"Saluation are greetings," said the voice.
"When I say 'saluations,' it's just my fancy way of saying hello or good morning.
Actually, it's a silly expression, and I am surprised that I used it at all.
As for my whereabouts, that's easy.
Look up here in the corner of the doorway!
Here I am. Look, I'm waving!"
At last Wilbur saw the creature that had spoken to him in such a kindly way.
Stretched across the upper part of the doorway was a big spiderweb, and hangind from the top of the web, head down, was a large grep spider.
She was about the size of a gumdrop.
She had eight legs, and she was waving one of them at Wilbur in friendly greeting.
"See me now?" she asked.
"Oh, yes indeed," said the Wilbur.
"Yes indeed! How are you? Good morning! Saluations! Very pleased to meet you.
"My name," said the spider, "is Charlotte."
"CHarlotte what?" asked Wilbur, eagerly.
"Charlotte A. Cavatica. But just call me Charlotte."
"I think you're beautiful," said Wilbur.
"Well, I am pretty," replied Charlotte.
"There's no denying that. Almost all spiders are rather nice-looking.
I'm not as flashy as some, but I'll do.
I wish I cloud see you, Wilbur, as clearly as you can see me."
"Why can't you?" asked the pig, "I'm right here."
"Yes, but I'm near-sighted," replied Charlotte.
"I've always been dreadfully near-sighted.
It's good in some ways, not as good in others. Watch me wrap up this fly."