"05 - Salamandastron UC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

17

"The arrow is mine. I shot it! Arula had no part in it."

The mole shook her velvety head. "Ho no, zurr,'twas oi who axed Sankin to shoot 'ee arpel, hurr aye. 'Tis moi fault, zurr Brumm'n."

The squirrel's voice was loud and stern. "Silence, missie! Samkim, this is not the first time. A short while ago an arrow was found lodged in the kitchen door, then one of the gatehouse windows was broken by an arrow. Later it was Brother Hal who was the victim of another arrow. He has a permanent furrow through his headfurЧa fraction lower and he would not be with us today. Now it is poor Mrs. Spinney's turn. The good lady was half frightened to death by your archery. What have you got to say for yourself, young squirrel?"

Samkim shrugged apologetically. "Sorry, I never meant to hurt anyone."

Bremmun hurried around the table to face the culprit. "You never meant to hurt anyone? A bow and arrow is a weapon, not a toy! But you do not seem to realize that. Oh no, off you go, willy nilly, firing arrows carelessly without a thought for anybeast..."

Arula interrupted, pointing to herself. "Et wurr moi fault, zurr. 'Twas oi oo toF Sankin t' do et!"

"Quite so, quite so, Arula." Bremmun waved her aside distractedly. "Now, as for you, Samkim, you young wretch, you make me ashamed to call myself a squirrel! Mother Abbess was far too upset by your disgraceful behavior to speak to you; therefore it is my painful duty to do this. Both of you, Samkim and Arula, are confined to the Infirmary until further notice! I am sure Brother Hollyberry can find lots of tasksЧ scrubbing, bedmaking and washing floorsЧfor both of you. Your meals will be delivered to you up there, you will sleep in the Infirmary and under no circumstances must either of you leave, until the Mother Abbess and I have decided that you are fit to join ordinary decent Redwallers again. Furthermore, Samkim, if I ever hear that you have been within paw's length of a bow or arrows again, you will be in very deep and serious trouble. Do I make myself clear?''

Two young heads nodded miserably.

"Yes, sir."

"Hurr, clearer'n broit summer morn, thankee, zurr."

Silence fell over Great Hall as the two miscreants were led off to their fate by Brother Hal. Punishments and penalties were an absolute rarity in the friendly Abbey.

Bremmun returned to his seat. Leaning across, he whispered to Abbess Vale. "Thank goodness that's over with. Do you think I was too hard on them, Vale?"

She folded her paws in her lap. "Yes Bremmun, I do. Oh, I know that Samkim and Arula are always in trouble, but they are young. Restricting their freedom to the Infirmary is very severe, I think."

Bremmun looked uncomfortable and shrugged apologetically. "Not to worry, I won't keep them confined there for long. They'll soon learn their lesson. Did you notice little Arula? I had to try hard to stop myself smilingЧthere she was, standing up bold as a stone, taking all the blame herself."

The Abbess pursed her lips to hide her own smile. "Bless her, she was very brave. Those two are true friends, even if they are a pair of scamps. Young ones like them are the very backbone of our Abbey; they do not lack courage or honesty. We need creatures like that. They will take the reins and show an example to all in the seasons to come."

Samkim and Arula sat on a bed facing Brother Hollyberry. The ancient healer and Keeper of the Infirmary leaned back in his armchair, chuckling dryly.

"Thank your lucky stars there wasn't a badger sitting in the chair today. By the fur! You two would have really found out what punishment was like. Those badgers were very, very strict!"

"Boi ecky, lucky fer us'ns, Bruther. Oi 'spect 'ee badger'd choppen our tails off an' fling uz in 'ee pond!"

Hollyberry adopted a mock serious expression. "Aye, that's just the sort of thing badgers would have done in the old days. Righto, you two, no more trying to flannel me. There's the walls, doors, cupboards and shelves to be

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Brian Jacques

washed, windows to be cleaned, sheets to be counted and folded, lots of torn nightshirts to be sewn, pillowslips to be scrubbed..."

He watched their faces going from glumness to despair at the mention of each new chore. Chuckling aloud, Hollyberry rose and patted their heads. "But we'll start all that tomorrow. You can have the rest of the day off. Sorry you're not allowed out, young uns. Maybe if you look in the big cupboard you'll find a game of pebbles and acorns. Oh, and some candied chestnuts in my little locker here. That should keep you amused until bedtime or thereabouts."

Samkim rubbed his paws delightedly. "Thanks, Brother Hollyberry, you're a real matey. Er, were you ever naughty when you were young?"