Вітер у вербах

           Suchatremendousnoisewasgoingoninthebanqueting-hallthattherewaslittledangeroftheirbeingoverheard.TheBadgersaid,"Now,boys,alltogether!"andthefourofthemputtheirshoulderstothetrap-doorandheaveditback.Hoistingeachotherup,theyfoundthemselvesstandinginthepantry,withonlyadoorbetweenthemandthebanqueting-hall,wheretheirunconsciousenemieswerecarousing.

           Thenoise,astheyemergedfromthepassage,wassimplydeafening.Atlast,asthecheeringandhammeringslowlysubsided,avoicecouldbemadeoutsaying,"Well,Idonotproposetodetainyoumuchlonger"—(greatapplause)—"butbeforeIresumemyseat"—(renewedcheering)—"Ishouldliketosayonewordaboutourkindhost,Mr.Toad.WeallknowToad!"—(greatlaughter)—"GoodToad,modestToad,honestToad!"(shrieksofmerriment).

           "Onlyjustletmegetathim!"mutteredToad,grindinghisteeth.

           "Holdhardaminute!"saidtheBadger,restraininghimwithdifficulty."Getready,allofyou!"

           "—Letmesingyoualittlesong,"wentonthevoice,"whichIhavecomposedonthesubjectofToad"—(prolongedapplause).