"Brian Jacques - Redwall 07 - The Bellmaker" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jacques Brian)

Storm-bruised clouds, heavy and lowering, dropped teeming rain into the
howling March wind, slanting in from the northwest to batter the last of
winter's snow that clung to the stones of Redwall Abbey. Inside the gatehouse
it was snug and warm, though there was not much room. All the available chairs
and floor space had been taken up by little creaturesтАФmoles, mice, squirrels,
and hedgehogs. They watched in silence as an ancient squirrel, silver haired
and bent with age from long seasons, banked up the fire with two beech logs.
He turned slowly and, shooing two very young mice from his armchair, the aged
squirrel sat, a twinkle in his eye as he watched his audience.

"Sit still, be good, my DibbunsтАФthe special breakfast will soon be here.
Listen for the knock now; my ears don't work very well these days."

The little ones, who were collectively known as Dibbuns, cupped paws about
their ears, listening intently. All dial could be he^rd was the spattering
rain on the win-

2 BRIAN JACQUES

dows and the wind mourning its dirge around the outside walls. The knock came
upon the door like a spell being broken.' A bass-voiced molebabe stood up
shouting, "Hurr et be, brekkist!"

Several of the young ones had to force the door open against the gale. A fat
old hedgehog backed himself inside, pulling a trolley loaded with a cauldron,
wooden bowls, and spoons. No sooner was he inside than the wind whipped the
door shut with a loud slam. Shaking rainwater from his venerable gray spikes,
the hedgehog lifted the cauldron lid. A delicious aroma from the steaming
vessel caused cries of delight. He wiped the corners of his eyes on a spotted
kerchief and winked at his companion in the armchair.

"Pearl Queen Pudden, messmateтАФnothin' like it on a cold wet day. Come on, me
little mateys, pass these bowls *n' spoons around while it's still nice an'
hot."

All that could be heard was the scrape of spoon upon bowl as they sat eating
breakfast. The ancient squirrel finished his portion and ruffled the ears of a
mouse sitting on the chair arm. "You enjoying that, Jerril?"

The little mouse licked his spoon. * 'Pearl Queen Pud-den's nice. What's in
it?"

"Ask my mate. He made it."

The old hedgehog cleared the Dibbuns from his armchair on the other side of
the hearth and sat down chuckling, his huge stomach shaking like a bowl of
jelly. "Hohohoh! I'll tell ye what's in Pearl Queen Pudden, young Jerril.
Anythin' a beast can lay his paws on. Apples, nuts, berries, plums, an'
memories, lots o' memories. Ain't that right, messmate?"