Скотный двор

           Theywereshownalloverthefarm,andexpressedgreatadmirationforeverythingtheysaw,especiallythewindmill. Theanimalswereweedingtheturnipfield. Theyworkeddiligentlyhardlyraisingtheirfacesfromtheground,andnotknowingwhethertobemorefrightenedofthepigsorofthehumanvisitors. 

           Thateveningloudlaughterandburstsofsingingcamefromthefarmhouse. Andsuddenly,atthesoundofthemingledvoices,theanimalswerestrickenwithcuriosity. Whatcouldbehappeninginthere,nowthatforthefirsttimeanimalsandhumanbeingsweremeetingontermsofequality? Withoneaccordtheybegantocreepasquietlyaspossibleintothefarmhousegarden. 

           Atthegatetheypaused,halffrightenedtogoonbutCloverledthewayin. Theytiptoeduptothehouse,andsuchanimalsasweretallenoughpeeredinatthedining-roomwindow. There,roundthelongtable,sathalfadozenfarmersandhalfadozenofthemoreeminentpigs,Napoleonhimselfoccupyingtheseatofhonourattheheadofthetable. Thepigsappearedcompletelyateaseintheirchairs. Thecompanyhadbeenenjoyingagameofcardsbuthadbrokenoffforthemoment,evidentlyinordertodrinkatoast. Alargejugwascirculating,andthemugswerebeingrefilledwithbeer. Noonenoticedthewonderingfacesoftheanimalsthatgazedinatthewindow. 

           Mr.Pilkington,ofFoxwood,hadstoodup,hismuginhishand. Inamoment,hesaid,hewouldaskthepresentcompanytodrinkatoast. Butbeforedoingso,therewereafewwordsthathefeltitincumbentuponhimtosay. 

           Itwasasourceofgreatsatisfactiontohim,hesaid—and,hewassure,toallotherspresent—tofeelthatalongperiodofmistrustandmisunderstandinghadnowcometoanend.