Emil and the Detectives [antikvár]

CHAPTER 1 Emil Prepares for a Journey 'Now then, Emil,' Mrs Tischbein said, 'just carry in that jug of hot water for me, will you.' She picked up one jug and a little blue bowl of liquid camomile shampoo, and hurried out of the kitchen into the front room. Emil took his jug and followed her. There was a woman sitting there with her head bent over a white wash-basin. Her long fair hair was loose and hung down like three hanks of wool over her face so that Emil could not see who it was. His mother poured the shampoo over the woman's head, and asked, 'Is that too hot?' 'No, that's all right,' came the reply, and Mrs Tischbein rubbed it in until it made a foamy white mop all over the customer's head. When he heard the voice, Emil exclaimed, 'Why, it's Mrs Wirth!' She was the wife of the baker, and he knew her quite well. 'Good morning, Mrs Wirth,' he said, and put his jug down below the wash-basin. 'Well, Emil,' she repUed, and it sounded as though she was speaking through a mouthful of whipped cream. 'I hear you're going to Berlin. You lucky boy!' 'He did not really want to go at first,' said his mother, still rubbing.' But what is there for him to do here all through the holidays? Besides, he's never 7