Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Harrissaidthathethoughtitwouldbeallright,mixedupwiththeotherthings,andthateverylittlehelped; butGeorgestoodupforprecedent. Hesaidhehadneverheardofwater-ratsinIrishstew,andhewouldratherbeonthesafeside,andnottryexperiments. 

           Harrissaid: 

           "Ifyounevertryanewthing,howcanyoutellwhatit’slike? It’smensuchasyouthathampertheworld’sprogress. ThinkofthemanwhofirsttriedGermansausage!" 

           Itwasagreatsuccess,thatIrishstew. Idon’tthinkIeverenjoyedamealmore. Therewassomethingsofreshandpiquantaboutit. One’spalategetssotiredoftheoldhackneyedthings:herewasadishwithanewflavour,withatastelikenothingelseonearth. 

           Anditwasnourishing,too. AsGeorgesaid,therewasgoodstuffinit. Thepeasandpotatoesmighthavebeenabitsofter,butweallhadgoodteeth,sothatdidnotmattermuch: andasforthegravy,itwasapoem—alittletoorich,perhaps,foraweakstomach,butnutritious. 

           Wefinishedupwithteaandcherrytart. Montmorencyhadafightwiththekettleduringtea-time,andcameoffapoorsecond. 

           Throughoutthetrip,hehadmanifestedgreatcuriosityconcerningthekettle. Hewouldsitandwatchit,asitboiled,withapuzzledexpression,andwouldtryandrouseiteverynowandthenbygrowlingatit.