Ветер в ивах

           Odear,Odear!"

           "That’sabadbusiness,indeed,"saidtheengine-driverreflectively."Lostyourmoney—andcan’tgethome—andgotsomekids,too,waitingforyou,Idaresay?"

           "Anyamountof’em,"sobbedToad."Andthey’llbehungry—andplayingwithmatches—andupsettinglamps,thelittleinnocents!—andquarrelling,andgoingongenerally.Odear,Odear!"

           "Well,I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo,"saidthegoodengine-driver."You’reawasherwomantoyourtrade,saysyou.Verywell,that’sthat.AndI’manengine-driver,asyouwellmaysee,andthere’snodenyingit’sterriblydirtywork.Usesupapowerofshirts,itdoes,tillmymissusisfairtiredofwashingof’em.Ifyou’llwashafewshirtsformewhenyougethome,andsend’emalong,I’llgiveyouarideonmyengine.It’sagainsttheCompany’sregulations,butwe’renotsoveryparticularintheseout-of-the-wayparts."

           TheToad’smiseryturnedintoraptureasheeagerlyscrambledupintothecaboftheengine.Ofcourse,hehadneverwashedashirtinhislife,andcouldn’tifhetriedand,anyhow,hewasn’tgoingtobegin;buthethought:"WhenIgetsafelyhometoToadHall,andhavemoneyagain,andpocketstoputitin,Iwillsendtheengine-driverenoughtopayforquiteaquantityofwashing,andthatwillbethesamething,orbetter.