Вітер у вербах
“Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears”
Theymadethebestfighttheycould,butwhatwasthegood?Theywereunarmed,andtakenbysurprise,andwhatcantwoanimalsdoagainsthundreds?Theytookandbeatthemseverelywithsticks,thosetwopoorfaithfulcreatures,andturnedthemoutintothecoldandthewet,withmanyinsultinganduncalled-forremarks!"
HeretheunfeelingToadbrokeintoasnigger,andthenpulledhimselftogetherandtriedtolookparticularlysolemn.
"AndtheWildWoodershavebeenlivinginToadHalleversince,"continuedtheRat;"andgoingonsimplyanyhow!Lyinginbedhalftheday,andbreakfastatallhours,andtheplaceinsuchamess(I’mtold)it’snotfittobeseen!Eatingyourgrub,anddrinkingyourdrink,andmakingbadjokesaboutyou,andsingingvulgarsongs,about—well,aboutprisonsandmagistrates,andpolicemen;horridpersonalsongs,withnohumourinthem.Andthey’retellingthetradespeopleandeverybodythatthey’vecometostayforgood."
"O,havethey!"saidToad,gettingupandseizingastick."I’lljollysoonseeaboutthat!"
"It’snogood,Toad!"calledtheRatafterhim."You’dbettercomebackandsitdown;you’llonlygetintotrouble."
ButtheToadwasoff,andtherewasnoholdinghim.Hemarchedrapidlydowntheroad,hisstickoverhisshoulder,fumingandmutteringtohimselfinhisanger,tillhegotnearhisfrontgate,whensuddenlytherepoppedupfrombehindthepalingsalongyellowferretwithagun.
