Ветер в ивах
The Open Road
Andit’snotsuchaverybadhouse,isit?Youknow,youratherlikeityourself.Now,lookhere.Let’sbesensible.YouaretheveryanimalsIwanted.You’vegottohelpme.It’smostimportant!"
"It’saboutyourrowing,Isuppose,"saidtheRat,withaninnocentair."You’regettingonfairlywell,thoughyousplashagoodbitstill.Withagreatdealofpatienceandanyquantityofcoaching,youmay—"
"O,pooh!boating!"interruptedtheToad,ingreatdisgust."Sillyboyishamusement.I’vegiventhatuplongago.Sheerwasteoftime,that’swhatitis.Itmakesmedownrightsorrytoseeyoufellows,whooughttoknowbetter,spendingallyourenergiesinthataimlessmanner.No,I’vediscoveredtherealthing,theonlygenuineoccupationforalifetime.Iproposetodevotetheremainderofminetoit,andcanonlyregretthewastedyearsthatliebehindme,squanderedintrivialities.Comewithme,dearRatty,andyouramiablefriendalso,ifhewillbesoverygood,justasfarasthestable-yard,andyoushallseewhatyoushallsee!"
Heledthewaytothestable-yardaccordingly,theRatfollowingwithamostmistrustfulexpression;andthere,drawnoutofthecoach-houseintotheopen,theysawagipsycaravan,shiningwithnewness,paintedacanary-yellowpickedoutwithgreen,andredwheels.
"Thereyouare!"criedtheToad,straddlingandexpandinghimself."There’sreallifeforyou,embodiedinthatlittlecart.
