Ветер в ивах

           TheBadger’scaustic,nottosaybrutal,remarksmaybeimagined,andthereforepassedover;butitwaspainfultotheRatthateventheMole,thoughhetookhisfriend’ssideasfaraspossible,couldnothelpsaying,"You’vebeenabitofadufferthistime,Ratty!Toad,too,ofallanimals!"

           "Hediditawfullywell,"saidthecrestfallenRat.

           "Hedidyouawfullywell!"rejoinedtheBadgerhotly."However,talkingwon’tmendmatters.He’sgotclearawayforthetime,that’scertain;andtheworstofitis,he’llbesoconceitedwithwhathe’llthinkishisclevernessthathemaycommitanyfolly.Onecomfortis,we’refreenow,andneedn’twasteanymoreofourprecioustimedoingsentry-go.Butwe’dbettercontinuetosleepatToadHallforawhilelonger.Toadmaybebroughtbackatanymoment—onastretcher,orbetweentwopolicemen."

           SospoketheBadger,notknowingwhatthefutureheldinstore,orhowmuchwater,andofhowturbidacharacter,wastorununderbridgesbeforeToadshouldsitateaseagaininhisancestralHall.

           Meanwhile,Toad,gayandirresponsible,waswalkingbrisklyalongthehighroad,somemilesfromhome.