Вітер у вербах

           Toad,afterdueconsultationwithhisfriends,selectedahandsomegoldchainandlocketsetwithpearls,whichhedispatchedtothegaoler’sdaughter,withaletterthateventheBadgeradmittedtobemodest,grateful,andappreciative;andtheengine-driver,inhisturn,wasproperlythankedandcompensatedforallhispainsandtrouble.UnderseverecompulsionfromtheBadger,eventhebarge-womanwas,withsometrouble,soughtoutandthevalueofherhorsediscreetlymadegoodtoher;thoughToadkickedterriblyatthis,holdinghimselftobeaninstrumentofFate,senttopunishfatwomenwithmottledarmswhocouldn’ttellarealgentlemanwhentheysawone.Theamountinvolved,itwastrue,wasnotveryburdensome,thegipsy’svaluationbeingadmittedbylocalassessorstobeapproximatelycorrect.

           Sometimes,inthecourseoflongsummerevenings,thefriendswouldtakeastrolltogetherintheWildWood,nowsuccessfullytamedsofarastheywereconcerned;anditwaspleasingtoseehowrespectfullytheyweregreetedbytheinhabitants,andhowthemother-weaselswouldbringtheiryoungonestothemouthsoftheirholes,andsay,pointing,"Look,baby!TheregoesthegreatMr.Toad!Andthat’sthegallantWaterRat,aterriblefighter,walkingalongo’him!AndyondercomesthefamousMr