2
　　Arrival of Gustavus
　　The afternoon was spent in looking all over the house to see if any changes had been made, and inexploring the garden from end to end to see what flowers were out, what edible¹ things there were(only lettuces², alas³!) and to introduce Kiki to six new hens.
　　‘There’s a new carpet in the guest room,’ said Lucy-Ann. ‘But that’s all the changes there are.
　　I’m glad. I don’t like to come home and find anything changed. I suppose this small boy will sleepin the guest room, Aunt Allie?’
　　‘Yes,’ said Mrs Cunningham. ‘I’m getting it ready in a minute or two. Go and join the others inthe garden. You can pick a few daffodils, if you like – we want some in the hall.’
　　Lucy-Ann wandered off happily. The very first day of the holidays was always heavenly. All thefirst few days went slowly, and the thought of days and days of holiday ahead was one to dwell oncontentedly almost every minute.
　　‘Lucy-Ann! Come here! Kiki’s having the time of her life!’ called Jack⁴. ‘Look at her showingoff in front of the new hens!’
　　Kiki was sitting on a post in the hen run. The six hens were gathered admiringly around her.
　　‘Cluck-cluck-cluck,’ they said to one another, and one stretched herself on tiptoe and flappedher wings as if trying to fly. Kiki put her head on one side, stretched herself on tiptoe too, spreadher wings wide and took off. She sailed down to the surprised hens.
　　‘Cluck-luck-luck, urrrrrrk!’ she said, earnestly. ‘Cluck-luck-luck, urrrrrrk!’
　　‘Cluck-uck-uck, cluck!’ said the hens, in admiration⁵, and went nearer. One hen daringly peckedat one of the parrot’s tail feathers.
　　This was insolence⁶! Kiki danced round the alarmed hens, making a noise like an aeroplane introuble. The hens took to their heels and fled into the hen house, almost tumbling over one anotheras they tried to squeeze in at the narrow

分享到：