Ветер в ивах

           Andhewoundupbysaying,withthatfrankself-surrenderwhichalwaysdisarmedhisfriends’criticismandwonthembacktohisside,"Ratty!IseethatIhavebeenaheadstrongandawilfulToad!Henceforth,believeme,Iwillbehumbleandsubmissive,andwilltakenoactionwithoutyourkindadviceandfullapproval!"

           "Ifthatisreallyso,"saidthegood-naturedRat,alreadyappeased,"thenmyadvicetoyouis,consideringthelatenessofthehour,tositdownandhaveyoursupper,whichwillbeonthetableinaminute,andbeverypatient.ForIamconvincedthatwecandonothinguntilwehaveseentheMoleandtheBadger,andheardtheirlatestnews,andheldconferenceandtakentheiradviceinthisdifficultmatter."

           "Oh,ah,yes,ofcourse,theMoleandtheBadger,"saidToad,lightly."What’sbecomeofthem,thedearfellows?Ihadforgottenallaboutthem."

           "Wellmayyouask!"saidtheRatreproachfully."Whileyouwereridingaboutthecountryinexpensivemotor-cars,andgallopingproudlyonblood-horses,andbreakfastingonthefatoftheland,thosetwopoordevotedanimalshavebeencampingoutintheopen,ineverysortofweather,livingveryroughbydayandlyingveryhardbynight;watchingoveryourhouse,patrollingyourboundaries,keepingaconstanteyeonthestoatsandtheweasels,schemingandplanningandcontrivinghowtogetyourpropertybackforyou.Youdon’tdeservetohavesuchtrueandloyalfriends,Toad,youdon’t,really.