The river bank (9)

The river bank (9)

" Once, it was nothing but sailing, " said the Rat.

" Then he tired of that and took to punting.
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PUNT　パント さおで動かす一種の平底の小船

Nothing would please him but to punt all day and every day, and a nice mess he made of it.
Last year it was house-boating, and we all had to go and stay with him in his house-boat, and pretend we like it.
He was going to spend the rest of his life in a house-boat.
It's all the same, whatever he takes up ; he gets tired of that, and starts on something fresh. "

"Such a good fellow, too, " remarked the Otter;
" But no stabilityーespecialy in a boat ! "

From where they sat they could get a glimpse of the main stream.

Just then a wager-boat flashed into view, the rowerーa short, stout figureーsplashed badly and rolling a good deal, but working his hardest.



The Rat stood up and waved to him excitedly, but Toadーfor it was heーshook his head and settled sternly to his work.



" He'll be out of the boat in a minute if he rolls like that, " said the Rat, sitting down again.

" Of course he will, " chuckled the Otter.



(9/20)