Kenneth Grahame: The Wind in the Willows

10. THE FURTHER ADVENTURES OF TOAD (continued)

`She lives near to the river, ma'am,' replied Toad. `Close to a fine house called Toad Hall, that's somewheres hereabouts in these parts. Perhaps you may have heard of it.'

`Toad Hall? Why, I'm going that way myself,' replied the barge- woman. `This canal joins the river some miles further on, a little above Toad Hall; and then it's an easy walk. You come along in the barge with me, and I'll give you a lift.'

She steered the barge close to the bank, and Toad, with many humble and grateful acknowledgments, stepped lightly on board and sat down with great satisfaction. `Toad's luck again!' thought he. `I always come out on top!'

`So you're in the washing business, ma'am?' said the barge-woman politely, as they glided along. `And a very good business you've got too, I dare say, if I'm not making too free in saying so.'

`Finest business in the whole country,' said Toad airily. `All the gentry come to me--wouldn't go to any one else if they were paid, they know me so well. You see, I understand my work thoroughly, and attend to it all myself. Washing, ironing, clear-starching, making up gents' fine shirts for evening wear-- everything's done under my own eye!'

`But surely you don't DO all that work yourself, ma'am?' asked the barge-woman respectfully.

`O, I have girls,' said Toad lightly: `twenty girls or thereabouts, always at work. But you know what GIRLS are, ma'am! Nasty little hussies, that's what _I_ call 'em!'

`So do I, too,' said the barge-woman with great heartiness. `But I dare say you set yours to rights, the idle trollops! And are you very fond of washing?'

`I love it,' said Toad. `I simply dote on it. Never so happy as when I've got both arms in the wash-tub. But, then, it comes so easy to me! No trouble at all! A real pleasure, I assure you, ma'am!'