"Mline, AA - Winnie the Pooh, Book 1" - читать интересную книгу автора (Milne A A)

"Many hap--"
"Wait a moment."
Balancing on three legs, he began to bring his fourth leg very cautiously up to
his ear. "I did this yesterday," he explained, as he fell down for the third
time. "It's quite easy. It's so as I can hear better. ... There, that's done it!
Now then, what were you saying?" He pushed his ear forward with his hoof.
"Many happy returns of the day," said Piglet again.
"Meaning me?"
"Of course, Eeyore."
"My birthday?"
"Yes."
"Me having a real birthday?"
"Yes, Eeyore, and I've brought you a present."
Eeyore took down his right hoof from his right ear, turned round, and with great
difficulty put up his left hoof.
"I must have that in the other ear," he said. "Now then."
"A present," said Piglet very loudly.
"Meaning me again?"
"Yes."
"My birthday still?"
"Of course, Eeyore."
"Me going on having a real birthday?"
"Yes, Eeyore, and I brought you a balloon."
"Balloon?" said Eeyore. "You did say balloon? One of those big coloured things
you blow up? Gaiety, song-and-dance, here we are and there we are?"
"Yes, but I'm afraid--I'm very sorry, Eeyore-- but when I was running along to
bring it you, I fell down."
"Dear, dear, how unlucky! You ran too fast, I expect. You didn't hurt yourself,
Little Piglet?"
"No, but I--I--oh, Eeyore, I burst the balloon!"
There was a very long silence.
"My balloon?" said Eeyore at last.
Piglet nodded.
"My birthday balloon?"
"Yes, Eeyore," said Piglet sniffing a little. "Here it is. With--with many happy
returns of the day." And he gave Eeyore the small piece of damp rag.
"Is this it?" said Eeyore, a little surprised.
Piglet nodded.
"My present?"
Piglet nodded again.
"The balloon?"
"Yes."
"Thank you, Piglet," said Eeyore. "You don't mind my asking," he went on, "but
what colour was this balloon when it--when it was a balloon?"
"Red."
"I just wondered. ... Red," he murmured to himself. "My favourite colour. ...
How big was it?"
"About as big as me."
"I just wondered. ... About as big as Piglet," he said to himself sadly. "My
favourite size. Well, well."