Paddington Here and Now Read Online Free PDF

said.
    “Well spotted,” said Mr. Gruber. “You have hit the nail on the head as usual, Mr. Brown. That is the secret behind a player piano. It works by blowing air through those holes as they go past. When the roll goes through at the correct speed, every time a hole passes a nozzle, the blast of air sets a lever in motion, and that in turn operates the correct note on the keyboard.”
    While he was talking, Mr. Gruber opened a small door above in the front of the piano, rewound theroll of paper already in there, and replaced it with the new one.
    “It sounds very complicated,” said Paddington, dusting himself down.
    “It is really no more complicated than you or I picking up a mug of cocoa and drinking it,” said Mr. Gruber. “When you think about it, that is also something of a miracle. I suggest we have our elevenses first, and then you can try out the tune I’ve just put in. It’s Beethoven’s Moonlight Sonata . I’m sure you will find it much easier.”
    It sounded like a very good idea, and Paddington hastily unpacked the morning supply of buns.
    After they had finished the last of them and drained their mugs of cocoa, he climbed back on to the stool. This time, because the music was so much slower, he was even better at following the movement of the keys, and several passersby stopped outside the shop to watch.
    “I wonder if Mr. Beethoven did a ‘Chopsticks’ roll?” he said. “I expect he would have been very good at playing that.”
    “I doubt it,” said Mr. Gruber. “He was a veryfamous composer, and he wouldn’t have had the time. Besides, this machine wasn’t invented until long after he died.
    “If you close your eyes,” he continued, “and sway gently with the music, I’m sure a great many people will think you really are playing it.”
    Following his friend’s instructions, Paddington had another go, and by the time he reached the end of the piece, the pavement outside the shop was thronged with sightseers.
    “Bravo!” said Mr. Gruber, joining in the applause as Paddington stood up and bowed to the audience. “What did I tell you, Mr. Brown? I think even Beethoven himself would have been taken in.”

    Shortly afterward, having thanked Mr. Gruber for the cocoa, Paddington bid him good-bye and made his way out of the shop, raising his hat to the crowd outside as he went. A number of people took his photograph, still more wanted his autograph, and several more dropped coins into his hat before he had a chance to put it back on. They felt quite cold when they landed on his head.
    One way and another he was so excited he couldn’t wait to tell the Browns all about it, so as soon as he was able to escape from the crowd of admirers, Paddington set off as fast as he could in the direction of Windsor Gardens.
    He hadn’t gone far before he realized he was being followed. In a strange way it wasn’t unlike the player piano. Each time he put a foot down on the pavement, it was echoed by a footstep close behind him.
    Looking back over his shoulder as he stopped at some traffic lights, he saw a figure wearing a long black overcoat and a fur hat waving at him.
    “Stop! Stop!” called the man.
    “This whole thing is quite extraordinary,”continued the newcomer, removing a glove as he drew near. “I have never seen a bear play the piano before. Allow me to shake you by the, er…paw.”
    Paddington hastily wiped the nearest one on his duffle coat before holding it out.
    “It’s quite easy really,” he began. “You see…”
    “Ah, such modesty.” The man glanced at Paddington’s shopping basket on wheels. “I see you take your sheet music everywhere with you. How very wise.”
    “It isn’t music,” said Paddington. “It’s Mrs. Bird’s vegetables.”
    Reaching inside the basket, he took out a carrot and held it up for the other to see.
    “Ah!” said the man, masking his disappointment. “It’s good to see you haven’t lost the common touch.”
    He pointed to a large