Ветер в ивах
The Return of Ulysses
Nowsitdownatthattable—there’sstacksofletter-paperonit,with‘ToadHall’atthetopinblueandgold—andwriteinvitationstoallourfriends,andifyousticktoitweshallgetthemoutbeforeluncheon.AndI’llbearahand,too,andtakemyshareoftheburden.I’llordertheBanquet."
"What!"criedToad,dismayed."Mestopindoorsandwritealotofrottenlettersonajollymorninglikethis,whenIwanttogoaroundmypropertyandseteverythingandeverybodytorights,andswaggeraboutandenjoymyself!Certainlynot!I’llbe—I’llseeyou—Stopaminute,though!Why,ofcourse,dearBadger!Whatismypleasureorconveniencecomparedwiththatofothers!Youwishitdone,anditshallbedone.Go,Badger,ordertheBanquet,orderwhatyoulike;thenjoinouryoungfriendsoutsideintheirinnocentmirth,obliviousofmeandmycaresandtoils.Isacrificethisfairmorningonthealtarofdutyandfriendship!"
TheBadgerlookedathimverysuspiciously,butToad’sfrank,opencountenancemadeitdifficulttosuggestanyunworthymotiveinthischangeofattitude.Hequittedtheroom,accordingly,inthedirectionofthekitchen,andassoonasthedoorhadclosedbehindhim,Toadhurriedtothewriting-table.Afineideahadoccurredtohimwhilehewastalking.
