Ветер в ивах
“Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears”
"Whocomesthere?"saidtheferretsharply.
"Stuffandnonsense!"saidToad,veryangrily."Whatdoyoumeanbytalkinglikethattome?ComeoutofthatatonceorI’ll—"
Theferretsaidneveraword,buthebroughthisgunuptohisshoulder.Toadprudentlydroppedflatintheroad,andBang!abulletwhistledoverhishead.
ThestartledToadscrambledtohisfeetandscamperedoffdowntheroadashardashecould;andasheranheheardtheferretlaughingandotherhorridthinlittlelaughstakingitupandcarryingonthesound.
Hewentback,verycrestfallen,andtoldtheWaterRat.
"WhatdidItellyou?"saidtheRat."It’snogood.They’vegotsentriesposted,andtheyareallarmed.Youmustjustwait."
Still,Toadwasnotinclinedtogiveinallatonce.Sohegotouttheboat,andsetoffrowinguptherivertowherethegardenfrontofToadHallcamedowntothewater-side.
Arrivingwithinsightofhisoldhome,herestedonhisoarsandsurveyedthelandcautiously.Allseemedverypeacefulanddesertedandquiet.HecouldseethewholefrontofToadHall,glowingintheeveningsunshine,thepigeonssettlingbytwosandthreesalongthestraightlineoftheroof;thegarden,ablazeofflowers;thecreekthatleduptotheboat-house,thelittlewoodenbridgethatcrossedit;alltranquil,uninhabited,apparentlywaitingforhisreturn.
