Читать книгу The Mystery of the Banshee Towers - Enid blyton - Страница 5

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It was fun to have Ern again. He enjoyed the company of the five friends so much, and entered into everything with the greatest delight. He sat listening intently as they went on discussing their plans for the next two or three weeks.

“I suppose I couldn’t come with you sometimes?” he said, at last. “I daresay Uncle would let me off now and again. So long as I do the jobs he sets me, of course.”

“Yes, if he’s kind enough to have you to stay, you must certainly help him in any way you can,” said Fatty “His garden, for instance. I passed it the other day—shocking! Full of weeds!”

“That’s what my uncle said,” agreed Ern, mournfully. “Trouble is—I dunno weeds from flowers. Oh, and there’s another thing—he’s letting me have my dog with me while I’m here. What do you think of that?”

“Dog? I didn’t even know you had one, Ern,” said Pip surprised.

“Well, he’s a bit new, like,” said Ern. “I’ve had him for three weeks. I’m trying to train him good and proper—like you’ve trained old Buster there, Fatty.”

“Good!” said Fatty. “Very good. An untrained dog is a nuisance—nobody likes him. Where is this dog of yours—and what’s he called? What kind is he?”

“I don’t rightly know what kind he is,” said Ern. “He’s a bit of a mixture really; he’s not very big—but he’s got a mighty long tail with a mighty big wag in it—and nice ears that prick up like Buster’s here—and rather short legs. Pity about his legs, really—he looks comic when he runs, you see, and all the other dogs laugh at him.”

“They don’t!” said Bets disbelievingly.

“Well they stand and stare at him, and sort of wink at one another when he comes scuttering by,” said Ern. “His name is Bingo—good name, isn’t it? It suits him too—you wait till you’ve seen him. I like him an awful lot—it’s the first time I’ve had a dog of my own. He’s potty on me you know—thinks I’m the world’s wonder!”

“Just like old Buster then,” said Bets. “He thinks Fatty’s the world’s wonder, don’t you Buster?”

“Woof!” said Buster, agreeing heartily. He went to Fatty and licked his chin, and then put his head on Fatty’s knee, looking up at him adoringly.

“Loving old thing,” said Fatty, and patted him. “Well Ern, I’m awfully glad you’ve a dog of your own. Good for the dog—and good for you, too. You’ll like having someone who looks up to you and thinks that everything you do is right! But look after him well, won’t you?”

“Where is this Bingo?” asked Larry.

“I’ve locked him in the wood-shed at Uncle’s,” said Ern. “You see—well, I didn’t know if you’d like me to bring him along. Buster mightn’t like him.”

“Rubbish!” said Fatty, getting up. “Any dog is a friend of Buster’s if he belongs to one of us. Let’s go and visit this dog of yours and take him for a walk.”

“You’re a real sport, Fatty,” said Ern, his face glowing. “Come on, then.”

They all went out of the shed and made their way to Peterswood Village. Buster dancing round in joy, sniffing along the hedges, barking at a sparrow, wagging his tail without a stop.

“Is your uncle in a good temper today?” enquired Larry.

“So-so,” said Ern, with a grin. “He smiled when I cleaned his big boots for him—and he frowned when I upset the milk. He doesn’t know I’ve come to see you.”

“Why didn’t you tell him?” asked Bets. “You’re not scared of him, are you?”

“Oh, I’m proper scared of Uncle all right,” said Ern. “Bit too free with his hands, he is. I’d like to have sixpence for every slap he’s given me—I’d be rich by now—swimming in sixpences! I don’t think he’ll be too pleased if I go about with you too much, so I shan’t tell him anything.”

They came to Goon’s little house, which stood not far from the police station. As soon as they opened the gate a terrific volley of blood-curdling howls greeted them, and something hurled itself against the woodshed door.

“That’s him—that’s Bingo,” said Ern, in pride. “I hope Uncle’s out. He wouldn’t like that noise at all. Hey, Bingo! I’ve brought friends to see you.”

Buster the Scottie was astonished and rather alarmed to hear the extraordinary noise from the shed. He put his head on one side and pricked up his ears to sharp points. He gave a little growl.

“It’s all right, Buster,” said Ern. “That’s my dog in there. Hey, Bingo, come along out!” And he slipped the catch of the door and opened it.

Out shot something at sixty miles an hour, gave one horrified look at the crowd of children, and disappeared at top speed through the gate.

“That’s him!” said Ern, proudly, as Bingo shot down the road. “What do you think of him, Fatty?”

“Well, I really only caught sight of his tail,” said Fatty. “But that certainly looked fine. Look out, here comes old Goon—your uncle, Ern. He looks pretty bad-tempered too.”

Mr. Goon had opened his front door, and was standing there in his uniform, helmet and all, glaring in his best manner.

“ern! What’s the matter with that dog of yours, barking like that? Has he gone mad or something? Where is he?”

“I don’t know Uncle,” said Ern, truthfully. “He shot off at top speed. I only hope he hasn’t gone back to my home. He might catch measles, and come out in nasty spots.”

“You and your measles!” snorted Mr. Goon. “I said you could have that dog if he behaved himself—and if I could borrow him at nights when I go down into the rough part of the town; but I tell you this straight, Ern—if he’s going to act silly, and bark at nothing, and rush off like a mad thing, I won’t have him. And you might tell him to keep away from my feet. He’s tripped me up twice already.”

“Oh, I’m very sorry about that, Uncle,” said Ern. “Er—I just brought my friends to see him.”

“Well, you can take them away again,” said Goon, ungraciously. “They may be your friends, but they’re not mine—especially Master Frederick Algernon Trotteville—pah!”

“Who’s he talking about?” said Ern, in wonder, as Goon went indoors and slammed the door.

“Me, I’m afraid,” said Fatty. “Those are my real names, you know, Ern. I try to forget them, though I can’t say I like my nickname either. Now—what about your dog Bingo, Ern? Where do you suppose he’s gone?”

“I don’t know,” said Ern, suddenly looking desperate. “I can’t think why he went off like that. I suppose my uncle went and shouted at him in the shed and gave him a lamming or something. Let’s go and look for him.”

But before they had gone more than a few steps, Mr. Goon was at his door again, shouting for Ern.

“Ern! You come back! What about those jobs I gave you to do? You come back, I tell you.”

“Better go, Ern,” said Fatty. “Cheer up. We’ll have a look for old Bingo. He won’t have come to any harm.”

Ern went slowly back through the gate, looking angry and troubled. His thoughts were full of Bingo, his beloved dog. He might get run over! He might get lost! He might even be stolen. “He’s so friendly and good-natured, he would go with anyone,” thought poor Ern, and began to run as he heard a stentorian shout from inside the house.

“ern! You come on in! I’ve got to go to the police station, and I want you to peel the potatoes for supper and get things tidy. ern!”

Poor Ern disappeared into the house. He longed to slam the door, just as Goon had done, but he didn’t dare.

The others walked slowly through the village, talking about Ern, and keeping a look-out for Bingo. There was no sign of him. Fatty thought he must have gone to find his way back to Ern’s own home. They decided to go to the bun-shop and have tea there. Buster was pleased. He knew that this usually meant a few tit-bits for him!

Just as they reached the bun-shop they heard a little whine—a very small and pathetic one. It seemed to come from the hedge nearby. Buster went at once to investigate. He slipped through the hedge and then gave a sharp bark.

“Buster—what is it? Come back!” called Fatty. Buster appeared again—with something trotting behind him—Bingo!

“bingo!” said everyone, in astonishment, and Bingo wagged his long tail, went flat on his tummy, and began to crawl anxiously towards them, in a most humble manner.

“Poor Bingo!” said Bets, in her gentle voice, and at once Bingo shot over to her, pressed himself against her and gave a funny little high whine. He wagged his long tail so hard that it slapped against Bets’ legs, but she didn’t mind. She patted him and stroked him, and he went nearly mad with joy. Buster stood nearby and watched gravely.

“Well—you’re a bit of a comic, Bingo, I must say,” said Fatty, looking at him from all angles. “What a tail! Pity you didn’t have legs to match, old boy! But my word, you’ve real doggy eyes!”

Yes, Bingo had good, bright, faithful eyes, and a tongue always ready to lick any friend. The children decided that Ern was lucky. “What do you think of him, Buster?” said Fatty, seeing Buster standing and watching everything, his eyes bright, his tail wagging just a very little.

“Woof,” said Buster, and went straight over to Bingo. He stood nose to nose with him, each sniffing at the other. Then Buster danced round Bingo, and Bingo gave a joyful bark, and away they went together, tearing down the road like mad things!

“Buster approves,” said Larry. “I rather approve of him too. A comical dog, but a real little sport. Well, if we’re going to have tea at the bun-shop, what about it? And please don’t eat more than six buns, Fatty—you want to be able to squeeze out of the door again!”

In they all went, made for their favourite table, and sat down. Fatty, as usual, had plenty of money, and that meant a good tuck-in for everyone. In the middle of the meal, the door was pushed open with a heave, and in trotted the two dogs, panting, their mouths open as if they were both laughing!

“Buster—go and shut the door after you,” said Fatty sternly. “Have you forgotten your manners? Bingo, please notice that doors must be pushed shut, not left open, when you come in and out of rooms.”

“Wuff,” said Bingo, head on one side, listening carefully. He trotted over to the door and helped Buster to shut it, using both paws and nose.

“He’s ‘One of Us’ already!” said Larry. “I’m beginning to like you Bingo, old thing. Now sit! Buster, teach him how to sit. Gosh, look at that, Fatty—both sitting down side by side, as good as gold! We’re going to have some fun with old Bingo!”