Finn Family Moomintroll Read Online Free PDF Page A

go straight to the cave and hide that hat!'
    Moomintroll kept close behind Snufkin as they went through the wood. There were rustlings and patterings on both sides of the path and it was almost a bit frightening. Sometimes small, glittering eyes stared at them from behind the trees, and now and then something called to them from the ground or from the branches.
    'A beautiful night!' Moomintroll heard a voice right behind him.
    'Fine,' he answered bravely. And a small shadow slunk past him in the dusk.
    On the beach it was lighter. A pale blue shimmer hung over the sea and sky, and far out the birds cried their lonely cries. Night was already over. Snufkin and Moomintroll carried the Hobgoblin's Hat up to the cave and put it, brim downwards, in the darkest corner, so that nothing would be able to fall into it.
    'Now we've done the best we can,' said Snufkin. 'And imagine if we could only get those five small clouds back!'
    'Yes,' said Moomintroll who stood in the opening of the cave looking out at the sea. 'Though I wonder if they could make it any more wonderful than it is just now.'



Chapter three
    In which the Muskrat has a terrible experience; how the Moomin family discover Hattifatteners' Island where the Hemulen has a narrow escape, and how they survive the great thunderstorm.
    NEXT morning the Muskrat went out as usual with his book to lie in the hammock, but he had just got comfortable when the string broke and he found himself on the ground.
    'Unpardonable!' exclaimed the Muskrat unwinding the rug from his legs.
    'Oh, dear,' said Moominpappa who was watering his tobacco plants. 'I hope you didn't hurt yourself?'
    'It isn't that,' replied the Muskrat gloomily sucking his moustache. 'The earth can crack and fire come down from heaven for all I care - that sort of thing doesn't disturb me - but I do not like to be put into a ridiculous situation. It isn't dignified for a philosopher!'
    'But I'm the only one who saw it happen,' protested Moominpappa.
    'That's bad enough!' replied the Muskrat. 'You will remember all that I have been exposed to in your house! Last year, for example, a comet fell on us. It was nothing. But as you perhaps remember, I sat on your wife's chocolate shape. It was the deepest insult to my dignity! And sometimes your guests put hair brushes in my bed - a particularly stupid joke. Not to mention your son, Moomintroll...'
    'I know, I know,' interrupted Moominpappa, miserably. 'But there's no peace in this house... And sometimes string wears out with the years you know.'
    'It must not,' said the Muskrat. 'If I had killed myself, of course, it wouldn't have mattered. But imagine if your YOUNG PERSONS had seen me! Now, however, I intend to retire to a deserted spot and live a life of loneliness and peace, giving up everything. I have made up my mind once and for all.'
    Moominpappa was impressed. 'Oh,' he said. 'Where will you go?'
    'To the cave,' said the Muskrat. 'Nobody can interrupt my thoughts with stupid jokes there. You may bring me food twice a day. But not before ten o'clock.'
    'Good,' said Moominpappa bowing. 'And shall we bring you some furniture, too?'
    'Yes, you can do that,' said the Muskrat, more kindly. 'But very simple things. I realize that you mean well, but that family of yours is really too much for me.' So the Muskrat took his book and his rug and wandered slowly off towards the cliffs. Moominpappa sighed to himself; then he went on watering his tobacco plants and soon forgot all about it.
    When the Muskrat arrived in the cave he was very pleased with everything. He spread out his rug on the sandy floor, sat down on it, and began at once to think. He continued to do that for about two hours. All was quiet and peaceful and through the crack in the roof the sun shone softly into his hiding place. Sometimes he moved slightly when the sun slid away from him.

    Here I shall stay for ever and ever, he thought. How unnecessary it is to run about and chatter, to build a house and cook food