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spirits were rising now. With this wonderful old Colonel to help him, he
would rescue every puppy. He set the bucket down in the Folly.
 You re looking better, said the Colonel.  You may be able to sleep
now. There s nothing more you and your lady can do until it s dark.
Then you shall meet your family. Meanwhile, I ll send in word that
you ve arrived.
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 73
Something was puzzling Pongo.  Colonel, why did Cruella steal so
many Dalmatians? She can t want more than one Dalmatian fur coat?
The Sheepdog looked astonished.  Surely you know her husband s a
furrier? I understand she only married him for his furs.
So that was it! Pongo had forgotten. But if the de Vils planned to sell
Dalmatian coats to the public, then Hell Hall was nothing less than a
Dalmatian fur farm and no Dalmatian would ever be safe again unless
Cruella s career came to an end.  I must cope with that when I get
back to London, thought Pongo grimly as he mounted the stairs.
He found Missis stretched out on the bare boards by the window.
She had watched until the puppies had all gone in, then toppled
into sleep. He pulled straw around her and lay down very close, to
keep her warm. She did not stir. His last waking thoughts were
humble ones. He had expected the Sheepdog to be some
doddering old country gaffer. How much now depended on this
shrewd, kind old soldier!
It was dark when the Colonel woke them.
 All still well with the pups, but no news of any other parents over the
Twilight Barking. I sent word of your safe arrival, and good wishes to
you came pouring in. All Dogdom awaits news from this quiet village.
I ve said you ll bark a few words yourself when you re fully rested.
 Willingly, said Pongo.
 Now down we go to dinner, said the Colonel.
They went down and had an excellent meal of sausages which the cat
had collected during the day. She was away at the farm the Colonel
said there would be hurt feelings if she did not join her pets at tea, to
drink a saucer of milk.  And I must go back later, because my young
pet, Tommy, likes me there while he has his bath. So let s be moving.
He rose and pushed open a window.  The defences of Hell Hall are
childish, he said.  What s the use of padlocked gates at the front
when one can get in at through this Folly?
Pongo then saw that the Folly had a door and a window opening onto
the grounds of Hell Hall as well as the door and window opening onto
the heath, and was, indeed, a sort of gatehouse. The Colonel had
originally entered through the window on the heath side. The door into
the grounds was bolted on the Hell Hall side, so the Colonel led
Pongo and Missis through the window.
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 74
 Now we ll be cautious, he said.  That window might blow shut, and
there s no handle on the outside. And it might take some time to
unbolt this door. He drew back the bolt on the door into the Folly,
pushed the door open, and rolled a heavy stone against it.  Now, if
you should want to get out in a hurry But I don t think you will.
Shouldn t wonder if you couldn t spend the night with your pups.
Missis gasped with delight and began to ask questions.
 I ll explain as we go, said the Colonel, starting towards Hell Hall.
A full moon was rising above the black house.
 Colonel, what s that on the roof? said Pongo.  Surely it isn t
television here?
 Oh, yes,it is, said the Colonel.  And there s scarcely a cottage in the
village hasn t got it since the electricity came. Mostly on the Hire
Purchase though there won t be much Purchase here. I m told the
Badduns haven t paid anything for months.
He then outlined his plans, and it soon appeared that television played
an important part in them. The Baddun brothers were so fond of it that
they could not bear any puppy to bark while it was on. And unless the
puppies were warm, they barked like mad. The warmest room in the
house was the kitchen which was where the television set was so
that was where the pups now lived (unless they were taking exercise
in the stableyard). Some pups liked watching the television, some just
slept; anyway, none of them barked, so the Badduns could enjoy
themselves in peace. All this the Colonel had heard from Lucky during
long, barked conversations.
 That lad of yours is as bright as a button, said the Colonel.  He s
months ahead of his age.
Pongo and Missis swelled with pride.
The plan was that Lucky should bring his brothers and sisters out to
the stableyard while the Badduns were watching television.
 But it will be too cold for them to stay out long, said the Colonel,  and
I don t see why you shouldn t go back into the kitchen with them. Lucky
tells me there s no light except from the T.V.screen, so if you crouch
down you should be quite safe. Even if the Badduns do see you, they ll
just think you re two of the larger pups. But there s hardly any chance
you will be seen because Lucky tells me the Badduns stay glued to the
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 75
T.V. until it ends and then roll over and go to sleep they ve got
mattresses on the kitchen floor. I see no reason why you shouldn t
spend the night there. I ll call you at dawn and you can get out before
the Badduns wake.
Pongo and Missis thought this was a wonderful idea.
 Can we sleep there every night? asked Missis.
The Colonel said he hoped so and that it was at night that the pups
would have to be drilled and trained for their march to London. [ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]

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