Вітер у вербах

           Whenshesaidgood-night,havingfilledhiswater-jugandshakenuphisstrawforhim,Toadwasverymuchthesamesanguine,self-satisfiedanimalthathehadbeenofold.Hesangalittlesongortwo,ofthesortheusedtosingathisdinner-parties,curledhimselfupinthestraw,andhadanexcellentnight’srestandthepleasantestofdreams.

           Theyhadmanyinterestingtalkstogether,afterthat,asthedrearydayswenton;andthegaoler’sdaughtergrewverysorryforToad,andthoughtitagreatshamethatapoorlittleanimalshouldbelockedupinprisonforwhatseemedtoheraverytrivialoffence.Toad,ofcourse,inhisvanity,thoughtthatherinterestinhimproceededfromagrowingtenderness;andhecouldnothelphalf-regrettingthatthesocialgulfbetweenthemwassoverywide,forshewasacomelylass,andevidentlyadmiredhimverymuch.

           Onemorningthegirlwasverythoughtful,andansweredatrandom,anddidnotseemtoToadtobepayingproperattentiontohiswittysayingsandsparklingcomments.

           "Toad,"shesaidpresently,"justlisten,please.Ihaveanauntwhoisawasherwoman."

           "There,there,"saidToad,graciouslyandaffably,"nevermind;thinknomoreaboutit.Ihaveseveralauntswhooughttobewasherwomen."

           "Dobequietaminute,Toad,"saidthegirl."Youtalktoomuch,that’syourchieffault,andI’mtryingtothink,andyouhurtmyhead.