Ветер в ивах

           "Isupposeyouwanttogooffinacoach-and-four!"

           HonestToadwasalwaysreadytoadmithimselfinthewrong."Youareagood,kind,clevergirl,"hesaid,"andIamindeedaproudandastupidtoad.Introducemetoyourworthyaunt,ifyouwillbesokind,andIhavenodoubtthattheexcellentladyandIwillbeabletoarrangetermssatisfactorytobothparties."

           NexteveningthegirlusheredherauntintoToad’scell,bearinghisweek’swashingpinnedupinatowel.Theoldladyhadbeenpreparedbeforehandfortheinterview,andthesightofcertaingoldsovereignsthatToadhadthoughtfullyplacedonthetableinfullviewpracticallycompletedthematterandleftlittlefurthertodiscuss.Inreturnforhiscash,Toadreceivedacottonprintgown,anapron,ashawl,andarustyblackbonnet;theonlystipulationtheoldladymadebeingthatsheshouldbegaggedandboundanddumpeddowninacorner.Bythisnotveryconvincingartifice,sheexplained,aidedbypicturesquefictionwhichshecouldsupplyherself,shehopedtoretainhersituation,inspiteofthesuspiciousappearanceofthings.

           Toadwasdelightedwiththesuggestion.Itwouldenablehimtoleavetheprisoninsomestyle,andwithhisreputationforbeingadesperateanddangerousfellowuntarnished;andhereadilyhelpedthegaoler’sdaughtertomakeherauntappearasmuchaspossiblethevictimofcircumstancesoverwhichshehadnocontrol.

           "Nowit’syourturn,Toad,"saidthegirl.