Hi guys, here I will tell you chapter 8 that contains "The Further Adventures of Toad." Oke, pleased read bellow.
The Further Adventures of Toad
Chapter: 8
Toad was getting nearer and
nearer to home, and still had on his washerwoman's disguise. Presently he came
to a towpath, running alongside a canal. An old horse was plodding along it,
pulling a gaily-painted barge. A big stout woman sat in it, her brawny arm
along the tiller. Toad saw the chance of a lift, so he told his tale of losing
a purse and having to get back to the children. "I'll give you a lift as
far as Toad Hall," the barge-woman bargained, "if you'll do my dirty washing
for me." Toad had been boasting what a good washerwoman he was! The
barge-woman gave him a great pile of washing, some soap and clean water in a
big tub. Toad had no idea how to set about it. Soon he was puffing and blowing
and rubbing and dubbing, but the clothes were no cleaner. The barge-woman took a closer
look at him. "You're no washerwoman!" she shrieked. "You're a
dirty ugly toad, get off my nice clean barge!" Toad was so annoyed he
jumped off the barge, undid the towrope, and rode off on the horse, leaving the
barge-woman shaking her fist at him. He galloped along, thinking how clever he
was. By now he was feeling hungry, and as he passed a hedge, the most delicious
smell came floating over it. A gipsy was cooking a stew of rabbit, pheasant and
onions, in an iron pot on a fire. Quickly Toad struck a bargain. He sold the
horse, in exchange for a few pence and a plate of stew. He was feeling his old
self again and began to make up a boastful song about his adventures. While he
was singing, a familiar noise was heard. Along the highway came a motorcar, and
it was the very one Toad had stolen! Toad pretended to faint and the car
stopped. The passengers took him to be a poor washerwoman and put him in the front seat,
where the fresh air would revive him. It was not long before Toad perked up
enough to ask a favor "I've always wanted to see if I could drive a
motor-car," he said longingly. "Please let me try!" The
passengers were very amused to think of a humble washerwoman wanting to drive.
"Let her have a go!" they said to the chauffeur. Toad drove off,
slowly at first, then faster and faster! "Be careful, washerwoman!"
they cried. "I'm not a washerwoman!" said he. "I'm the great,
the famous Toad!" and he drove faster than ever, terrifying the
passengers, until he took a corner too fast and drove straight into a pond. He
jumped out and hopped off across the fields, singing another verse of his
boastful song, leaving the passengers standing up to their waists in muddy
water. "The clever men at Oxford Know all that is to be knowed
But none of them
knows half as much As intelligent Mr Toad!" But when he
looked back he saw the chauffeur and two policemen running after him. Poor
Toad puffed along. He was a very fat animal and they were gaining on him. What
a fool he had been, showing off like that! Suddenly he tripped up. He
had come to the River Bank, and splash! he fell into the water. He
swam along, gasping, till he came to a hole in the bank. He clutched the edge
and looked in. A small, bright thing shone and moved towards him. A face
grew up around it. Brown and small, with whiskers. Grave and
round, with neat ears. It was the Water Rat!
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