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The jailor's daughter was a kind young girl who was very fond of animals. She took pity on Toad, and coaxed him to eat some hot buttered toast, asking him to tell her all about Toad Hall. Soon the Toad revived a little, and began to puff himself up, and boast about his home and his possessions.
In spite of his conceit, the young girl was sorry for him. She hated to see animals shut up. So she thought of a plan to help him to escape. He was to dress in her aunt's clothes.
Her aunt was a washerwoman, who came to the castle once a week. She was short and stout (like Toad!) She wore a long, cotton dress, a shawl, and an old blue bonnet, and carried a basket full of washing. Toad did not like the idea of dressing up as a poor old woman, but in the end he agreed to pay her some money and tie her up,

TOAD'S ESCAPE

so that she would not get into trouble for helping him.
The jailor's daughter giggled as she tied the bonnet strings under Toad's chin.
"You look exactly like her!" she laughed   , (much to Toad's annoyance.) "Goodbye, and good luck! Be careful what you say to the sentries!"
There were some anxious moments as Toad set off, especially as the sentries made rude remarks. But Tood entered into the spirit of the thing, for he fancied himself as an actor. Soon he came through the prison gate into the sunlight and was free at last.