Троє в човні крім собаки

           Ididnotgrasptheirmistakeatfirst,andIthought, "Howrudeofthemtogoonlikethat,withaperfectstranger,too!" ButbeforeIcouldcalloutandreprovethem,theexplanationofthematteroccurredtome,andIwithdrewbehindatree. 

           Oh,howtheyenjoyedthemselves,ridiculingthatyoungman! Forfivegoodminutestheystoodthere,shoutingribaldryathim,deridinghim,mockinghim,jeeringathim. Theypepperedhimwithstalejokes,theyevenmadeafewnewonesandthrewathim. Theyhurledathimalltheprivatefamilyjokesbelongingtoourset,andwhichmusthavebeenperfectlyunintelligibletohim. Andthen,unabletostandtheirbrutaljibesanylonger,heturnedroundonthem,andtheysawhisface! 

           Iwasgladtonoticethattheyhadsufficientdecencyleftinthemtolookveryfoolish. Theyexplainedtohimthattheyhadthoughthewassomeonetheyknew. Theysaidtheyhopedhewouldnotdeemthemcapableofsoinsultinganyoneexceptapersonalfriendoftheirown. 

           Ofcoursetheirhavingmistakenhimforafriendexcusedit. IrememberHarristellingmeonceofabathingexperiencehehadatBoulogne. Hewasswimmingabouttherenearthebeach,whenhefelthimselfsuddenlyseizedbytheneckfrombehind,andforciblyplungedunderwater. Hestruggledviolently,butwhoeverhadgotholdofhimseemedtobeaperfectHerculesinstrength,andallhiseffortstoescapewereunavailing. Hehadgivenupkicking,andwastryingtoturnhisthoughtsuponsolemnthings,whenhiscaptorreleasedhim.