Ветер в ивах

           Thewayfarerwasleanandkeen-featured,andsomewhatbowedattheshoulders;hispawswerethinandlong,hiseyesmuchwrinkledatthecorners,andheworesmallgoldearringsinhisneatly-setwell-shapedears.Hisknittedjerseywasofafadedblue,hisbreeches,patchedandstained,werebasedonabluefoundation,andhissmallbelongingsthathecarriedweretiedupinabluecottonhandkerchief.

           Whenhehadrestedawhilethestrangersighed,snuffedtheair,andlookedabouthim.

           "Thatwasclover,thatwarmwhiffonthebreeze,"heremarked;"andthosearecowswehearcroppingthegrassbehindusandblowingsoftlybetweenmouthfuls.Thereisasoundofdistantreapers,andyonderrisesabluelineofcottagesmokeagainstthewoodland.Theriverrunssomewherecloseby,forIhearthecallofamoorhen,andIseebyyourbuildthatyou’reafreshwatermariner.Everythingseemsasleep,andyetgoingonallthetime.Itisagoodlylifethatyoulead,friend;nodoubtthebestintheworld,ifonlyyouarestrongenoughtoleadit!"

           "Yes,it’sthelife,theonlylife,tolive,"respondedtheWaterRatdreamily,andwithouthisusualwhole-heartedconviction.

           "Ididnotsayexactlythat,"repliedthestrangercautiously;"butnodoubtit’sthebest.I’vetriedit,andIknow.