Charlotte's Web by E. B. White Read Free Book Online

tears. Charlotte noticed his embarrassment and she spoke sharply to the lamb.
    â€œLet Wilbur alone!” she said. “He has a perfect right to smell, considering his surroundings. You’re no bundle of sweet peas yourself. Furthermore, you are interrupting a very pleasant conversation. What were we talking about, Wilbur, when we were so rudely interrupted?”
    â€œOh, I don’t remember,” said Wilbur. “It doesn’tmake any difference. Let’s not talk any more for a while, Charlotte. I’m getting sleepy. You go ahead and finish fixing your web and I’ll just lie here and watch you. It’s a lovely evening.” Wilbur stretched out on his side.
    Twilight settled over Zuckerman’s barn, and a feeling of peace. Fern knew it was almost suppertime but she couldn’t bear to leave. Swallows passed on silent wings, in and out of the doorways, bringing food to their young ones. From across the road a bird sang “Whippoorwill, whippoorwill!” Lurvy sat down under an apple tree and lit his pipe; the animals sniffed the familiar smell of strong tobacco. Wilbur heard the trill of the tree toad and the occasional slamming of the kitchen door. All these sounds made him feel comfortable and happy, for he loved life and loved to be a part of the world on a summer evening. But as he lay there he remembered what the old sheep had told him. The thought of death came to him and he began to tremble with fear.
    â€œCharlotte?” he said, softly.
    â€œYes, Wilbur?”
    â€œI don’t want to die.”
    â€œOf course you don’t,” said Charlotte in a comforting voice.
    â€œI just love it here in the barn,” said Wilbur. “I love everything about this place.”
    â€œOf course you do,” said Charlotte. “We all do.”
    The goose appeared, followed by her seven goslings. They thrust their little necks out and kept up a musical whistling, like a tiny troupe of pipers. Wilbur listened to the sound with love in his heart.
    â€œCharlotte?” he said.
    â€œYes?” said the spider.
    â€œWere you serious when you promised you would keep them from killing me?”
    â€œI was never more serious in my life. I am not going to let you die, Wilbur.”
    â€œHow are you going to save me?” asked Wilbur, whose curiosity was very strong on this point.
    â€œWell,” said Charlotte, vaguely, “I don’t really know. But I’m working on a plan.”
    â€œThat’s wonderful,” said Wilbur. “How is the plan coming, Charlotte? Have you got very far with it? Is it coming along pretty well?” Wilbur was trembling again, but Charlotte was cool and collected.
    â€œOh, it’s coming all right,” she said, lightly. “The plan is still in its early stages and hasn’t completely shaped up yet, but I’m working on it.”
    â€œWhen do you work on it?” begged Wilbur.
    â€œWhen I’m hanging head-down at the top of my web. That’s when I do my thinking, because then all the blood is in my head.”
    â€œI’d be only too glad to help in any way I can.”
    â€œOh, I’ll work it out alone,” said Charlotte. “I can think better if I think alone.”
    â€œAll right,” said Wilbur. “But don’t fail to let me know if there’s anything I can do to help, no matter how slight.”
    â€œWell,” replied Charlotte, “you must try to build yourself up. I want you to get plenty of sleep, and stop worrying. Never hurry and never worry! Chew your food thoroughly and eat every bit of it, except you must leave just enough for Templeton. Gain weight and stay well—that’s the way you can help. Keep fit, and don’t lose your nerve. Do you think you understand?”
    â€œYes, I understand,” said Wilbur.
    â€œGo along to bed, then,” said Charlotte. “Sleep is important.”
    Wilbur trotted over to the darkest