〃Pigling　Bland　stared　at　him　vacantly。

〃Are　you　deaf？　Are　you　going　to　market？〃　Pigling　nodded　slowly。

〃I　thought　as　much。　It　was　yesterday。　Show　me　your　license？〃

Pigling　stared　at　the　off　hind　shoe　of　the　grocer's　horse　which　had　picked　up　a　stone。

The　grocer　flicked　his　whip　〃Papers？　Pig　license？〃　Pigling　fumbled　in　all　his　pockets；　and　handed　up　the　papers。　The　grocer　read　them；　but　still　seemed　dissatisfied。　〃This　here　pig　is　a　young　lady；　is　her　name　Alexander？〃　Pig…wig　opened　her　mouth　and　shut　it　again；　Pigling　coughed　asthmatically。

The　grocer　ran　his　finger　down　the　advertisement　column　of　his　newspaper〃Lost；　stolen　or　strayed；　10S。　reward；〃　he　looked　suspiciously　at　Pig…wig。　Then　he　stood　up　in　the　trap；　and　whistled　for　the　ploughman。

〃You　wait　here　while　I　drive　on　and　speak　to　him；〃　said　the　grocer；　gathering　up　the　reins。　He　knew　that　pigs　are　slippery；　but　surely；　such　a　VERY　lame　pig　could　never　run！

〃Not　yet；　Pig…wig；　he　will　look　back。〃　The　grocer　did　so；　he　saw　the　two　pigs　stock…still　in　the　mid…

dle　of　the　road。　Then　he　looked　over　at　his　horse's　heels；　it　was　lame　also；　the　stone　took　some　time　to　knock　out；　after　he　got　to　the　ploughman。

〃Now；　Pig…wig；　NOW！〃　said　Pigling　Bland。

Never　did　any　pigs　run　as　these　pigs　ran！　They　raced　and　squealed　and　pelted　down　the　long　white　hill　towards　the　bridge。　Little　fat　Pig…　wig's　petticoats　fluttered；　and　her　feet　went　pitter；　patter；　pitter；　as　she　bounded　and　jumped。

They　ran；　and　they　ran；　and　they　ran　down　the　hill；　and　across　a　short　cut　on　level　green　turf　at　the　bottom；　between　pebble　beds　and　rushes。

They　came　to　the　river；　they　came　to　the　bridgethey　crossed　it　hand　in　handthen　over　the　hills　and　far　away　she　danced　with　Pigling　Bland！



GINGER　AND　PICKLES

＇Dedicated　With　very　kind　regards　to　old　Mr。　John　Taylor；　Who　〃thinks　he　might　pass　as　a　dormouse；〃　（Three　years　in　bed　and　never　a　grumble！）。＇




Once　upon　a　time　there　was　a　village　shop。　The　name　over　the　window　was　〃Ginger　and　Pickles。〃

It　was　a　little　small　shop　just　the　right　size　for　Dolls　Lucinda　and　Jane　Doll…cook　always　bought　their　groceries　at　Ginger　and　Pickles。

The　counter　inside　was　a　convenient　height　for　rabbits。　Ginger　and　Pickles　sold　red　spotty　pocket　handkerchiefs　at　a　penny　three　farthings。

They　also　sold　sugar；　and　snuff　and　galoshes。

In　fact；　although　it　was　such　a　small　shop　it　sold　nearly　everythingexcept　a　few　things　that　you　want　in　a　hurrylike　bootlaces；　hair…　pins　and　mutton　chops。

Ginger　and　Pickles　were　the

people　who　kept　the　shop。　Ginger　was　a　yellow　tomcat；　and　Pickles　was　a　terrier。

The　rabbits　were　always　a　little　bit　afraid　of　Pickles。


The　shop　was　also　patronized　by　miceonly　the　mice　were　rather　afraid　of　Ginger。

Ginger　usually　requested　Pickles　to　serve　them；　because　he　said　it　made　his　mouth　water。

〃I　cannot　bear；〃　said　he；　〃to　see　them　going　out　at　the　door　carrying　their　little　parcels。〃

〃I　have　the　same　feeling　about　rats；〃　replied　Pickles；　〃but　it　would　never　do　to　eat　our　customers；　they　would　leave　us　and　go　to　Tabitha　Twitchit's。〃

〃On　the　contrary；　they　would　go　nowhere；〃　replied　Ginger　gloomily。

（Tabitha　Twitchit　kept　the　only　other　shop　in　the　village。　She　did　not　give　credit。）

But　there　is　no　money　in　what　is　called　the　〃till。〃

Ginger　and　Pickles　gave　unlimited　credit。

Now　the　meaning　of　〃credit〃　is　thiswhen　a　customer　buys　a　bar　of　soap；　instead　of　the　customer　pulling　out　a　purse　and　paying　for　it　she　says　she　will　pay　another　time。

And　Pickles　makes　a　low　bow　and　says；　〃With　pleasure；　madam；〃　and　it　is　written　down　in　a　book。

The　customers　come　again　and　again；　and　buy　quantities；　in　spite　of　being　afraid　of　Ginger　and　Pickles。


The　customers　came　in　crowds　every　day　and　bought　quantities；　especially　the　toffee　customers。　But　there　was　always　no　money；　they　never　paid　for　as　much　as　a　penny…　worth　of　peppermints。

But　the　sales　were　enormous；　ten　times　as　large　as　Tabitha　Twitchit's。

As　there　was　always　no　money；　Ginger　and　Pickles　were　obliged　to　eat　their　own　goods。

Pickles　ate　biscuits　and　Ginger　ate　a　dried　haddock。

They　ate　them　by　candle…　light　after　the　shop　was　closed。


〃It　is　very　uncomfortable；　I　am　afraid　I　shall　be　summoned。　I　have　tried　in　vain　to　get　a　license　upon　credit　at　the　Post　Office；〃　said　Pickles。　〃The　place　is　full　of　policemen。　I　met　one　as　I　was　coming　home。

〃Let　us　send　in　the　bill　again　to　Samuel　Whiskers；　Ginger；　he　owes　22/9　for　bacon。〃

〃I　do　not　believe　that　he　intends　to　pay　at　all；〃　replied　Ginger。

When　it　came　to　Jan。　1st　there　was　still　no　money；　and　Pickles　was　unable　to　buy　a　dog　license。

〃It　is　very　unpleasant；　I　am　afraid　of　the　police；〃　said　Pickles。

〃It　is　your　own　fault　for　being　a　terrier；　_I_　do　not　require　a　license；　and　neither　does　Kep；　the　Collie　dog。〃


〃And　I　feel　sure　that　Anna　Maria　pockets　things

〃Where　are　all　the　cream　crackers？〃

〃You　have　eaten　them　yourself。〃　replied　Ginger。

Ginger　and　Pickles　retired　into　the　back　parlor。

They　did　accounts。　They　added　up　sums　and　sums；　and　sums。

〃Samuel　Whiskers　has　run　up　a　bill　as　long　as　his　tail；　he　has　had　an　ounce　and　three…　quarters　of　snuff　since　October。

〃What　is　seven　pounds　of　butter　at　1/3；　and　a　stick　of　sealing　wax　and　four　matches？〃

〃Send　in　all　the　bills　again　to　everybody　‘with　compliments；'〃　replied　Ginger。


Pickles　nearly　had　a　fit；　he　barked　and　he　barked　and　made　little　rushes。

〃Bite　him；　Pickles！　bite　him！〃　spluttered　Ginger　behind　a　sugar　barrel；　〃he's　only　a　German　doll！〃

The　policeman　went　on　writing　in　his　notebook；　twice　he　put　his　pencil　in　his　mouth；　and　once　he　dipped　it　in　the　treacle。

Pickles　barked　till　he　was　hoarse。　But　still　the　policeman　took　no　notice。　He　had　bead　eyes；　and　his　helmet　was　sewed　on　with　stitches。

After　a　time　they　heard　a　noise　in　the　shop；　as　if　something　had　been　pushed　in　at　the　door。　They　came　out　of　the　back　parlor。　There　was　an　envelope　lying　on　the　counter；　and　a　policeman　writing　in　a　notebook！


At　length　on　his　last　little　rushPickles　found　that　the　shop　was