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The Further Adventures of Toad
Andwellhemight,theunhappyanimal;fortheapproachingcarwastheveryonehehadstolenoutoftheyardoftheRedLionHotelonthatfataldaywhenallhistroublesbegan!Andthepeopleinitweretheverysamepeoplehehadsatandwatchedatluncheoninthecoffee-room!
Hesankdowninashabby,miserableheapintheroad,murmuringtohimselfinhisdespair,"It’sallup!It’sallovernow!Chainsandpolicemenagain!Prisonagain!Drybreadandwateragain!O,whatafoolIhavebeen!WhatdidIwanttogostruttingaboutthecountryfor,singingconceitedsongs,andhailingpeopleinbroaddayonthehighroad,insteadofhidingtillnightfallandslippinghomequietlybybackways!OhaplessToad!Oill-fatedanimal!"
Theterriblemotor-cardrewslowlynearerandnearer,tillatlasthehearditstopjustshortofhim.Twogentlemengotoutandwalkedroundthetremblingheapofcrumpledmiserylyingintheroad,andoneofthemsaid,"Odear!thisisverysad!Hereisapooroldthing—awasherwomanapparently—whohasfaintedintheroad!Perhapssheisovercomebytheheat,poorcreature;orpossiblyshehasnothadanyfoodto-day.Letusliftherintothecarandtakehertothenearestvillage,wheredoubtlessshehasfriends."
TheytenderlyliftedToadintothemotor-carandproppedhimupwithsoftcushions,andproceededontheirway.
