Ветер в ивах

           Lord!thetimeswe’vehadtogether!Whetherinwinterorsummer,springorautumn,it’salwaysgotitsfunanditsexcitements.WhenthefloodsareoninFebruary,andmycellarsandbasementarebrimmingwithdrinkthat’snogoodtome,andthebrownwaterrunsbymybestbedroomwindow;oragainwhenitalldropsawayandshowspatchesofmudthatsmellslikeplum-cake,andtherushesandweedclogthechannels,andIcanpotteraboutdryshodovermostofthebedofitandfindfreshfoodtoeat,andthingscarelesspeoplehavedroppedoutofboats!"

           "Butisn’titabitdullattimes?"theMoleventuredtoask."Justyouandtheriver,andnooneelsetopassawordwith?"

           "Nooneelseto—well,Imustn’tbehardonyou,"saidtheRatwithforbearance."You’renewtoit,andofcourseyoudon’tknow.Thebankissocrowdednowadaysthatmanypeoplearemovingawayaltogether.Ono,itisn’twhatitusedtobe,atall.Otters,king-fishers,dabchicks,moorhens,allofthemaboutalldaylongandalwayswantingyoutodosomething—asifafellowhadnobusinessofhisowntoattendto!"

           "Whatliesoverthere?"askedtheMole,wavingapawtowardsabackgroundofwoodlandthatdarklyframedthewater-meadowsononesideoftheriver.

           "That?O,that’sjusttheWildWood,"saidtheRatshortly."Wedon’tgothereverymuch,weriver-bankers.