Вітер у вербах
The Further Adventures of Toad
I’vebeenwatchingyoucarefully,anditlookssoeasyandsointeresting,andIshouldliketobeabletotellmyfriendsthatonceIhaddrivenamotor-car!"
Thedriverlaughedattheproposal,soheartilythatthegentlemaninquiredwhatthematterwas.Whenheheard,hesaid,toToad’sdelight,"Bravo,ma’am!Ilikeyourspirit.Letherhaveatry,andlookafterher.Shewon’tdoanyharm."
Toadeagerlyscrambledintotheseatvacatedbythedriver,tookthesteering-wheelinhishands,listenedwithaffectedhumilitytotheinstructionsgivenhim,andsetthecarinmotion,butveryslowlyandcarefullyatfirst,forhewasdeterminedtobeprudent.
Thegentlemenbehindclappedtheirhandsandapplauded,andToadheardthemsaying,"Howwellshedoesit!Fancyawasherwomandrivingacaraswellasthat,thefirsttime!"
Toadwentalittlefaster;thenfasterstill,andfaster.
Heheardthegentlemencalloutwarningly,"Becareful,washerwoman!"Andthisannoyedhim,andhebegantolosehishead.
Thedrivertriedtointerfere,buthepinnedhimdowninhisseatwithoneelbow,andputonfullspeed.Therushofairinhisface,thehumoftheengines,andthelightjumpofthecarbeneathhimintoxicatedhisweakbrain."Washerwoman,indeed!"heshoutedrecklessly.