Chapter 5

           Aswinterdrewon,Molliebecamemoreandmoretroublesome. Shewaslateforworkeverymorningandexcusedherselfbysayingthatshehadoverslept,andshecomplainedofmysteriouspains,althoughherappetitewasexcellent. Oneverykindofpretextshewouldrunawayfromworkandgotothedrinkingpool,whereshewouldstandfoolishlygazingatherownreflectioninthewater. Buttherewerealsorumoursofsomethingmoreserious. Oneday,asMolliestrolledblithelyintotheyard,flirtingherlongtailandchewingatastalkofhay,Clovertookheraside. 

           "Mollie,"shesaid,"Ihavesomethingveryserioustosaytoyou. ThismorningIsawyoulookingoverthehedgethatdividesAnimalFarmfromFoxwood. OneofMr.Pilkington’smenwasstandingontheothersideofthehedge. And—Iwasalongwayaway,butIamalmostcertainIsawthis—hewastalkingtoyouandyouwereallowinghimtostrokeyournose. Whatdoesthatmean,Mollie?" 

           "Hedidn’t!Iwasn’t!Itisn’ttrue!"criedMollie,beginningtopranceaboutandpawtheground. 

           "Mollie!Lookmeintheface. Doyougivemeyourwordofhonourthatthatmanwasnotstrokingyournose?" 

           "Itisn’ttrue!"repeatedMollie,butshecouldnotlookCloverintheface,andthenextmomentshetooktoherheelsandgallopedawayintothefield. 

           AthoughtstruckClover. Withoutsayinganythingtotheothers,shewenttoMollie’sstallandturnedoverthestrawwithherhoof. Hiddenunderthestrawwasalittlepileoflumpsugarandseveralbunchesofribbonofdifferentcolours.