The Adventures of Mr.Toad (完)

The Adventures of Mr.Toad (完)

It was midnight when the four friends rowed silently up a secret tunnel that led back from the river to Toad Hall.

Then up the back stairway they crept to the great hall where the weasels were, all sound asleep.

They woke up, alas, just as Mole was making off with the deed.
And then fight was on.

Oh, what a fight it was, too !

Wham, slam, crash, bam !

Our friends were outnumbered, but they fought like heroes, and at last they won.

So Toad was cleared of the charges, and better still, he promised to give up the motor cars.

" What a happy day ! "said Ratty, when it was all settled.

" Isn't it wonderful ? " said Mole.

" Come, lads, " said MacBadger.
" Let's drink a toast. To the New Year ! And to the New Toad !"

Crash !

The sound of falling bricks broke in on their toast.

And from outside the window a voice called to them. 

" Come on, you follows ! " called the voice, and they knew at once it was Toad.

" This is the life ! TravelーAdventureーexcitement ! And the sky is　the limit ! "

They ran to the window and looked out.

There was Toad, waving to them from a brand-new airplane !

Yes, life went on peacefully there beneath the willows.

But peace and quiet were never enough for Toad.

" Well, lads, " said MacBadger after a moment, with a thoughtful shake of head,
" here's a toast nonethelessーto our jolly, charming madcap
ーthe fabulous Mr.Toad ! "

(おわり　7/7)