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“Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears”
Someday,whenit’stoolate,you’llbesorryyoudidn’tvaluethemmorewhileyouhadthem!"
"I’manungratefulbeast,Iknow,"sobbedToad,sheddingbittertears."Letmegooutandfindthem,outintothecold,darknight,andsharetheirhardships,andtryandproveby—Holdonabit!SurelyIheardthechinkofdishesonatray!Supper’shereatlast,hooray!Comeon,Ratty!"
TheRatrememberedthatpoorToadhadbeenonprisonfareforaconsiderabletime,andthatlargeallowanceshadthereforetobemade.Hefollowedhimtothetableaccordingly,andhospitablyencouragedhiminhisgallanteffortstomakeupforpastprivations.
Theyhadjustfinishedtheirmealandresumedtheirarm-chairs,whentherecameaheavyknockatthedoor.
Toadwasnervous,buttheRat,noddingmysteriouslyathim,wentstraightuptothedoorandopenedit,andinwalkedMr.Badger.
Hehadalltheappearanceofonewhoforsomenightshadbeenkeptawayfromhomeandallitslittlecomfortsandconveniences.Hisshoeswerecoveredwithmud,andhewaslookingveryroughandtouzled;butthenhehadneverbeenaverysmartman,theBadger,atthebestoftimes.HecamesolemnlyuptoToad,shookhimbythepaw,andsaid,"Welcomehome,Toad!Alas!whatamIsaying?Home,indeed!Thisisapoorhome-coming.UnhappyToad!"Thenheturnedhisbackonhim,satdowntothetable,drewhischairup,andhelpedhimselftoalargesliceofcoldpie.
