Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Thenwepulledupthecanvas,andallfourofuspokedourheadsoutovertheoff-side,andlookeddownatthewaterandshivered. Theidea,overnight,hadbeenthatweshouldgetupearlyinthemorning,flingoffourrugsandshawls,and,throwingbackthecanvas,springintotheriverwithajoyousshout,andrevelinalongdeliciousswim. Somehow,nowthemorninghadcome,thenotionseemedlesstempting. Thewaterlookeddampandchilly:thewindfeltcold. 

           "Well,who’sgoingtobefirstin?"saidHarrisatlast. 

           Therewasnorushforprecedence. Georgesettledthemattersofarashewasconcernedbyretiringintotheboatandpullingonhissocks. Montmorencygaveventtoaninvoluntaryhowl,asifmerelythinkingofthethinghadgivenhimthehorrors; andHarrissaiditwouldbesodifficulttogetintotheboatagain,andwentbackandsortedouthistrousers. 

           Ididnotaltogetherliketogivein,thoughIdidnotrelishtheplunge. Theremightbesnagsabout,orweeds,Ithought. Imeanttocompromisemattersbygoingdowntotheedgeandjustthrowingthewaterovermyself; soItookatowelandcreptoutonthebankandwormedmywayalongontothebranchofatreethatdippeddownintothewater. 

           Itwasbitterlycold. Thewindcutlikeaknife. IthoughtIwouldnotthrowthewaterovermyselfafterall.