Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Mytooth-brushisathingthathauntsmewhenI’mtravelling,andmakesmylifeamisery. IdreamthatIhaven’tpackedit,andwakeupinacoldperspiration,andgetoutofbedandhuntforit. And,inthemorning,IpackitbeforeIhaveusedit,andhavetounpackagaintogetit,anditisalwaysthelastthingIturnoutofthebag;andthenIrepackandforgetit,andhavetorushupstairsforitatthelastmomentandcarryittotherailwaystation,wrappedupinmypocket-handkerchief. 

           OfcourseIhadtoturneverymortalthingoutnow,and,ofcourse,Icouldnotfindit. Irummagedthethingsupintomuchthesamestatethattheymusthavebeenbeforetheworldwascreated,andwhenchaosreigned. Ofcourse,IfoundGeorge’sandHarris’seighteentimesover,butIcouldn’tfindmyown. Iputthethingsbackonebyone,andheldeverythingupandshookit. ThenIfounditinsideaboot. Irepackedoncemore. 

           WhenIhadfinished,Georgeaskedifthesoapwasin. IsaidIdidn’tcareahangwhetherthesoapwasinorwhetheritwasn’t;andIslammedthebagtoandstrappedit,andfoundthatIhadpackedmytobacco-pouchinit,andhadtore-openit. Itgotshutupfinallyat10.05p.m.,andthenthereremainedthehamperstodo. Harrissaidthatweshouldbewantingtostartinlessthantwelvehours’time,andthoughtthatheandGeorgehadbetterdotherest; andIagreedandsatdown,andtheyhadago. 

           Theybeganinalight-heartedspirit,evidentlyintendingtoshowmehowtodoit. Imadenocomment;Ionlywaited. WhenGeorgeishanged,Harriswillbetheworstpackerinthisworld; andIlookedatthepilesofplatesandcups,andkettles,andbottlesandjars,andpies,andstoves,andcakes,andtomatoes,etc.,andfeltthatthethingwouldsoonbecomeexciting. 

           Itdid. Theystartedwithbreakingacup. Thatwasthefirstthingtheydid. Theydidthatjusttoshowyouwhattheycoulddo,andtogetyouinterested.