Скотний двір
Chapter 6
Theanimalsreassuredhimonthispointimmediately,andnomorewassaidaboutthepigssleepinginthefarmhousebeds. Andwhen,somedaysafterwards,itwasannouncedthatfromnowonthepigswouldgetupanhourlaterinthemorningsthantheotheranimals,nocomplaintwasmadeaboutthateither.
Bytheautumntheanimalsweretiredbuthappy. Theyhadhadahardyear,andafterthesaleofpartofthehayandcorn,thestoresoffoodforthewinterwerenonetooplentiful,butthewindmillcompensatedforeverything. Itwasalmosthalfbuiltnow. Aftertheharvesttherewasastretchofcleardryweather,andtheanimalstoiledharderthanever,thinkingitwellworthwhiletoplodtoandfroalldaywithblocksofstoneifbydoingsotheycouldraisethewallsanotherfoot. Boxerwouldevencomeoutatnightsandworkforanhourortwoonhisownbythelightoftheharvestmoon. Intheirsparemomentstheanimalswouldwalkroundandroundthehalf-finishedmill,admiringthestrengthandperpendicularityofitswallsandmarvellingthattheyshouldeverhavebeenabletobuildanythingsoimposing. OnlyoldBenjaminrefusedtogrowenthusiasticaboutthewindmill,though,asusual,hewouldutternothingbeyondthecrypticremarkthatdonkeyslivealongtime.
Novembercame,withragingsouth-westwinds. Buildinghadtostopbecauseitwasnowtoowettomixthecement. Finallytherecameanightwhenthegalewassoviolentthatthefarmbuildingsrockedontheirfoundationsandseveraltileswereblownofftheroofofthebarn. Thehenswokeupsquawkingwithterrorbecausetheyhadalldreamedsimultaneouslyofhearingagungooffinthedistance. Inthemorningtheanimalscameoutoftheirstallstofindthattheflagstaffhadbeenblowndownandanelmtreeatthefootoftheorchardhadbeenpluckeduplikearadish. Theyhadjustnoticedthiswhenacryofdespairbrokefromeveryanimal’sthroat. Aterriblesighthadmettheireyes. Thewindmillwasinruins.
