Мхи старої садиби
Mrs. Bullfrog
Bullfrog,withherglossyringletscurlingonherbrow,andtworowsoforientpearlsgleamingbetweenherpartedlips,whichworeamostangelicsmile.Shehadregainedherridinghabitandcalashfromthegrislyphantom,andwas,inallrespects,thelovelywomanwhohadbeensittingbymysideattheinstantofouroverturn.Howshehadhappenedtodisappear,andwhohadsuppliedherplace,andwhenceshedidnowreturn,wereproblemstooknottyformetosolve.Therestoodmywife.Thatwastheonethingcertainamongaheapofmysteries.Nothingremainedbuttohelpherintothecoach,andplodon,throughthejourneyofthedayandthejourneyoflife,ascomfortablyaswecould.Asthedriverclosedthedooruponus,Iheardhimwhispertothethreecountrymen,"Howdoyousupposeafellowfeelsshutupinthecagewithashetiger?"
Ofcoursethisquerycouldhavenoreferencetomysituation.Yet,unreasonableasitmayappear,IconfessthatmyfeelingswerenotaltogethersoecstaticaswhenIfirstcalledMrs.Bullfrogmine.True,shewasasweetwomanandanangelofawife;butwhatifaGorgonshouldreturn,amidthetransportsofourconnubialbliss,andtaketheangel’splace.Irecollectedthetaleofafairy,whohalfthetimewasabeautifulwomanandhalfthetimeahideousmonster.HadItakenthatveryfairytobethewifeofmybosom?WhilesuchwhimsandchimeraswereflittingacrossmyfancyIbegantolookaskanceatMrs.Bullfrog,almostexpectingthatthetransformationwouldbewroughtbeforemyeyes.
