some roundabout papers(绕圈的文件)-第7章
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says Bob； I pass on。 〃It's only three o'clock；〃 says Bob。 〃No； only
three；〃 I say meekly。 〃We dine at seven；〃 sighs Bob； 〃and it's so…o…o coo…
old。〃 I still would take no hints。 No claret； no refreshment； no
sandwiches； no sausage…rolls for Bob。 At last I am obliged to tell him all。
Just before we left home； a little Christmas bill popped in at the door and
emptied my purse at the threshold。 I forgot all about the transaction； and
had to borrow half…a…crown from John Coachman to pay for our entrance
into the palace of delight。 Now you see； Bob； why I could not treat you
on that second of January when we drove to the palace together； when
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Some Roundabout Papers
the girls and boys were sliding on the ponds at Dulwich； when the
darkling river was full of floating ice； and the sun was like a warming…pan
in the leaden sky。
One more Christmas sight we had； of course； and that sight I think I
like as well as Bob himself at Christmas； and at all seasons。 We went to
a certain garden of delight； where； whatever your cares are； I think you can
manage to forget some of them； and muse； and be not unhappy； to a
garden beginning with a Z； which is as lively as Noah's ark； where the
fox has brought his brush； and the cock has brought his comb； and the
elephant has brought his trunk； and the kangaroo has brought his bag； and
the condor his old white wig and black satin hood。 On this day it was so
cold that the white bears winked their pink eyes； as they plapped up and
down by their pool； and seemed to say； 〃Aha； this weather reminds us of
dear home！〃 〃Cold！ bah！ I have got such a warm coat；〃 says brother
Bruin； 〃I don't mind〃； and he laughs on his pole； and clucks down a bun。
The squealing hyaenas gnashed their teeth and laughed at us quite
refreshingly at their window； and； cold as it was； Tiger； Tiger； burning
bright； glared at us red…hot through his bars； and snorted blasts of hell。
The woolly camel leered at us quite kindly as he paced round his ring on
his silent pads。 We went to our favourite places。 Our dear wambat
came up； and had himself scratched very affably。 Our fellow… creatures
in the monkey room held out their little black hands； and piteously asked
us for Christmas alms。 Those darling alligators on their rock winked at
us in the most friendly way。 The solemn eagles sat alone； and scowled at
us from their peaks； whilst little Tom Ratel tumbled over head and heels
for us in his usual diverting manner。 If I have cares in my mind； I come
to the Zoo； and fancy they don't pass the gate。 I recognise my friends；
my enemies； in countless cages。 I entertained the eagle； the vulture； the
old billy…goat； and the black…pated； crimson…necked； blear…eyed； baggy；
hook…beaked old marabou stork yesterday at dinner； and when Bob's
aunt came to tea in the evening； and asked him what he had seen； he
stepped up to her gravely； and said
〃First I saw the white bear； then I saw the black； Then I saw the camel
with a hump upon his back。
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Some Roundabout Papers
Chorus of Children
Then I saw the camel with a HUMP upon his back！
Then I saw the grey wolf； with mutton in his maw； Then I saw the
wambat waddle in the straw； Then I saw the elephant with his waving
trunk； Then I saw the monkeys mercy； how unpleasantly they smelt！〃
There。 No one can beat that piece of wit； can he Bob？ And so it is
over； but we had a jolly time； whilst you were with us； hadn't we？
Present my respects to the doctor； and I hope； my boy； we may spend
another merry Christmas next year。
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