Ветер в ивах

           Hisbackachedbadly,andhenoticedwithdismaythathispawswerebeginningtogetallcrinkly.NowToadwasveryproudofhispaws.HemutteredunderhisbreathwordsthatshouldneverpassthelipsofeitherwasherwomenorToads;andlostthesoap,forthefiftiethtime.

           Aburstoflaughtermadehimstraightenhimselfandlookround.Thebarge-womanwasleaningbackandlaughingunrestrainedly,tillthetearsrandownhercheeks.

           "I’vebeenwatchingyouallthetime,"shegasped."Ithoughtyoumustbeahumbugallalong,fromtheconceitedwayyoutalked.Prettywasherwomanyouare!Neverwashedsomuchasadish-cloutinyourlife,I’lllay!"

           Toad’stemper,whichhadbeensimmeringviciouslyforsometime,nowfairlyboiledover,andhelostallcontrolofhimself.

           "Youcommon,low,fatbarge-woman!"heshouted;"don’tyoudaretotalktoyourbetterslikethat!Washerwomanindeed!IwouldhaveyoutoknowthatIamaToad,averywell-known,respected,distinguishedToad!Imaybeunderabitofacloudatpresent,butIwillnotbelaughedatbyabarge-woman!"

           Thewomanmovednearertohimandpeeredunderhisbonnetkeenlyandclosely."Why,soyouare!"shecried."Well,Inever!Ahorrid,nasty,crawlyToad!Andinmynicecleanbarge,too!NowthatisathingthatIwillnothave."

           Sherelinquishedthetillerforamoment.