Theywerestrollingalongthehigh-roadeasily，theMolebythehorse’shead，talkingtohim，sincethehorsehadcomplainedthathewasbeingfrightfullyleftoutofit，andnobodyconsideredhimintheleast；theToadandtheWaterRatwalkingbehindthecarttalkingtogether——atleastToadwastalking，andRatwassayingatintervals，`Yes，precisely；andwhatdidYOU
saytoHIM？’——andthinkingallthetimeofsomethingverydifferent，whenfarbehindthemtheyheardafaintwarninghum；
likethedroneofadistantbee。Glancingback，theysawasmallcloudofdust，withadarkcentreofenergy，advancingonthematincrediblespeed，whilefromoutthedustafaint`Poop-poop！’
wailedlikeanuneasyanimalinpain。Hardlyregardingit，theyturnedtoresumetheirconversation，wheninaninstant（asitseemed）thepeacefulscenewaschanged，andwithablastofwindandawhirlofsoundthatmadethemjumpforthenearestditch，Itwasonthem！The`Poop-poop’rangwithabrazenshoutintheirears，theyhadamoment’sglimpseofaninteriorofglitteringplate-glassandrichmorocco，andthemagnificentmotor-car，immense，breath-snatching，passionate，withitspilottenseandhugginghiswheel，possessedallearthandairforthefractionofasecond，flunganenvelopingcloudofdustthatblindedandenwrappedthemutterly，andthendwindledtoaspeckinthefardistance，changedbackintoadroningbeeoncemore。
Theoldgreyhorse，dreaming，asheploddedalong，ofhisquietpaddock，inanewrawsituationsuchasthissimplyabandonedhimselftohisnaturalemotions。Rearing，plunging，backingsteadily，inspiteofalltheMole’seffortsathishead，andalltheMole’slivelylanguagedirectedathisbetterfeelings，hedrovethecartbackwardstowardsthedeepditchatthesideoftheroad。Itwaveredaninstant——thentherewasaheartrendingcrash——andthecanary-colouredcart，theirprideandtheirjoy，layonitssideintheditch，anirredeemablewreck。
TheRatdancedupanddownintheroad，simplytransportedwithpassion。`Youvillains！’heshouted，shakingbothfists，`Youscoundrels，youhighwaymen，you——you——roadhogs！——I’llhavethelawofyou！I’llreportyou！I’lltakeyouthroughalltheCourts！’Hishome-sicknesshadquiteslippedawayfromhim，andforthemomenthewastheskipperofthecanary-colouredvesseldrivenonashoalbytherecklessjockeyingofrivalmariners，andhewastryingtorecollectallthefineandbitingthingsheusedtosaytomastersofsteam-launcheswhentheirwash，astheydrovetoonearthebank，usedtofloodhisparlour-
carpetathome。
Toadsatstraightdowninthemiddleofthedustyroad，hislegsstretchedoutbeforehim，andstaredfixedlyinthedirectionofthedisappearingmotor-car。Hebreathedshort，hisfaceworeaplacidsatisfiedexpression，andatintervalshefaintlymurmured`Poop-poop！’
TheMolewasbusytryingtoquietthehorse，whichhesucceededindoingafteratime。Thenhewenttolookatthecart，onitssideintheditch。Itwasindeedasorrysight。Panelsandwindowssmashed，axleshopelesslybent，onewheeloff，sardine-
tinsscatteredoverthewideworld，andthebirdinthebird-cagesobbingpitifullyandcallingtobeletout。
TheRatcametohelphim，buttheirunitedeffortswerenotsufficienttorightthecart。`Hi！Toad！’theycried。`Comeandbearahand，can’tyou！’
TheToadneveransweredaword，orbudgedfromhisseatintheroad；sotheywenttoseewhatwasthematterwithhim。Theyfoundhiminasortofatrance，ahappysmileonhisface，hiseyesstillfixedonthedustywakeoftheirdestroyer。Atintervalshewasstillheardtomurmur`Poop-poop！’
TheRatshookhimbytheshoulder。`Areyoucomingtohelpus，Toad？’hedemandedsternly。
`Glorious，stirringsight！’murmuredToad，neverofferingtomove。`Thepoetryofmotion！TheREALwaytotravel！TheONLYwaytotravel！Hereto-day——innextweekto-morrow！
Villagesskipped，townsandcitiesjumped——alwayssomebodyelse’shorizon！Obliss！Opoop-poop！Omy！Omy！’
`OSTOPbeinganass，Toad！’criedtheMoledespairingly。
`AndtothinkIneverKNEW！’wentontheToadinadreamymonotone。`Allthosewastedyearsthatliebehindme，Ineverknew，neverevenDREAMT！ButNOW——butnowthatIknow，nowthatIfullyrealise！Owhataflowerytrackliesspreadbeforeme，henceforth！Whatdust-cloudsshallspringupbehindmeasI
speedonmyrecklessway！WhatcartsIshallflingcarelesslyintotheditchinthewakeofmymagnificentonset！
Horridlittlecarts——commoncarts——canary-colouredcarts！’
`Whatarewetodowithhim？’askedtheMoleoftheWaterRat。
`Nothingatall，’repliedtheRatfirmly。`Becausethereisreallynothingtobedone。Yousee，Iknowhimfromofold。Heisnowpossessed。Hehasgotanewcraze，anditalwaystakeshimthatway，initsfirststage。He’llcontinuelikethatfordaysnow，likeananimalwalkinginahappydream，quiteuselessforallpracticalpurposes。Nevermindhim。Let’sgoandseewhatthereistobedoneaboutthecart。’
Acarefulinspectionshowedthemthat，eveniftheysucceededinrightingitbythemselves，thecartwouldtravelnolonger。Theaxleswereinahopelessstate，andthemissingwheelwasshatteredintopieces。
TheRatknottedthehorse’sreinsoverhisbackandtookhimbythehead，carryingthebirdcageanditshystericaloccupantintheotherhand。`Comeon！’hesaidgrimlytotheMole。`It’sfiveorsixmilestothenearesttown，andweshalljusthavetowalkit。Thesoonerwemakeastartthebetter。’
`ButwhataboutToad？’askedtheMoleanxiously，astheysetofftogether。`Wecan’tleavehimhere，sittinginthemiddleoftheroadbyhimself，inthedistractedstatehe’sin！It’snotsafe。
SupposinganotherThingweretocomealong？’
`O，BOTHERToad，’saidtheRatsavagely；`I’vedonewithhim！’
Theyhadnotproceededveryfarontheirway，however，whentherewasapatteringoffeetbehindthem，andToadcaughtthemupandthrustapawinsidetheelbowofeachofthem；stillbreathingshortandstaringintovacancy。
`Now，lookhere，Toad！’saidtheRatsharply：`assoonaswegettothetown，you’llhavetogostraighttothepolice-station，andseeiftheyknowanythingaboutthatmotor-carandwhoitbelongsto，andlodgeacomplaintagainstit。Andthenyou’llhavetogotoablacksmith’sorawheelwright’sandarrangeforthecarttobefetchedandmendedandputtorights。It’lltaketime，butit’snotquiteahopelesssmash。Meanwhile，theMoleandIwillgotoaninnandfindcomfortableroomswherewecanstaytillthecart’sready，andtillyournerveshaverecoveredtheirshock。’
`Police-station！Complaint！’murmuredToaddreamily。`MeCOMPLAINofthatbeautiful，thatheavenlyvisionthathasbeenvouchsafedme！MENDTHECART！I’vedonewithcartsforever。
Ineverwanttoseethecart，ortohearofit，again。O，Ratty！
Youcan’tthinkhowobligedIamtoyouforconsentingtocomeonthistrip！Iwouldn’thavegonewithoutyou，andthenImightneverhaveseenthat——thatswan，thatsunbeam，thatthunderbolt！
Imightneverhaveheardthatentrancingsound，orsmeltthatbewitchingsmell！Ioweitalltoyou，mybestoffriends！’
TheRatturnedfromhimindespair。`Youseewhatitis？’hesaidtotheMole，addressinghimacrossToad’shead：`He’squitehopeless。Igiveitup——whenwegettothetownwe’llgototherailwaystation，andwithluckwemaypickupatraintherethat’llgetusbacktoriverbankto-night。Andifeveryoucatchmegoinga-pleasuringwiththisprovokinganimalagain！’
Hesnorted，andduringtherestofthatwearytrudgeaddressedhisremarksexclusivelytoMole。
OnreachingthetowntheywentstraighttothestationanddepositedToadinthesecond-classwaiting-room，givingaportertwopencetokeepastricteyeonhim。Theythenleftthehorseataninnstable，andgavewhatdirectionstheycouldaboutthecartanditscontents。Eventually，aslowtrainhavinglandedthematastationnotveryfarfromToadHall，theyescortedthespell-bound，sleep-walkingToadtohisdoor，puthiminsideit，andinstructedhishousekeepertofeedhim，undresshim，andputhimtobed。Thentheygotouttheirboatfromtheboat-house，sculleddowntheriverhome，andataverylatehoursatdowntosupperintheirowncosyriversideparlour，totheRat’sgreatjoyandcontentment。
ThefollowingeveningtheMole，whohadrisenlateandtakenthingsveryeasyallday，wassittingonthebankfishing，whentheRat，whohadbeenlookinguphisfriendsandgossiping，camestrollingalongtofindhim。`Heardthenews？’hesaid。
`There’snothingelsebeingtalkedabout，allalongtheriverbank。ToadwentuptoTownbyanearlytrainthismorning。Andhehasorderedalargeandveryexpensivemotor-car。’
III
THEWILDWOOD
TheMolehadlongwantedtomaketheIacquaintanceoftheBadger。Heseemed，byallaccounts，tobesuchanimportantpersonageand，thoughrarelyvisible，tomakehisunseeninfluencefeltbyeverybodyabouttheplace。ButwhenevertheMolementionedhiswishtotheWaterRathealwaysfoundhimselfputoff。`It’sallright，’theRatwouldsay。`Badger’llturnupsomedayorother——he’salwaysturningup——andthenI’llintroduceyou。Thebestoffellows！ButyoumustnotonlytakehimASyoufindhim，butWHENyoufindhim。’
`Couldn’tyouaskhimheredinnerorsomething？’saidtheMole。
`Hewouldn’tcome，’repliedtheRatsimply。`BadgerhatesSociety，andinvitations，anddinner，andallthatsortofthing。’
`Well，then，supposingwegoandcallonHIM？’suggestedtheMole。
`O，I’msurehewouldn’tlikethatatALL，’saidtheRat，quitealarmed。`He’ssoveryshy，he’dbesuretobeoffended。
I’veneverevenventuredtocallonhimathisownhomemyself，thoughIknowhimsowell。Besides，wecan’t。It’squiteoutofthequestion，becausehelivesintheverymiddleoftheWildWood。’
`Well，supposinghedoes，’saidtheMole。`YoutoldmetheWildWoodwasallright，youknow。’
`O，Iknow，Iknow，soitis，’repliedtheRatevasively。`ButI
thinkwewon’tgotherejustnow。NotJUSTyet。It’salongway，andhewouldn’tbeathomeatthistimeofyearanyhow，andhe’llbecomingalongsomeday，ifyou’llwaitquietly。’
TheMolehadtobecontentwiththis。ButtheBadgernevercamealong，andeverydaybroughtitsamusements，anditwasnottillsummerwaslongover，andcoldandfrostandmirywayskeptthemmuchindoors，andtheswollenriverracedpastoutsidetheirwindowswithaspeedthatmockedatboatingofanysortorkind，thathefoundhisthoughtsdwellingagainwithmuchpersistenceonthesolitarygreyBadger，wholivedhisownlifebyhimself，inhisholeinthemiddleoftheWildWood。
InthewintertimetheRatsleptagreatdeal，retiringearlyandrisinglate。Duringhisshortdayhesometimesscribbledpoetryordidothersmalldomesticjobsaboutthehouse；and，ofcourse，therewerealwaysanimalsdroppinginforachat，andconsequentlytherewasagooddealofstory-tellingandcomparingnotesonthepastsummerandallitsdoings。
Sucharichchapterithadbeen，whenonecametolookbackonitall！Withillustrationssonumerousandsoveryhighlycoloured！
Thepageantoftheriverbankhadmarchedsteadilyalong，unfoldingitselfinscene-picturesthatsucceededeachotherinstatelyprocession。Purpleloosestrifearrivedearly，shakingluxurianttangledlocksalongtheedgeofthemirrorwhenceitsownfacelaughedbackatit。Willow-herb，tenderandwistful，likeapinksunsetcloud，wasnotslowtofollow。Comfrey，thepurplehand-in-handwiththewhite，creptforthtotakeitsplaceintheline；andatlastonemorningthediffidentanddelayingdog-rosesteppeddelicatelyonthestage，andoneknew，asifstring-musichadannounceditinstatelychordsthatstrayedintoagavotte，thatJuneatlastwashere。Onememberofthecompanywasstillawaited；theshepherd-boyforthenymphstowoo，theknightforwhomtheladieswaitedatthewindow，theprincethatwastokissthesleepingsummerbacktolifeandlove。Butwhenmeadow-sweet，debonairandodorousinamberjerkin，movedgraciouslytohisplaceinthegroup，thentheplaywasreadytobegin。
Andwhataplayithadbeen！Drowsyanimals，snugintheirholeswhilewindandrainwerebatteringattheirdoors，recalledstillkeenmornings，anhourbeforesunrise，whenthewhitemist，asyetundispersed，clungcloselyalongthesurfaceofthewater；
thentheshockoftheearlyplunge，thescamperalongthebank，andtheradianttransformationofearth，air，andwater，whensuddenlythesunwaswiththemagain，andgreywasgoldandcolourwasbornandsprangoutoftheearthoncemore。Theyrecalledthelanguoroussiestaofhotmid-day，deepingreenundergrowth，thesunstrikingthroughintinygoldenshaftsandspots；theboatingandbathingoftheafternoon，theramblesalongdustylanesandthroughyellowcornfields；andthelong，cooleveningatlast，whensomanythreadsweregatheredup，somanyfriendshipsrounded，andsomanyadventuresplannedforthemorrow。Therewasplentytotalkaboutonthoseshortwinterdayswhentheanimalsfoundthemselvesroundthefire；still，theMolehadagooddealofsparetimeonhishands，andsooneafternoon，whentheRatinhisarm-chairbeforetheblazewasalternatelydozingandtryingoverrhymesthatwouldn’tfit，heformedtheresolutiontogooutbyhimselfandexploretheWildWood，andperhapsstrikeupanacquaintancewithMr。Badger。
Itwasacoldstillafternoonwithahardsteelyskyoverhead，whenheslippedoutofthewarmparlourintotheopenair。Thecountrylaybareandentirelyleaflessaroundhim，andhethoughtthathehadneverseensofarandsointimatelyintotheinsidesofthingsasonthatwinterdaywhenNaturewasdeepinherannualslumberandseemedtohavekickedtheclothesoff。
Copses，dells，quarriesandallhiddenplaces，whichhadbeenmysteriousminesforexplorationinleafysummer，nowexposedthemselvesandtheirsecretspathetically，andseemedtoaskhimtooverlooktheirshabbypovertyforawhile，tilltheycouldriotinrichmasqueradeasbefore，andtrickandenticehimwiththeolddeceptions。Itwaspitifulinaway，andyetcheering——
evenexhilarating。Hewasgladthathelikedthecountryundecorated，hard，andstrippedofitsfinery。Hehadgotdowntothebarebonesofit，andtheywerefineandstrongandsimple。Hedidnotwantthewarmcloverandtheplayofseedinggrasses；thescreensofquickset，thebillowydraperyofbeechandelmseemedbestaway；andwithgreatcheerfulnessofspirithepushedontowardstheWildWood，whichlaybeforehimlowandthreatening，likeablackreefinsomestillsouthernsea。
Therewasnothingtoalarmhimatfirstentry。Twigscrackledunderhisfeet，logstrippedhim，fungusesonstumpsresembledcaricatures，andstartledhimforthemomentbytheirlikenesstosomethingfamiliarandfaraway；butthatwasallfun，andexciting。Itledhimon，andhepenetratedtowherethelightwasless，andtreescrouchednearerandnearer，andholesmadeuglymouthsathimoneitherside。
Everythingwasverystillnow。Theduskadvancedonhimsteadily，rapidly，gatheringinbehindandbefore；andthelightseemedtobedrainingawaylikeflood-water。
Thenthefacesbegan。
Itwasoverhisshoulder，andindistinctly，thathefirstthoughthesawaface；alittleevilwedge-shapedface，lookingoutathimfromahole。Whenheturnedandconfrontedit，thethinghadvanished。
Hequickenedhispace，tellinghimselfcheerfullynottobeginimaginingthings，ortherewouldbesimplynoendtoit。Hepassedanotherhole，andanother，andanother；andthen——yes！——
no！——yes！certainlyalittlenarrowface，withhardeyes，hadflashedupforaninstantfromahole，andwasgone。Hehesitated——bracedhimselfupforaneffortandstrodeon。Thensuddenly，andasifithadbeensoallthetime，everyhole，farandnear，andtherewerehundredsofthem，seemedtopossessitsface，comingandgoingrapidly，allfixingonhimglancesofmaliceandhatred：allhard-eyedandevilandsharp。
Ifhecouldonlygetawayfromtheholesinthebanks，hethought，therewouldbenomorefaces。Heswungoffthepathandplungedintotheuntroddenplacesofthewood。
Thenthewhistlingbegan。
Veryfaintandshrillitwas，andfarbehindhim，whenfirstheheardit；butsomehowitmadehimhurryforward。Then，stillveryfaintandshrill，itsoundedfaraheadofhim，andmadehimhesitateandwanttogoback。Ashehaltedinindecisionitbrokeoutoneitherside，andseemedtobecaughtupandpassedonthroughoutthewholelengthofthewoodtoitsfarthestlimit。
Theywereupandalertandready，evidently，whoevertheywere！
Andhe——hewasalone，andunarmed，andfarfromanyhelp；andthenightwasclosingin。
Thenthepatteringbegan。
Hethoughtitwasonlyfallingleavesatfirst，soslightanddelicatewasthesoundofit。Thenasitgrewittookaregularrhythm，andheknewitfornothingelsebutthepat-pat-patoflittlefeetstillaverylongwayoff。Wasitinfrontorbehind？Itseemedtobefirstone，andthentheother，thenboth。Itgrewanditmultiplied，tillfromeveryquarterashelistenedanxiously，leaningthiswayandthat，itseemedtobeclosinginonhim。Ashestoodstilltohearken，arabbitcamerunninghardtowardshimthroughthetrees。Hewaited，expectingittoslackenpace，ortoswervefromhimintoadifferentcourse。Instead，theanimalalmostbrushedhimasitdashedpast，hisfacesetandhard，hiseyesstaring。`Getoutofthis，youfool，getout！’theMoleheardhimmutterasheswungroundastumpanddisappeareddownafriendlyburrow。
Thepatteringincreasedtillitsoundedlikesuddenhailonthedryleaf-carpetspreadaroundhim。Thewholewoodseemedrunningnow，runninghard，hunting，chasing，closinginroundsomethingor——somebody？Inpanic，hebegantoruntoo，aimlessly，heknewnotwhither。Heranupagainstthings，hefelloverthingsandintothings，hedartedunderthingsanddodgedroundthings。Atlasthetookrefugeinthedeepdarkhollowofanoldbeechtree，whichofferedshelter，concealment——perhapsevensafety，butwhocouldtell？Anyhow，hewastootiredtorunanyfurther，andcouldonlysnuggledownintothedryleaveswhichhaddriftedintothehollowandhopehewassafeforatime。Andashelaytherepantingandtrembling，andlistenedtothewhistlingsandthepatteringsoutside，heknewitatlast，inallitsfullness，thatdreadthingwhichotherlittledwellersinfieldandhedgerowhadencounteredhere，andknownastheirdarkestmoment——thatthingwhichtheRathadvainlytriedtoshieldhimfrom——theTerroroftheWildWood！
MeantimetheRat，warmandcomfortable，dozedbyhisfireside。
Hispaperofhalf-finishedversesslippedfromhisknee，hisheadfellback，hismouthopened，andhewanderedbytheverdantbanksofdream-rivers。Thenacoalslipped，thefirecrackledandsentupaspurtofflame，andhewokewithastart。Rememberingwhathehadbeenengagedupon，hereacheddowntothefloorforhisverses，poredoverthemforaminute，andthenlookedroundfortheMoletoaskhimifheknewagoodrhymeforsomethingorother。
ButtheMolewasnotthere。
Helistenedforatime。Thehouseseemedveryquiet。
Thenhecalled`Moly！’severaltimes，and，receivingnoanswer，gotupandwentoutintothehall。
TheMole’scapwasmissingfromitsaccustomedpeg。Hisgoloshes，whichalwayslaybytheumbrella-stand，werealsogone。
TheRatleftthehouse，andcarefullyexaminedthemuddysurfaceofthegroundoutside，hopingtofindtheMole’stracks。Theretheywere，sureenough。Thegolosheswerenew，justboughtforthewinter，andthepimplesontheirsoleswerefreshandsharp。
Hecouldseetheimprintsoftheminthemud，runningalongstraightandpurposeful，leadingdirecttotheWildWood。
TheRatlookedverygrave，andstoodindeepthoughtforaminuteortwo。Thenhere-enteredthehouse，strappedabeltroundhiswaist，shovedabraceofpistolsintoit，tookupastoutcudgelthatstoodinacornerofthehall，andsetofffortheWildWoodatasmartpace。
Itwasalreadygettingtowardsduskwhenhereachedthefirstfringeoftreesandplungedwithouthesitationintothewood，lookinganxiouslyoneithersideforanysignofhisfriend。
Hereandtherewickedlittlefacespoppedoutofholes，butvanishedimmediatelyatsightofthevalorousanimal，hispistols，andthegreatuglycudgelinhisgrasp；andthewhistlingandpattering，whichhehadheardquiteplainlyonhisfirstentry，diedawayandceased，andallwasverystill。Hemadehiswaymanfullythroughthelengthofthewood，toitsfurthestedge；then，forsakingallpaths，hesethimselftotraverseit，laboriouslyworkingoverthewholeground，andallthetimecallingoutcheerfully，`Moly，Moly，Moly！Whereareyou？It’sme——it’soldRat！’
Hehadpatientlyhuntedthroughthewoodforanhourormore，whenatlasttohisjoyheheardalittleansweringcry。Guidinghimselfbythesound，hemadehiswaythroughthegatheringdarknesstothefootofanoldbeechtree，withaholeinit，andfromoutoftheholecameafeeblevoice，saying`Ratty！Isthatreallyyou？’
TheRatcreptintothehollow，andtherehefoundtheMole，exhaustedandstilltrembling。`ORat！’hecried，`I’vebeensofrightened，youcan’tthink！’
`O，Iquiteunderstand，’saidtheRatsoothingly。`Youshouldn’treallyhavegoneanddoneit，Mole。Ididmybesttokeepyoufromit。Weriver-bankers，wehardlyevercomeherebyourselves。Ifwehavetocome，wecomeincouples，atleast；
thenwe’regenerallyallright。Besides，thereareahundredthingsonehastoknow，whichweunderstandallaboutandyoudon’t，asyet。Imeanpasswords，andsigns，andsayingswhichhavepowerandeffect，andplantsyoucarryinyourpocket，andversesyourepeat，anddodgesandtricksyoupractise；allsimpleenoughwhenyouknowthem，butthey’vegottobeknownifyou’resmall，oryou’llfindyourselfintrouble。OfcourseifyouwereBadgerorOtter，itwouldbequiteanothermatter。’
`SurelythebraveMr。Toadwouldn’tmindcomingherebyhimself，wouldhe？’inquiredtheMole。
`OldToad？’saidtheRat，laughingheartily。`Hewouldn’tshowhisfaceherealone，notforawholehatfulofgoldenguineas，Toadwouldn’t。’
TheMolewasgreatlycheeredbythesoundoftheRat’scarelesslaughter，aswellasbythesightofhisstickandhisgleamingpistols，andhestoppedshiveringandbegantofeelbolderandmorehimselfagain。
`Nowthen，’saidtheRatpresently，`wereallymustpullourselvestogetherandmakeastartforhomewhilethere’sstillalittlelightleft。Itwillneverdotospendthenighthere，youunderstand。Toocold，foronething。’
`DearRatty，’saidthepoorMole，`I’mdreadfullysorry，butI’msimplydeadbeatandthat’sasolidfact。YouMUSTletmeresthereawhilelonger，andgetmystrengthback，ifI’mtogethomeatall。’
`O，allright，’saidthegood-naturedRat，`restaway。It’sprettynearlypitchdarknow，anyhow；andthereoughttobeabitofamoonlater。’
SotheMolegotwellintothedryleavesandstretchedhimselfout，andpresentlydroppedoffintosleep，thoughofabrokenandtroubledsort；whiletheRatcoveredhimselfup，too，asbesthemight，forwarmth，andlaypatientlywaiting，withapistolinhispaw。
WhenatlasttheMolewokeup，muchrefreshedandinhisusualspirits，theRatsaid，`Nowthen！I’lljusttakealookoutsideandseeifeverything’squiet，andthenwereallymustbeoff。’
Hewenttotheentranceoftheirretreatandputhisheadout。ThentheMoleheardhimsayingquietlytohimself，`Hullo！
hullo！here——is——a——go！’
`What’sup，Ratty？’askedtheMole。
`SNOWisup，’repliedtheRatbriefly；`orrather，DOWN。
It’ssnowinghard。’
TheMolecameandcrouchedbesidehim，and，lookingout，sawthewoodthathadbeensodreadfultohiminquiteachangedaspect。
Holes，hollows，pools，pitfalls，andotherblackmenacestothewayfarerwerevanishingfast，andagleamingcarpetoffaerywasspringingupeverywhere，thatlookedtoodelicatetobetroddenuponbyroughfeet。Afinepowderfilledtheairandcaressedthecheekwithatingleinitstouch，andtheblackbolesofthetreesshowedupinalightthatseemedtocomefrombelow。
`Well，well，itcan’tbehelped，’saidtheRat，afterpondering。
`Wemustmakeastart，andtakeourchance，Isuppose。Theworstofitis，Idon’texactlyknowwhereweare。Andnowthissnowmakeseverythinglooksoverydifferent。’
Itdidindeed。TheMolewouldnothaveknownthatitwasthesamewood。However，theysetoutbravely，andtookthelinethatseemedmostpromising，holdingontoeachotherandpretendingwithinvinciblecheerfulnessthattheyrecognizedanoldfriendineveryfreshtreethatgrimlyandsilentlygreetedthem，orsawopenings，gaps，orpathswithafamiliarturninthem，inthemonotonyofwhitespaceandblacktree-trunksthatrefusedtovary。
Anhourortwolater——theyhadlostallcountoftime——theypulledup，dispirited，weary，andhopelesslyatsea，andsatdownonafallentree-trunktorecovertheirbreathandconsiderwhatwastobedone。Theywereachingwithfatigueandbruisedwithtumbles；theyhadfallenintoseveralholesandgotwetthrough；
thesnowwasgettingsodeepthattheycouldhardlydragtheirlittlelegsthroughit，andthetreeswerethickerandmorelikeeachotherthanever。Thereseemedtobenoendtothiswood，andnobeginning，andnodifferenceinit，and，worstofall，nowayout。
`Wecan’tsithereverylong，’saidtheRat。`Weshallhavetomakeanotherpushforit，anddosomethingorother。Thecoldistooawfulforanything，andthesnowwillsoonbetoodeepforustowadethrough。’Hepeeredabouthimandconsidered。`Lookhere，’hewenton，`thisiswhatoccurstome。There’sasortofdelldownhereinfrontofus，wherethegroundseemsallhillyandhumpyandhummocky。We’llmakeourwaydownintothat，andtryandfindsomesortofshelter，acaveorholewithadryfloortoit，outofthesnowandthewind，andtherewe’llhaveagoodrestbeforewetryagain，forwe’rebothofusprettydeadbeat。Besides，thesnowmayleaveoff，orsomethingmayturnup。’
Sooncemoretheygotontheirfeet，andstruggleddownintothedell，wheretheyhuntedaboutforacaveorsomecornerthatwasdryandaprotectionfromthekeenwindandthewhirlingsnow。
TheywereinvestigatingoneofthehummockybitstheRathadspokenof，whensuddenlytheMoletrippedupandfellforwardonhisfacewithasqueal。
`Omyleg！’hecried。`Omypoorshin！’andhesatuponthesnowandnursedhisleginbothhisfrontpaws。
`PooroldMole！’saidtheRatkindly。
`Youdon’tseemtobehavingmuchluckto-day，doyou？Let’shavealookattheleg。Yes，’hewenton，goingdownonhiskneestolook，`you’vecutyourshin，sureenough。WaittillIgetatmyhandkerchief，andI’lltieitupforyou。’
`Imusthavetrippedoverahiddenbranchorastump，’saidtheMolemiserably。`O，my！O，my！’
`It’saverycleancut，’saidtheRat，examiningitagainattentively。`Thatwasneverdonebyabranchorastump。Looksasifitwasmadebyasharpedgeofsomethinginmetal。Funny！’
Heponderedawhile，andexaminedthehumpsandslopesthatsurroundedthem。
`Well，nevermindwhatdoneit，’saidtheMole，forgettinghisgrammarinhispain。`Ithurtsjustthesame，whateverdoneit。’
ButtheRat，aftercarefullytyingupthelegwithhishandkerchief，hadlefthimandwasbusyscrapinginthesnow。Hescratchedandshovelledandexplored，allfourlegsworkingbusily，whiletheMolewaitedimpatiently，remarkingatintervals，`O，COMEon，Rat！’
SuddenlytheRatcried`Hooray！’andthen`Hooray-oo-ray-oo-ray-
oo-ray！’andfelltoexecutingafeeblejiginthesnow。
`WhatHAVEyoufound，Ratty？’askedtheMole，stillnursinghisleg。
`Comeandsee！’saidthedelightedRat，ashejiggedon。
TheMolehobbleduptothespotandhadagoodlook。
`Well，’hesaidatlast，slowly，`ISEEitrightenough。Seenthesamesortofthingbefore，lotsoftimes。Familiarobject，I
callit。Adoor-scraper！Well，whatofit？Whydancejigsaroundadoor-scraper？’
`Butdon’tyouseewhatitMEANS，you——youdull-wittedanimal？’criedtheRatimpa-tiently。
`OfcourseIseewhatitmeans，’repliedtheMole。`ItsimplymeansthatsomeVERYcarelessandforgetfulpersonhaslefthisdoor-scraperlyingaboutinthemiddleoftheWildWood，JUSTwhereit’sSUREtotripEVERYBODYup。Verythoughtlessofhim，Icallit。WhenIgethomeIshallgoandcomplainaboutitto——tosomebodyorother，seeifIdon’t！’
`O，dear！O，dear！’criedtheRat，indespairathisobtuseness。
`Here，stoparguingandcomeandscrape！’Andhesettoworkagainandmadethesnowflyinalldirectionsaroundhim。
Aftersomefurthertoilhiseffortswererewarded，andaveryshabbydoor-matlayexposedtoview。
`There，whatdidItellyou？’exclaimedtheRatingreattriumph。
`Absolutelynothingwhatever，’repliedtheMole，withperfecttruthfulness。`Wellnow，’hewenton，`youseemtohavefoundanotherpieceofdomesticlitter，doneforandthrownaway，andI
supposeyou’reperfectlyhappy。Bettergoaheadanddanceyourjigroundthatifyou’vegotto，andgetitover，andthenperhapswecangoonandnotwasteanymoretimeoverrubbish-
heaps。CanweEATadoormat？orsleepunderadoor-mat？Orsitonadoor-matandsledgehomeoverthesnowonit，youexasperatingrodent？’
`Do——you——mean——to——say，’criedtheexcitedRat，`thatthisdoor-
matdoesn’tTELLyouanything？’
`Really，Rat，’saidtheMole，quitepettishly，`Ithinkwe’dhadenoughofthisfolly。Whoeverheardofadoor-matTELLING
anyoneanything？Theysimplydon’tdoit。Theyarenotthatsortatall。Door-matsknowtheirplace。’
`Nowlookhere，you——youthick-headedbeast，’repliedtheRat，reallyangry，`thismuststop。Notanotherword，butscrape——
scrapeandscratchanddigandhuntround，especiallyonthesidesofthehummocks，ifyouwanttosleepdryandwarmto-
night，forit’sourlastchance！’
TheRatattackedasnow-bankbesidethemwithardour，probingwithhiscudgeleverywhereandthendiggingwithfury；andtheMolescrapedbusilytoo，moretoobligetheRatthanforanyotherreason，forhisopinionwasthathisfriendwasgettinglight-headed。
Sometenminutes’hardwork，andthepointoftheRat’scudgelstrucksomethingthatsoundedhollow。Heworkedtillhecouldgetapawthroughandfeel；thencalledtheMoletocomeandhelphim。Hardatitwentthetwoanimals，tillatlasttheresultoftheirlaboursstoodfullinviewoftheastonishedandhithertoincredulousMole。
Inthesideofwhathadseemedtobeasnow-bankstoodasolid-
lookinglittledoor，paintedadarkgreen。Anironbell-pullhungbytheside，andbelowit，onasmallbrassplate，neatlyengravedinsquarecapitalletters，theycouldreadbytheaidofmoonlightMR。BADGER。
TheMolefellbackwardsonthesnowfromsheersurpriseanddelight。`Rat！’hecriedinpenitence，`you’reawonder！A
realwonder，that’swhatyouare。Iseeitallnow！Youargueditout，stepbystep，inthatwiseheadofyours，fromtheverymomentthatIfellandcutmyshin，andyoulookedatthecut，andatonceyourmajesticmindsaidtoitself，\"Door-scraper！\"
Andthenyouturnedtoandfoundtheverydoor-scraperthatdoneit！Didyoustopthere？No。Somepeoplewouldhavebeenquitesatisfied；butnotyou。Yourintellectwentonworking。\"Letmeonlyjustfindadoor-mat，\"saysyoutoyourself，\"andmytheoryisproved！\"Andofcourseyoufoundyourdoor-mat。You’resoclever，Ibelieveyoucouldfindanythingyouliked。\"Now，\"saysyou，\"thatdoorexists，asplainasifIsawit。There’snothingelseremainstobedonebuttofindit！\"Well，I’vereadaboutthatsortofthinginbooks，butI’venevercomeacrossitbeforeinreallife。Yououghttogowhereyou’llbeproperlyappreciated。You’resimplywastedhere，amongusfellows。IfI
onlyhadyourhead，Ratty————’
`Butasyouhaven’t，’interruptedtheRat，ratherunkindly，`I
supposeyou’regoingtositonthesnowallnightandTALK
Getupatonceandhangontothatbell-pullyouseethere，andringhard，ashardasyoucan，whileIhammer！’
WhiletheRatattackedthedoorwithhisstick，theMolesprangupatthebell-pull，clutcheditandswungthere，bothfeetwellofftheground，andfromquitealongwayofftheycouldfaintlyhearadeep-tonedbellrespond。
IV
MR。BADGER
THEYwaitedpatientlyforwhatseemedaverylongtime，stampinginthesnowtokeeptheirfeetwarm。Atlasttheyheardthesoundofslowshufllingfootstepsapproachingthedoorfromtheinside。Itseemed，astheMoleremarkedtotheRat，likesomeonewalkingincarpetslippersthatweretoolargeforhimanddownatheel；whichwasintelligentofMole，becausethatwasexactlywhatitwas。
Therewasthenoiseofaboltshotback，andthedooropenedafewinches，enoughtoshowalongsnoutandapairofsleepyblinkingeyes。
`Now，theVERYnexttimethishappens，’saidagruffandsuspiciousvoice，`Ishallbeexceedinglyangry。WhoisitTHIStime，disturbingpeopleonsuchanight？Speakup！’
`Oh，Badger，’criedtheRat，`letusin，please。It’sme，Rat，andmyfriendMole，andwe’velostourwayinthesnow。’
`What，Ratty，mydearlittleman！’exclaimedtheBadger，inquiteadifferentvoice。`Comealongin，bothofyou，atonce。Why，youmustbeperished。WellInever！Lostinthesnow！AndintheWildWood，too，andatthistimeofnight！Butcomeinwithyou。’
Thetwoanimalstumbledovereachotherintheireagernesstogetinside，andheardthedoorshutbehindthemwithgreatjoyandrelief。
TheBadger，whoworealongdressing-gown，andwhoseslipperswereindeedverydownatheel，carriedaflatcandlestickinhispawandhadprobablybeenonhiswaytobedwhentheirsummonssounded。Helookedkindlydownonthemandpattedboththeirheads。`Thisisnotthesortofnightforsmallanimalstobeout，’hesaidpaternally。`I’mafraidyou’vebeenuptosomeofyourpranksagain，Ratty。Butcomealong；comeintothekitchen。
There’safirst-ratefirethere，andsupperandeverything。’
Heshuffledoninfrontofthem，carryingthelight，andtheyfollowedhim，nudgingeachotherinananticipatingsortofway，downalong，gloomy，and，totellthetruth，decidedlyshabbypassage，intoasortofacentralhall；outofwhichtheycoulddimlyseeotherlongtunnel-likepassagesbranching，passagesmysteriousandwithoutapparentend。Butthereweredoorsinthehallaswell——stoutoakencomfortable-lookingdoors。OneofthesetheBadgerflungopen，andatoncetheyfoundthemselvesinalltheglowandwarmthofalargefire-litkitchen。
Thefloorwaswell-wornredbrick，andonthewidehearthburntafireoflogs，betweentwoattractivechimney-cornerstuckedawayinthewall，welloutofanysuspicionofdraught。Acoupleofhigh-backedsettles，facingeachotheroneithersideofthefire，gavefurthersittingaccommodationsforthesociablydisposed。Inthemiddleoftheroomstoodalongtableofplainboardsplacedontrestles，withbenchesdowneachside。Atoneendofit，whereanarm-chairstoodpushedback，werespreadtheremainsoftheBadger’splainbutamplesupper。Rowsofspotlessplateswinkedfromtheshelvesofthedresseratthefarendoftheroom，andfromtheraftersoverheadhunghams，bundlesofdriedherbs，netsofonions，andbasketsofeggs。Itseemedaplacewhereheroescouldfitlyfeastaftervictory，wherewearyharvesterscouldlineupinscoresalongthetableandkeeptheirHarvestHomewithmirthandsong，orwheretwoorthreefriendsofsimpletastescouldsitaboutastheypleasedandeatandsmokeandtalkincomfortandcontentment。Theruddybrickfloorsmiledupatthesmokyceiling；theoakensettles，shinywithlongwear，exchangedcheerfulglanceswitheachother；platesonthedressergrinnedatpotsontheshelf，andthemerryfirelightflickeredandplayedovereverythingwithoutdistinction。
ThekindlyBadgerthrustthemdownonasettletotoastthemselvesatthefire，andbadethemremovetheirwetcoatsandboots。Thenhefetchedthemdressing-gownsandslippers，andhimselfbathedtheMole’sshinwithwarmwaterandmendedthecutwithsticking-plastertillthewholethingwasjustasgoodasnew，ifnotbetter。Intheembracinglightandwarmth，warmanddryatlast，withwearylegsproppedupinfrontofthem，andasuggestiveclinkofplatesbeingarrangedonthetablebehind，itseemedtothestorm-drivenanimals，nowinsafeanchorage，thatthecoldandtracklessWildWoodjustleftoutsidewasmilesandmilesaway，andallthattheyhadsufferedinitahalf-
forgottendream。
Whenatlasttheywerethoroughlytoasted，theBadgersummonedthemtothetable，wherehehadbeenbusylayingarepast。Theyhadfeltprettyhungrybefore，butwhentheyactuallysawatlastthesupperthatwasspreadforthem，reallyitseemedonlyaquestionofwhattheyshouldattackfirstwhereallwassoattractive，andwhethertheotherthingswouldobliginglywaitforthemtilltheyhadtimetogivethemattention。Conversationwasimpossibleforalongtime；andwhenitwasslowlyresumed，itwasthatregrettablesortofconversationthatresultsfromtalkingwithyourmouthfull。TheBadgerdidnotmindthatsortofthingatall，nordidhetakeanynoticeofelbowsonthetable，oreverybodyspeakingatonce。AshedidnotgointoSocietyhimself，hehadgotanideathatthesethingsbelongedtothethingsthatdidn’treallymatter。（Weknowofcoursethathewaswrong，andtooktoonarrowaview；becausetheydomatterverymuch，thoughitwouldtaketoolongtoexplainwhy。）Hesatinhisarm-chairattheheadofthetable，andnoddedgravelyatintervalsastheanimalstoldtheirstory；andhedidnotseemsurprisedorshockedatanything，andheneversaid，`Itoldyouso，’or，`JustwhatIalwayssaid，’orremarkedthattheyoughttohavedoneso-and-so，oroughtnottohavedonesomethingelse。
TheMolebegantofeelveryfriendlytowardshim。
Whensupperwasreallyfinishedatlast，andeachanimalfeltthathisskinwasnowastightaswasdecentlysafe，andthatbythistimehedidn’tcareahangforanybodyoranything，theygatheredroundtheglowingembersofthegreatwoodfire，andthoughthowjollyitwastobesittingupSOlate，andSO
independent，andSOfull；andaftertheyhadchattedforatimeaboutthingsingeneral，theBadgersaidheartily，`Nowthen！tellusthenewsfromyourpartoftheworld。How’soldToadgoingon？’
`Oh，frombadtoworse，’saidtheRatgravely，whiletheMole，cockeduponasettleandbaskinginthefirelight，hisheelshigherthanhishead，triedtolookproperlymournful。`Anothersmash-uponlylastweek，andabadone。Yousee，hewillinsistondrivinghimself，andhe’shopelesslyincapable。Ifhe’donlyemployadecent，steady，well-trainedanimal，payhimgoodwages，andleaveeverythingtohim，he’dgetonallright。Butno；he’sconvincedhe’saheaven-borndriver，andnobodycanteachhimanything；andalltherestfollows。’
`Howmanyhashehad？’inquiredtheBadgergloomily。
`Smashes，ormachines？’askedtheRat。`Oh，well，afterall，it’sthesamething——withToad。Thisistheseventh。Asfortheothers——youknowthatcoach-houseofhis？Well，it’spiledup——
literallypileduptotheroof——withfragmentsofmotor-cars，noneofthembiggerthanyourhat！Thataccountsfortheothersix——sofarastheycanbeaccountedfor。’
`He’sbeeninhospitalthreetimes，’putintheMole；`andasforthefineshe’shadtopay，it’ssimplyawfultothinkof。’
`Yes，andthat’spartofthetrouble，’continuedtheRat。
`Toad’srich，weallknow；buthe’snotamillionaire。Andhe’sahopelesslybaddriver，andquiteregardlessoflawandorder。
Killedorruined——it’sgottobeoneofthetwothings，soonerorlater。Badger！we’rehisfriends——oughtn’twetodosomething？’
TheBadgerwentthroughabitofhardthinking。`Nowlookhere！’
hesaidatlast，ratherseverely；`ofcourseyouknowIcan’tdoanythingNOW？’
Histwofriendsassented，quiteunderstandinghispoint。Noanimal，accordingtotherulesofanimal-etiquette，iseverexpectedtodoanythingstrenuous，orheroic，orevenmoderatelyactiveduringtheoff-seasonofwinter。Allaresleepy——someactuallyasleep。Allareweather-bound，moreorless；andallarerestingfromarduousdaysandnights，duringwhicheverymuscleinthemhasbeenseverelytested，andeveryenergykeptatfullstretch。