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The Further Adventures of Toad
Youcan’tgetoverthat,Toad,myboy!"Sohemarchedonpatientlybythewater’sedge.
Roundabendinthecanalcameploddingasolitaryhorse,stoopingforwardasifinanxiousthought.Fromropetracesattachedtohiscollarstretchedalongline,taut,butdippingwithhisstride,thefurtherpartofitdrippingpearlydrops.Toadletthehorsepass,andstoodwaitingforwhatthefatesweresendinghim.
Withapleasantswirlofquietwateratitsbluntbowthebargeslidupalongsideofhim,itsgailypaintedgunwalelevelwiththetowing-path,itssoleoccupantabigstoutwomanwearingalinensun-bonnet,onebrawnyarmlaidalongthetiller.
"Anicemorning,ma’am!"sheremarkedtoToad,asshedrewuplevelwithhim.
"Idaresayitis,ma’am!"respondedToadpolitely,ashewalkedalongthetow-pathabreastofher."Idaresayitisanicemorningtothemthat’snotinsoretrouble,likewhatIam.Here’smymarrieddaughter,shesendsofftomepost-hastetocometoheratonce;sooffIcomes,notknowingwhatmaybehappeningorgoingtohappen,butfearingtheworst,asyouwillunderstand,ma’am,ifyou’reamother,too.
