Вітер у вербах

           TheBadger’swinterstores,whichindeedwerevisibleeverywhere,tookuphalftheroom—pilesofapples,turnips,andpotatoes,basketsfullofnuts,andjarsofhoney;butthetwolittlewhitebedsontheremainderofthefloorlookedsoftandinviting,andthelinenonthem,thoughcoarse,wascleanandsmeltbeautifullyoflavender;andtheMoleandtheWaterRat,shakingofftheirgarmentsinsomethirtyseconds,tumbledinbetweenthesheetsingreatjoyandcontentment.

           InaccordancewiththekindlyBadger’sinjunctions,thetwotiredanimalscamedowntobreakfastverylatenextmorning,andfoundabrightfireburninginthekitchen,andtwoyounghedgehogssittingonabenchatthetable,eatingoatmealporridgeoutofwoodenbowls.Thehedgehogsdroppedtheirspoons,rosetotheirfeet,andduckedtheirheadsrespectfullyasthetwoentered.

           "There,sitdown,sitdown,"saidtheRatpleasantly,"andgoonwithyourporridge.Wherehaveyouyoungsterscomefrom?Lostyourwayinthesnow,Isuppose?"

           "Yes,please,sir,"saidtheelderofthetwohedgehogsrespectfully."MeandlittleBillyhere,wewastryingtofindourwaytoschool—motherwouldhaveusgo,wastheweathereverso—andofcoursewelostourselves,sir,andBillyhegotfrightenedandtookandcried,beingyoungandfaint-hearted.AndatlastwehappenedupagainstMr.Badger’sbackdoor,andmadesoboldastoknock,sir,forMr.