Ветер в ивах

           )"StupidanimalthatIwas"(hesaid),"nowImustlanguishinthisdungeon,tillpeoplewhowereproudtosaytheyknewme,haveforgottentheverynameofToad!OwiseoldBadger!"(hesaid),"Oclever,intelligentRatandsensibleMole!Whatsoundjudgments,whataknowledgeofmenandmattersyoupossess!OunhappyandforsakenToad!"Withlamentationssuchasthesehepassedhisdaysandnightsforseveralweeks,refusinghismealsorintermediatelightrefreshments,thoughthegrimandancientgaoler,knowingthatToad’spocketswerewelllined,frequentlypointedoutthatmanycomforts,andindeedluxuries,couldbyarrangementbesentin—ataprice—fromoutside.

           Nowthegaolerhadadaughter,apleasantwenchandgood-hearted,whoassistedherfatherinthelighterdutiesofhispost.Shewasparticularlyfondofanimals,and,besideshercanary,whosecagehungonanailinthemassivewallofthekeepbyday,tothegreatannoyanceofprisonerswhorelishedanafter-dinnernap,andwasshroudedinanantimacassarontheparlourtableatnight,shekeptseveralpiebaldmiceandarestlessrevolvingsquirrel.Thiskind-heartedgirl,pityingthemiseryofToad,saidtoherfatheroneday,"Father!Ican’tbeartoseethatpoorbeastsounhappy,andgettingsothin!Youletmehavethemanagingofhim.YouknowhowfondofanimalsIam.I’llmakehimeatfrommyhand,andsitup,anddoallsortsofthings."

           Herfatherrepliedthatshecoulddowhatshelikedwithhim.