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That s a good idea, said Pongo. And when the cart s mended, we
can bring it along and call for them all.
Missis said the Cadpig had better stay in the cart and keep warm in
the hay, but the Cadpig wanted to go with the others and see the
barn she felt sure she could walk two short fields. So Missis let her
go. Two strong pups the right size to draw the cart stayed behind.
They said they did not mind the cold.
So ninety-five pups, led by Lieutenant Lucky, set off briskly for the
barn. But when they got there it did not look at all like the barn at the
Sheepdog s farm. It was built of grey stone and had long windows,
some with coloured glass in them, and at one end was a tower.
Why, there s a Folly! said the Cadpig, remembering the tower of the
Folly at Hell Hall.
Lucky was looking for a door, but when he found one it was firmly
shut. He told the pups to wait for him while he want round the building
looking for some other way in.
The Cadpig did not wait. Come on, she said to her devoted brother
Patch. I want to look at that Folly.
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 101
And when they got to the tower they saw a narrow door that was
not quite closed. It was too heavy for them to push, but they
could just just squeeze through.
Inside, this tower was nothing like the one at Hell Hall. And it opened
into the grey stone building.
No hay in this barn, said the Cadpig.
She had counted on the hay for warmth, but she soon found she was
warm enough without it, for there was a big stove alight. It had a long
iron pipe for a chimney, which went right up through the raftered
ceiling. The moon was out again now, and its light was streaming in
through the tall windows, so that the clear glass made silver patterns
on the stone floor and the coloured glass made blue, gold, and rose
patterns. The Cadpig patted one of the coloured patterns with a
delicate paw.
I love this barn, she said.
Patch said, I don t think it is a barn. But he liked it as much as the
Cadpig did.
They wandered around and suddenly they made a discovery.
Whatever this mysterious place was, it was certainly intended for
puppies. For in front of every seat and there were many seats was
a puppy-sized dog-bed, padded and most comfortable.
Why, it s just meant for us all to sleep in! said the Cadpig.
I ll tell the other pups, said Patch, starting for the door. A glad cry
from the Cadpig called him back.
Look, Look! Television!
But it was not like the television at Hell Hall. It was much larger. And
the figures on the screen did not move or speak. Indeed, it was not a
screen. The figures were really there, on a low platform, humans and
animals, most lifelike, though smaller than in real life. They were in a
stable, above which was one bright star.
Look at the little humans, kneeling, said Patch.
And there s a kind of a cow, said the Cadpig, remembering the cows
at the farm, who had given all the pups milk.
And a kind of a horse, said Patch, remembering the helpful horse
who had let them all out of the field.
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 102
No dogs, said the Cadpig. What a pity! But I like it much better than
ordinary television. Only I don t know why.
Then they heard Lucky and the others, who had found their way in.
Soon every pup was lying curled up on a comfortable dog-bed and
fast asleep except the Cadpig. She had dragged along one of the
dog-beds by its most convenient little carpet ear, and was sitting
on it, wide awake, gazing and gazing at this new and far more
beautiful television.
Once the moon came out from behind the clouds Pongo managed to
mend the wheel oh, the feeling of satisfaction when the peg slipped
into place! Missis too felt proud. Had she not held the wheel? She, a
dog who had never understood machinery! Quickly the two waiting
pups seized the crossbar in their mouths. Then off they all went to
the barn.
But as they drew nearer, Pongo saw this was no barn.
Surely they can t have gone in there? he said to Missis.
Why not, if they were cold? said Missis. And they are far too young
to know they would not be welcome.
Pongo and Missis both knew that humans did not like dogs to go into
buildings which had towers and tall, narrow windows. They had no
idea why, and had at first been a little hurt when told firmly to wait
outside. But Mrs. Dearly had once said, We would love you to come
in if it was allowed. And I would go in far oftener if you could. So it
was obviously one of those mysterious things such as no one not
even humans ever being allowed to walk on certain parts of the
grass in Regent s Park.
We must get them out quickly, said Pongo, and go on with our journey.
They soon found the door in the tower which the biggest pups had
pushed wide open. Because Missis had always been left outside, she
disliked these curious buildings with towers and high windows; but the
minute she got inside she changed her mind. This was a wonderful
place so peaceful and, somehow, so welcoming.
But where are the pups? she said, peering all around.
She saw lots of black patches on the moonlit floor but had quite
forgotten that all the pups were now black. Then she remembered and
as she drew nearer to the sleeping pups, tears sprang to her eyes.
The Hundred And One Dalmatians 103
Look, look at all the puppy-beds! she cried. What good people must
live here!
It can t be the kind of place I thought it was, said Pongo.
He was about to wake the puppies when Missis stopped him. Let me
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