From current reading

[riontel]

... he was preparing in the chivalry of his heart to forgive her and had bent to ask her pardon for the violence of his language, when she cut the matter short, as he stooped his proud head, by dropping a small toad between his skin and his shirt.
In justice to her, it must be said that she would infinitely have preferred a rapier. Toads are clammy things to conceal about one's person a whole morning. But if rapiers are forbidden; one must have recourse to toads.

Orlando: A Biography, Virginia Woolf

Comments

[ikadell.livejournal.com]

She is my hero.

[riontel.livejournal.com]

I've had many an occasion when a toad would have come in handy... or a rapier.

[ikadell.livejournal.com]

No, really. I used rapier on people but I would die before touching a toad...

[riontel.livejournal.com]

A-ha, you are one of those people :) How do you feel about snakes, lizards and frogs? I only have a problem with toads if they are poisonous or have those oozy warty bumps, because that's gross and unsanitary.

[ikadell.livejournal.com]

I am indeed. I don´t mind the snakes or lizard, or anything dry, as long as it don't mind me, but frogs are icky wet, and toads positively freak me out. It is something in their manner of movement and general appearance that makes me want to die when I see one.