Маленькие мужчины / Little men. Уровень 4

”

“Have you found Emil a molly-coddle?”

Dan had a black eye, and his jacket was torn to rags. Emil’s face was covered with blood from a cut lip and a bruised nose, while a bump on his forehead was already as purple as a plum.

“Dan, if you break the rules again, you will be sent away. That was the bargain.”

The lads went off, and after a few more words to the spectators, Mr. Bhaer followed to bind up the wounds of the young gladiators. Emil went to bed sick, and Dan was an unpleasant spectacle for a week.

But the lawless lad soon transgressed again.

One Saturday afternoon as a party of the boys went out to play, Tommy said,

“Let’s go down to the river, and cut new fish-poles[16 - cut new fish-poles – нарезать новых удилищ].”

“Take Toby to drag them back, and one of us can ride him down,” proposed Stuffy, who hated to walk.

“That means you, I suppose; well, hurry up, lazy-bones,” said Dan.

Away they went, and having got the poles were about to go home, when Demi unluckily said to Tommy, who was on Toby with a long rod in his hand,

“You look like the picture of the man in the bull-fight, only you haven’t got a red cloth, or pretty clothes on.

”

“I’d like to see one. There’s old Buttercup in the big meadow, ride at her, Tom, and see her run,” proposed Dan.

“No, you mustn’t,” began Demi.

“Why not, little coward?” demanded Dan.

“I don’t think Uncle Fritz will like it.

”

“Did he ever say we must not have a bull-fight?”

“No, I don’t think he ever did,” admitted Demi.

“Then hold your tongue. Drive on, Tom, and here’s a red rag to flap at the old cow. I’ll help you,” and over the wall went Dan, and the rest followed like a flock of sheep; even Demi who watched the fun with interest.

Poor Buttercup was not in a very good mood. Just now she regarded all mankind as her enemies, so when the matadore came towards her with the red handkerchief flying at the end of his long lance, she threw up her head, and gave a most appropriate “Moo!” Tommy rode gallantly at her, and Toby recognizing an old friend, was quite willing to approach.

But when the lance came down on her back with a loud whack, both cow and donkey were surprised and disgusted. Toby back with a bray of remonstrance, and Buttercup lowered her horns angrily.