Ветер в ивах
“Like Summer Tempests Came His Tears”
TheToad,havingfinishedhisbreakfast,pickedupastoutstickandswungitvigorously,belabouringimaginaryanimals."I’lllearn’emtostealmyhouse!"hecried."I’lllearn’em,I’lllearn’em!"
"Don’tsay‘learn’em,’Toad,"saidtheRat,greatlyshocked."It’snotgoodEnglish."
"WhatareyoualwaysnaggingatToadfor?"inquiredtheBadger,ratherpeevishly."What’sthematterwithhisEnglish?It’sthesamewhatIusemyself,andifit’sgoodenoughforme,itoughttobegoodenoughforyou!"
"I’mverysorry,"saidtheRathumbly."OnlyIthinkitoughttobe‘teach’em,’not‘learn’em.’"
"Butwedon’twanttoteach’em,"repliedtheBadger."Wewanttolearn’em—learn’em,learn’em!Andwhat’smore,we’regoingtodoit,too!"
"Oh,verywell,haveityourownway,"saidtheRat.Hewasgettingrathermuddledaboutithimself,andpresentlyheretiredintoacorner,wherehecouldbeheardmuttering,"Learn’em,teach’em,teach’em,learn’em!"tilltheBadgertoldhimrathersharplytoleaveoff.
PresentlytheMolecametumblingintotheroom,evidentlyverypleasedwithhimself."I’vebeenhavingsuchfun!"hebeganatonce;"I’vebeengettingariseoutofthestoats!"
"Ihopeyou’vebeenverycareful,Mole?"saidtheRatanxiously.