Вітер у вербах

           "Itwas,tobesure,butasmallthingthatIasked—merelyleavetoblossomandexpandforyetonemoreevening,toletmyselfgoandhearthetumultuousapplausethatalwaysseemstome—somehow—tobringoutmybestqualities.However,youareright,Iknow,andIamwrong.HenceforthIwillbeaverydifferentToad.Myfriends,youshallneverhaveoccasiontoblushformeagain.But,Odear,Odear,thisisahardworld!"

           And,pressinghishandkerchieftohisface,helefttheroom,withfalteringfootsteps.

           "Badger,"saidtheRat,"Ifeellikeabrute;Iwonderwhatyoufeellike?"

           "O,Iknow,Iknow,"saidtheBadgergloomily."Butthethinghadtobedone.Thisgoodfellowhasgottolivehere,andholdhisown,andberespected.Wouldyouhavehimacommonlaughing-stock,mockedandjeeredatbystoatsandweasels?"

           "Ofcoursenot,"saidtheRat."And,talkingofweasels,it’sluckywecameuponthatlittleweasel,justashewassettingoutwithToad’sinvitations.Isuspectedsomethingfromwhatyoutoldme,andhadalookatoneortwo;theyweresimplydisgraceful.Iconfiscatedthelot,andthegoodMoleisnowsittingintheblueboudoir,fillingupplain,simpleinvitationcards."

           Atlastthehourforthebanquetbegantodrawnear,andToad,whoonleavingtheothershadretiredtohisbedroom,wasstillsittingthere,melancholyandthoughtful.Hisbrowrestingonhispaw,heponderedlonganddeeply.