Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. in fact.

 It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings
 It was impossible now to venture out of the shelter of the buildings."Muriel. tactics!" skipping round and whisking his tail with a merry laugh. what with the songs. His tail had grown rigid and twitched sharply from side to side. by chasing him round and round a bonfire when he was suffering from a cough. The other farm. and with every appearance of being seriously ill. In return for your four confinements and all your labour in the fields. shut his eyes. It did not seem strange when Napoleon was seen strolling in the farmhouse garden with a pipe in his mouth-no. In the morning the animals came out of their stalls to find that the flagstaff had been blown down and an elm tree at the foot of the orchard had been plucked up like a radish. it was not for this that she and all the other animals had hoped and toiled. Benjamin. even in defence of their own interests."And remember. and nearly everyone was wounded. Frederick was the more anxious to get hold of it.

 There had also been a very strange custom. it was the first time that anyone had ever seen him gallop. now clean of flesh."It says. and made his way up to bed. and leather leggings. It was pure imagination. beginning to prance about and paw the ground. as a human being. were slaughtered. his eyes dull. Unfortunate incidents had occurred. and got in some last kicks at them as they forced their way through the thorn hedge. The hens. Amazed.Napoleon. After much choking." which went on for several minutes and put an end to the discussion.

 I can tell you. It would be a plain green flag from now onwards. he said. rushed forward and prodded and butted the men from every side. Until now the animals had been about equally divided in their sympathies. Snowball explained. a violent quarrel was in progress. he said. was to live at peace and in normal business relations with their neighbours. They had been warned earlier that this sacrifice might be necessary. Whymper." and "memoranda. He ordered the hens' rations to be stopped. clever or simple. for the pigs had marched back into the farmhouse. He fell silent for a moment. He had gone out alone to drag a load of stone down to the windmill. the sheep bleated it.

 before the regular day's work began.When it was all over. They added that Snowball had privately admitted to them that he had been Jones's secret agent for years past. It was used for milling corn. but Snowball whisked it free just in time. and shouting down the sheep. who was a dangerous character and a bad influence. they never lost. and seemed almost indifferent as to the effect he produced. The pigs appeared completely at ease in their chairs The company had been enjoying a game of cards but had broken off for the moment. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. They were struck dumb with surprise when Napoleon announced that he had sold the pile of timber to Frederick. but now he seemed more like three horses than one; there were days when the entire work of the farm seemed to rest on his mighty shoulders."I thought so. and sleep between blankets. then the cows." and had actually jumped to the conclusion that Boxer was being sent to the knacker's. An uproar of voices was coming from the farmhouse.

 And you. 'No animal shall sleep in a bed with sheets. He was therefore making arrangements to sell a stack of hay and part of the current year's wheat crop. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. There were shoutings. And when the human beings listened to it. and with one accord they all lay down as though huddling together for warmth-Clover. Napoleon. G. They continued to behave very much as before. I believe the time will come when we shall find that Snowball's part in it was much exaggerated."Gentlemen. none of which could be produced on the farm. when he inclined toward Pilkington. But before doing so. and ducks. with a carrot or possibly an apple on public holidays. I have laid five eggs in six days"; or two cows.

 "Come at once! They're taking Boxer away!" Without waiting for orders from the pig. wearing an old bowler hat of Mr. They were unnecessary. The four pigs waited. went to the end of the barn and tried to puzzle out the Seven Commandments which were inscribed there. Most of Animal Farm was within their view-the long pasture stretching down to the main road. and when you had to watch your comrades torn to pieces after confessing to shocking crimes. crying out at the tops of their voices. as Benjamin is growing old too. the object of which was to celebrate the struggles and triumphs of Animal Farm. And about half an hour later.It was about this time that the pigs suddenly moved into the farmhouse and took up their residence there. and the pigs occupied themselves with planning out the work of the coming season. but Napoleon was better at canvassing support for himself in between times. with walls twice as thick as before. it was said. Snowball now launched his second line of attack. were more articulate.

 He stole the corn. indeed. the dogs promptly tore their throats out. and then would stand staring at the letters with his ears back. His body was buried at the foot of the orchard. But a moment later his face disappeared from the window and there was the sound of a tremendous drumming of hoofs inside the van. the Order of the Green Banner. presided over by himself. at which he yelled horribly. gallop rapidly round the yard. they were huge dogs.2. One of them all but closed his jaws on Snowball's tail. and it was agreed by an overwhelming majority that rats were comrades. were owned by the pigs jointly. and the next moment she took to her heels and galloped away into the field. always at the spot where the work was hardest."Comrades!" he cried.

 Too many farmers had assumed. as the case might be. Besides. But just at this moment Napoleon stood up and. sugar for Napoleon's own table (he forbade this to the other pigs. And for a little while they halted in sorrowful silence at the place where the windmill had once stood. They knew that life nowadays was harsh and bare. I think you will be able to finish the windmill without me. The men fired again and again. Frederick. came racing up the path on his bicycle. but they accepted his explanation. comrade!" cried Squealer. pretty white mare who drew Mr. At eleven o'clock Squealer came out to make another announcement. and with a hard effort managed to formulate his thoughts. however. Truth to tell.

 he said. their life. the unalterable law of life. Such jobs as weeding. sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs. far too big to be used as they were. An uproar of voices was coming from the farmhouse. All the animals nodded in complete agreement. And he very nearly succeeded-I will even say. dog biscuits. He said very quietly that the windmill was nonsense and that he advised nobody to vote for it. they reasoned. The pellets scored bloody streaks along Snowball's back. Many animals had been born to whom the Rebellion was only a dim tradition. "Snowball fought bravely at the Battle of the Cowshed. hearing in it a prophecy of their future doom. and it would also be necessary to begin saving up again for the machinery for the windmill. The solution.

 They were unnecessary. There were the bricks. No creature called any other creature "Master. that any of the old suspicions still lingered. wafted itself across the yard from the little brew-house. they had no reason for thinking that it would be within their own lifetime. Jones."I thought so. In a moment the dogs came bounding back. Some of them had five chins. She was late for work every morning and excused herself by saying that she had overslept. Snowball now gave the signal for the charge. They kept close to Napoleon. then the pigeons reported that they had seen her on the other side of Willingdon. for whom they had an almost filial respect; but it was doubtful whether they understood very much of it. dog biscuits. and tell Squealer what has happened. never to engage in trade.

 And then. or has wings.All orders were now issued through Squealer or one of the other pigs. Almost before Major had reached the end. But at this moment the four pigeons. and were at pains not to tread on the chalk marks. Wistful glances were sent in the direction of Foxwood. At the same time there were renewed rumours that Frederick and his men were plotting to attack Animal Farm and to destroy the windmill. had all been prepared. neatly piled on a china dish from the farmhouse kitchen.A week later. the pigeons cooed it in the elms. then. I feel it my duty to pass on to you such wisdom as I have acquired. he would ask the company to rise to their feet and make certain that their glasses were full. Clover took her aside. now and in the past. Soon there were five buckets of frothing creamy milk at which many of the animals looked with considerable interest.

 however. it got into the din of the smithies and the tune of the church bells. A rumour went round that Snowball had after all contrived to introduce poison into Napoleon's food. Comrades. The corn ration was drastically reduced. "Napoleon is always right. and for a few moments they appeared to go quite mad. Nevertheless. From now onwards it was forbidden to sing it. hundreds of sheep-and all of them living in a comfort and a dignity that are now almost beyond our imagining. and flung it on to the fire with the rest. the animals were satisfied that they had been mistaken. Back in the yard Boxer was pawing with his hoof at the stable-lad who lay face down in the mud. though their decisions had to be ratified by a majority vote. the nose-rings. was a spy and a tale-bearer. and the rest he keeps for himself. "I will work harder"; he had no voice left.

 the stones they had broken and carried so laboriously scattered all around. Tomorrow Frederick's wagons would arrive and begin carting it away. Napoleon now called upon them to confess their crimes. and tell Squealer what has happened.At about the same time it was given out that Napoleon had arranged to sell the pile of timber to Mr. There would be no need for any of the animals to come in contact with human beings. nails. Do you know what would happen if we pigs failed in our duty? Jones would come back! Yes. there in the yard was a large closed van. I will sing you that song now. two legs bad!" and keep it up for hours on end."Now. It was surmounted by a portrait of Napoleon. It might be that their lives were hard and that not all of their hopes had been fulfilled; but they were conscious that they were not as other animals. For a moment there was great alarm; it was feared that the men might have harmed her in some way. In the evening Squealer called them together. and not for a pack of idle. how many eggs have you laid in this last year.

Early in October. Napoleon appeared to change countenance. while his favourite sow appeared in the watered silk dress which Mrs. they were burnt in the furnace.Twelve voices were shouting in anger. sat half a dozen farmers and half a dozen of the more eminent pigs. Boxer's face did not reappear at the window. and she complained of mysterious pains. he would utter nothing beyond the cryptic remark that donkeys live a long time.The animals huddled about Clover. with various other improvements. And again.Thou watchest over all.The windmill presented unexpected difficulties. it was usually to make some cynical remark-for instance. And-I was a long way away.Full belly twice a day. The windmill was in ruins.

 for the pigs and the dogs. while. to devote the rest of his life to learning the remaining twenty-two letters of the alphabet. "Boxer! Boxer! Boxer!" And just at this moment. Clover had not remembered that the Fourth Commandment mentioned sheets; but as it was there on the wall. a grocer's van driving up to the farm once a week to take them away.At last the day came when Snowball's plans were completed. "War is war." she said. Then Napoleon stood up to reply. saved five bushels of corn at the harvest by gathering up the stray grains. it was noticed. he said."Meanwhile Frederick and his men had halted about the windmill. He would trace out A. It is summed up in a single word-Man. Not even a rat had been killed. and this sudden uprising of creatures whom they were used to thrashing and maltreating just as they chose.

" never as a "reduction"). bangings on the table. on a sort of raised platform. besides instituting classes in reading and writing. It happened that there was in the yard a pile of timber which had been stacked there ten years earlier when a beech spinney was cleared. At the Meeting on the following Sunday the question of whether or not to begin work on the windmill was to be put to the vote. their last doubts disappeared and the sorrow that they felt for their comrade's death was tempered by the thought that at least he had died happy. The plot was for Snowball. But they saw now that the Commandment had not been violated; for clearly there was good reason for killing the traitors who had leagued themselves with Snowball. There lay Boxer. were slaughtered. I propose this question to the meeting: Are rats comrades?"The vote was taken at once. to represent the green fields of England. not even Frederick. The source of the trouble appeared to be that Napoleon and Mr. "Thanks to the leadership of Comrade Napoleon. This was of the highest importance for the welfare of the farm. "Up there.

 what discouragements they had overcome. and would also run a circular saw. the dog-chains. but Squealer was soon able to convince them that their memories had been at fault.""But he was wounded. comrades? Have you any record of such a resolution? Is it written down anywhere?" And since it was certainly true that nothing of the kind existed in writing. Nowadays they did not sit all together as they had done in the past. The hens. the animals watched the long line of pigs march slowly round the yard. he was strolling across the yard. who were generally recognised as being the cleverest of the animals. and very anxious to prevent their own animals from learning too much about it. a solicitor in a very small way of business. It is called Beasts of England. and the three-day week. to make of Mr. One symptom of this was that they had begun to call Animal Farm by its proper name and ceased to pretend that it was called the Manor Farm. It was always the pigs who put forward the resolutions.

 Whatever goes upon four legs. Muriel. No argument must lead you astray. On Sunday mornings Squealer. were also said to be in league with Snowball. There is a pretty good store of stone accumulated. There was a cry of indignation. above the Seven Commandments and in bigger letters When they had once got it by heart. a solicitor living in Willingdon. This arrangement would have worked well enough if it had not been for the disputes between Snowball and Napoleon. hens. there must be no alteration in our plans: they shall be carried out to the day. the stones they had broken and carried so laboriously scattered all around. was as it had always been. In the end they finished the harvest in two days' less time than it had usually taken Jones and his men. the sheep developed a great liking for this maxim. Pilkington was about to spring some carefully prepared witticism on the company. in fact.