Ветер в ивах

           AndI’veleftmybusinesstolookafteritself—I’minthewashingandlaunderingline,youmustknow,ma’am—andI’veleftmyyoungchildrentolookafterthemselves,andamoremischievousandtroublesomesetofyoungimpsdoesn’texist,ma’am;andI’velostallmymoney,andlostmyway,andasforwhatmaybehappeningtomymarrieddaughter,why,Idon’tliketothinkofit,ma’am!"

           "Wheremightyourmarrieddaughterbeliving,ma’am?"askedthebarge-woman.

           "Shelivesneartotheriver,ma’am,"repliedToad."ClosetoafinehousecalledToadHall,that’ssomewhereshereaboutsintheseparts.Perhapsyoumayhaveheardofit."

           "ToadHall?Why,I’mgoingthatwaymyself,"repliedthebarge-woman."Thiscanaljoinstheriversomemilesfurtheron,alittleaboveToadHall;andthenit’saneasywalk.Youcomealonginthebargewithme,andI’llgiveyoualift."

           Shesteeredthebargeclosetothebank,andToad,withmanyhumbleandgratefulacknowledgments,steppedlightlyonboardandsatdownwithgreatsatisfaction."Toad’sluckagain!"thoughthe."Ialwayscomeoutontop!"

           "Soyou’reinthewashingbusiness,ma’am?"saidthebarge-womanpolitely,astheyglidedalong."Andaverygoodbusinessyou’vegottoo,Idaresay,ifI’mnotmakingtoofreeinsayingso."

           "Finestbusinessinthewholecountry,"saidToadairily.