The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Grahame Wayfarers All Free Kid's Audiobooks Club.
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this recording is by mark smith of simpsonville south carolina the wind in the willows by kenneth graham chapter 9 wayfarers all the water rat was restless and he did not know exactly why to all appearance the summer's pop was still at fullest height and although in the tilled acres green had given way to gold though rowans were reddening and the woods were dashed here and there with a tawny fierceness yet life and warmth and color were still present in undiminished measure clean of any chilly premonitions of the passing year but the constant chorus of the orchards and hedges had shrunk to a casual even song from a few yet unwearied performers the robin was beginning to assert himself once more and there was a feeling in the air of change and departure the cuckoo of course had long been silent but many another feathered friend for months a part of the familiar landscape and its small society was missing too and it seemed that the ranks thin steadily day by day rat ever an observer of all ringed movement saw that it was taking daily a southing tendency and even as he lay in bed at night he thought he could make out passing in the darkness overhead the beat and quiver of impatient pinions obedient to the peremptory call nature's grand hotel has its season like the others as the guests one by one pack pay and depart and the seats at the table dot shrink pitifully at each succeeding meal as suites of rooms are closed carpets taken up and waiters sent away those borders who are staying on on pension until the next year's full reopening cannot help being somewhat affected by all those flittings and farewells the eager discussion of plans roots and fresh quarters this daily shrinkage and the stream of comrade ship one gets unsettled depressed and inclined to be querulous why this craving for change why not stay on quietly here like us and be jolly you don't know this hotel out of season and what fun we have ourselves we fellows who remain and see the whole interesting year out all very true no doubt the others always reply we quite envy you and some other year perhaps but just now we have engagements and there's the bus at the door our time is up so they depart with a smile and a nod and we miss them and feel resentful the rat was a self-sufficing sort of animal rooted to the land and whoever went he stayed still he could not help noticing what was in the air and feeling some of its influence in his bones it was difficult to settle down to anything seriously with all this flitting going on leaving the waterside where russia stood thick and tall in a stream that was becoming sluggish and low he wandered country words crossed a field or two of pasturage already looking dusty and parched and thrust into the great sea of wheat yellow wavy and murmurous full of quiet motion and small whisperings here he loved often to wander through the forest of stiff strong stalks that carried their own golden sky away over his head a sky that was always dancing shimmering softly talking or swaying strongly to the passing wind and recovering itself with a toss and a merry laugh here too he had many small friends a society complete in itself leading full and busy lives but always with a spare moment to gossip and exchange news with a visitor today however though they were civil enough the field mice and harvest mice seemed preoccupied many were digging and tunneling busily others gathered together in small groups examined plans and drawings of small flats stated to be desirable and compact and situated conveniently near the stores some were hauling out dusty trunks and dress baskets others were already elbow deep packing their belongings while everywhere piles and bundles of wheat oats barley beach mast and...