I may be a wage-slave on Monday...
- From: Sean <no.spam@xxxxxxx>
- Date: Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:58:34 GMT
....but I'll be a free man on Sunday.
Alas that I'm not among the Idle Rich, and could take to the Road
long term without tedious and tiresome sorts of complications
such as needing a Means of Support.
If I were of independent means my story might be completely different:
..................................
Toad led the way to the stable-yard, the Rat following with
a most mistrustful expression; and there, drawn out of the coach
house into the open, they saw a beautifully customized Harley
Davidson Road Glide Lehman trike, shining with newness, painted
a glossy canary-yellow and drenched with chrome.
`There you are!' cried the Toad, straddling the seat
expansively. `There's real life for you, embodied in this
machine. The open road, the dusty highway, the heath,
the common, the hedgerows, the rolling downs! Camps, villages,
towns, cities! Here to-day, up and off to somewhere else
tomorrow! Travel, change, interest, excitement! The whole world
before you, and a horizon that's always changing! And mind!
this is the very finest trike of its sort that was ever built,
without any exception. Come and look at the arrangements.
Planned 'em all myself, I did, including the extra wide rear
seat, plenty of room for two passengers!'
The Mole was tremendously interested and excited, but the Rat
only snorted and thrust his hands deep into his pockets,
remaining where he was.
It was indeed very well-appointed and comfortable.
`All complete!' said the Toad triumphantly, pulling open
the trunk. `You see--biscuits, potted lobster, sardines--everything
you can possibly want. Soda-water here--baccy there--letter-
paper, bacon, jam, cards and dominoes--you'll find,'
he continued, `you'll find that nothing what ever has been
forgotten, when we make our start this afternoon.'
`I beg your pardon,' said the Rat slowly, as he chewed a straw,
`but did I overhear you say something about "WE," and "START,"
and "THIS AFTERNOON?"'
`Now, you dear good old Ratty,' said Toad, imploringly, `don't
begin talking in that stiff and sniffy sort of way, because you
know you've GOT to come. I can't possibly manage without you,
so please consider it settled, and don't argue--it's the one thing
I can't stand. You surely don't mean to stick to your dull fusty
old river all your life, and just live in a hole in a bank, and
BOAT? I want to show you the world! I'm going to make an ANIMAL
of you, my boy!'
`I don't care,' said the Rat, doggedly. `I'm not coming, and
that's flat. And I AM going to stick to my old river, AND live
in a hole, AND boat, as I've always done. And what's more,
Mole's going to stick me and do as I do, aren't you, Mole?'
`Of course I am,' said the Mole, loyally. `I'll always stick
to you, Rat, and what you say is to be--has got to be. All
the same, it sounds as if it might have been--well, rather fun,
you know!' he added, wistfully. Poor Mole! The Life Adventurous
was so new a thing to him, and so thrilling; and this fresh aspect
of it was so tempting; and he had fallen in love at first sight
with the canary-coloured trike and all its little fitments.
The Rat saw what was passing in his mind, and wavered. He hated
disappointing people, and he was fond of the Mole, and would do
almost anything to oblige him. Toad was watching both of them
closely.
`Come along in, and have some lunch,' he said, diplomatically,
`and we'll talk it over. We needn't decide anything in a hurry.
Of course, I don't really care. I only want to give pleasure
to you fellows. "Live for others!" That's my motto in life.'
During luncheon--which was excellent, of course, as everything
at Toad Hall always was--the Toad simply let himself go.
Disregarding the Rat, he proceeded to play upon
the inexperienced Mole as on a harp. Naturally a voluble animal,
and always mastered by his imagination, he painted the prospects
of the trip and the joys of the open life and the roadside in such
glowing colours that the Mole could hardly sit in his chair
for excitement. Somehow, it soon seemed taken for granted by
all three of them that the trip was a settled thing; and the Rat,
though still unconvinced in his mind, allowed his good-nature
to over-ride his personal objections. He could not bear
to disappoint his two friends, who were already deep in schemes
and anticipations, planning out each day's separate occupation.
Sean_Q_
Dreaming on...
http://www.sweettrikes.com/Road%20Glide%20For%20Sale.jpg
.
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