Вітер у вербах
Toad’s Adventures
"Isupposeyouwanttogooffinacoach-and-four!"
HonestToadwasalwaysreadytoadmithimselfinthewrong."Youareagood,kind,clevergirl,"hesaid,"andIamindeedaproudandastupidtoad.Introducemetoyourworthyaunt,ifyouwillbesokind,andIhavenodoubtthattheexcellentladyandIwillbeabletoarrangetermssatisfactorytobothparties."
NexteveningthegirlusheredherauntintoToad’scell,bearinghisweek’swashingpinnedupinatowel.Theoldladyhadbeenpreparedbeforehandfortheinterview,andthesightofcertaingoldsovereignsthatToadhadthoughtfullyplacedonthetableinfullviewpracticallycompletedthematterandleftlittlefurthertodiscuss.Inreturnforhiscash,Toadreceivedacottonprintgown,anapron,ashawl,andarustyblackbonnet;theonlystipulationtheoldladymadebeingthatsheshouldbegaggedandboundanddumpeddowninacorner.Bythisnotveryconvincingartifice,sheexplained,aidedbypicturesquefictionwhichshecouldsupplyherself,shehopedtoretainhersituation,inspiteofthesuspiciousappearanceofthings.
Toadwasdelightedwiththesuggestion.Itwouldenablehimtoleavetheprisoninsomestyle,andwithhisreputationforbeingadesperateanddangerousfellowuntarnished;andhereadilyhelpedthegaoler’sdaughtertomakeherauntappearasmuchaspossiblethevictimofcircumstancesoverwhichshehadnocontrol.
"Nowit’syourturn,Toad,"saidthegirl.