Ветер в ивах

           "

           "Here,youletmesteer!"saidToad,nowthoroughlyfrightened,"andthenyoucangetonwithyourwashingyourownway.Imightspoilyourthings,ornotdo’emasyoulike.I’mmoreusedtogentleman’sthingsmyself.It’smyspecialline."

           "Letyousteer?"repliedthebarge-woman,laughing."Ittakessomepracticetosteerabargeproperly.Besides,it’sdullwork,andIwantyoutobehappy.No,youshalldothewashingyouaresofondof,andI’llsticktothesteeringthatIunderstand.Don’ttryanddeprivemeofthepleasureofgivingyouatreat!"

           Toadwasfairlycornered.Helookedforescapethiswayandthat,sawthathewastoofarfromthebankforaflyingleap,andsullenlyresignedhimselftohisfate."Ifitcomestothat,"hethoughtindesperation,"Isupposeanyfoolcanwash!"

           Hefetchedtub,soap,andothernecessariesfromthecabin,selectedafewgarmentsatrandom,triedtorecollectwhathehadseenincasualglancesthroughlaundrywindows,andsetto.

           Alonghalf-hourpassed,andeveryminuteofitsawToadgettingcrosserandcrosser.Nothingthathecoulddotothethingsseemedtopleasethemordothemgood.Hetriedcoaxing,hetriedslapping,hetriedpunching;theysmiledbackathimoutofthetubunconverted,happyintheiroriginalsin.Onceortwicehelookednervouslyoverhisshoulderatthebarge-woman,butsheappearedtobegazingoutinfrontofher,absorbedinhersteering.