“What disobedient children!” cried the old Water-rat; “they really deserve
to be drowned.”
“Nothing of the kind,” answered the Duck, “every one must make a
beginning, and parents cannot be too patient.”
“Ah! I know nothing about the feeling of parents” said the Water-rat; “I
am not a family man. In fact, I have never been married, and I never intend
to be. Love is all very well in its way, but friendship is much higher. Indeed,
I know of nothing in the world that is either nobler or rarer than a devoted
friendship.”
