Вітер у вербах
The Further Adventures of Toad
"Ho!ho!IamtheToad,themotor-carsnatcher,theprison-breaker,theToadwhoalwaysescapes!Sitstill,andyoushallknowwhatdrivingreallyis,foryouareinthehandsofthefamous,theskilful,theentirelyfearlessToad!"
Withacryofhorrorthewholepartyroseandflungthemselvesonhim."Seizehim!"theycried,"seizetheToad,thewickedanimalwhostoleourmotor-car!Bindhim,chainhim,draghimtothenearestpolicestation!DownwiththedesperateanddangerousToad!"
Alas!theyshouldhavethought,theyoughttohavebeenmoreprudent,theyshouldhaverememberedtostopthemotor-carsomehowbeforeplayinganypranksofthatsort.Withahalf-turnofthewheeltheToadsentthecarcrashingthroughthelowhedgethatranalongtheroadside.Onemightybound,aviolentshock,andthewheelsofthecarwerechurningupthethickmudofahorse-pond.
Toadfoundhimselfflyingthroughtheairwiththestrongupwardrushanddelicatecurveofaswallow.Helikedthemotion,andwasjustbeginningtowonderwhetheritwouldgoonuntilhedevelopedwingsandturnedintoaToad-bird,whenhelandedonhisbackwithathump,inthesoft,richgrassofameadow.Sittingup,hecouldjustseethemotor-carinthepond,nearlysubmerged;thegentlemenandthedriver,encumberedbytheirlongcoats,wereflounderinghelplesslyinthewater.
