03-01-06-风语河岸柳 [12]
'No, I won't! ' replied Toad. ' What is the meaning of this
Explain yourself at once! '
'Take his things off, you two, ' ordered the Badger.
It wasn't easy to do. The Rat had to sit on Toad, while the Mole pulled off his overcoat, hat and goggles . And Toad called them some very unpleasant names while this was going on. But when he stood up again, he seemed more like himself, the Toad that they had always known.
' You knew this would happen one day, Toad, ' explained the Badger. 'We've warned you so many times, and you haven' t listened. You're spending all your money, you're al-ways in trouble with the police, and you drive like a madman. You will come with me into the next room, and there you will hear some facts about yourself. And you will come out a different Toad. '
He took Toad into a room off the hall and closed the door. The Rat shook his head.
' We won't save Toad by just talking to him, ' he said. 'He'll say anything— and then just go and do what he likes. '
After about an hour the door opened, and a very sad and sorry Toad came out, followed by the Badger.
' My friends, ' said the Badger, looking pleased, ' I' am happy to tell you that Toad now realizes how silly he has been. He has promised never to get into a motor-car again. '
'That is very good news, ' said the Mole seriously.
'Very good indeed, 'the Rat said, watching Toad's face carefully.
'Now, Toad, ' continued the Badger, 'I'd like you to repeat your promise in front of your friends. '
There was a long, long silence.
' No! ' said Toad suddenly. ' No, I won't. I'm not sorry, and I haven't been silly at all. It was all wonderful! And I won't promise anything! '
'What
' cried the Badger. 'But in there you told me—'
'Yes, yes, I know, 'said Toad quickly. ' You argue so beautifully, dear Badger, and I can't stop myself agreeing with you. But I' ve been thinking about it. I love driving, I' m a wonderful driver, and I promise you I' ll go on driving for ever! Poop-poop! '
' I told you so, didn' t I
' the Rat said to the Mole.
' Very well, ' said the Badger . ' If you won' t listen to reason, we' ll have to try another way. We' re going to stay with you in your house until you become sensible. Take him upstairs, you two, and lock him in his bedroom, '
So Toad, fighting and shouting, was pulled upstairs by his two friends.
' It' s for your own good, Toady, you know, ' said the Rat kindly. ' We' ll all have good times together again soon, when this—this madness has passed. '
' We' ll take good care of you, Toad, ' added the Mole. ' No more trouble with the police. No more crashes, and weeks in hospital, '
Then began a very tiring few weeks for the three friends. Day and night they guarded Toad , and one of them was always with him. They talked to him and tried to amuse him, hoping that he would forget his motor-car madness.
But Toad did not seem to get better. He often put the bed-room chairs together to look like a motor-car. Then he sat in the front one and pretended to drive, making terrible engine noises all the time. His friends tried to interest him in other things, but Toad just became sad and silent.
One day the Rat was the guard for the morning. He went upstairs and found Toad still in bed, ' How are you today, old fellow
' he asked brightly.
A sad whisper came from me bed, ' Thank you so much, dear Ratty! But how are you, and the excellent Mole, and dear old Badger
'
' Fine, fine, ' replied the Rat. ' Badger and Mole, ' he added, perhaps not very sensibly, ' have gone out for a run round. They' ll be out until lunch-time, so you and I will spend a pleasant morning together. '
' I don' t want you to trouble yourself about me, ' Toad said, in a sad little voice. ' I was wondering if you would go down to the village and fetch the doctor. But no, it' s not important. It' s probably too late by now. '
' Are you feeling ill, Toad
What’s the matter
'
' I don't know… I think my heart… But you mustn' t be sad, Ratty. Dear, kind friend… I have enjoyed knowing you so much