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    Paddington on Top
    Paddington on Top
    Paddington on Top
    Ebook129 pages2 hours

    Paddington on Top

    By Michael Bond and Peggy Fortnum

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    About this ebook

    Paddington has warmed the hearts of generations of readers with his earnest good intentions and humorous misadventures. This new edition of the classic novel contains the original text by Michael Bond and illustrations by Peggy Fortnum.

    What other bear but Paddington could find himself sent home on his first day of school? Or questioned as a prime witness in court? Or taking a crash course in water-skiing? Trust Paddington to follow his nose for adventure, with a suitcase full of marmalade sandwiches in tow!

    First published in 1974, Paddington on Top is the tenth classic novel about Michael Bond’s beloved classic character, Paddington Bear.

     

    LanguageEnglish
    PublisherHarperCollins
    Release dateJan 2, 2018
    ISBN9780062312358
    Author

    Michael Bond

    Michael Bond began chronicling Paddington’s adventures in his first book, A Bear Called Paddington, published in 1958. Fortunately, bears don’t need much encouragement, and Paddington has since filled the pages of twelve further novels, a variety of picture books, and many other projects written for the young at heart.

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    • 5/5
      This is probably one of my favourite Paddington books as the humour is fantastic. Paddington really shocks in this book with some of the things he comes out with, the one-liners, and you start laughing your head off. It's hard to imagine that these books were written for children because I, as a 33 year old, am loving them, and I would imagine a lot of other adults would get a lot of kicks out of them too.The best ones are when he goes to school (getting the upper hand of the teacher) and when he goes to court (inadvertently taking the place of the court's star witness!). We also finally get to meet Aunt Lucy from Peru.If you love Paddington, you HAVE to get this book. I guarantee you'll love it - and you'll split your sides laughing.

    Book preview

    Paddington on Top - Michael Bond

    CONTENTS

    1. Paddington Goes to School

    2. Paddington Cleans Up

    3. Paddington Goes to Court

    4. A Birthday Treat

    5. Keeping Fit

    6. Paddington in Touch

    7. Comings and Goings at Number Thirty-two

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    Books by Michael Bond

    Credits

    Copyright

    About the Publisher

    Chapter One

    PADDINGTON GOES TO SCHOOL

    Paddington has to go to school? exclaimed Mrs. Brown. She clutched at the front door of Number thirty-two Windsor Gardens and gazed at the man standing on the step. But there must be some mistake. Paddington isn’t a . . . She broke off as Mrs. Bird gave her a nudge. I mean, he’s a . . .

    "May I ask why he has to go to school?" interrupted the Browns’ housekeeper.

    The man consulted a pile of papers in his hand. According to our information, he said, he’s been living here for a number of years and we’ve no record of a single attendance at St. Luke’s or anywhere else for that matter.

    But he was brought up in Darkest Peru, exclaimed Mrs. Brown. His Aunt Lucy taught him all she knew before he left. She had to go into a Home for Retired Bears in Lima, you see, and . . . Her voice trailed away as she caught sight of the expression on the School Inspector’s face.

    I’m very much afraid, he said, allowing himself a slight smile, that neither the Home for Retired Bears in Lima nor Aunt Lucy happen to be on our list of approved establishments.

    He snapped the file shut with an air of finality. We shall expect to see him at school first thing tomorrow morning, he continued sternly, otherwise certain steps will have to be taken.

    Mrs. Brown gazed after the Inspector as he disappeared down the road. Tomorrow morning! she repeated. "What are we going to do?"

    I think, said Mrs. Bird wisely, "there’s only one thing we can do. Make sure that bear arrives on time. After all, she added meaningly, we do have his circumstances to think of. I daresay it’s only a matter of the authorities setting their records to rights, but until they do, I think we’d better tread very carefully.

    "And if Paddington is going to school tomorrow, she continued, we’d better get busy as well. I must sew a name tag on his duffle coat for a start. We shall never hear the last of it if that gets lost. Mrs. Bird paused at the kitchen door. Will you tell him or shall I?"

    Mrs. Brown gave a sigh. I will, she said.

    She knew exactly what Mrs. Bird meant. Ever since Paddington first arrived on the scene, she’d had a nagging fear in the back of her mind that something like this would happen if only because they’d never actually reported his arrival to anyone, and the thought of breaking the news to him was not one she exactly relished.

    But Paddington took the matter surprisingly well, and while the others busied themselves getting his things ready, he spent the afternoon going through some of Jonathan and Judy’s old textbooks. The rest of the time he spent polishing his suitcase, and that evening he even had a bath without being asked, which was most unusual.

    All in all, he looked so spick-and-span the following morning, even Mrs. Bird’s eagle eyes were unable to find fault.

    I still can’t believe it, said Mrs. Brown, as he set off down the road. The house’ll seem so quiet without him.

    Mrs. Bird gave a snort. I should make the most of it, she said. You mark my words, it’ll be four o’clock and he’ll be back home again before we’ve had time to turn round.

    All the same, it was noticeable that the Browns’ housekeeper spent an unusually long time cleaning the step that morning, and she didn’t finish it until long after the small figure in a duffle coat and hat had disappeared around the corner.

    But Paddington himself didn’t have any time to dwell on the matter. The school was only a short distance away from Windsor Gardens and as he drew near, one of the teachers hurried forward to greet him.

    Good morning, he said. I take it you’re one Brown, P.?

    "One brown pea? repeated Paddington in surprise. He gave the man a hard stare. No, I’m not. I’m Paddington Brown."

    The man let go of Paddington’s paw. Er . . . that’s really what I was asking, he said nervously. I have instructions to check your arrival. If you hurry, you’ll just be in time for the roll.

    Paddington licked his lips. A roll sounded a very good way in which to start the day. I think I shall enjoy that, he announced.

    Good, said the man, looking somewhat relieved. We thought we’d put you in the Lower Fourth to start with. Mr. Eustace’s class. That’s until we’ve had time to check your capabilities. He beckoned to a boy who was standing nearby. Young Smith here will show you where to go.

    Gosh! Fancy putting you into old Eustace’s class, said the boy sympathetically as he led the way into the main building. Hard luck! I should watch it. If he gets his knife into you, you’ll be for it.

    Paddington looked around nervously as he followed the boy into the classroom. It was a large room with windows running the length of one side. There was a blackboard on an adjoining wall and a number of desks were dotted around facing it. But although there were several other pieces of equipment he couldn’t see any actual cutlery, and he breathed a sigh of relief as he was ushered towards the front of the class.

    There were about thirty other pupils already in the room and they all crowded around, anxious to make his acquaintance. Paddington was a popular figure in the neighborhood and most of the class wanted him to sit near them.

    There was soon an argument raging, and it was while the excitement was at its height that the door suddenly opened and an angular figure in a tweed suit entered the room.

    What’s the meaning of this? he bellowed. Back to your desks at once!

    Standing on a platform in front of the blackboard, he glowered down at the class as they scurried to their places.

    Now, he called sarcastically, when order had been restored, I assume I have your permission to take the roll?

    Anxious to make a good impression on his first day, Paddington busied himself behind his desk lid. I shan’t be a moment, Mr. Eustace, he called. I’ve nearly finished. I’ve got over thirty-three already!

    Over thirty-three? repeated the Form teacher in surprise.

    That’s right, said Paddington. That’s one each and three spare.

    "One each and three spare? Mr. Eustace stared at Paddington as if he’d suddenly lost the use of his hearing. Three spare what?"

    Marmalade sandwiches, explained Paddington cheerfully. He lowered his desk lid. I hope they’ll do. I’m afraid I didn’t bring any rolls. But I’ve got some sliced loaf and some of my special marmalade from the cut-price grocers.

    "Marmalade sandwiches!" spluttered Mr. Eustace. He bounded from the platform, all thoughts of checking the list of those present driven from his mind as he peered inside Paddington’s desk.

    "I’ve

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