Ветер в ивах

           Then,fromupaboveandfaraway,downthetunneltheyhadsolatelytravelledwasbornetotheirearsinafaintmusicalhumthesoundofdistantbellsringingajoyfulandclangorouspeal.

           "Verywellsung,boys!"criedtheRatheartily."Andnowcomealongin,allofyou,andwarmyourselvesbythefire,andhavesomethinghot!"

           "Yes,comealong,field-mice,"criedtheMoleeagerly."Thisisquitelikeoldtimes!Shutthedoorafteryou.Pullupthatsettletothefire.Now,youjustwaitaminute,whilewe—O,Ratty!"hecriedindespair,plumpingdownonaseat,withtearsimpending."Whateverarewedoing?We’venothingtogivethem!"

           "Youleaveallthattome,"saidthemasterfulRat."Here,youwiththelantern!Comeoverthisway.Iwanttotalktoyou.Now,tellme,arethereanyshopsopenatthishourofthenight?"

           "Why,certainly,sir,"repliedthefield-mouserespectfully."Atthistimeoftheyearourshopskeepopentoallsortsofhours."

           "Thenlookhere!"saidtheRat.