Ветер в ивах

           WhenToadheardthemtalkinsokindandsympatheticaway,andknewthathewasnotrecognised,hiscouragebegantorevive,andhecautiouslyopenedfirstoneeyeandthentheother.

           "Look!"saidoneofthegentlemen,"sheisbetteralready.Thefreshairisdoinghergood.Howdoyoufeelnow,ma’am?"

           "Thankyoukindly,sir,"saidToadinafeeblevoice,"I’mfeelingagreatdealbetter!""That’sright,"saidthegentleman."Nowkeepquitestill,and,aboveall,don’ttrytotalk."

           "Iwon’t,"saidToad."Iwasonlythinking,ifImightsitonthefrontseatthere,besidethedriver,whereIcouldgetthefreshairfullinmyface,Ishouldsoonbeallrightagain."

           "Whataverysensiblewoman!"saidthegentleman."Ofcourseyoushall."SotheycarefullyhelpedToadintothefrontseatbesidethedriver,andontheywentagain.

           Toadwasalmosthimselfagainbynow.Hesatup,lookedabouthim,andtriedtobeatdownthetremors,theyearnings,theoldcravingsthatroseupandbesethimandtookpossessionofhimentirely.

           "Itisfate!"hesaidtohimself."Whystrive?whystruggle?"andheturnedtothedriverathisside.

           "Please,Sir,"hesaid,"Iwishyouwouldkindlyletmetryanddrivethecarforalittle.