兔子彼得丛书 The Tale of Little Pig Robinson.docx

THE TALE OFLITTLE PIG ROBINSON By BEATRIX POTTER CHAPTER I When I was a child I used to go to the seaside for the holidays. We stayed in a little town where there was a harbour and fishing boats and fishermen. They sailed away to catch herrings in nets. When the boats came back home again some had only caught a few herrings. Others had caught so many that they could not all be unloaded on to the quay. Then horses and carts were driven into the shallow water at low tide to meet the heavily laden boats. The fish were shovelled over the side of the boat into the carts, and taken to the railway station, where a special train of fish trucks was waiting. Great was the excitement when the fishing boats returned with a good catch of herrings. Half the people in the town ran down to the quay, including cats. There was a white cat called Susan who never missed meeting the boats. She belonged to the wife of an old fisherman named Sam. The wifes name was Betsy. She had rheumatics, and she had no family except Susan and five hens. Betsy sat by the fire; her back ached; she said “Ow! Ow!” whenever she had to put coal on, and stir the pot. Susan sat opposite to Betsy. She felt sorry for Betsy; she wished she knew how to put the coal on and stir the pot. All day long they sat by the fire, while Sam was away fishing. They had a cup of tea and some milk. “Susan,” said Betsy, “I can hardly stand up. Go to the front gate and look out for Masters boat.” Susan went out and came back. Three or four times she went out into the garden. At last, late in the afternoon, she saw the sails of the fishing fleet, coming in over the sea. “Go down to the harbour; ask Master for six herrings; I will cook them for supper. Take my basket, Susan.” Susan took the basket; also she borrowed Betsys bonnet and little plaid shawl. I saw her hurrying down to the harbour. Other cats were coming out of the cottages, and running down the steep streets that lead to the sea front. Also ducks. I remember that they