Ветер в ивах
Dulce Domum
"Hisspiritsfinallyquiterestored,hemustneedsgoandcaresshispossessions,andtakealampandshowofftheirpointstohisvisitorandexpatiateonthem,quiteforgetfulofthesuppertheybothsomuchneeded;Rat,whowasdesperatelyhungrybutstrovetoconcealit,noddingseriously,examiningwithapuckeredbrow,andsaying,"wonderful,"and"mostremarkable,"atintervals,whenthechanceforanobservationwasgivenhim.
AtlasttheRatsucceededindecoyinghimtothetable,andhadjustgotseriouslytoworkwiththesardine-openerwhensoundswereheardfromthefore-courtwithout—soundslikethescufflingofsmallfeetinthegravelandaconfusedmurmuroftinyvoices,whilebrokensentencesreachedthem—"Now,allinaline—holdthelanternupabit,Tommy—clearyourthroatsfirst—nocoughingafterIsayone,two,three.—Where’syoungBill?—Here,comeon,do,we’realla-waiting—"
"What’sup?"inquiredtheRat,pausinginhislabours.
"Ithinkitmustbethefield-mice,"repliedtheMole,withatouchofprideinhismanner."Theygoroundcarol-singingregularlyatthistimeoftheyear.They’requiteaninstitutionintheseparts.Andtheyneverpassmeover—theycometoMoleEndlastofall;andIusedtogivethemhotdrinks,andsuppertoosometimes,whenIcouldaffordit.Itwillbelikeoldtimestohearthemagain."
"Let’shavealookatthem!"criedtheRat,jumpingupandrunningtothedoor.
