Вітер у вербах

           Youwillcomewithmeintothesmoking-room,andthereyouwillhearsomefactsaboutyourself;andwe’llseewhetheryoucomeoutofthatroomthesameToadthatyouwentin."

           HetookToadfirmlybythearm,ledhimintothesmoking-room,andclosedthedoorbehindthem.

           "That’snogood!"saidtheRatcontemptuously."TalkingtoToad’llnevercurehim.He’llsayanything."

           Theymadethemselvescomfortableinarm-chairsandwaitedpatiently.ThroughthecloseddoortheycouldjusthearthelongcontinuousdroneoftheBadger’svoice,risingandfallinginwavesoforatory;andpresentlytheynoticedthatthesermonbegantobepunctuatedatintervalsbylong-drawnsobs,evidentlyproceedingfromthebosomofToad,whowasasoft-heartedandaffectionatefellow,veryeasilyconverted—forthetimebeing—toanypointofview.

           Aftersomethree-quartersofanhourthedooropened,andtheBadgerreappeared,solemnlyleadingbythepawaverylimpanddejectedToad.Hisskinhungbaggilyabouthim,hislegswobbled,andhischeekswerefurrowedbythetearssoplentifullycalledforthbytheBadger’smovingdiscourse.

           "Sitdownthere,Toad,"saidtheBadgerkindly,pointingtoachair."Myfriends,"hewenton,"IampleasedtoinformyouthatToadhasatlastseentheerrorofhisways.Heistrulysorryforhismisguidedconductinthepast,andhehasundertakentogiveupmotor-carsentirelyandforever.