Talkingitover，youknow——whatroutewe’retakingthisyear，andwherewe’llstop，andsoon。That’shalfthefun！’
`Fun？’saidtheRat；`nowthat’sjustwhatIdon’tunderstand。
Ifyou’veGOTtoleavethispleasantplace，andyourfriendswhowillmissyou，andyoursnughomesthatyou’vejustsettledinto，why，whenthehourstrikesI’venodoubtyou’llgobravely，andfaceallthetroubleanddiscomfortandchangeandnewness，andmakebelievethatyou’renotveryunhappy。Buttowanttotalkaboutit，oreventhinkaboutit，tillyoureallyneed————’
`No，youdon’tunderstand，naturally，’saidthesecondswallow。
`First，wefeelitstirringwithinus，asweetunrest；thenbackcometherecollectionsonebyone，likehomingpigeons。Theyflutterthroughourdreamsatnight，theyflywithusinourwheelingsandcirclingsbyday。Wehungertoinquireofeachother，tocomparenotesandassureourselvesthatitwasallreallytrue，asonebyonethescentsandsoundsandnamesoflong-forgottenplacescomegraduallybackandbeckontous。’
`Couldn’tyoustoponforjustthisyear？’suggestedtheWaterRat，wistfully。`We’llalldoourbesttomakeyoufeelathome。
You’venoideawhatgoodtimeswehavehere，whileyouarefaraway。’
`Itried\"stoppingon\"oneyear，’saidthethirdswallow。`IhadgrownsofondoftheplacethatwhenthetimecameIhungbackandlettheothersgoonwithoutme。Forafewweeksitwasallwellenough，butafterwards，Othewearylengthofthenights！Theshivering，sunlessdays！Theairsoclammyandchill，andnotaninsectinanacreofit！No，itwasnogood；
mycouragebrokedown，andonecold，stormynightItookwing，flyingwellinlandonaccountofthestrongeasterlygales。ItwassnowinghardasIbeatthroughthepassesofthegreatmountains，andIhadastifffighttowinthrough；butnevershallIforgettheblissfulfeelingofthehotsunagainonmybackasIspeddowntothelakesthatlaysoblueandplacidbelowme，andthetasteofmyfirstfatinsect！Thepastwaslikeabaddream；thefuturewasallhappyholidayasImovedsouthwardsweekbyweek，easily，lazily，lingeringaslongasI
dared，butalwaysheedingthecall！No，Ihadhadmywarning；
neveragaindidIthinkofdisobedience。’
`Ah，yes，thecalloftheSouth，oftheSouth！’twitteredtheothertwodreamily。`Itssongsitshues，itsradiantair！O，doyouremember————’and，forgettingtheRat，theyslidintopassionatereminiscence，whilehelistenedfascinated，andhisheartburnedwithinhim。Inhimself，too，heknewthatitwasvibratingatlast，thatchordhithertodormantandunsuspected。Themerechatterofthesesouthern-boundbirds，theirpaleandsecond-handreports，hadyetpowertoawakenthiswildnewsensationandthrillhimthroughandthroughwithit；whatwouldonemomentoftherealthingworkinhim——onepassionatetouchoftherealsouthernsun，onewaftoftheauthenticodor？Withclosedeyeshedaredtodreamamomentinfullabandonment，andwhenhelookedagaintheriverseemedsteelyandchill，thegreenfieldsgreyandlightless。Thenhisloyalheartseemedtocryoutonhisweakerselfforitstreachery。
`Whydoyouevercomeback，then，atall？’hedemandedoftheswallowsjealously。`Whatdoyoufindtoattractyouinthispoordrablittlecountry？’
`Anddoyouthink，’saidthefirstswallow，`thattheothercallisnotforustoo，initsdueseason？Thecalloflushmeadow-
grass，wetorchards，warm，insect-hauntedponds，ofbrowsingcattle，ofhaymaking，andallthefarm-buildingsclusteringroundtheHouseoftheperfectEaves？’
`Doyousuppose，’askedthesecondone，thatyouaretheonlylivingthingthatcraveswithahungrylongingtohearthecuckoo’snoteagain？’
`Induetime，’saidthethird，`weshallbehome-sickoncemoreforquietwater-liliesswayingonthesurfaceofanEnglishstream。Butto-dayallthatseemspaleandthinandveryfaraway。Justnowourblooddancestoothermusic。’
Theyfella-twitteringamongthemselvesoncemore，andthistimetheirintoxicatingbabblewasofvioletseas，tawnysands，andlizard-hauntedwalls。
RestlesslytheRatwanderedoffoncemore，climbedtheslopethatrosegentlyfromthenorthbankoftheriver，andlaylookingouttowardsthegreatringofDownsthatbarredhisvisionfurthersouthwards——hissimplehorizonhitherto，hisMountainsoftheMoon，hislimitbehindwhichlaynothinghehadcaredtoseeortoknow。To-day，tohimgazingSouthwithanew-bornneedstirringinhisheart，theclearskyovertheirlonglowoutlineseemedtopulsatewithpromise；to-day，theunseenwaseverything，theunknowntheonlyrealfactoflife。Onthissideofthehillswasnowtherealblank，ontheotherlaythecrowdedandcolouredpanoramathathisinnereyewasseeingsoclearly。Whatseaslaybeyond，green，leaping，andcrested！
Whatsun-bathedcoasts，alongwhichthewhitevillasglitteredagainsttheolivewoods！Whatquietharbours，throngedwithgallantshippingboundforpurpleislandsofwineandspice，islandssetlowinlanguorouswaters！
Heroseanddescendedriver-wardsoncemore；thenchangedhismindandsoughtthesideofthedustylane。There，lyinghalf-
buriedinthethick，coolunder-hedgetanglethatborderedit，hecouldmuseonthemetalledroadandallthewondrousworldthatitledto；onallthewayfarers，too，thatmighthavetroddenit，andthefortunesandadventurestheyhadgonetoseekorfoundunseeking——outthere，beyond——beyond！
Footstepsfellonhisear，andthefigureofonethatwalkedsomewhatwearilycameintoview；andhesawthatitwasaRat，andaverydustyone。Thewayfarer，ashereachedhim，salutedwithagestureofcourtesythathadsomethingforeignaboutit——
hesitatedamoment——thenwithapleasantsmileturnedfromthetrackandsatdownbyhissideinthecoolherbage。Heseemedtired，andtheRatlethimrestunquestioned，understandingsomethingofwhatwasinhisthoughts；knowing，too，thevalueallanimalsattachattimestomeresilentcompanionship，whenthewearymusclesslackenandthemindmarkstime。
Thewayfarerwasleanandkeen-featured，andsomewhatbowedattheshoulders；hispawswerethinandlong，hiseyesmuchwrinkledatthecorners，andheworesmallgoldearringsinhisneatly-setwell-shapedears。Hisknittedjerseywasofafadedblue，hisbreeches，patchedandstained，werebasedonabluefoundation，andhissmallbelongingsthathecarriedweretiedupinabluecottonhandkerchief。
Whenhehadrestedawhilethestrangersighed，snuffedtheair，andlookedabouthim。
`Thatwasclover，thatwarmwhiffonthebreeze，’heremarked；
`andthosearecowswehearcroppingthegrassbehindusandblowingsoftlybetweenmouthfuls。Thereisasoundofdistantreapers，andyonderrisesabluelineofcottagesmokeagainstthewoodland。Theriverrunssomewherecloseby，forIhearthecallofamoorhen，andIseebyyourbuildthatyou’reafreshwatermariner。Everythingseemsasleep，andyetgoingonallthetime。Itisagoodlylifethatyoulead，friend；nodoubtthebestintheworld，ifonlyyouarestrongenoughtoleadit！’
`Yes，it’sTHElife，theonlylife，tolive，’respondedtheWaterRatdreamily，andwithouthisusualwhole-heartedconviction。
`Ididnotsayexactlythat，’repliedthestrangercautiously；
`butnodoubtit’sthebest。I’vetriedit，andIknow。AndbecauseI’vejusttriedit——sixmonthsofit——andknowit’sthebest，hereamI，footsoreandhungry，trampingawayfromit，trampingsouthward，followingtheoldcall，backtotheoldlife，THElifewhichismineandwhichwillnotletmego。’
`Isthis，then，yetanotherofthem？’musedtheRat。`Andwherehaveyoujustcomefrom？’heasked。Hehardlydaredtoaskwherehewasboundfor；heseemedtoknowtheansweronlytoowell。
`Nicelittlefarm，’repliedthewayfarer，briefly。`Upalonginthatdirection’——henoddednorthwards。`Nevermindaboutit。I
hadeverythingIcouldwant——everythingIhadanyrighttoexpectoflife，andmore；andhereIam！Gladtobehereallthesame，though，gladtobehere！Somanymilesfurtherontheroad，somanyhoursnearertomyheart’sdesire！’
Hisshiningeyesheldfasttothehorizon，andheseemedtobelisteningforsomesoundthatwaswantingfromthatinlandacreage，vocalasitwaswiththecheerfulmusicofpasturageandfarmyard。
`YouarenotoneofUS，’saidtheWaterRat，`noryetafarmer；noreven，Ishouldjudge，ofthiscountry。’
`Right，’repliedthestranger。`I’maseafaringrat，Iam，andtheportIoriginallyhailfromisConstantinople，thoughI’masortofaforeignertheretoo，inamannerofspeaking。YouwillhaveheardofConstantinople，friend？Afaircity，andanancientandgloriousone。Andyoumayhaveheard，too，ofSigurd，KingofNorway，andhowhesailedthitherwithsixtyships，andhowheandhismenrodeupthroughstreetsallcanopiedintheirhonourwithpurpleandgold；andhowtheEmperorandEmpresscamedownandbanquetedwithhimonboardhisship。WhenSigurdreturnedhome，manyofhisNorthmenremainedbehindandenteredtheEmperor’sbody-guard，andmyancestor，aNorwegianborn，stayedbehindtoo，withtheshipsthatSigurdgavetheEmperor。Seafarerswehaveeverbeen，andnowonder；asforme，thecityofmybirthisnomoremyhomethananypleasantportbetweenthereandtheLondonRiver。I
knowthemall，andtheyknowme。Setmedownonanyoftheirquaysorforeshores，andIamhomeagain。’
`Isupposeyougogreatvoyages，’saidtheWaterRatwithgrowinginterest。`Monthsandmonthsoutofsightofland，andprovisionsrunningshort，andallowancedastowater，andyourmindcommuningwiththemightyocean，andallthatsortofthing？’
`Bynomeans，’saidtheSeaRatfrankly。`Suchalifeasyoudescribewouldnotsuitmeatall。I’minthecoastingtrade，andrarelyoutofsightofland。It’sthejollytimesonshorethatappealtome，asmuchasanyseafaring。O，thosesouthernseaports！Thesmellofthem，theriding-lightsatnight，theglamour！’
`Well，perhapsyouhavechosenthebetterway，’saidtheWaterRat，butratherdoubtfully。`Tellmesomethingofyourcoasting，then，ifyouhaveamindto，andwhatsortofharvestananimalofspiritmighthopetobringhomefromittowarmhislatterdayswithgallantmemoriesbythefireside；formylife，I
confesstoyou，feelstometo-daysomewhatnarrowandcircumscribed。’
`Mylastvoyage，’begantheSeaRat，`thatlandedmeeventuallyinthiscountry，boundwithhighhopesformyinlandfarm，willserveasagoodexampleofanyofthem，and，indeed，asanepitomeofmyhighly-colouredlife。Familytroubles，asusual，beganit。Thedomesticstorm-conewashoisted，andIshippedmyselfonboardasmalltradingvesselboundfromConstantinople，byclassicseaswhoseeverywavethrobswithadeathlessmemory，totheGrecianIslandsandtheLevant。Thoseweregoldendaysandbalmynights！Inandoutofharbourallthetime——oldfriendseverywhere——sleepinginsomecooltempleorruinedcisternduringtheheatoftheday——feastingandsongaftersundown，undergreatstarssetinavelvetsky！ThenceweturnedandcoasteduptheAdriatic，itsshoresswimminginanatmosphereofamber，rose，andaquamarine；welayinwideland-lockedharbours，weroamedthroughancientandnoblecities，untilatlastonemorning，asthesunroseroyallybehindus，werodeintoVenicedownapathofgold。O，Veniceisafinecity，whereinaratcanwanderathiseaseandtakehispleasure！Or，whenwearyofwandering，cansitattheedgeoftheGrandCanalatnight，feastingwithhisfriends，whentheairisfullofmusicandtheskyfullofstars，andthelightsflashandshimmeronthepolishedsteelprowsoftheswayinggondolas，packedsothatyoucouldwalkacrossthecanalonthemfromsidetoside！
Andthenthefood——doyoulikeshellfish？Well，well，wewon’tlingeroverthatnow。’
Hewassilentforatime；andtheWaterRat，silenttooandenthralled，floatedondream-canalsandheardaphantomsongpealinghighbetweenvaporousgreywave-lappedwalls。
`Southwardswesailedagainatlast，’continuedtheSeaRat，`coastingdowntheItalianshore，tillfinallywemadePalermo，andthereIquittedforalong，happyspellonshore。Ineversticktoolongtooneship；onegetsnarrow-mindedandprejudiced。Besides，Sicilyisoneofmyhappyhunting-grounds。
Iknoweverybodythere，andtheirwaysjustsuitme。I
spentmanyjollyweeksintheisland，stayingwithfriendsupcountry。WhenIgrewrestlessagainItookadvantageofashipthatwastradingtoSardiniaandCorsica；andverygladIwastofeelthefreshbreezeandthesea-sprayinmyfaceoncemore。’
`Butisn’titveryhotandstuffy，downinthe——hold，Ithinkyoucallit？’askedtheWaterRat。
Theseafarerlookedathimwiththesuspiciongoawink。`I’manoldhand，’heremarkedwithmuchsimplicity。`Thecaptain’scabin’sgoodenoughforme。’
`It’sahardlife，byallaccounts，’murmuredtheRat，sunkindeepthought。
`Forthecrewitis，’repliedtheseafarergravely，againwiththeghostofawink。
`FromCorsica，’hewenton，`Imadeuseofashipthatwastakingwinetothemainland。WemadeAlassiointheevening，layto，hauledupourwine-casks，andhovethemoverboard，tiedonetotheotherbyalongline。Thenthecrewtooktotheboatsandrowedshorewards，singingastheywent，anddrawingafterthemthelongbobbingprocessionofcasks，likeamileofporpoises。Onthesandstheyhadhorseswaiting，whichdraggedthecasksupthesteepstreetofthelittletownwithafinerushandclatterandscramble。Whenthelastcaskwasin，wewentandrefreshedandrested，andsatlateintothenight，drinkingwithourfriends，andnextmorningItooktothegreatolive-woodsforaspellandarest。FornowIhaddonewithislandsforthetime，andportsandshippingwereplentiful；soIledalazylifeamongthepeasants，lyingandwatchingthemwork，orstretchedhighonthehillsidewiththeblueMediterraneanfarbelowme。
Andsoatlength，byeasystages，andpartlyonfoot，partlybysea，toMarseilles，andthemeetingofoldshipmates，andthevisitingofgreatocean-boundvessels，andfeastingoncemore。
Talkofshell-fish！Why，sometimesIdreamoftheshell-fishofMarseilles，andwakeupcrying！’
`Thatremindsme，’saidthepoliteWaterRat；`youhappenedtomentionthatyouwerehungry，andIoughttohavespokenearlier。
Ofcourse，youwillstopandtakeyourmiddaymealwithme？Myholeiscloseby；itissometimepastnoon，andyouareverywelcometowhateverthereis。’
`NowIcallthatkindandbrotherlyofyou，’saidtheSeaRat。
`IwasindeedhungrywhenIsatdown，andeversinceI
inadvertentlyhappenedtomentionshell-fish，mypangshavebeenextreme。Butcouldn’tyoufetchitalongouthere？Iamnonetoofondofgoingunderhatches，unlessI’mobligedto；andthen，whileweeat，IcouldtellyoumoreconcerningmyvoyagesandthepleasantlifeIlead——atleast，itisverypleasanttome，andbyyourattentionIjudgeitcommendsitselftoyou；whereasifwegoindoorsitisahundredtoonethatIshallpresentlyfallasleep。’
`Thatisindeedanexcellentsuggestion，’saidtheWaterRat，andhurriedoffhome。Therehegotouttheluncheon-basketandpackedasimplemeal，inwhich，rememberingthestranger’soriginandpreferences，hetookcaretoincludeayardoflongFrenchbread，asausageoutofwhichthegarlicsang，somecheesewhichlaydownandcried，andalong-neckedstraw-coveredflaskwhereinlaybottledsunshineshedandgarneredonfarSouthernslopes。
Thusladen，hereturnedwithallspeed，andblushedforpleasureattheoldseaman’scommendationsofhistasteandjudgment，astogethertheyunpackedthebasketandlaidoutthecontentsonthegrassbytheroadside。
TheSeaRat，assoonashishungerwassomewhatassuaged，continuedthehistoryofhislatestvoyage，conductinghissimplehearerfromporttoportofSpain，landinghimatLisbon，Oporto，andBordeaux，introducinghimtothepleasantharboursofCornwallandDevon，andsouptheChanneltothatfinalquayside，where，landingafterwindslongcontrary，storm-drivenandweather-beaten，hehadcaughtthefirstmagicalhintsandheraldingsofanotherSpring，and，firedbythese，hadspedonalongtrampinland，hungryfortheexperimentoflifeonsomequietfarmstead，veryfarfromthewearybeatingofanysea。
Spell-boundandquiveringwithexcitement，theWaterRatfollowedtheAdventurerleaguebyleague，overstormybays，throughcrowdedroadsteads，acrossharbourbarsonaracingtide，upwindingriversthathidtheirbusylittletownsroundasuddenturn；andlefthimwitharegretfulsighplantedathisdullinlandfarm，aboutwhichhedesiredtohearnothing。
Bythistimetheirmealwasover，andtheSeafarer，refreshedandstrengthened，hisvoicemorevibrant，hiseyelitwithabrightnessthatseemedcaughtfromsomefar-awaysea-beacon，filledhisglasswiththeredandglowingvintageoftheSouth，and，leaningtowardstheWaterRat，compelledhisgazeandheldhim，bodyandsoul，whilehetalked。Thoseeyeswereofthechangingfoam-streakedgrey-greenofleapingNorthernseas；intheglassshoneahotrubythatseemedtheveryheartoftheSouth，beatingforhimwhohadcouragetorespondtoitspulsation。Thetwinlights，theshiftinggreyandthesteadfastred，masteredtheWaterRatandheldhimbound，fascinated，powerless。Thequietworldoutsidetheirraysrecededfarawayandceasedtobe。Andthetalk，thewonderfultalkflowedon——orwasitspeechentirely，ordiditpassattimesintosong——chantyofthesailorsweighingthedrippinganchor，sonoroushumoftheshroudsinatearingNorth-Easter，balladofthefishermanhaulinghisnetsatsundownagainstanapricotsky，chordsofguitarandmandolinefromgondolaorcaique？Diditchangeintothecryofthewind，plaintiveatfirst，angrilyshrillasitfreshened，risingtoatearingwhistle，sinkingtoamusicaltrickleofairfromtheleechofthebellyingsail？Allthesesoundsthespell-boundlistenerseemedtohear，andwiththemthehungrycomplaintofthegullsandthesea-mews，thesoftthunderofthebreakingwave，thecryoftheprotestingshingle。Backintospeechagainitpassed，andwithbeatinghearthewasfollowingtheadventuresofadozenseaports，thefights，theescapes，therallies，thecomradeships，thegallantundertakings；orhesearchedislandsfortreasure，fishedinstilllagoonsanddozedday-longonwarmwhitesand。Ofdeep-seafishingsheheardtell，andmightysilvergatheringsofthemile-
longnet；ofsuddenperils，noiseofbreakersonamoonlessnight，orthetallbowsofthegreatlinertakingshapeoverheadthroughthefog；ofthemerryhome-coming，theheadlandrounded，theharbourlightsopenedout；thegroupsseendimlyonthequay，thecheeryhail，thesplashofthehawser；thetrudgeupthesteeplittlestreettowardsthecomfortingglowofred-curtainedwindows。
Lastly，inhiswakingdreamitseemedtohimthattheAdventurerhadrisentohisfeet，butwasstillspeaking，stillholdinghimfastwithhissea-greyeyes。
`Andnow，’hewassoftlysaying，`Itaketotheroadagain，holdingonsouthwestwardsformanyalonganddustyday；tillatlastIreachthelittlegreyseatownIknowsowell，thatclingsalongonesteepsideoftheharbour。Therethroughdarkdoorwaysyoulookdownflightsofstonesteps，overhungbygreatpinktuftsofvalerianandendinginapatchofsparklingbluewater。
Thelittleboatsthatlietetheredtotheringsandstanchionsoftheoldsea-wallaregailypaintedasthoseIclamberedinandoutofinmyownchildhood；thesalmonleaponthefloodtide，schoolsofmackerelflashandplaypastquay-sidesandforeshores，andbythewindowsthegreatvesselsglide，nightandday，uptotheirmooringsorforthtotheopensea。There，soonerorlater，theshipsofallseafaringnationsarrive；andthere，atitsdestinedhour，theshipofmychoicewillletgoitsanchor。Ishalltakemytime，Ishalltarryandbide，tillatlasttherightonelieswaitingforme，warpedoutintomidstream，loadedlow，herbowspritpointingdownharbour。I
shallsliponboard，byboatoralonghawser；andthenonemorningIshallwaketothesongandtrampofthesailors，theclinkofthecapstan，andtherattleoftheanchor-chaincomingmerrilyin。Weshallbreakoutthejibandtheforesail，thewhitehousesontheharboursidewillglideslowlypastusasshegatherssteering-way，andthevoyagewillhavebegun！Assheforgestowardstheheadlandshewillclotheherselfwithcanvas；andthen，onceoutside，thesoundingslapofgreatgreenseasassheheelstothewind，pointingSouth！
`Andyou，youwillcometoo，youngbrother；forthedayspass，andneverreturn，andtheSouthstillwaitsforyou。TaketheAdventure，heedthecall，noweretheirrevocablemomentpasses！’
’Tisbutabangingofthedoorbehindyou，ablithesomestepforward，andyouareoutoftheoldlifeandintothenew！Thensomeday，somedaylonghence，joghomehereifyouwill，whenthecuphasbeendrainedandtheplayhasbeenplayed，andsitdownbyyourquietriverwithastoreofgoodlymemoriesforcompany。Youcaneasilyovertakemeontheroad，foryouareyoung，andIamageingandgosoftly。Iwilllinger，andlookback；andatlastIwillsurelyseeyoucoming，eagerandlight-
hearted，withalltheSouthinyourface！’
Thevoicediedawayandceasedasaninsect’stinytrumpetdwindlesswiftlyintosilence；andtheWaterRat，paralysedandstaring，sawatlastbutadistantspeckonthewhitesurfaceoftheroad。
Mechanicallyheroseandproceededtorepacktheluncheon-basket，carefullyandwithouthaste。Mechanicallyhereturnedhome，gatheredtogetherafewsmallnecessariesandspecialtreasureshewasfondof，andputtheminasatchel；actingwithslowdeliberation，movingabouttheroomlikeasleep-walker；
listeningeverwithpartedlips。Heswungthesatcheloverhisshoulder，carefullyselectedastoutstickforhiswayfaring，andwithnohaste，butwithnohesitationatall，hesteppedacrossthethresholdjustastheMoleappearedatthedoor。
`Why，whereareyouoffto，Ratty？’askedtheMoleingreatsurprise，graspinghimbythearm。
`GoingSouth，withtherestofthem，’murmuredtheRatinadreamymonotone，neverlookingathim。`Seawardsfirstandthenonshipboard，andsototheshoresthatarecallingme！’
Hepressedresolutelyforward，stillwithouthaste，butwithdoggedfixityofpurpose；buttheMole，nowthoroughlyalarmed，placedhimselfinfrontofhim，andlookingintohiseyessawthattheywereglazedandsetandturnedastreakedandshiftinggrey——nothisfriend’seyes，buttheeyesofsomeotheranimal！Grapplingwithhimstronglyhedraggedhiminside，threwhimdown，andheldhim。
TheRatstruggleddesperatelyforafewmoments，andthenhisstrengthseemedsuddenlytoleavehim，andhelaystillandexhausted，withclosedeyes，trembling。PresentlytheMoleassistedhimtoriseandplacedhiminachair，wherehesatcollapsedandshrunkenintohimself，hisbodyshakenbyaviolentshivering，passingintimeintoanhystericalfitofdrysobbing。
Molemadethedoorfast，threwthesatchelintoadrawerandlockedit，andsatdownquietlyonthetablebyhisfriend，waitingforthestrangeseizuretopass。GraduallytheRatsankintoatroubleddoze，brokenbystartsandconfusedmurmuringsofthingsstrangeandwildandforeigntotheunenlightenedMole；
andfromthathepassedintoadeepslumber。
Veryanxiousinmind，theMolelefthimforatimeandbusiedhimselfwithhouseholdmatters；anditwasgettingdarkwhenhereturnedtotheparlourandfoundtheRatwherehehadlefthim，wideawakeindeed，butlistless，silent，anddejected。Hetookonehastyglanceathiseyes；foundthem，tohisgreatgratification，clearanddarkandbrownagainasbefore；andthensatdownandtriedtocheerhimupandhelphimtorelatewhathadhappenedtohim。
PoorRattydidhisbest，bydegrees，toexplainthings；buthowcouldheputintocoldwordswhathadmostlybeensuggestion？
Howrecall，foranother’sbenefit，thehauntingseavoicesthathadsungtohim，howreproduceatsecond-handthemagicoftheSeafarer’shundredreminiscences？Eventohimself，nowthespellwasbrokenandtheglamourgone，hefounditdifficulttoaccountforwhathadseemed，somehoursago，theinevitableandonlything。Itisnotsurprising，then，thathefailedtoconveytotheMoleanyclearideaofwhathehadbeenthroughthatday。
TotheMolethismuchwasplain：thefit，orattack，hadpassedaway，andhadlefthimsaneagain，thoughshakenandcastdownbythereaction。Butheseemedtohavelostallinterestforthetimeinthethingsthatwenttomakeuphisdailylife，aswellasinallpleasantforecastingsofthealtereddaysanddoingsthatthechangingseasonwassurelybringing。
Casually，then，andwithseemingindifference，theMoleturnedhistalktotheharvestthatwasbeinggatheredin，thetoweringwagonsandtheirstrainingteams，thegrowingricks，andthelargemoonrisingoverbareacresdottedwithsheaves。Hetalkedofthereddeningapplesaround，ofthebrowningnuts，ofjamsandpreservesandthedistillingofcordials；tillbyeasystagessuchasthesehereachedmidwinter，itsheartyjoysanditssnughomelife，andthenhebecamesimplylyrical。
BydegreestheRatbegantositupandtojoinin。Hisdulleyebrightened，andhelostsomeofhislisteningair。
PresentlythetactfulMoleslippedawayandreturnedwithapencilandafewhalf-sheetsofpaper，whichheplacedonthetableathisfriend’selbow。
`It’squitealongtimesinceyoudidanypoetry，’heremarked。
`Youmighthaveatryatitthisevening，insteadof——well，broodingoverthingssomuch。I’veanideathatyou’llfeelalotbetterwhenyou’vegotsomethingjotteddown——ifit’sonlyjusttherhymes。’
TheRatpushedthepaperawayfromhimwearily，butthediscreetMoletookoccasiontoleavetheroom，andwhenhepeepedinagainsometimelater，theRatwasabsorbedanddeaftotheworld；
alternatelyscribblingandsuckingthetopofhispencil。Itistruethathesuckedagooddealmorethanhescribbled；butitwasjoytotheMoletoknowthatthecurehadatleastbegun。
THEFURTHERADVENTURESOFTOAD
Thefrontdoorofthehollowtreefacedeastwards，soToadwascalledatanearlyhour；partlybythebrightsunlightstreaminginonhim，partlybytheexceedingcoldnessofhistoes，whichmadehimdreamthathewasathomeinbedinhisownhandsomeroomwiththeTudorwindow，onacoldwinter’snight，andhisbedclotheshadgotup，grumblingandprotestingtheycouldn’tstandthecoldanylonger，andhadrundownstairstothekitchenfiretowarmthemselves；andhehadfollowed，onbarefeet，alongmilesandmilesoficystone-pavedpassages，arguingandbeseechingthemtobereasonable。Hewouldprobablyhavebeenarousedmuchearlier，hadhenotsleptforsomeweeksonstrawoverstoneflags，andalmostforgottenthefriendlyfeelingofthickblanketspulledwelluproundthechin。
Sittingup，herubbedhiseyesfirstandhiscomplainingtoesnext，wonderedforamomentwherehewas，lookingroundforfamiliarstonewallandlittlebarredwindow；then，withaleapoftheheart，rememberedeverything——hisescape，hisflight，hispursuit；remembered，firstandbestthingofall，thathewasfree！
Free！Thewordandthethoughtalonewereworthfiftyblankets。
Hewaswarmfromendtoendashethoughtofthejollyworldoutside，waitingeagerlyforhimtomakehistriumphalentrance，readytoservehimandplayuptohim，anxioustohelphimandtokeephimcompany，asitalwayshadbeenindaysofoldbeforemisfortunefelluponhim。Heshookhimselfandcombedthedryleavesoutofhishairwithhisfingers；and，histoiletcomplete，marchedforthintothecomfortablemorningsun，coldbutconfident，hungrybuthopeful，allnervousterrorsofyesterdaydispelledbyrestandsleepandfrankandhearteningsunshine。
Hehadtheworldalltohimself，thatearlysummermorning。Thedewywoodland，ashethreadedit，wassolitaryandstill：thegreenfieldsthatsucceededthetreeswerehisowntodoashelikedwith；theroaditself，whenhereachedit，inthatlonelinessthatwaseverywhere，seemed，likeastraydog，tobelookinganxiouslyforcompany。Toad，however，waslookingforsomethingthatcouldtalk，andtellhimclearlywhichwayheoughttogo。Itisallverywell，whenyouhavealightheart，andaclearconscience，andmoneyinyourpocket，andnobodyscouringthecountryforyoutodragyouofftoprisonagain，tofollowwheretheroadbeckonsandpoints，notcaringwhither。
ThepracticalToadcaredverymuchindeed，andhecouldhavekickedtheroadforitshelplesssilencewheneveryminutewasofimportancetohim。
Thereservedrusticroadwaspresentlyjoinedbyashylittlebrotherintheshapeofacanal，whichtookitshandandambledalongbyitssideinperfectconfidence，butwiththesametongue-tied，uncommunicativeattitudetowardsstrangers。`Botherthem！’saidToadtohimself。`But，anyhow，onething’sclear。
TheymustbothbecomingFROMsomewhere，andgoingTO
somewhere。Youcan’tgetoverthat。Toad，myboy！’Sohemarchedonpatientlybythewater’sedge。
Roundabendinthecanalcameploddingasolitaryhorse，stoopingforwardasifinanxiousthought。Fromropetracesattachedtohiscollarstretchedalongline，taut，butdippingwithhisstride，thefurtherpartofitdrippingpearlydrops。
Toadletthehorsepass，andstoodwaitingforwhatthefatesweresendinghim。
Withapleasantswirlofquietwateratitsbluntbowthebargeslidupalongsideofhim，itsgailypaintedgunwalelevelwiththetowing-path，itssoleoccupantabigstoutwomanwearingalinensun-bonnet，onebrawnyarmlaidalongthetiller。
`Anicemorning，ma’am！’sheremarkedtoToad，asshedrewuplevelwithhim。
`Idaresayitis，ma’am！’respondedToadpolitely，ashewalkedalongthetow-pathabreastofher。`IdareitISanicemorningtothemthat’snotinsoretrouble，likewhatIam。
Here’smymarrieddaughter，shesendsofftomepost-hastetocometoheratonce；sooffIcomes，notknowingwhatmaybehappeningorgoingtohappen，butfearingtheworst，asyouwillunderstand，ma’am，ifyou’reamother，too。AndI’veleftmybusinesstolookafteritself——I’minthewashingandlaunderingline，youmustknow，ma’am——andI’veleftmyyoungchildrentolookafterthemselves，andamoremischievousandtroublesomesetofyoungimpsdoesn’texist，ma’am；andI’velostallmymoney，andlostmyway，andasforwhatmaybehappeningtomymarrieddaughter，why，Idon’tliketothinkofit，ma’am！’
`Wheremightyourmarrieddaughterbeliving，ma’am？’askedthebarge-woman。
`Shelivesneartotheriver，ma’am，’repliedToad。`ClosetoafinehousecalledToadHall，that’ssomewhereshereaboutsintheseparts。Perhapsyoumayhaveheardofit。’
`ToadHall？Why，I’mgoingthatwaymyself，’repliedthebarge-
woman。`Thiscanaljoinstheriversomemilesfurtheron，alittleaboveToadHall；andthenit’saneasywalk。Youcomealonginthebargewithme，andI’llgiveyoualift。’
Shesteeredthebargeclosetothebank，andToad，withmanyhumbleandgratefulacknowledgments，steppedlightlyonboardandsatdownwithgreatsatisfaction。`Toad’sluckagain！’thoughthe。`Ialwayscomeoutontop！’
`Soyou’reinthewashingbusiness，ma’am？’saidthebarge-womanpolitely，astheyglidedalong。`Andaverygoodbusinessyou’vegottoo，Idaresay，ifI’mnotmakingtoofreeinsayingso。’
`Finestbusinessinthewholecountry，’saidToadairily。`Allthegentrycometome——wouldn’tgotoanyoneelseiftheywerepaid，theyknowmesowell。Yousee，Iunderstandmyworkthoroughly，andattendtoitallmyself。Washing，ironing，clear-starching，makingupgents’fineshirtsforeveningwear——
everything’sdoneundermyowneye！’
`Butsurelyyoudon’tDOallthatworkyourself，ma’am？’askedthebarge-womanrespectfully。
`O，Ihavegirls，’saidToadlightly：`twentygirlsorthereabouts，alwaysatwork。ButyouknowwhatGIRLSare，ma’am！Nastylittlehussies，that’swhat_I_call’em！’
`SodoI，too，’saidthebarge-womanwithgreatheartiness。`ButIdaresayyousetyourstorights，theidletrollops！Andareyouveryfondofwashing？’
`Iloveit，’saidToad。`Isimplydoteonit。NeversohappyaswhenI’vegotbotharmsinthewash-tub。But，then，itcomessoeasytome！Notroubleatall！Arealpleasure，Iassureyou，ma’am！’
`Whatabitofluck，meetingyou！’observedthebarge-woman，thoughtfully。`Aregularpieceofgoodfortuneforbothofus！’
`Why，whatdoyoumean？’askedToad，nervously。
`Well，lookatme，now，’repliedthebarge-woman。`_I_likewashing，too，justthesameasyoudo；andforthatmatter，whetherIlikeitornotIhavegottodoallmyown，naturally，movingaboutasIdo。Nowmyhusband，he’ssuchafellowforshirkinghisworkandleavingthebargetome，thatneveramomentdoIgetforseeingtomyownaffairs。Byrightsheoughttobeherenow，eithersteeringorattendingtothehorse，thoughluckilythehorsehassenseenoughtoattendtohimself。Insteadofwhich，he’sgoneoffwiththedog，toseeiftheycan’tpickuparabbitfordinnersomewhere。Sayshe’llcatchmeupatthenextlock。Well，that’sasmaybe——Idon’ttrusthim，oncehegetsoffwiththatdog，who’sworsethanheis。Butmeantime，howamItogetonwithmywashing？’
`O，nevermindaboutthewashing，’saidToad，notlikingthesubject。`Tryandfixyourmindonthatrabbit。Anicefatyoungrabbit，I’llbebound。Gotanyonions？’
`Ican’tfixmymindonanythingbutmywashing，’saidthebarge-
woman，`andIwonderyoucanbetalkingofrabbits，withsuchajoyfulprospectbeforeyou。There’saheapofthingsofminethatyou’llfindinacornerofthecabin。Ifyou’lljusttakeoneortwoofthemostnecessarysort——Iwon’tventuretodescribethemtoaladylikeyou，butyou’llrecognisethemataglance——andputthemthroughthewash-tubaswegoalong，why，it’llbeapleasuretoyou，asyourightlysay，andarealhelptome。You’llfindatubhandy，andsoap，andakettleonthestove，andabuckettohaulupwaterfromthecanalwith。ThenI
shallknowyou’reenjoyingyourself，insteadofsittinghereidle，lookingatthesceneryandyawningyourheadoff。’
`Here，youletmesteer！’saidToad，nowthoroughlyfrightened，`andthenyoucangetonwithyourwashingyourownway。Imightspoilyourthings，ornotdo’emasyoulike。I’mmoreusedtogentlemen’sthingsmyself。It’smyspecialline。’
`Letyousteer？’repliedthebarge-woman，laughing。`Ittakessomepracticetosteerabargeproperly。Besides，it’sdullwork，andIwantyoutobehappy。No，youshalldothewashingyouaresofondof，andI’llsticktothesteeringthatI
understand。Don’ttryanddeprivemeofthepleasureofgivingyouatreat！’
Toadwasfairlycornered。Helookedforescapethiswayandthat，sawthathewastoofarfromthebankforaflyingleap，andsullenlyresignedhimselftohisfate。`Ifitcomestothat，’hethoughtindesperation，`IsupposeanyfoolcanWASH！’
Hefetchedtub，soap，andothernecessariesfromthecabin，selectedafewgarmentsatrandom，triedtorecollectwhathehadseenincasualglancesthroughlaundrywindows，andsetto。
Alonghalf-hourpassed，andeveryminuteofitsawToadgettingcrosserandcrosser。Nothingthathecoulddotothethingsseemedtopleasethemordothemgood。Hetriedcoaxing，hetriedslapping，hetriedpunching；theysmiledbackathimoutofthetubunconverted，happyintheiroriginalsin。Onceortwicehelookednervouslyoverhisshoulderatthebarge-woman，butsheappearedtobegazingoutinfrontofher，absorbedinhersteering。Hisbackachedbadly，andhenoticedwithdismaythathispawswerebeginningtogetallcrinkly。NowToadwasveryproudofhispaws。HemutteredunderhisbreathwordsthatshouldneverpassthelipsofeitherwasherwomenorToads；andlostthesoap，forthefiftiethtime。
Aburstoflaughtermadehimstraightenhimselfandlookround。
Thebarge-womanwasleaningbackandlaughingunrestrainedly，tillthetearsrandownhercheeks。
`I’vebeenwatchingyouallthetime，’shegasped。`Ithoughtyoumustbeahumbugallalong，fromtheconceitedwayyoutalked。Prettywasherwomanyouare！Neverwashedsomuchasadish-cloutinyourlife，I’lllay！’
Toad’stemperwhichhadbeensimmeringviciouslyforsometime，nowfairlyboiledover，andhelostallcontrolofhimself。
`Youcommon，low，FATbarge-woman！’heshouted；`don’tyoudaretotalktoyourbetterslikethat！Washerwomanindeed！I
wouldhaveyoutoknowthatIamaToad，averywell-known，respected，distinguishedToad！Imaybeunderabitofacloudatpresent，butIwillNOTbelaughedatbyabargewoman！’
Thewomanmovednearertohimandpeeredunderhisbonnetkeenlyandclosely。`Why，soyouare！’shecried。`Well，Inever！A
horrid，nasty，crawlyToad！Andinmynicecleanbarge，too！
NowthatisathingthatIwillNOThave。’
Sherelinquishedthetillerforamoment。OnebigmottledarmshotoutandcaughtToadbyafore-leg，whiletheother-grippedhimfastbyahind-leg。Thentheworldturnedsuddenlyupsidedown，thebargeseemedtoflitlightlyacrossthesky，thewindwhistledinhisears，andToadfoundhimselfflyingthroughtheair，revolvingrapidlyashewent。
Thewater，whenheeventuallyreacheditwithaloudsplash，provedquitecoldenoughforhistaste，thoughitschillwasnotsufficienttoquellhisproudspirit，orslaketheheatofhisfurioustemper。Herosetothesurfacespluttering，andwhenhehadwipedtheduck-weedoutofhiseyesthefirstthinghesawwasthefatbarge-womanlookingbackathimoverthesternoftheretreatingbargeandlaughing；andhevowed，ashecoughedandchoked，tobeevenwithher。
Hestruckoutfortheshore，butthecottongowngreatlyimpededhisefforts，andwhenatlengthhetouchedlandhefoundithardtoclimbupthesteepbankunassisted。Hehadtotakeaminuteortwo’sresttorecoverhisbreath；then，gatheringhiswetskirtswelloverhisarms，hestartedtorunafterthebargeasfastashislegswouldcarryhim，wildwithindignation，thirstingforrevenge。
Thebarge-womanwasstilllaughingwhenhedrewuplevelwithher。`Putyourselfthroughyourmangle，washerwoman，’shecalledout，`andironyourfaceandcrimpit，andyou’llpassforquiteadecent-lookingToad！’
Toadneverpausedtoreply。Solidrevengewaswhathewanted，notcheap，windy，verbaltriumphs，thoughhehadathingortwoinhismindthathewouldhavelikedtosay。Hesawwhathewantedaheadofhim。Runningswiftlyonheovertookthehorse，unfastenedthetowropeandcastoff，jumpedlightlyonthehorse’sback，andurgedittoagallopbykickingitvigorouslyinthesides。Hesteeredfortheopencountry，abandoningthetow-path，andswinginghissteeddownaruttylane。Oncehelookedback，andsawthatthebargehadrunagroundontheothersideofthecanal，andthebarge-womanwasgesticulatingwildlyandshouting，`Stop，stop，stop！’`I’veheardthatsongbefore，’
saidToad，laughing，ashecontinuedtospurhissteedonwardinitswildcareer。
Thebarge-horsewasnotcapableofanyverysustainedeffort，anditsgallopsoonsubsidedintoatrot，anditstrotintoaneasywalk；butToadwasquitecontentedwiththis，knowingthathe，atanyrate，wasmoving，andthebargewasnot。Hehadquiterecoveredhistemper，nowthathehaddonesomethinghethoughtreallyclever；andhewassatisfiedtojogalongquietlyinthesun，steeringhishorsealongby-waysandbridle-paths，andtryingtoforgethowverylongitwassincehehadhadasquaremeal，tillthecanalhadbeenleftveryfarbehindhim。
Hehadtravelledsomemiles，hishorseandhe，andhewasfeelingdrowsyinthehotsunshine，whenthehorsestopped，loweredhishead，andbegantonibblethegrass；andToad，wakingup，justsavedhimselffromfallingoffbyaneffort。Helookedabouthimandfoundhewasonawidecommon，dottedwithpatchesofgorseandbrambleasfarashecouldsee。Nearhimstoodadingygipsycaravan，andbesideitamanwassittingonabucketturnedupsidedown，verybusysmokingandstaringintothewideworld。Afireofstickswasburningnearby，andoverthefirehunganironpot，andoutofthatpotcameforthbubblingsandgurglings，andavaguesuggestivesteaminess。Alsosmells——warm，rich，andvariedsmells——thattwinedandtwistedandwreathedthemselvesatlastintoonecomplete，voluptuous，perfectsmellthatseemedliketheverysoulofNaturetakingformandappearingtoherchildren，atrueGoddess，amotherofsolaceandcomfort。Toadnowknewwellthathehadnotbeenreallyhungrybefore。Whathehadfeltearlierinthedayhadbeenameretriflingqualm。Thiswastherealthingatlast，andnomistake；
anditwouldhavetobedealtwithspeedily，too，ortherewouldbetroubleforsomebodyorsomething。Helookedthegipsyovercarefully，wonderingvaguelywhetheritwouldbeeasiertofighthimorcajolehim。Sotherehesat，andsniffedandsniffed，andlookedatthegipsy；andthegipsysatandsmoked，andlookedathim。
Presentlythegipsytookhispipeoutofhismouthandremarkedinacarelessway，`Wanttosellthattherehorseofyours？’
Toadwascompletelytakenaback。Hedidnotknowthatgipsieswereveryfondofhorse-dealing，andnevermissedanopportunity，andhehadnotreflectedthatcaravanswerealwaysonthemoveandtookadealofdrawing。Ithadnotoccurredtohimtoturnthehorseintocash，butthegipsy’ssuggestionseemedtosmooththewaytowardsthetwothingshewantedsobadly——readymoney，andasolidbreakfast。
`What？’hesaid，`mesellthisbeautifulyounghorseofmine？O，no；it’soutofthequestion。Who’sgoingtotakethewashinghometomycustomerseveryweek？Besides，I’mtoofondofhim，andhesimplydotesonme。’
`Tryandloveadonkey，’suggestedthegipsy。`Somepeopledo。’
`Youdon’tseemtosee，’continuedToad，`thatthisfinehorseofmineisacutaboveyoualtogether。He’sabloodhorse，heis，partly；notthepartyousee，ofcourse——anotherpart。Andhe’sbeenaPrizeHackney，too，inhistime——thatwasthetimebeforeyouknewhim，butyoucanstilltellitonhimataglance，ifyouunderstandanythingabouthorses。No，it’snottobethoughtofforamoment。Allthesame，howmuchmightyoubedisposedtooffermeforthisbeautifulyounghorseofmine？’
Thegipsylookedthehorseover，andthenhelookedToadoverwithequalcare，andlookedatthehorseagain。`Shillin’aleg，’hesaidbriefly，andturnedaway，continuingtosmokeandtrytostarethewideworldoutofcountenance。