Ветер в ивах

           TheRatgotholdofascullandshoveditundertheMole’sarm;thenhedidthesamebytheothersideofhimand,swimmingbehind,propelledthehelplessanimaltoshore,hauledhimout,andsethimdownonthebank,asquashy,pulpylumpofmisery.

           WhentheRathadrubbedhimdownabit,andwrungsomeofthewetoutofhim,hesaid,"Nowthen,oldfellow!Trotupanddownthetowing-pathashardasyoucan,tillyou’rewarmanddryagain,whileIdivefortheluncheon-basket."

           SothedismalMole,wetwithoutandashamedwithin,trottedabouttillhewasfairlydry,whiletheRatplungedintothewateragain,recoveredtheboat,rightedherandmadeherfast,fetchedhisfloatingpropertytoshorebydegrees,andfinallydivedsuccessfullyfortheluncheon-basketandstruggledtolandwithit.

           Whenallwasreadyforastartoncemore,theMole,limpanddejected,tookhisseatinthesternoftheboat;andastheysetoff,hesaidinalowvoice,brokenwithemotion,"Ratty,mygenerousfriend!Iamverysorryindeedformyfoolishandungratefulconduct.MyheartquitefailsmewhenIthinkhowImighthavelostthatbeautifulluncheon-basket.Indeed,Ihavebeenacompleteass,andIknowit.Willyouoverlookitthisonceandforgiveme,andletthingsgoonasbefore?"

           "That’sallright,blessyou!"respondedtheRatcheerily."What’salittlewettoaWaterRat?I’mmoreinthewaterthanoutofitmostdays.