`` In the water , '' declared Peter . `` He 's sitting right over there where the water is shallow , and he did n't notice me at all . Let 's get Unc ' Billy , and then creep over to the edge of the Smiling Pool and watch to see if Old Mr. Toad really does try to sing . '' So they hunted up Unc ' Billy Possum , and the three stole very softly over to the edge of the Smiling Pool , where the bank was low and the water shallow . Sure enough , there sat Old Mr. Toad with just his head out of water . And while they were watching him , something very strange happened . `` What -- what 's the matter with him ? '' whispered Peter , his big eyes looking as if they might pop out of his head . `` If he do n't watch out , he 'll blow up and bust ! '' exclaimed Jimmy . -LSB- Illustration : `` If he do n't watch out , he 'll blow up and bust ! '' exclaimed Jimmy . -RSB- `` Listen ! '' whispered Unc ' Billy Possum . `` Do mah ol' ears hear right ? ` Pears to me that that song is coming right from where Brer Toad is sitting . '' It certainly did appear so , and of all the songs that glad spring day there was none sweeter . Indeed there were few as sweet . The only trouble was the song was so very short . It lasted only for two or three seconds .
And when it ended , Old Mr. Toad looked quite his natural self again ; just XXXXX commonplace , almost ugly , as ever .
In So as at for of over to while with