replied the barge-woman. '_I_ like washing,
too, just the same as you do; and for that matter, whether I like it or
not I have got to do all my own, naturally, moving about as I do. Now my
husband, he's such a fellow for shirking his work and leaving the barge
to me, that never a moment do I get for seeing to my own affairs. By
rights he ought to be here now, either steering or attending to the
horse, though luckily the horse has sense enough to attend to himself.
Instead of which, he's gone off with the dog, to see if they can't pick
up a rabbit for dinner somewhere. Says he'll catch me up at the next
lock. Well, that's as may be--I don't trust him, once he gets off with
that dog, who's worse than he is. But meantime, how am I to get on with
my washing?'

'O, never mind about the washing,' said Toad, not liking the subject.
'Try and fix your mind on that rabbit. A nice fat young rabbit, I'll be
bound. Got any onions?'

'I can't fix my mind on anything but my washing,' said the barge-woman,
'and I wonder you can be talking of rabbits, with such a joyful prospect
before you. There's a heap of things of mine that you'll find in
a corner of the cabin. If you'll just take one or two of the most
necessary sort--I won't venture to describe them to a lady like you, but
you'll recognise them at a glance--and put them through the wash-tub as
we go along, why, it'll be a pleasure to you, as you rightly say, and a
real help to me. You'll find a tub handy, and soap, and a kettle on the
stove, and a bucket to haul up water from the canal with. Then I shall
know you're enjoying yourself, instead of sitting here idle, looking at
the scenery and yawning your head off.'

'Here, you let me steer!' said Toad, now thoroughly frightened, 'and
then you can get on with your washing your own way. I might spoil your
things, or not do 'em as you like. I'm more used to gentlemen's things
myself. It's my special line.'

'Let you steer?' replied the barge-woman, laughing. 'It takes some
practice to steer a barge properly. Besides, it's dull work, and I want
you to be happy. No, you shall do the washing you are so fond of, and
I'll stick to the steering that I understand. Don't try and deprive me
of the pleasure of giving you a treat!'

Toad was fairly cornered. He looked for escape this way and that,
saw that he was too far from the bank for a flying leap, and sullenly
resigned himself to his fate. 'If it comes to that,' he thought in
despera