Ветер в ивах
“Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears”
Therehehadathoroughwashandbrush-up,changedhisclothes,andstoodforalongtimebeforetheglass,contemplatinghimselfwithprideandpleasure,andthinkingwhatutteridiotsallthepeoplemusthavebeentohaveevermistakenhimforonemomentforawasherwoman.
Bythetimehecamedownagainluncheonwasonthetable,andverygladToadwastoseeit,forhehadbeenthroughsometryingexperiencesandhadtakenmuchhardexercisesincetheexcellentbreakfastprovidedforhimbythegipsy.WhiletheyateToadtoldtheRatallhisadventures,dwellingchieflyonhisowncleverness,andpresenceofmindinemergencies,andcunningintightplaces;andrathermakingoutthathehadbeenhavingagayandhighly-colouredexperience.Butthemorehetalkedandboasted,themoregraveandsilenttheRatbecame.
WhenatlastToadhadtalkedhimselftoastandstill,therewassilenceforawhile;andthentheRatsaid,"Now,Toady,Idon’twanttogiveyoupain,afterallyou’vebeenthroughalready;but,seriously,don’tyouseewhatanawfulassyou’vebeenmakingofyourself?Onyourownadmissionyouhavebeenhand-cuffed,imprisoned,starved,chased,terrifiedoutofyourlife,insulted,jeeredat,andignominiouslyflungintothewater—byawoman,too!Where’stheamusementinthat?Wheredoesthefuncomein?Andallbecauseyoumustneedsgoandstealamotor-car.Youknowthatyou’veneverhadanythingbuttroublefrommotor-carsfromthemomentyoufirstseteyesonone.
