English
Thefrontdoorofthehollowtreefacedeastwards,soToadwascalledatanearlyhour;partlybythebrightsunlightstreaminginonhim,partlybytheexceedingcoldnessofhistoes,whichmadehimdreamthathewasathomeinbedinhisownhandsomeroomwiththeTudorwindow,onacoldwinter'snight,andhisbedclotheshadgotup,grumblingandprotestingtheycouldn'tstandthecoldanylonger,andhadrundownstairstothekitchenfiretowarmthemselves;andhehadfollowed,onbarefeet,alongmilesandmilesoficystone-pavedpassages,arguingandbeseechingthemtobereasonable.
Hewouldprobablyhavebeenarousedmuchearlier,hadhenotsleptforsomeweeksonstrawoverstoneflags,andalmostforgottenthefriendlyfeelingofthickblanketspulledwelluproundthechin.
Sittingup,herubbedhiseyesfirstandhiscomplainingtoesnext,wonderedforamomentwherehewas,lookingroundforfamiliarstonewallandlittlebarredwindow;then,withaleapoftheheart,rememberedeverything—hisescape,hisflight,hispursuit;remembered,firstandbestthingofall,thathewasfree!
Free!Thewordandthethoughtalonewereworthfiftyblankets.
Hewaswarmfromendtoendashethoughtofthejollyworldoutside,waitingeagerlyforhimtomakehistriumphalentrance,readytoservehimandplayuptohim,anxioustohelphimandtokeephimcompany,asitalwayshadbeenindaysofoldbeforemisfortunefelluponhim.
Heshookhimselfandcombedthedryleavesoutofhishairwithhisfingers;and,histoiletcomplete,marchedforthintothecomfortablemorningsun,coldbutconfident,hungrybuthopeful,allnervousterrorsofyesterdaydispelledbyrestandsleepandfrankandhearteningsunshine.
Hehadtheworldalltohimself,thatearlysummermorning.
Thedewywoodland,ashethreadedit,wassolitaryandstill:thegreenfieldsthatsucceededthetreeswerehisowntodoashelikedwith;theroaditself,whenhereachedit,inthatlonelinessthatwaseverywhere,seemed,likeastraydog,tobelookinganxiouslyforcompany.
Toad,however,waslookingforsomethingthatcouldtalk,andtellhimclearlywhichwayheoughttogo.
Itisallverywell,whenyouhavealightheart,andaclearconscience,andmoneyinyourpocket,andnobodyscouringthecountryforyoutodragyouofftoprisonagain,tofollowwheretheroadbeckonsandpoints,notcaringwhither.
ThepracticalToadcaredverymuchindeed,andhecouldhavekickedtheroadforitshelplesssilencewheneveryminutewasofimportancetohim.
Thereservedrusticroadwaspresentlyjoinedbyashylittlebrotherintheshapeofacanal,whichtookitshandandambledalongbyitssideinperfectconfidence,butwiththesametongue-tied,uncommunicativeattitudetowardsstrangers.'Botherthem!'saidToadtohimself.'But,anyhow,onething'sclear.
TheymustbothbecomingFROMsomewhere,andgoingTOsomewhere.Youcan'tgetoverthat.Toad,myboy!'
Sohemarchedonpatientlybythewater'sedge.
Roundabendinthecanalcameploddingasolitaryhorse,stoopingforwardasifinanxiousthought.
Fromropetracesattachedtohiscollarstretchedalongline,taut,butdippingwithhisstride,thefurtherpartofitdrippingpearlydrops.
Toadletthehorsepass,andstoodwaitingforwhatthefatesweresendinghim.
Withapleasantswirlofquietwateratitsbluntbowthebargeslidupalongsideofhim,itsgailypaintedgunwalelevelwiththetowing-path,itssoleoccupantabigstoutwomanwearingalinensun-bonnet,onebrawnyarmlaidalongthetiller.
'Anicemorning,ma'am!'sheremarkedtoToad,asshedrewuplevelwithhim.
'Idaresayitis,ma'am!'respondedToadpolitely,ashewalkedalongthetow-pathabreastofher.'
IdareitISanicemorningtothemthat'snotinsoretrouble,likewhatIam.
Here'smymarrieddaughter,shesendsofftomepost-hastetocometoheratonce;sooffIcomes,notknowingwhatmaybehappeningorgoingtohappen,butfearingtheworst,asyouwillunderstand,ma'am,ifyou'reamother,too.
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.
'Allthegentrycometome—wouldn'tgotoanyoneelseiftheywerepaid,theyknowmesowell.
Yousee,Iunderstandmyworkthoroughly,andattendtoitallmyself.
Washing,ironing,clear-starching,makingupgents'fineshirtsforeveningwear—everything'sdoneundermyowneye!'
'Butsurelyyoudon'tDOallthatworkyourself,ma'am?'askedthebarge-womanrespectfully.
'O,Ihavegirls,'saidToadlightly:'twentygirlsorthereabouts,alwaysatwork.ButyouknowwhatGIRLSare,ma'am!Nastylittlehussies,that'swhatIcall'em!'
'SodoI,too,'saidthebarge-womanwithgreatheartiness.'ButIdaresayyousetyourstorights,theidletrollops!Andareyouveryfondofwashing?'
'Iloveit,'saidToad.'Isimplydoteonit.NeversohappyaswhenI'vegotbotharmsinthewash-tub.But,then,itcomessoeasytome!Notroubleatall!Arealpleasure,Iassureyou,ma'am!'
'Whatabitofluck,meetingyou!'observedthebarge-woman,thoughtfully.'Aregularpieceofgoodfortuneforbothofus!'
'Why,whatdoyoumean?'askedToad,nervously.
'Well,lookatme,now,'repliedthebarge-woman.'
Ilikewashing,too,justthesameasyoudo;andforthatmatter,whetherIlikeitornotIhavegottodoallmyown,naturally,movingaboutasIdo.
Nowmyhusband,he'ssuchafellowforshirkinghisworkandleavingthebargetome,thatneveramomentdoIgetforseeingtomyownaffairs.
Byrightsheoughttobeherenow,eithersteeringorattendingtothehorse,thoughluckilythehorsehassenseenoughtoattendtohimself.
Insteadofwhich,he'sgoneoffwiththedog,toseeiftheycan'tpickuparabbitfordinnersomewhere.
Sayshe'llcatchmeupatthenextlock.
Well,that'sasmaybe—Idon'ttrusthim,oncehegetsoffwiththatdog,who'sworsethanheis.
Butmeantime,howamItogetonwithmywashing?'
'O,nevermindaboutthewashing,'saidToad,notlikingthesubject.'Tryandfixyourmindonthatrabbit.Anicefatyoungrabbit,I'llbebound.Gotanyonions?'
'Ican'tfixmymindonanythingbutmywashing,'saidthebarge-woman,'andIwonderyoucanbetalkingofrabbits,withsuchajoyfulprospectbeforeyou.
There'saheapofthingsofminethatyou'llfindinacornerofthecabin.
Ifyou'lljusttakeoneortwoofthemostnecessarysort—Iwon'tventuretodescribethemtoaladylikeyou,butyou'llrecognisethemataglance—andputthemthroughthewash-tubaswegoalong,why,it'llbeapleasuretoyou,asyourightlysay,andarealhelptome.
You'llfindatubhandy,andsoap,andakettleonthestove,andabuckettohaulupwaterfromthecanalwith.
ThenIshallknowyou'reenjoyingyourself,insteadofsittinghereidle,lookingatthesceneryandyawningyourheadoff.'
'Here,youletmesteer!'saidToad,nowthoroughlyfrightened,'andthenyoucangetonwithyourwashingyourownway.
Imightspoilyourthings,ornotdo'emasyoulike.
I'mmoreusedtogentlemen'sthingsmyself.It'smyspecialline.'
'Letyousteer?'repliedthebarge-woman,laughing.
'Ittakessomepracticetosteerabargeproperly.
Besides,it'sdullwork,andIwantyoutobehappy.
No,youshalldothewashingyouaresofondof,andI'llsticktothesteeringthatIunderstand.
Don'ttryanddeprivemeofthepleasureofgivingyouatreat!'
Toadwasfairlycornered.Helookedforescapethiswayandthat,sawthathewastoofarfromthebankforaflyingleap,andsullenlyresignedhimselftohisfate.
'Ifitcomestothat,'hethoughtindesperation,'IsupposeanyfoolcanWASH!'
Hefetchedtub,soap,andothernecessariesfromthecabin,selectedafewgarmentsatrandom,triedtorecollectwhathehadseenincasualglancesthroughlaundrywindows,andsetto.
Alonghalf-hourpassed,andeveryminuteofitsawToadgettingcrosserandcrosser.
Nothingthathecoulddotothethingsseemedtopleasethemordothemgood.
Hetriedcoaxing,hetriedslapping,hetriedpunching;theysmiledbackathimoutofthetubunconverted,happyintheiroriginalsin.
Onceortwicehelookednervouslyoverhisshoulderatthebarge-woman,butsheappearedtobegazingoutinfrontofher,absorbedinhersteering.
Hisbackachedbadly,andhenoticedwithdismaythathispawswerebeginningtogetallcrinkly.NowToadwasveryproudofhispaws.
HemutteredunderhisbreathwordsthatshouldneverpassthelipsofeitherwasherwomenorToads;andlostthesoap,forthefiftiethtime.
Aburstoflaughtermadehimstraightenhimselfandlookround.Thebarge-womanwasleaningbackandlaughingunrestrainedly,tillthetearsrandownhercheeks.
'I'vebeenwatchingyouallthetime,'shegasped.'
Ithoughtyoumustbeahumbugallalong,fromtheconceitedwayyoutalked.Prettywasherwomanyouare!
Neverwashedsomuchasadish-cloutinyourlife,I'lllay!'
Toad'stemperwhichhadbeensimmeringviciouslyforsometime,nowfairlyboiledover,andhelostallcontrolofhimself.
'Youcommon,low,FATbarge-woman!'heshouted;'don'tyoudaretotalktoyourbetterslikethat!Washerwomanindeed!
IwouldhaveyoutoknowthatIamaToad,averywell-known,respected,distinguishedToad!
Imaybeunderabitofacloudatpresent,butIwillNOTbelaughedatbyabargewoman!'
Thewomanmovednearertohimandpeeredunderhisbonnetkeenlyandclosely.'Why,soyouare!'shecried.'Well,Inever!Ahorrid,nasty,crawlyToad!Andinmynicecleanbarge,too!
NowthatisathingthatIwillNOThave.'
Sherelinquishedthetillerforamoment.
OnebigmottledarmshotoutandcaughtToadbyafore-leg,whiletheother-grippedhimfastbyahind-leg.
Thentheworldturnedsuddenlyupsidedown,thebargeseemedtoflitlightlyacrossthesky,thewindwhistledinhisears,andToadfoundhimselfflyingthroughtheair,revolvingrapidlyashewent.
Thewater,whenheeventuallyreacheditwithaloudsplash,provedquitecoldenoughforhistaste,thoughitschillwasnotsufficienttoquellhisproudspirit,orslaketheheatofhisfurioustemper.
Herosetothesurfacespluttering,andwhenhehadwipedtheduck-weedoutofhiseyesthefirstthinghesawwasthefatbarge-womanlookingbackathimoverthesternoftheretreatingbargeandlaughing;andhevowed,ashecoughedandchoked,tobeevenwithher.
Hestruckoutfortheshore,butthecottongowngreatlyimpededhisefforts,andwhenatlengthhetouchedlandhefoundithardtoclimbupthesteepbankunassisted.
Hehadtotakeaminuteortwo'sresttorecoverhisbreath;then,gatheringhiswetskirtswelloverhisarms,hestartedtorunafterthebargeasfastashislegswouldcarryhim,wildwithindignation,thirstingforrevenge.
Thebarge-womanwasstilllaughingwhenhedrewuplevelwithher.
'Putyourselfthroughyourmangle,washerwoman,'shecalledout,'andironyourfaceandcrimpit,andyou'llpassforquiteadecent-lookingToad!'
Toadneverpausedtoreply.Solidrevengewaswhathewanted,notcheap,windy,verbaltriumphs,thoughhehadathingortwoinhismindthathewouldhavelikedtosay.Hesawwhathewantedaheadofhim.
Runningswiftlyonheovertookthehorse,unfastenedthetowropeandcastoff,jumpedlightlyonthehorse'sback,andurgedittoagallopbykickingitvigorouslyinthesides.
Hesteeredfortheopencountry,abandoningthetow-path,andswinginghissteeddownaruttylane.
Oncehelookedback,andsawthatthebargehadrunagroundontheothersideofthecanal,andthebarge-womanwasgesticulatingwildlyandshouting,'Stop,stop,stop!'
'I'veheardthatsongbefore,'saidToad,laughing,ashecontinuedtospurhissteedonwardinitswildcareer.
Thebarge-horsewasnotcapableofanyverysustainedeffort,anditsgallopsoonsubsidedintoatrot,anditstrotintoaneasywalk;butToadwasquitecontentedwiththis,knowingthathe,atanyrate,wasmoving,andthebargewasnot.
Hehadquiterecoveredhistemper,nowthathehaddonesomethinghethoughtreallyclever;andhewassatisfiedtojogalongquietlyinthesun,steeringhishorsealongby-waysandbridle-paths,andtryingtoforgethowverylongitwassincehehadhadasquaremeal,tillthecanalhadbeenleftveryfarbehindhim.
Hehadtravelledsomemiles,hishorseandhe,andhewasfeelingdrowsyinthehotsunshine,whenthehorsestopped,loweredhishead,andbegantonibblethegrass;andToad,wakingup,justsavedhimselffromfallingoffbyaneffort.
Helookedabouthimandfoundhewasonawidecommon,dottedwithpatchesofgorseandbrambleasfarashecouldsee.
Nearhimstoodadingygipsycaravan,andbesideitamanwassittingonabucketturnedupsidedown,verybusysmokingandstaringintothewideworld.
Afireofstickswasburningnearby,andoverthefirehunganironpot,andoutofthatpotcameforthbubblingsandgurglings,andavaguesuggestivesteaminess.
Alsosmells—warm,rich,andvariedsmells—thattwinedandtwistedandwreathedthemselvesatlastintoonecomplete,voluptuous,perfectsmellthatseemedliketheverysoulofNaturetakingformandappearingtoherchildren,atrueGoddess,amotherofsolaceandcomfort.
Toadnowknewwellthathehadnotbeenreallyhungrybefore.
Whathehadfeltearlierinthedayhadbeenameretriflingqualm.
Thiswastherealthingatlast,andnomistake;anditwouldhavetobedealtwithspeedily,too,ortherewouldbetroubleforsomebodyorsomething.
Helookedthegipsyovercarefully,wonderingvaguelywhetheritwouldbeeasiertofighthimorcajolehim.
Sotherehesat,andsniffedandsniffed,andlookedatthegipsy;andthegipsysatandsmoked,andlookedathim.
Presentlythegipsytookhispipeoutofhismouthandremarkedinacarelessway,'Wanttosellthattherehorseofyours?'
Toadwascompletelytakenaback.Hedidnotknowthatgipsieswereveryfondofhorse-dealing,andnevermissedanopportunity,andhehadnotreflectedthatcaravanswerealwaysonthemoveandtookadealofdrawing.
Ithadnotoccurredtohimtoturnthehorseintocash,butthegipsy'ssuggestionseemedtosmooththewaytowardsthetwothingshewantedsobadly—readymoney,andasolidbreakfast.
'What?'hesaid,'mesellthisbeautifulyounghorseofmine?O,no;it'soutofthequestion.
Who'sgoingtotakethewashinghometomycustomerseveryweek?
Besides,I'mtoofondofhim,andhesimplydotesonme.'
'Tryandloveadonkey,'suggestedthegipsy.'Somepeopledo.'
'Youdon'tseemtosee,'continuedToad,'thatthisfinehorseofmineisacutaboveyoualtogether.
He'sabloodhorse,heis,partly;notthepartyousee,ofcourse—anotherpart.
Andhe'sbeenaPrizeHackney,too,inhistime—thatwasthetimebeforeyouknewhim,butyoucanstilltellitonhimataglance,ifyouunderstandanythingabouthorses.
No,it'snottobethoughtofforamoment.
Allthesame,howmuchmightyoubedisposedtooffermeforthisbeautifulyounghorseofmine?'
Thegipsylookedthehorseover,andthenhelookedToadoverwithequalcare,andlookedatthehorseagain.
'Shillin'aleg,'hesaidbriefly,andturnedaway,continuingtosmokeandtrytostarethewideworldoutofcountenance.
'Ashillingaleg?'criedToad.'Ifyouplease,Imusttakealittletimetoworkthatout,andseejustwhatitcomesto.'
Heclimbeddownoffhishorse,andleftittograze,andsatdownbythegipsy,anddidsumsonhisfingers,andatlasthesaid,'Ashillingaleg?
Why,thatcomestoexactlyfourshillings,andnomore.
O,no;Icouldnotthinkofacceptingfourshillingsforthisbeautifulyounghorseofmine.'
'Well,'saidthegipsy,'I'lltellyouwhatIwilldo.I'llmakeitfiveshillings,andthat'sthree-and-sixpencemorethantheanimal'sworth.Andthat'smylastword.'
ThenToadsatandponderedlonganddeeply.
Forhewashungryandquitepenniless,andstillsomeway—heknewnothowfar—fromhome,andenemiesmightstillbelookingforhim.
Tooneinsuchasituation,fiveshillingsmayverywellappearalargesumofmoney.
Ontheotherhand,itdidnotseemverymuchtogetforahorse.
Butthen,again,thehorsehadn'tcosthimanything;sowhateverhegotwasallclearprofit.
Atlasthesaidfirmly,'Lookhere,gipsy!
Itellyouwhatwewilldo;andthisisMYlastword.
Youshallhandmeoversixshillingsandsixpence,cashdown;andfurther,inadditionthereto,youshallgivemeasmuchbreakfastasIcanpossiblyeat,atonesittingofcourse,outofthatironpotofyoursthatkeepssendingforthsuchdeliciousandexcitingsmells.
Inreturn,Iwillmakeovertoyoumyspiritedyounghorse,withallthebeautifulharnessandtrappingsthatareonhim,freelythrownin.
Ifthat'snotgoodenoughforyou,sayso,andI'llbegettingon.
Iknowamannearherewho'swantedthishorseofmineforyears.'
Thegipsygrumbledfrightfully,anddeclaredifhedidafewmoredealsofthatsorthe'dberuined.
Butintheendheluggedadirtycanvasbagoutofthedepthsofhistrouserpocket,andcountedoutsixshillingsandsixpenceintoToad'spaw.
Thenhedisappearedintothecaravanforaninstant,andreturnedwithalargeironplateandaknife,fork,andspoon.
Hetiltedupthepot,andagloriousstreamofhotrichstewgurgledintotheplate.
Itwas,indeed,themostbeautifulstewintheworld,beingmadeofpartridges,andpheasants,andchickens,andhares,andrabbits,andpea-hens,andguinea-fowls,andoneortwootherthings.
Toadtooktheplateonhislap,almostcrying,andstuffed,andstuffed,andstuffed,andkeptaskingformore,andthegipsynevergrudgedithim.
Hethoughtthathehadnevereatensogoodabreakfastinallhislife.
WhenToadhadtakenasmuchstewonboardashethoughthecouldpossiblyhold,hegotupandsaidgood-byetothegipsy,andtookanaffectionatefarewellofthehorse;andthegipsy,whoknewtheriversidewell,gavehimdirectionswhichwaytogo,andhesetforthonhistravelsagaininthebestpossiblespirits.
Hewas,indeed,averydifferentToadfromtheanimalofanhourago.
Thesunwasshiningbrightly,hiswetclotheswerequitedryagain,hehadmoneyinhispocketoncemore,hewasnearinghomeandfriendsandsafety,and,mostandbestofall,hehadhadasubstantialmeal,hotandnourishing,andfeltbig,andstrong,andcareless,andself-confident.
Ashetrampedalonggaily,hethoughtofhisadventuresandescapes,andhowwhenthingsseemedattheirworsthehadalwaysmanagedtofindawayout;andhisprideandconceitbegantoswellwithinhim.'Ho,ho!'
hesaidtohimselfashemarchedalongwithhischinintheair,'whatacleverToadIam!
Thereissurelynoanimalequaltomeforclevernessinthewholeworld!
Myenemiesshutmeupinprison,encircledbysentries,watchednightanddaybywarders;Iwalkoutthroughthemall,bysheerabilitycoupledwithcourage.
Theypursuemewithengines,andpolicemen,andrevolvers;Isnapmyfingersatthem,andvanish,laughing,intospace.
Iam,unfortunately,thrownintoacanalbyawomanfatofbodyandveryevil-minded.Whatofit?
Iswimashore,Iseizeherhorse,Irideoffintriumph,andIsellthehorseforawholepocketfulofmoneyandanexcellentbreakfast!Ho,ho!
IamTheToad,thehandsome,thepopular,thesuccessfulToad!'
Hegotsopuffedupwithconceitthathemadeupasongashewalkedinpraiseofhimself,andsangitatthetopofhisvoice,thoughtherewasnoonetohearitbuthim.
Itwasperhapsthemostconceitedsongthatanyanimalevercomposed.
'TheworldhasheldgreatHeroes,
Ashistory-bookshaveshowed;
Butneveranametogodowntofame
ComparedwiththatofToad!
'TheclevermenatOxford
Knowallthatthereistobeknowed.
Buttheynoneofthemknowonehalfasmuch
AsintelligentMr.Toad!
'TheanimalssatintheArkandcried,
Theirtearsintorrentsflowed.
Whowasitsaid,"There'slandahead?"
EncouragingMr.Toad!
'Thearmyallsaluted
Astheymarchedalongtheroad.
WasittheKing?OrKitchener?
No.ItwasMr.Toad.
'TheQueenandherLadies-in-waiting
Satatthewindowandsewed.
Shecried,"Look!who'sthathandsomeman?"
Theyanswered,"Mr.Toad."'
Therewasagreatdealmoreofthesamesort,buttoodreadfullyconceitedtobewrittendown.Thesearesomeofthemilderverses.
Hesangashewalked,andhewalkedashesang,andgotmoreinflatedeveryminute.Buthispridewasshortlytohaveaseverefall.
Aftersomemilesofcountrylaneshereachedthehighroad,andasheturnedintoitandglancedalongitswhitelength,hesawapproachinghimaspeckthatturnedintoadotandthenintoablob,andthenintosomethingveryfamiliar;andadoublenoteofwarning,onlytoowellknown,fellonhisdelightedear.
'Thisissomethinglike!'saidtheexcitedToad.
'Thisisreallifeagain,thisisoncemorethegreatworldfromwhichIhavebeenmissedsolong!
Iwillhailthem,mybrothersofthewheel,andpitchthemayarn,ofthesortthathasbeensosuccessfulhitherto;andtheywillgivemealift,ofcourse,andthenIwilltalktothemsomemore;and,perhaps,withluck,itmayevenendinmydrivinguptoToadHallinamotor-car!
ThatwillbeoneintheeyeforBadger!'
Hesteppedconfidentlyoutintotheroadtohailthemotor-car,whichcamealongataneasypace,slowingdownasitnearedthelane;whensuddenlyhebecameverypale,hisheartturnedtowater,hiskneesshookandyieldedunderhim,andhedoubledupandcollapsedwithasickeningpaininhisinterior.
Andwellhemight,theunhappyanimal;fortheapproachingcarwastheveryonehehadstolenoutoftheyardoftheRedLionHotelonthatfataldaywhenallhistroublesbegan!
Andthepeopleinitweretheverysamepeoplehehadsatandwatchedatluncheoninthecoffee-room!
Hesankdowninashabby,miserableheapintheroad,murmuringtohimselfinhisdespair,'It'sallup!It'sallovernow!Chainsandpolicemenagain!Prisonagain!Drybreadandwateragain!O,whatafoolIhavebeen!
WhatdidIwanttogostruttingaboutthecountryfor,singingconceitedsongs,andhailingpeopleinbroaddayonthehighroad,insteadofhidingtillnightfallandslippinghomequietlybybackways!OhaplessToad!Oill-fatedanimal!'
Theterriblemotor-cardrewslowlynearerandnearer,tillatlasthehearditstopjustshortofhim.
Twogentlemengotoutandwalkedroundthetremblingheapofcrumpledmiserylyingintheroad,andoneofthemsaid,'Odear!thisisverysad!
Hereisapooroldthing—awasherwomanapparently—whohasfaintedintheroad!
Perhapssheisovercomebytheheat,poorcreature;orpossiblyshehasnothadanyfoodto-day.
Letusliftherintothecarandtakehertothenearestvillage,wheredoubtlessshehasfriends.'
TheytenderlyliftedToadintothemotor-carandproppedhimupwithsoftcushions,andproceededontheirway.
WhenToadheardthemtalkinsokindandsympatheticaway,andknewthathewasnotrecognised,hiscouragebegantorevive,andhecautiouslyopenedfirstoneeyeandthentheother.
'Look!'saidoneofthegentlemen,'sheisbetteralready.Thefreshairisdoinghergood.Howdoyoufeelnow,ma'am?'
'Thankyoukindly,Sir,'saidToadinafeeblevoice,'I'mfeelingagreatdealbetter!''That'sright,'saidthegentleman.'Nowkeepquitestill,and,aboveall,don'ttrytotalk.'
'Iwon't,'saidToad.'Iwasonlythinking,ifImightsitonthefrontseatthere,besidethedriver,whereIcouldgetthefreshairfullinmyface,Ishouldsoonbeallrightagain.'
'Whataverysensiblewoman!'saidthegentleman.'Ofcourseyoushall.'SotheycarefullyhelpedToadintothefrontseatbesidethedriver,andontheywentagain.
Toadwasalmosthimselfagainbynow.Hesatup,lookedabouthim,andtriedtobeatdownthetremors,theyearnings,theoldcravingsthatroseupandbesethimandtookpossessionofhimentirely.
'Itisfate!'hesaidtohimself.'Whystrive?whystruggle?'andheturnedtothedriverathisside.
'Please,Sir,'hesaid,'Iwishyouwouldkindlyletmetryanddrivethecarforalittle.
I'vebeenwatchingyoucarefully,anditlookssoeasyandsointeresting,andIshouldliketobeabletotellmyfriendsthatonceIhaddrivenamotor-car!'
Thedriverlaughedattheproposal,soheartilythatthegentlemaninquiredwhatthematterwas.
Whenheheard,hesaid,toToad'sdelight,'Bravo,ma'am!Ilikeyourspirit.Letherhaveatry,andlookafterher.Shewon'tdoanyharm.'
Toadeagerlyscrambledintotheseatvacatedbythedriver,tookthesteering-wheelinhishands,listenedwithaffectedhumilitytotheinstructionsgivenhim,andsetthecarinmotion,butveryslowlyandcarefullyatfirst,forhewasdeterminedtobeprudent.
Thegentlemenbehindclappedtheirhandsandapplauded,andToadheardthemsaying,'Howwellshedoesit!Fancyawasherwomandrivingacaraswellasthat,thefirsttime!'
Toadwentalittlefaster;thenfasterstill,andfaster.
Heheardthegentlemencalloutwarningly,'Becareful,washerwoman!'Andthisannoyedhim,andhebegantolosehishead.
Thedrivertriedtointerfere,buthepinnedhimdowninhisseatwithoneelbow,andputonfullspeed.
Therushofairinhisface,thehumoftheengines,andthelightjumpofthecarbeneathhimintoxicatedhisweakbrain.'Washerwoman,indeed!'heshoutedrecklessly.'Ho!ho!
IamtheToad,themotor-carsnatcher,theprison-breaker,theToadwhoalwaysescapes!
Sitstill,andyoushallknowwhatdrivingreallyis,foryouareinthehandsofthefamous,theskilful,theentirelyfearlessToad!'
Withacryofhorrorthewholepartyroseandflungthemselvesonhim.'Seizehim!'
theycried,'seizetheToad,thewickedanimalwhostoleourmotor-car!
Bindhim,chainhim,draghimtothenearestpolice-station!
DownwiththedesperateanddangerousToad!'
Alas!theyshouldhavethought,theyoughttohavebeenmoreprudent,theyshouldhaverememberedtostopthemotor-carsomehowbeforeplayinganypranksofthatsort.
Withahalf-turnofthewheeltheToadsentthecarcrashingthroughthelowhedgethatranalongtheroadside.
Onemightybound,aviolentshock,andthewheelsofthecarwerechurningupthethickmudofahorse-pond.
Toadfoundhimselfflyingthroughtheairwiththestrongupwardrushanddelicatecurveofaswallow.
Helikedthemotion,andwasjustbeginningtowonderwhetheritwouldgoonuntilhedevelopedwingsandturnedintoaToad-bird,whenhelandedonhisbackwithathump,inthesoftrichgrassofameadow.
Sittingup,hecouldjustseethemotor-carinthepond,nearlysubmerged;thegentlemenandthedriver,encumberedbytheirlongcoats,wereflounderinghelplesslyinthewater.
Hepickedhimselfuprapidly,andsetoffrunningacrosscountryashardashecould,scramblingthroughhedges,jumpingditches,poundingacrossfields,tillhewasbreathlessandweary,andhadtosettledownintoaneasywalk.
Whenhehadrecoveredhisbreathsomewhat,andwasabletothinkcalmly,hebegantogiggle,andfromgigglinghetooktolaughing,andhelaughedtillhehadtositdownunderahedge.'Ho,ho!'
hecried,inecstasiesofself-admiration,'Toadagain!Toad,asusual,comesoutonthetop!Whowasitgotthemtogivehimalift?
Whomanagedtogetonthefrontseatforthesakeoffreshair?
Whopersuadedthemintolettinghimseeifhecoulddrive?Wholandedthemallinahorse-pond?
Whoescaped,flyinggailyandunscathedthroughtheair,leavingthenarrow-minded,grudging,timidexcursionistsinthemudwheretheyshouldrightlybe?
Why,Toad,ofcourse;cleverToad,greatToad,GOODToad!'
Thenheburstintosongagain,andchantedwithupliftedvoice—
'Themotor-carwentPoop-poop-poop,Asitracedalongtheroad.Whowasitsteereditintoapond?IngeniousMr.Toad!
O,howcleverIam!Howclever,howclever,howveryclev——'
Aslightnoiseatadistancebehindhimmadehimturnhisheadandlook.Ohorror!Omisery!Odespair!
Abouttwofieldsoff,achauffeurinhisleathergaitersandtwolargeruralpolicemenwerevisible,runningtowardshimashardastheycouldgo!
PoorToadsprangtohisfeetandpeltedawayagain,hisheartinhismouth.O,my!'
hegasped,ashepantedalong,'whatanASSIam!WhataCONCEITEDandheedlessass!Swaggeringagain!Shoutingandsingingsongsagain!Sittingstillandgassingagain!Omy!Omy!Omy!'
Heglancedback,andsawtohisdismaythattheyweregainingonhim.
Onherandesperately,butkeptlookingback,andsawthattheystillgainedsteadily.
Hedidhisbest,buthewasafatanimal,andhislegswereshort,andstilltheygained.
Hecouldhearthemclosebehindhimnow.
Ceasingtoheedwherehewasgoing,hestruggledonblindlyandwildly,lookingbackoverhisshoulderatthenowtriumphantenemy,whensuddenlytheearthfailedunderhisfeet,hegraspedattheair,and,splash!
hefoundhimselfheadoverearsindeepwater,rapidwater,waterthatborehimalongwithaforcehecouldnotcontendwith;andheknewthatinhisblindpanichehadrunstraightintotheriver!
Herosetothesurfaceandtriedtograspthereedsandtherushesthatgrewalongthewater'sedgecloseunderthebank,butthestreamwassostrongthatittorethemoutofhishands.'Omy!'
gaspedpoorToad,'ifeverIstealamotor-caragain!
IfeverIsinganotherconceitedsong'—thendownhewent,andcameupbreathlessandspluttering.
Presentlyhesawthathewasapproachingabigdarkholeinthebank,justabovehishead,andasthestreamborehimpasthereachedupwithapawandcaughtholdoftheedgeandheldon.
Thenslowlyandwithdifficultyhedrewhimselfupoutofthewater,tillatlasthewasabletoresthiselbowsontheedgeofthehole.
Thereheremainedforsomeminutes,puffingandpanting,forhewasquiteexhausted.
Ashesighedandblewandstaredbeforehimintothedarkhole,somebrightsmallthingshoneandtwinkledinitsdepths,movingtowardshim.
Asitapproached,afacegrewupgraduallyaroundit,anditwasafamiliarface!
Brownandsmall,withwhiskers.
Graveandround,withneatearsandsilkyhair.
ItwastheWaterRat!
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