"03 - Mattimeo UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

John Churchmouse pulled forth a kerchief. He blew his snout loudly to disguise the laughter that was shaking him. "Hmm, yes, ahaha. 'Scuse me, well, that wouldn't have been my Tess, you know. She's quite good at the spelling."

Brother Rufus rolled the parchment tightly. "If s that little Mattimeo, he's the ringleader. I know you may not like that, Cornflower marm, but it's the truth!" His voice was shrill with frustration.

Cornflower nodded her head sadly. "Yes, I'm afraid I must agree with you, Brother Rufus. Matti is becoming a real problem. I daren't tell his father half the things he

gets up to."

John Churchmouse peered sympathetically over the top of his square eyeglasses. "Maybe it'd be better to do so, if you'll excuse me for saying. Young Matti will have to start growing up sometime if he ever hopes to become the Warrior of Red wall like his father Matthias. Mattimeo will have to start behaving responsibly instead of going about like a spoilt brat, if you'll pardon the expression,

ma'am."

Cornflower stood up. "I know exactly what you mean. Mr. Churchmouse, but we may be judging Matti a little unfairly. After all, he does have quite a lot to live up to, being the son of Redwall's Warrior. Besides, practically

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every woodlander within our walls has spoiled him since the day he was born."

Both John and Rufus nodded their heads in agreement.

The awkward silence which followed was immediately broken by a band of small creatures headed by a young mole who waved his digging daws wildly.

"Cumm yurr quickly, gennelrnice, 'asten ee. Li'1 Matti be a-slayin' Vitch. Do 'urry!"

Even though the little creature was speaking in the quaint and complicated molespeech, they understood the urgency of his message.

"Where, where?" they cried. 'Take us there quickly!"

The group dashed around the south Abbey gable, taking the shortcut to the east grounds.

Cornflower picked up her skirts, narrowly avoiding collision with a baby hedgehog. Brother Rufus was out in front.

Jess Squirrel was first on the scene. She had been up an apple tree in the orchard with her son Sam when they heard the screams. Travelling from bough to bough, swift as a bird in flight, Jess dropped to the ground and set about trying to separate the two creatures locked together on the grass. They rolled, kicked, spat and bit furiously. Sam dropped down to his mother's aid. They grabbed one each and held them apart. As they did, the crowd arrived.

Mattimeo was panting heavily. He tried to break free, but Jess shook him soundly by the scruff.

"Be still, you little ruffian, or I'll tan your hide!" she warned him.

Sam held tight to the other mouse, Vitch, who looked more like a rat, small though he was. Vitch was not struggling. He looked quite relieved that the fight had been stopped.

John Qmrchmouse strode firmly between them. "Now then, what's all this about, eh?"

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"He called me a skinny little rat."

"He said I was not a warrior's son."

"He pulled my tail and he jumped on me and bit me