TheRat,meanwhile,wasbusyexaminingthelabelononeofthebeer-bottles。`IperceivethistobeOldBurton,’heremarkedapprovingly。`SENSIBLEMole!Theverything!Nowweshallbeabletomullsomeale!Getthethingsready,Mole,whileI
drawthecorks。’
Itdidnottakelongtopreparethebrewandthrustthetinheaterwellintotheredheartofthefire;andsooneveryfield-
mousewassippingandcoughingandchoking(foralittlemulledalegoesalongway)andwipinghiseyesandlaughingandforgettinghehadeverbeencoldinallhislife。
`Theyactplaystoo,thesefellows,’theMoleexplainedtotheRat。`Makethemupallbythemselves,andactthemafterwards。
Andverywelltheydoit,too!Theygaveusacapitalonelastyear,aboutafield-mousewhowascapturedatseabyaBarbarycorsair,andmadetorowinagalley;andwhenheescapedandgothomeagain,hislady-lovehadgoneintoaconvent。Here,YOU!Youwereinit,Iremember。Getupandreciteabit。’
Thefield-mouseaddressedgotuponhislegs,giggledshyly,lookedroundtheroom,andremainedabsolutelytongue-tied。Hiscomradescheeredhimon,Molecoaxedandencouragedhim,andtheRatwentsofarastotakehimbytheshouldersandshakehim;
butnothingcouldovercomehisstage-fright。TheywereallbusilyengagedonhimlikewatermenapplyingtheRoyalHumaneSociety’sregulationstoacaseoflongsubmersion,whenthelatchclicked,thedooropened,andthefield-mousewiththelanternreappeared,staggeringundertheweightofhisbasket。
Therewasnomoretalkofplay-actingoncetheveryrealandsolidcontentsofthebaskethadbeentumbledoutonthetable。
UnderthegeneralshipofRat,everybodywassettodosomethingortofetchsomething。Inaveryfewminutessupperwasready,andMole,ashetooktheheadofthetableinasortofadream,sawalatelybarrenboardsetthickwithsavourycomforts;
sawhislittlefriends’facesbrightenandbeamastheyfelltowithoutdelay;andthenlethimselfloose——forhewasfamishedindeed——ontheprovendersomagicallyprovided,thinkingwhatahappyhome-comingthishadturnedout,afterall。Astheyate,theytalkedofoldtimes,andthefield-micegavehimthelocalgossipuptodate,andansweredaswellastheycouldthehundredquestionshehadtoaskthem。TheRatsaidlittleornothing,onlytakingcarethateachguesthadwhathewanted,andplentyofit,andthatMolehadnotroubleoranxietyaboutanything。
Theyclatteredoffatlast,verygratefulandshoweringwishesoftheseason,withtheirjacketpocketsstuffedwithremembrancesforthesmallbrothersandsistersathome。Whenthedoorhadclosedonthelastofthemandthechinkofthelanternshaddiedaway,MoleandRatkickedthefireup,drewtheirchairsin,brewedthemselvesalastnightcapofmulledale,anddiscussedtheeventsofthelongday。AtlasttheRat,withatremendousyawn,said,`Mole,oldchap,I’mreadytodrop。Sleepyissimplynottheword。Thatyourownbunkoveronthatside?Verywell,then,I’lltakethis。Whatarippinglittlehousethisis!
Everythingsohandy!’
Heclamberedintohisbunkandrolledhimselfwellupintheblankets,andslumbergatheredhimforthwith,asaswatheofbarleyisfoldedintothearmsofthereapingmachine。
ThewearyMolealsowasgladtoturninwithoutdelay,andsoonhadhisheadonhispillow,ingreatjoyandcontentment。Butereheclosedhiseyesheletthemwanderroundhisoldroom,mellowintheglowofthefirelightthatplayedorrestedonfamiliarandfriendlythingswhichhadlongbeenunconsciouslyapartofhim,andnowsmilinglyreceivedhimback,withoutrancour。HewasnowinjusttheframeofmindthatthetactfulRathadquietlyworkedtobringaboutinhim。Hesawclearlyhowplainandsimple——hownarrow,even——itallwas;butclearly,too,howmuchitallmeanttohim,andthespecialvalueofsomesuchanchorageinone’sexistence。Hedidnotatallwanttoabandonthenewlifeanditssplendidspaces,toturnhisbackonsunandairandalltheyofferedhimandcreephomeandstaythere;theupperworldwasalltoostrong,itcalledtohimstill,evendownthere,andheknewhemustreturntothelargerstage。Butitwasgoodtothinkhehadthistocomebackto;thisplacewhichwasallhisown,thesethingswhichweresogladtoseehimagainandcouldalwaysbecounteduponforthesamesimplewelcome。
VI
MR。TOAD
Itwasabrightmorningintheearlypartofsummer;theriverhadresumeditswontedbanksanditsaccustomedpace,andahotsunseemedtobepullingeverythinggreenandbushyandspikyupoutoftheearthtowardshim,asifbystrings。TheMoleandtheWaterRathadbeenupsincedawn,verybusyonmattersconnectedwithboatsandtheopeningoftheboatingseason;paintingandvarnishing,mendingpaddles,repairingcushions,huntingformissingboat-hooks,andsoon;andwerefinishingbreakfastintheirlittleparlourandeagerlydiscussingtheirplansfortheday,whenaheavyknocksoundedatthedoor。
`Bother!’saidtheRat,alloveregg。`Seewhoitis,Mole,likeagoodchap,sinceyou’vefinished。’
TheMolewenttoattendthesummons,andtheRatheardhimutteracryofsurprise。Thenheflungtheparlourdooropen,andannouncedwithmuchimportance,`Mr。Badger!’
Thiswasawonderfulthing,indeed,thattheBadgershouldpayaformalcallonthem,orindeedonanybody。Hegenerallyhadtobecaught,ifyouwantedhimbadly,asheslippedquietlyalongahedgerowofanearlymorningoralateevening,orelsehuntedupinhisownhouseinthemiddleoftheWood,whichwasaseriousundertaking。
TheBadgerstrodeheavilyintotheroom,andstoodlookingatthetwoanimalswithanexpressionfullofseriousness。TheRatlethisegg-spoonfallonthetable-cloth,andsatopen-mouthed。
`Thehourhascome!’saidtheBadgeratlastwithgreatsolemnity。
`Whathour?’askedtheRatuneasily,glancingattheclockonthemantelpiece。
`WHOSEhour,youshouldrathersay,’repliedtheBadger。
`Why,Toad’shour!ThehourofToad!IsaidIwouldtakehiminhandassoonasthewinterwaswellover,andI’mgoingtotakehiminhandto-day!’
`Toad’shour,ofcourse!’criedtheMoledelightedly。
`Hooray!Iremembernow!WE’LLteachhimtobeasensibleToad!’
`Thisverymorning,’continuedtheBadger,takinganarm-chair,`asIlearntlastnightfromatrustworthysource,anothernewandexceptionallypowerfulmotor-carwillarriveatToadHallonapprovalorreturn。Atthisverymoment,perhaps,Toadisbusyarrayinghimselfinthosesingularlyhideoushabilimentssodeartohim,whichtransformhimfroma(comparatively)good-lookingToadintoanObjectwhichthrowsanydecent-mindedanimalthatcomesacrossitintoaviolentfit。Wemustbeupanddoing,ereitistoolate。YoutwoanimalswillaccompanymeinstantlytoToadHall,andtheworkofrescueshallbeaccomplished。’
`Rightyouare!’criedtheRat,startingup。`We’llrescuethepoorunhappyanimal!We’llconverthim!He’llbethemostconvertedToadthateverwasbeforewe’vedonewithhim!’
Theysetoffuptheroadontheirmissionofmercy,Badgerleadingtheway。Animalswhenincompanywalkinaproperandsensiblemanner,insinglefile,insteadofsprawlingallacrosstheroadandbeingofnouseorsupporttoeachotherincaseofsuddentroubleordanger。
Theyreachedthecarriage-driveofToadHalltofind,astheBadgerhadanticipated,ashinynewmotor-car,ofgreatsize,paintedabrightred(Toad’sfavouritecolour),standinginfrontofthehouse。Astheynearedthedooritwasflungopen,andMr。
Toad,arrayedingoggles,cap,gaiters,andenormousovercoat,cameswaggeringdownthesteps,drawingonhisgauntletedgloves。
`Hullo!comeon,youfellows!’hecriedcheerfullyoncatchingsightofthem。`You’rejustintimetocomewithmeforajolly——tocomeforajolly——fora——er——jolly————’
Hisheartyaccentsfalteredandfellawayashenoticedthesternunbendinglookonthecountenancesofhissilentfriends,andhisinvitationremainedunfinished。
TheBadgerstrodeupthesteps。`Takehiminside,’hesaidsternlytohiscompanions。Then,asToadwashustledthroughthedoor,strugglingandprotesting,heturnedtothechauffeurinchargeofthenewmotor-car。
`I’mafraidyouwon’tbewantedto-day,’hesaid。`Mr。Toadhaschangedhismind。Hewillnotrequirethecar。Pleaseunderstandthatthisisfinal。Youneedn’twait。’Thenhefollowedtheothersinsideandshutthedoor。
`Nowthen!’hesaidtotheToad,whenthefourofthemstoodtogetherintheHall,`firstofall,takethoseridiculousthingsoff!’
`Shan’t!’repliedToad,withgreatspirit。`Whatisthemeaningofthisgrossoutrage?Idemandaninstantexplanation。’
`Takethemoffhim,then,youtwo,’orderedtheBadgerbriefly。
TheyhadtolayToadoutonthefloor,kickingandcallingallsortsofnames,beforetheycouldgettoworkproperly。ThentheRatsatonhim,andtheMolegothismotor-clothesoffhimbitbybit,andtheystoodhimuponhislegsagain。Agooddealofhisblusteringspiritseemedtohaveevaporatedwiththeremovalofhisfinepanoply。NowthathewasmerelyToad,andnolongertheTerroroftheHighway,hegiggledfeeblyandlookedfromonetotheotherappealingly,seemingquitetounderstandthesituation。
`Youknewitmustcometothis,soonerorlater,Toad,’theBadgerexplainedseverely。
You’vedisregardedallthewarningswe’vegivenyou,you’vegoneonsquanderingthemoneyyourfatherleftyou,andyou’regettingusanimalsabadnameinthedistrictbyyourfuriousdrivingandyoursmashesandyourrowswiththepolice。Independenceisallverywell,butweanimalsneverallowourfriendstomakefoolsofthemselvesbeyondacertainlimit;andthatlimityou’vereached。Now,you’reagoodfellowinmanyrespects,andIdon’twanttobetoohardonyou。I’llmakeonemoreefforttobringyoutoreason。Youwillcomewithmeintothesmoking-room,andthereyouwillhearsomefactsaboutyourself;andwe’llseewhetheryoucomeoutofthatroomthesameToadthatyouwentin。’
HetookToadfirmlybythearm,ledhimintothesmoking-room,andclosedthedoorbehindthem。
`THAT’Snogood!’saidtheRatcontemptuously。`TALKINGtoToad’llnevercurehim。He’llSAYanything。’
Theymadethemselvescomfortableinarmchairsandwaitedpatiently。ThroughthecloseddoortheycouldjusthearthelongcontinuousdroneoftheBadger’svoice,risingandfallinginwavesoforatory;andpresentlytheynoticedthatthesermonbegantobepunctuatedatintervalsbylong-drawnsobs,evidentlyproceedingfromthebosomofToad,whowasasoft-heartedandaffectionatefellow,veryeasilyconverted——forthetimebeing——
toanypointofview。
Aftersomethree-quartersofanhourthedooropened,andtheBadgerreappeared,solemnlyleadingbythepawaverylimpanddejectedToad。Hisskinhungbaggilyabouthim,hislegswobbled,andhischeekswerefurrowedbythetearssoplentifullycalledforthbytheBadger’smovingdiscourse。
`Sitdownthere,Toad,’saidtheBadgerkindly,pointingtoachair。`Myfriends,’hewenton,`IampleasedtoinformyouthatToadhasatlastseentheerrorofhisways。Heistrulysorryforhismisguidedconductinthepast,andhehasundertakentogiveupmotor-carsentirelyandforever。Ihavehissolemnpromisetothateffect。’
`Thatisverygoodnews,’saidtheMolegravely。
`Verygoodnewsindeed,’observedtheRatdubiously,`ifonly——
IFonly————’
HewaslookingveryhardatToadashesaidthis,andcouldnothelpthinkingheperceivedsomethingvaguelyresemblingatwinkleinthatanimal’sstillsorrowfuleye。
`There’sonlyonethingmoretobedone,’continuedthegratifiedBadger。`Toad,Iwantyousolemnlytorepeat,beforeyourfriendshere,whatyoufullyadmittedtomeinthesmoking-roomjustnow。First,youaresorryforwhatyou’vedone,andyouseethefollyofitall?’
Therewasalong,longpause。Toadlookeddesperatelythiswayandthat,whiletheotheranimalswaitedingravesilence。Atlasthespoke。
`No!’hesaid,alittlesullenly,butstoutly;`I’mNOTsorry。
Anditwasn’tfollyatall!Itwassimplyglorious!’
`What?’criedtheBadger,greatlyscandalised。`Youbackslidinganimal,didn’tyoutellmejustnow,inthere————’
`Oh,yes,yes,inTHERE,’saidToadimpatiently。`I’dhavesaidanythinginTHERE。You’resoeloquent,dearBadger,andsomoving,andsoconvincing,andputallyourpointssofrightfullywell——youcandowhatyoulikewithmeinTHERE,andyouknowit。ButI’vebeensearchingmymindsince,andgoingoverthingsinit,andIfindthatI’mnotabitsorryorrepentantreally,soit’snoearthlygoodsayingIam;
now,isit?’
`Thenyoudon’tpromise,’saidtheBadger,`nevertotouchamotor-caragain?’
`Certainlynot!’repliedToademphatically。`Onthecontrary,I
faithfullypromisethattheveryfirstmotor-carIsee,poop-
poop!offIgoinit!’
`Toldyouso,didn’tI?’observedtheRattotheMole。
`Verywell,then,’saidtheBadgerfirmly,risingtohisfeet。
`Sinceyouwon’tyieldtopersuasion,we’lltrywhatforcecando。Ifeareditwouldcometothisallalong。You’veoftenaskedusthreetocomeandstaywithyou,Toad,inthishandsomehouseofyours;well,nowwe’regoingto。Whenwe’veconvertedyoutoaproperpointofviewwemayquit,butnotbefore。Takehimupstairs,youtwo,andlockhimupinhisbedroom,whilewearrangemattersbetweenourselves。’
`It’sforyourowngood,Toady,youknow,’saidtheRatkindly,asToad,kickingandstruggling,washauledupthestairsbyhistwofaithfulfriends。`Thinkwhatfunweshallallhavetogether,justasweusedto,whenyou’vequitegotoverthis——
thispainfulattackofyours!’
`We’lltakegreatcareofeverythingforyoutillyou’rewell,Toad,’saidtheMole;`andwe’llseeyourmoneyisn’twasted,asithasbeen。’
`Nomoreofthoseregrettableincidentswiththepolice,Toad,’
saidtheRat,astheythrusthimintohisbedroom。
`Andnomoreweeksinhospital,beingorderedaboutbyfemalenurses,Toad,’addedtheMole,turningthekeyonhim。
Theydescendedthestair,Toadshoutingabuseatthemthroughthekeyhole;andthethreefriendsthenmetinconferenceonthesituation。
`It’sgoingtobeatediousbusiness,’saidtheBadger,sighing。
`I’veneverseenToadsodetermined。However,wewillseeitout。Hemustneverbeleftaninstantunguarded。Weshallhavetotakeitinturnstobewithhim,tillthepoisonhasworkeditselfoutofhissystem。’
Theyarrangedwatchesaccordingly。EachanimaltookitinturnstosleepinToad’sroomatnight,andtheydividedthedayupbetweenthem。AtfirstToadwasundoubtedlyverytryingtohiscarefulguardians。Whenhisviolentparoxysmspossessedhimhewouldarrangebedroomchairsinruderesemblanceofamotor-carandwouldcrouchontheforemostofthem,bentforwardandstaringfixedlyahead,makinguncouthandghastlynoises,tilltheclimaxwasreached,when,turningacompletesomersault,hewouldlieprostrateamidsttheruinsofthechairs,apparentlycompletelysatisfiedforthemoment。Astimepassed,however,thesepainfulseizuresgrewgraduallylessfrequent,andhisfriendsstrovetodiverthismindintofreshchannels。Buthisinterestinothermattersdidnotseemtorevive,andhegrewapparentlylanguidanddepressed。
OnefinemorningtheRat,whoseturnitwastogoonduty,wentupstairstorelieveBadger,whomhefoundfidgetingtobeoffandstretchhislegsinalongrambleroundhiswoodanddownhisearthsandburrows。`Toad’sstillinbed,’hetoldtheRat,outsidethedoor。`Can’tgetmuchoutofhim,except,\"Oleavehimalone,hewantsnothing,perhapshe’llbebetterpresently,itmaypassoffintime,don’tbeundulyanxious,\"andsoon。Now,youlookout,Rat!WhenToad’squietandsubmissiveandplayingatbeingtheheroofaSunday-schoolprize,thenhe’sathisartfullest。There’ssuretobesomethingup。Iknowhim。
Well,now,Imustbeoff。’
`Howareyouto-day,oldchap?’inquiredtheRatcheerfully,asheapproachedToad’sbedside。
Hehadtowaitsomeminutesforananswer。Atlastafeeblevoicereplied,`Thankyousomuch,dearRatty!Sogoodofyoutoinquire!Butfirsttellmehowyouareyourself,andtheexcellentMole?’
`O,WE’REallright,’repliedtheRat。`Mole,’headdedincautiously,`isgoingoutforarunroundwithBadger。They’llbeouttillluncheontime,soyouandIwillspendapleasantmorningtogether,andI’lldomybesttoamuseyou。Nowjumpup,there’sagoodfellow,anddon’tliemopingthereonafinemorninglikethis!’
`Dear,kindRat,’murmuredToad,`howlittleyourealisemycondition,andhowveryfarIamfrom\"jumpingup\"now——ifever!
Butdonottroubleaboutme。Ihatebeingaburdentomyfriends,andIdonotexpecttobeonemuchlonger。Indeed,I
almosthopenot。’
`Well,Ihopenot,too,’saidtheRatheartily。`You’vebeenafinebothertousallthistime,andI’mgladtohearit’sgoingtostop。Andinweatherlikethis,andtheboatingseasonjustbeginning!It’stoobadofyou,Toad!Itisn’tthetroublewemind,butyou’remakingusmisssuchanawfullot。’
`I’mafraiditISthetroubleyoumind,though,’repliedtheToadlanguidly。`Icanquiteunderstandit。It’snaturalenough。You’retiredofbotheringaboutme。Imustn’taskyoutodoanythingfurther。I’manuisance,Iknow。’
`Youare,indeed,’saidtheRat。`ButItellyou,I’dtakeanytroubleonearthforyou,ifonlyyou’dbeasensibleanimal。’
`IfIthoughtthat,Ratty,’murmuredToad,morefeeblythanever,`thenIwouldbegyou——forthelasttime,probably——tosteproundtothevillageasquicklyaspossible——evennowitmaybetoolate——andfetchthedoctor。Butdon’tyoubother。It’sonlyatrouble,andperhapswemayaswellletthingstaketheircourse。’
`Why,whatdoyouwantadoctorfor?’inquiredtheRat,comingcloserandexamininghim。Hecertainlylayverystillandflat,andhisvoicewasweakerandhismannermuchchanged。
`Surelyyouhavenoticedoflate————’murmuredToad。`But,no——
whyshouldyou?Noticingthingsisonlyatrouble。To-morrow,indeed,youmaybesayingtoyourself,\"O,ifonlyIhadnoticedsooner!IfonlyIhaddonesomething!\"Butno;it’satrouble。
Nevermind——forgetthatIasked。’
`Lookhere,oldman,’saidtheRat,beginningtogetratheralarmed,`ofcourseI’llfetchadoctortoyou,ifyoureallythinkyouwanthim。Butyoucanhardlybebadenoughforthatyet。Let’stalkaboutsomethingelse。’
`Ifear,dearfriend,’saidToad,withasadsmile,`that\"talk\"
candolittleinacaselikethis——ordoctorseither,forthatmatter;still,onemustgraspattheslighteststraw。And,bytheway——whileyouareaboutit——IHATEtogiveyouadditionaltrouble,butIhappentorememberthatyouwillpassthedoor——
wouldyoumindatthesametimeaskingthelawyertostepup?Itwouldbeaconveniencetome,andtherearemoments——perhapsIshouldsaythereisAmoment——whenonemustfacedisagreeabletasks,atwhatevercosttoexhaustednature!’
`Alawyer!O,hemustbereallybad!’theaffrightedRatsaidtohimself,ashehurriedfromtheroom,notforgetting,however,tolockthedoorcarefullybehindhim。
Outside,hestoppedtoconsider。Theothertwowerefaraway,andhehadnoonetoconsult。
`It’sbesttobeonthesafeside,’hesaid,onreflection。
`I’veknownToadfancyhimselffrightfullybadbefore,withouttheslightestreason;butI’veneverheardhimaskforalawyer!
Ifthere’snothingreallythematter,thedoctorwilltellhimhe’sanoldass,andcheerhimup;andthatwillbesomethinggained。I’dbetterhumourhimandgo;itwon’ttakeverylong。’
Soheranofftothevillageonhiserrandofmercy。
TheToad,whohadhoppedlightlyoutofbedassoonasheheardthekeyturnedinthelock,watchedhimeagerlyfromthewindowtillhedisappeareddownthecarriage-drive。Then,laughingheartily,hedressedasquicklyaspossibleinthesmartestsuithecouldlayhandsonatthemoment,filledhispocketswithcashwhichhetookfromasmalldrawerinthedressing-table,andnext,knottingthesheetsfromhisbedtogetherandtyingoneendoftheimprovisedroperoundthecentralmullionofthehandsomeTudorwindowwhichformedsuchafeatureofhisbedroom,hescrambledout,slidlightlytotheground,and,takingtheoppositedirectiontotheRat,marchedofflightheartedly,whistlingamerrytune。
ItwasagloomyluncheonforRatwhentheBadgerandtheMoleatlengthreturned,andhehadtofacethemattablewithhispitifulandunconvincingstory。TheBadger’scaustic,nottosaybrutal,remarksmaybeimagined,andthereforepassedover;butitwaspainfultotheRatthateventheMole,thoughhetookhisfriend’ssideasfaraspossible,couldnothelpsaying,`You’vebeenabitofadufferthistime,Ratty!Toad,too,ofallanimals!’
`Hediditawfullywell,’saidthecrestfallenRat。
`HedidYOUawfullywell!’rejoinedtheBadgerhotly。
`However,talkingwon’tmendmatters。He’sgotclearawayforthetime,that’scertain;andtheworstofitis,he’llbesoconceitedwithwhathe’llthinkishisclevernessthathemaycommitanyfolly。Onecomfortis,we’refreenow,andneedn’twasteanymoreofourprecioustimedoingsentry-go。Butwe’dbettercontinuetosleepatToadHallforawhilelonger。Toadmaybebroughtbackatanymoment——onastretcher,orbetweentwopolicemen。’
SospoketheBadger,notknowingwhatthefutureheldinstore,orhowmuchwater,andofhowturbidacharacter,wastorununderbridgesbeforeToadshouldsitateaseagaininhisancestralHall。
Meanwhile,Toad,gayandirresponsible,waswalkingbrisklyalongthehighroad,somemilesfromhome。Atfirsthehadtakenby-
paths,andcrossedmanyfields,andchangedhiscourseseveraltimes,incaseofpursuit;butnow,feelingbythistimesafefromrecapture,andthesunsmilingbrightlyonhim,andallNaturejoininginachorusofapprovaltothesongofself-praisethathisownheartwassingingtohim,healmostdancedalongtheroadinhissatisfactionandconceit。
`Smartpieceofworkthat!’heremarkedtohimselfchuckling。
`Brainagainstbruteforce——andbraincameoutonthetop——asit’sboundtodo。PooroldRatty!My!won’thecatchitwhentheBadgergetsback!Aworthyfellow,Ratty,withmanygoodqualities,butverylittleintelligenceandabsolutelynoeducation。Imusttakehiminhandsomeday,andseeifIcanmakesomethingofhim。’
Filledfullofconceitedthoughtssuchasthesehestrodealong,hisheadintheair,tillhereachedalittletown,wherethesignof`TheRedLion,’swingingacrosstheroadhalfwaydownthemainstreet,remindedhimthathehadnotbreakfastedthatday,andthathewasexceedinglyhungryafterhislongwalk。HemarchedintotheInn,orderedthebestluncheonthatcouldbeprovidedatsoshortanotice,andsatdowntoeatitinthecoffee-room。
Hewasabouthalf-waythroughhismealwhenanonlytoofamiliarsound,approachingdownthestreet,madehimstartandfalla-
tremblingallover。Thepoop-poop!drewnearerandnearer,thecarcouldbeheardtoturnintotheinn-yardandcometoastop,andToadhadtoholdontothelegofthetabletoconcealhisover-masteringemotion。Presentlythepartyenteredthecoffee-room,hungry,talkative,andgay,volubleontheirexperiencesofthemorningandthemeritsofthechariotthathadbroughtthemalongsowell。Toadlistenedeagerly,allears,foratime;atlasthecouldstanditnolonger。Heslippedoutoftheroomquietly,paidhisbillatthebar,andassoonashegotoutsidesaunteredroundquietlytotheinn-yard。`Therecannotbeanyharm,’hesaidtohimself,`inmyonlyjustLOOKINGatit!’
Thecarstoodinthemiddleoftheyard,quiteunattended,thestable-helpsandotherhangers-onbeingallattheirdinner。
Toadwalkedslowlyroundit,inspecting,criticising,musingdeeply。
`Iwonder,’hesaidtohimselfpresently,`IwonderifthissortofcarSTARTSeasily?’
Nextmoment,hardlyknowinghowitcameabout,hefoundhehadholdofthehandleandwasturningit。Asthefamiliarsoundbrokeforth,theoldpassionseizedonToadandcompletelymasteredhim,bodyandsoul。Asifinadreamhefoundhimself,somehow,seatedinthedriver’sseat;asifinadream,hepulledtheleverandswungthecarroundtheyardandoutthroughthearchway;and,asifinadream,allsenseofrightandwrong,allfearofobviousconsequences,seemedtemporarilysuspended。
Heincreasedhispace,andasthecardevouredthestreetandleaptforthonthehighroadthroughtheopencountry,hewasonlyconsciousthathewasToadoncemore,Toadathisbestandhighest,Toadtheterror,thetraffic-queller,theLordofthelonetrail,beforewhomallmustgivewayorbesmittenintonothingnessandeverlastingnight。Hechantedasheflew,andthecarrespondedwithsonorousdrone;themileswereeatenupunderhimashespedheknewnotwhither,fulfillinghisinstincts,livinghishour,recklessofwhatmightcometohim。
******
`Tomymind,’observedtheChairmanoftheBenchofMagistratescheerfully,`theONLYdifficultythatpresentsitselfinthisotherwiseveryclearcaseis,howwecanpossiblymakeitsufficientlyhotfortheincorrigiblerogueandhardenedruffianwhomweseecoweringinthedockbeforeus。Letmesee:hehasbeenfoundguilty,ontheclearestevidence,first,ofstealingavaluablemotor-car;secondly,ofdrivingtothepublicdanger;and,thirdly,ofgrossimpertinencetotheruralpolice。
Mr。Clerk,willyoutellus,please,whatistheverystiffestpenaltywecanimposeforeachoftheseoffences?Without,ofcourse,givingtheprisonerthebenefitofanydoubt,becausethereisn’tany。’
TheClerkscratchedhisnosewithhispen。`Somepeoplewouldconsider,’heobserved,`thatstealingthemotor-carwastheworstoffence;andsoitis。Butcheekingthepoliceundoubtedlycarriestheseverestpenalty;andsoitought。Supposingyouweretosaytwelvemonthsforthetheft,whichismild;andthreeyearsforthefuriousdriving,whichislenient;andfifteenyearsforthecheek,whichwasprettybadsortofcheek,judgingbywhatwe’veheardfromthewitness-box,evenifyouonlybelieveone-tenthpartofwhatyouheard,andIneverbelievemoremyself——thosefigures,ifaddedtogethercorrectly,totuptonineteenyears————’
`First-rate!’saidtheChairman。
`——Soyouhadbettermakeitaroundtwentyyearsandbeonthesafeside,’concludedtheClerk。
`Anexcellentsuggestion!’saidtheChairmanapprovingly。
`Prisoner!Pullyourselftogetherandtryandstandupstraight。
It’sgoingtobetwentyyearsforyouthistime。Andmind,ifyouappearbeforeusagain,uponanychargewhatever,weshallhavetodealwithyouveryseriously!’
ThenthebrutalminionsofthelawfelluponthehaplessToad;
loadedhimwithchains,anddraggedhimfromtheCourtHouse,shrieking,praying,protesting;acrossthemarketplace,wheretheplayfulpopulace,alwaysassevereupondetectedcrimeastheyaresympatheticandhelpfulwhenoneismerely`wanted,’assailedhimwithjeers,carrots,andpopularcatch-words;pasthootingschoolchildren,theirinnocentfaceslitupwiththepleasuretheyeverderivefromthesightofagentlemanindifficulties;
acrossthehollow-soundingdrawbridge,belowthespikyportcullis,underthefrowningarchwayofthegrimoldcastle,whoseancienttowerssoaredhighoverhead;pastguardroomsfullofgrinningsoldieryoffduty,pastsentrieswhocoughedinahorrid,sarcasticway,becausethatisasmuchasasentryonhispostdaredotoshowhiscontemptandabhorrenceofcrime;
uptime-wornwindingstairs,pastmen-at-armsincasquetandcorseletofsteel,dartingthreateninglooksthroughtheirvizards;acrosscourtyards,wheremastiffsstrainedattheirleashandpawedtheairtogetathim;pastancientwarders,theirhalberdsleantagainstthewall,dozingoverapastyandaflagonofbrownale;onandon,pasttherack-chamberandthethumbscrew-room,pasttheturningthatledtotheprivatescaffold,tilltheyreachedthedoorofthegrimmestdungeonthatlayintheheartoftheinnermostkeep。Thereatlasttheypaused,whereanancientgaolersatfingeringabunchofmightykeys。
`Oddsbodikins!’saidthesergeantofpolice,takingoffhishelmetandwipinghisforehead。`Rousethee,oldloon,andtakeoverfromusthisvileToad,acriminalofdeepestguiltandmatchlessartfulnessandresource。Watchandwardhimwithallthyskill;andmarktheewell,greybeard,shouldaughtuntowardbefall,thyoldheadshallanswerforhis——andamurrainonbothofthem!’
Thegaolernoddedgrimly,layinghiswitheredhandontheshoulderofthemiserableToad。Therustykeycreakedinthelock,thegreatdoorclangedbehindthem;andToadwasahelplessprisonerintheremotestdungeonofthebest-guardedkeepofthestoutestcastleinallthelengthandbreadthofMerryEngland。
VII
THEPIPERATTHEGATESOFDAWN
TheWillow-Wrenwastwitteringhisthinlittlesong,hiddenhimselfinthedarkselvedgeoftheriverbank。Thoughitwaspastteno’clockatnight,theskystillclungtoandretainedsomelingeringskirtsoflightfromthedepartedday;andthesullenheatsofthetorridafternoonbrokeupandrolledawayatthedispersingtouchofthecoolfingersoftheshortmidsummernight。Molelaystretchedonthebank,stillpantingfromthestressofthefiercedaythathadbeencloudlessfromdawntolatesunset,andwaitedforhisfriendtoreturn。Hehadbeenontheriverwithsomecompanions,leavingtheWaterRatfreetokeepaengagementoflongstandingwithOtter;andhehadcomebacktofindthehousedarkanddeserted,andnosignofRat,whowasdoubtlesskeepingituplatewithhisoldcomrade。
Itwasstilltoohottothinkofstayingindoors,sohelayonsomecooldock-leaves,andthoughtoverthepastdayanditsdoings,andhowverygoodtheyallhadbeen。
TheRat’slightfootfallwaspresentlyheardapproachingovertheparchedgrass。`O,theblessedcoolness!’hesaid,andsatdown,gazingthoughtfullyintotheriver,silentandpre-occupied。
`Youstayedtosupper,ofcourse?’saidtheMolepresently。
`Simplyhadto,’saidtheRat。`Theywouldn’thearofmygoingbefore。Youknowhowkindtheyalwaysare。Andtheymadethingsasjollyformeasevertheycould,rightuptothemomentI
left。ButIfeltabruteallthetime,asitwascleartometheywereveryunhappy,thoughtheytriedtohideit。Mole,I’mafraidthey’reintrouble。LittlePortlyismissingagain;andyouknowwhatalothisfatherthinksofhim,thoughheneversaysmuchaboutit。’
`What,thatchild?’saidtheMolelightly。`Well,supposeheis;
whyworryaboutit?He’salwaysstrayingoffandgettinglost,andturningupagain;he’ssoadventurous。Butnoharmeverhappenstohim。Everybodyhereaboutsknowshimandlikeshim,justastheydooldOtter,andyoumaybesuresomeanimalorotherwillcomeacrosshimandbringhimbackagainallright。
Why,we’vefoundhimourselves,milesfromhome,andquiteself-
possessedandcheerful!’
`Yes;butthistimeit’smoreserious,’saidtheRatgravely。
`He’sbeenmissingforsomedaysnow,andtheOttershavehuntedeverywhere,highandlow,withoutfindingtheslightesttrace。
Andthey’veaskedeveryanimal,too,formilesaround,andnooneknowsanythingabouthim。Otter’sevidentlymoreanxiousthanhe’lladmit。IgotoutofhimthatyoungPortlyhasn’tlearnttoswimverywellyet,andIcanseehe’sthinkingoftheweir。
There’salotofwatercomingdownstill,consideringthetimeoftheyear,andtheplacealwayshadafascinationforthechild。
Andthenthereare——well,trapsandthings——YOUknow。Otter’snotthefellowtobenervousaboutanysonofhisbeforeit’stime。AndnowheISnervous。WhenIleft,hecameoutwithme——saidhewantedsomeair,andtalkedaboutstretchinghislegs。ButIcouldseeitwasn’tthat,soIdrewhimoutandpumpedhim,andgotitallfromhimatlast。Hewasgoingtospendthenightwatchingbytheford。Youknowtheplacewheretheoldfordusedtobe,inby-gonedaysbeforetheybuiltthebridge?’
`Iknowitwell,’saidtheMole。`ButwhyshouldOtterchoosetowatchthere?’
`Well,itseemsthatitwastherehegavePortlyhisfirstswimming-lesson,’continuedtheRat。`Fromthatshallow,gravellyspitnearthebank。Anditwasthereheusedtoteachhimfishing,andthereyoungPortlycaughthisfirstfish,ofwhichhewassoveryproud。Thechildlovedthespot,andOtterthinksthatifhecamewanderingbackfromwhereverheis——ifheISanywherebythistime,poorlittlechap——hemightmakeforthefordhewassofondof;orifhecameacrossithe’drememberitwell,andstopthereandplay,perhaps。SoOttergoesthereeverynightandwatches——onthechance,youknow,justonthechance!’
Theyweresilentforatime,boththinkingofthesamething——thelonely,heart-soreanimal,crouchedbytheford,watchingandwaiting,thelongnightthrough——onthechance。
`Well,well,’saidtheRatpresently,`Isupposeweoughttobethinkingaboutturningin。’Butheneverofferedtomove。
`Rat,’saidtheMole,`Isimplycan’tgoandturnin,andgotosleep,andDOnothing,eventhoughtheredoesn’tseemtobeanythingtobedone。We’llgettheboatout,andpaddleupstream。Themoonwillbeupinanhourorso,andthenwewillsearchaswellaswecan——anyhow,itwillbebetterthangoingtobedanddoingNOTHING。’
`JustwhatIwasthinkingmyself,’saidtheRat。`It’snotthesortofnightforbedanyhow;anddaybreakisnotsoveryfaroff,andthenwemaypickupsomenewsofhimfromearlyrisersaswegoalong。’
Theygottheboatout,andtheRattookthesculls,paddlingwithcaution。Outinmidstream,therewasaclear,narrowtrackthatfaintlyreflectedthesky;butwherevershadowsfellonthewaterfrombank,bush,ortree,theywereassolidtoallappearanceasthebanksthemselves,andtheMolehadtosteerwithjudgmentaccordingly。Darkanddesertedasitwas,thenightwasfullofsmallnoises,songandchatterandrustling,tellingofthebusylittlepopulationwhowereupandabout,plyingtheirtradesandvocationsthroughthenighttillsunshineshouldfallonthematlastandsendthemofftotheirwell-earnedrepose。Thewater’sownnoises,too,weremoreapparentthanbyday,itsgurglingsand`cloops’moreunexpectedandnearathand;andconstantlytheystartedatwhatseemedasuddenclearcallfromanactualarticulatevoice。
Thelineofthehorizonwasclearandhardagainstthesky,andinoneparticularquarteritshowedblackagainstasilveryclimbingphosphorescencethatgrewandgrew。Atlast,overtherimofthewaitingearththemoonliftedwithslowmajestytillitswungclearofthehorizonandrodeoff,freeofmoorings;andoncemoretheybegantoseesurfaces——meadowswide-spread,andquietgardens,andtheriveritselffrombanktobank,allsoftlydisclosed,allwashedcleanofmysteryandterror,allradiantagainasbyday,butwithadifferencethatwastremendous。
Theiroldhauntsgreetedthemagaininotherraiment,asiftheyhadslippedawayandputonthispurenewapparelandcomequietlyback,smilingastheyshylywaitedtoseeiftheywouldberecognisedagainunderit。
Fasteningtheirboattoawillow,thefriendslandedinthissilent,silverkingdom,andpatientlyexploredthehedges,thehollowtrees,therunnelsandtheirlittleculverts,theditchesanddrywater-ways。Embarkingagainandcrossingover,theyworkedtheirwayupthestreaminthismanner,whilethemoon,sereneanddetachedinacloudlesssky,didwhatshecould,thoughsofaroff,tohelpthemintheirquest;tillherhourcameandshesankearthwardsreluctantly,andleftthem,andmysteryoncemoreheldfieldandriver。
Thenachangebeganslowlytodeclareitself。Thehorizonbecameclearer,fieldandtreecamemoreintosight,andsomehowwithadifferentlook;themysterybegantodropawayfromthem。Abirdpipedsuddenly,andwasstill;andalightbreezesprangupandsetthereedsandbulrushesrustling。Rat,whowasinthesternoftheboat,whileMolesculled,satupsuddenlyandlistenedwithapassionateintentness。Mole,whowithgentlestrokeswasjustkeepingtheboatmovingwhilehescannedthebankswithcare,lookedathimwithcuriosity。
`It’sgone!’sighedtheRat,sinkingbackinhisseatagain。`Sobeautifulandstrangeandnew。Sinceitwastoendsosoon,IalmostwishIhadneverheardit。Forithasrousedalonginginmethatispain,andnothingseemsworthwhilebutjusttohearthatsoundoncemoreandgoonlisteningtoitforever。
No!Thereitisagain!’hecried,alertoncemore。Entranced,hewassilentforalongspace,spellbound。
`NowitpassesonandIbegintoloseit,’hesaidpresently。`O
Mole!thebeautyofit!Themerrybubbleandjoy,thethin,clear,happycallofthedistantpiping!SuchmusicIneverdreamedof,andthecallinitisstrongereventhanthemusicissweet!Rowon,Mole,row!Forthemusicandthecallmustbeforus。’
TheMole,greatlywondering,obeyed。`Ihearnothingmyself,’hesaid,`butthewindplayinginthereedsandrushesandosiers。’
TheRatneveranswered,ifindeedheheard。Rapt,transported,trembling,hewaspossessedinallhissensesbythisnewdivinethingthatcaughtuphishelplesssoulandswunganddandledit,apowerlessbuthappyinfantinastrongsustaininggrasp。
InsilenceMolerowedsteadily,andsoontheycametoapointwheretheriverdivided,alongbackwaterbranchingofftooneside。WithaslightmovementofhisheadRat,whohadlongdroppedtherudder-lines,directedtherowertotakethebackwater。Thecreepingtideoflightgainedandgained,andnowtheycouldseethecolouroftheflowersthatgemmedthewater’sedge。
`Clearerandnearerstill,’criedtheRatjoyously。`Nowyoumustsurelyhearit!Ah——atlast——Iseeyoudo!’
BreathlessandtransfixedtheMolestoppedrowingastheliquidrunofthatgladpipingbrokeonhimlikeawave,caughthimup,andpossessedhimutterly。Hesawthetearsonhiscomrade’scheeks,andbowedhisheadandunderstood。Foraspacetheyhungthere,brushedbythepurpleloose-strifethatfringedthebank;
thentheclearimperioussummonsthatmarchedhand-in-handwiththeintoxicatingmelodyimposeditswillonMole,andmechanicallyhebenttohisoarsagain。Andthelightgrewsteadilystronger,butnobirdssangastheywerewonttodoattheapproachofdawn;andbutfortheheavenlymusicallwasmarvellouslystill。
Oneithersideofthem,astheyglidedonwards,therichmeadow-grassseemedthatmorningofafreshnessandagreennessunsurpassable。Neverhadtheynoticedtherosessovivid,thewillow-herbsoriotous,themeadow-sweetsoodorousandpervading。Thenthemurmuroftheapproachingweirbegantoholdtheair,andtheyfeltaconsciousnessthattheywerenearingtheend,whateveritmightbe,thatsurelyawaitedtheirexpedition。
Awidehalf-circleoffoamandglintinglightsandshiningshouldersofgreenwater,thegreatweirclosedthebackwaterfrombanktobank,troubledallthequietsurfacewithtwirlingeddiesandfloatingfoam-streaks,anddeadenedallothersoundswithitssolemnandsoothingrumble。Inmidmostofthestream,embracedintheweir’sshimmeringarm-spread,asmallislandlayanchored,fringedclosewithwillowandsilverbirchandalder。