Мауглі

           Withoutwaitingforbreakfast,Rikki-tikkirantothethornbushwhereDarzeewassingingasongoftriumphatthetopofhisvoice.ThenewsofNag’sdeathwasalloverthegarden,forthesweeperhadthrownthebodyontherubbish-heap.

           "Oh,youstupidtuftoffeathers!"saidRikki-tikkiangrily."Isthisthetimetosing?"

           "Nagisdead—isdead—isdead!"sangDarzee."ThevaliantRikki-tikkicaughthimbytheheadandheldfast.Thebigmanbroughtthebang-stick,andNagfellintwopieces!Hewillnevereatmybabiesagain."

           "Allthat’strueenough.Butwhere’sNagaina?"saidRikki-tikki,lookingcarefullyroundhim.

           "NagainacametothebathroomsluiceandcalledforNag,"Darzeewenton,"andNagcameoutontheendofastick—thesweeperpickedhimupontheendofastickandthrewhimupontherubbishheap.Letussingaboutthegreat,thered-eyedRikki-tikki!"AndDarzeefilledhisthroatandsang.

           "IfIcouldgetuptoyournest,I’drollyourbabiesout!"saidRikki-tikki."Youdon’tknowwhentodotherightthingattherighttime.You’resafeenoughinyournestthere,butit’swarformedownhere.Stopsingingaminute,Darzee."

           "Forthegreat,thebeautifulRikki-tikki’ssakeIwillstop,"saidDarzee."Whatisit,OKilleroftheterribleNag?"

           "WhereisNagaina,forthethirdtime?"

           "Ontherubbishheapbythestables,mourningforNag.GreatisRikki-tikkiwiththewhiteteeth."