`Verywellthen！’continuedtheBadger。`BUT，whenoncetheyearhasreallyturned，andthenightsareshorter，andhalfwaythroughthemonerousesandfeelsfidgetyandwantingtobeupanddoingbysunrise，ifnotbefore——YOUknow！————’
Bothanimalsnoddedgravely。THEYknew！
`Well，THEN，’wentontheBadger，`we——thatis，youandmeandourfriendtheMolehere——we’lltakeToadseriouslyinhand。
We’llstandnononsensewhatever。We’llbringhimbacktoreason，byforceifneedbe。We’llMAKEhimbeasensibleToad。We’ll——you’reasleep，Rat！’
`Notme！’saidtheRat，wakingupwithajerk。
`He’sbeenasleeptwoorthreetimessincesupper，’saidtheMole，laughing。Hehimselfwasfeelingquitewakefulandevenlively，thoughhedidn’tknowwhy。Thereasonwas，ofcourse，thathebeingnaturallyanundergroundanimalbybirthandbreeding，thesituationofBadger’shouseexactlysuitedhimandmadehimfeelathome；whiletheRat，whoslepteverynightinabedroomthewindowsofwhichopenedonabreezyriver，naturallyfelttheatmospherestillandoppressive。
`Well，it’stimewewereallinbed，’saidtheBadger，gettingupandfetchingflatcandlesticks。`Comealong，youtwo，andI’llshowyouyourquarters。Andtakeyourtimetomorrowmorning——
breakfastatanyhouryouplease！’
Heconductedthetwoanimalstoalongroomthatseemedhalfbedchamberandhalfloft。TheBadger’swinterstores，whichindeedwerevisibleeverywhere，tookuphalftheroom——pilesofapples，turnips，andpotatoes，basketsfullofnuts，andjarsofhoney；butthetwolittlewhitebedsontheremainderofthefloorlookedsoftandinviting，andthelinenonthem，thoughcoarse，wascleanandsmeltbeautifullyoflavender；andtheMoleandtheWaterRat，shakingofftheirgarmentsinsomethirtyseconds，tumbledinbetweenthesheetsingreatjoyandcontentment。
InaccordancewiththekindlyBadger’sinjunctions，thetwotiredanimalscamedowntobreakfastverylatenextmorning，andfoundabrightfireburninginthekitchen，andtwoyounghedgehogssittingonabenchatthetable，eatingoatmealporridgeoutofwoodenbowls。Thehedgehogsdroppedtheirspoons，rosetotheirfeet，andduckedtheirheadsrespectfullyasthetwoentered。
`There，sitdown，sitdown，’saidtheRatpleasantly，`andgoonwithyourporridge。Wherehaveyouyoungsterscomefrom？Lostyourwayinthesnow，Isuppose？’
`Yes，please，sir，’saidtheelderofthetwohedgehogsrespectfully。`MeandlittleBillyhere，wewastryingtofindourwaytoschool——motherWOULDhaveusgo，wastheweathereverso——andofcoursewelostourselves，sir，andBillyhegotfrightenedandtookandcried，beingyoungandfaint-
hearted。AndatlastwehappenedupagainstMr。Badger’sbackdoor，andmadesoboldastoknock，sir，forMr。Badgerhe’sakind-heartedgentleman，aseveryoneknows————’
`Iunderstand，’saidtheRat，cuttinghimselfsomerashersfromasideofbacon，whiletheMoledroppedsomeeggsintoasaucepan。
`Andwhat’stheweatherlikeoutside？Youneedn’t\"sir\"mequitesomuch？’headded。
`O，terriblebad，sir，terribledeepthesnowis，’saidthehedgehog。`Nogettingoutforthelikesofyougentlemento-
day。’
`Where’sMr。Badger？’inquiredtheMole，ashewarmedthecoffee-
potbeforethefire。
`Themaster’sgoneintohisstudy，sir，’repliedthehedgehog，`andhesaidashowhewasgoingtobeparticularbusythismorning，andonnoaccountwashetobedisturbed。’
Thisexplanation，ofcourse，wasthoroughlyunderstoodbyeveryonepresent。Thefactis，asalreadysetforth，whenyoulivealifeofintenseactivityforsixmonthsintheyear，andofcomparativeoractualsomnolencefortheothersix，duringthelatterperiodyoucannotbecontinuallypleadingsleepinesswhentherearepeopleaboutorthingstobedone。Theexcusegetsmonotonous。TheanimalswellknewthatBadger，havingeatenaheartybreakfast，hadretiredtohisstudyandsettledhimselfinanarm-chairwithhislegsuponanotherandaredcottonhandkerchiefoverhisface，andwasbeing`busy’intheusualwayatthistimeoftheyear。
Thefront-doorbellclangedloudly，andtheRat，whowasverygreasywithbutteredtoast，sentBilly，thesmallerhedgehog，toseewhoitmightbe。Therewasasoundofmuchstampinginthehall，andpresentlyBillyreturnedinfrontoftheOtter，whothrewhimselfontheRatwithanembraceandashoutofaffectionategreeting。
`Getoff！’splutteredtheRat，withhismouthfull。
`ThoughtIshouldfindyouhereallright，’saidtheOttercheerfully。`TheywereallinagreatstateofalarmalongRiverBankwhenIarrivedthismorning。Ratneverbeenhomeallnight——norMoleeither——somethingdreadfulmusthavehappened，theysaid；andthesnowhadcoveredupallyourtracks，ofcourse。ButIknewthatwhenpeoplewereinanyfixtheymostlywenttoBadger，orelseBadgergottoknowofitsomehow，soIcamestraightoffhere，throughtheWildWoodandthesnow！
My！itwasfine，comingthroughthesnowastheredsunwasrisingandshowingagainsttheblacktree-trunks！Asyouwentalonginthestillness，everynowandthenmassesofsnowslidoffthebranchessuddenlywithaflop！makingyoujumpandrunforcover。Snow-castlesandsnow-cavernshadsprungupoutofnowhereinthenight——andsnowbridges，terraces，ramparts——I
couldhavestayedandplayedwiththemforhours。Hereandtheregreatbrancheshadbeentornawaybythesheerweightofthesnow，androbinsperchedandhoppedonthemintheirperkyconceitedway，justasiftheyhaddoneitthemselves。Araggedstringofwildgeesepassedoverhead，highonthegreysky，andafewrookswhirledoverthetrees，inspected，andflappedoffhomewardswithadisgustedexpression；butImetnosensiblebeingtoaskthenewsof。AbouthalfwayacrossIcameonarabbitsittingonastump，cleaninghissillyfacewithhispaws。HewasaprettyscaredanimalwhenIcreptupbehindhimandplacedaheavyforepawonhisshoulder。Ihadtocuffhisheadonceortwicetogetanysenseoutofitatall。AtlastI
managedtoextractfromhimthatMolehadbeenseenintheWildWoodlastnightbyoneofthem。Itwasthetalkoftheburrows，hesaid，howMole，Mr。Rat’sparticularfriend，wasinabadfix；
howhehadlosthisway，and\"They\"wereupandouthunting，andwerechivvyinghimroundandround。\"Thenwhydidn’tanyofyouDOsomething？\"Iasked。\"Youmayn’tbeblestwithbrains，buttherearehundredsandhundredsofyou，big，stoutfellows，asfatasbutter，andyourburrowsrunninginalldirections，andyoucouldhavetakenhiminandmadehimsafeandcomfortable，ortriedto，atallevents。\"\"What，US？\"hemerelysaid：\"DO
something？usrabbits？\"SoIcuffedhimagainandlefthim。
Therewasnothingelsetobedone。Atanyrate，Ihadlearntsomething；andifIhadhadthelucktomeetanyof\"Them\"I’dhavelearntsomethingmore——orTHEYwould。’
`Weren’tyouatall——er——nervous？’askedtheMole，someofyesterday’sterrorcomingbacktohimatthementionoftheWildWood。
`Nervous？’TheOttershowedagleamingsetofstrongwhiteteethashelaughed。`I’dgive’emnervesifanyofthemtriedanythingonwithme。Here，Mole，frymesomeslicesofham，likethegoodlittlechapyouare。I’mfrightfullyhungry，andI’vegotanyamounttosaytoRattyhere。Haven’tseenhimforanage。’
Sothegood-naturedMole，havingcutsomeslicesofham，setthehedgehogstofryit，andreturnedtohisownbreakfast，whiletheOtterandtheRat，theirheadstogether，eagerlytalkedriver-
shop，whichislongshopandtalkthatisendless，runningonlikethebabblingriveritself。
Aplateoffriedhamhadjustbeenclearedandsentbackformore，whentheBadgerentered，yawningandrubbinghiseyes，andgreetedthemallinhisquiet，simpleway，withkindenquiriesforeveryone。`Itmustbegettingonforluncheontime，’heremarkedtotheOtter。`Betterstopandhaveitwithus。Youmustbehungry，thiscoldmorning。’
`Rather！’repliedtheOtter，winkingattheMole。`Thesightofthesegreedyyounghedgehogsstuffingthemselveswithfriedhammakesmefeelpositivelyfamished。’
Thehedgehogs，whowerejustbeginningtofeelhungryagainaftertheirporridge，andafterworkingsohardattheirfrying，lookedtimidlyupatMr。Badger，butweretooshytosayanything。
`Here，youtwoyoungstersbeoffhometoyourmother，’saidtheBadgerkindly。`I’llsendsomeonewithyoutoshowyoutheway。
Youwon’twantanydinnerto-day，I’llbebound。’
Hegavethemsixpenceapieceandapatonthehead，andtheywentoffwithmuchrespectfulswingingofcapsandtouchingofforelocks。
Presentlytheyallsatdowntoluncheontogether。TheMolefoundhimselfplacednexttoMr。Badger，and，astheothertwowerestilldeepinriver-gossipfromwhichnothingcoulddivertthem，hetooktheopportunitytotellBadgerhowcomfortableandhome-
likeitallfelttohim。`Oncewellunderground，’hesaid，`youknowexactlywhereyouare。Nothingcanhappentoyou，andnothingcangetatyou。You’reentirelyyourownmaster，andyoudon’thavetoconsultanybodyormindwhattheysay。Thingsgoonallthesameoverhead，andyoulet’em，anddon’tbotherabout’em。Whenyouwantto，upyougo，andtherethethingsare，waitingforyou。’
TheBadgersimplybeamedonhim。`That’sexactlywhatIsay，’hereplied。`There’snosecurity，orpeaceandtranquillity，exceptunderground。Andthen，ifyourideasgetlargerandyouwanttoexpand——why，adigandascrape，andthereyouare！Ifyoufeelyourhouseisabittoobig，youstopupaholeortwo，andthereyouareagain！Nobuilders，notradesmen，noremarkspassedonyoubyfellowslookingoveryourwall，and，aboveall，noWEATHER。LookatRat，now。Acoupleoffeetoffloodwater，andhe’sgottomoveintohiredlodgings；uncomfortable，inconvenientlysituated，andhorriblyexpensive。TakeToad。I
saynothingagainstToadHall；quitethebesthouseintheseparts，ASahouse。Butsupposingafirebreaksout——where’sToad？Supposingtilesareblownoff，orwallssinkorcrack，orwindowsgetbroken——where’sToad？Supposingtheroomsaredraughty——IHATEadraughtmyself——where’sToad？No，upandoutofdoorsisgoodenoughtoroamaboutandgetone’slivingin；butundergroundtocomebacktoatlast——that’smyideaofHOME’
TheMoleassentedheartily；andtheBadgerinconsequencegotveryfriendlywithhim。`Whenlunchisover，’hesaid，`I’lltakeyouallroundthislittleplaceofmine。Icanseeyou’llappreciateit。Youunderstandwhatdomesticarchitectureoughttobe，youdo。’
Afterluncheon，accordingly，whentheothertwohadsettledthemselvesintothechimney-cornerandhadstartedaheatedargumentonthesubjectofEELS，theBadgerlightedalanternandbadetheMolefollowhim。Crossingthehall，theypasseddownoneoftheprincipaltunnels，andthewaveringlightofthelanterngaveglimpsesoneithersideofroomsbothlargeandsmall，somemerecupboards，othersnearlyasbroadandimposingasToad’sdining-hall。Anarrowpassageatrightanglesledthemintoanothercorridor，andherethesamethingwasrepeated。TheMolewasstaggeredatthesize，theextent，theramificationsofitall；atthelengthofthedimpassages，thesolidvaultingsofthecrammedstore-chambers，themasonryeverywhere，thepillars，thearches，thepavements。`Howonearth，Badger，’hesaidatlast，`didyoueverfindtimeandstrengthtodoallthis？It’sastonishing！’
`ItWOULDbeastonishingindeed，’saidtheBadgersimply，`ifIHADdoneit。ButasamatteroffactIdidnoneofit——onlycleanedoutthepassagesandchambers，asfarasIhadneedofthem。There’slotsmoreofit，allroundabout。Iseeyoudon’tunderstand，andImustexplainittoyou。Well，verylongago，onthespotwheretheWildWoodwavesnow，beforeeverithadplanteditselfandgrownuptowhatitnowis，therewasacity——
acityofpeople，youknow。Here，wherewearestanding，theylived，andwalked，andtalked，andslept，andcarriedontheirbusiness。Heretheystabledtheirhorsesandfeasted，fromheretheyrodeouttofightordroveouttotrade。Theywereapowerfulpeople，andrich，andgreatbuilders。Theybuilttolast，fortheythoughttheircitywouldlastforever。’
`Butwhathasbecomeofthemall？’askedtheMole。
`Whocantell？’saidtheBadger。`Peoplecome——theystayforawhile，theyflourish，theybuild——andtheygo。Itistheirway。Butweremain。Therewerebadgershere，I’vebeentold，longbeforethatsamecityevercametobe。Andnowtherearebadgershereagain。Weareanenduringlot，andwemaymoveoutforatime，butwewait，andarepatient，andbackwecome。Andsoitwilleverbe。’
`Well，andwhentheywentatlast，thosepeople？’saidtheMole。
`Whentheywent，’continuedtheBadger，`thestrongwindsandpersistentrainstookthematterinhand，patiently，ceaselessly，yearafteryear。Perhapswebadgerstoo，inoursmallway，helpedalittle——whoknows？Itwasalldown，down，down，gradually——ruinandlevellinganddisappearance。Thenitwasallup，up，up，gradually，asseedsgrewtosaplings，andsaplingstoforesttrees，andbrambleandferncamecreepingintohelp。
Leaf-mouldroseandobliterated，streamsintheirwinterfreshetsbroughtsandandsoiltoclogandtocover，andincourseoftimeourhomewasreadyforusagain，andwemovedin。Upaboveus，onthesurface，thesamethinghappened。Animalsarrived，likedthelookoftheplace，tookuptheirquarters，settleddown，spread，andflourished。Theydidn’tbotherthemselvesaboutthepast——theyneverdo；they’retoobusy。Theplacewasabithumpyandhillocky，naturally，andfullofholes；butthatwasratheranadvantage。Andtheydon’tbotheraboutthefuture，either——
thefuturewhenperhapsthepeoplewillmoveinagain——foratime——asmayverywellbe。TheWildWoodisprettywellpopulatedbynow；withalltheusuallot，good，bad，andindifferent——Inamenonames。Ittakesallsortstomakeaworld。ButIfancyyouknowsomethingaboutthemyourselfbythistime。’
`Idoindeed，’saidtheMole，withaslightshiver。
`Well，well，’saidtheBadger，pattinghimontheshoulder，`itwasyourfirstexperienceofthem，yousee。They’renotsobadreally；andwemustallliveandletlive。ButI’llpassthewordaroundto-morrow，andIthinkyou’llhavenofurthertrouble。AnyfriendofMINEwalkswherehelikesinthiscountry，orI’llknowthereasonwhy！’
Whentheygotbacktothekitchenagain，theyfoundtheRatwalkingupanddown，veryrestless。Theundergroundatmospherewasoppressinghimandgettingonhisnerves，andheseemedreallytobeafraidthattheriverwouldrunawayifhewasn’ttheretolookafterit。Sohehadhisovercoaton，andhispistolsthrustintohisbeltagain。`Comealong，Mole，’hesaidanxiously，assoonashecaughtsightofthem。`Wemustgetoffwhileit’sdaylight。Don’twanttospendanothernightintheWildWoodagain。’
`It’llbeallright，myfinefellow，’saidtheOtter。`I’mcomingalongwithyou，andIknoweverypathblindfold；andifthere’saheadthatneedstobepunched，youcanconfidentlyrelyuponmetopunchit。’
`Youreallyneedn’tfret，Ratty，’addedtheBadgerplacidly。`Mypassagesrunfurtherthanyouthink，andI’vebolt-holestotheedgeofthewoodinseveraldirections，thoughIdon’tcareforeverybodytoknowaboutthem。Whenyoureallyhavetogo，youshallleavebyoneofmyshortcuts。Meantime，makeyourselfeasy，andsitdownagain。’
TheRatwasneverthelessstillanxioustobeoffandattendtohisriver，sotheBadger，takinguphislanternagain，ledthewayalongadampandairlesstunnelthatwoundanddipped，partvaulted，parthewnthroughsolidrock，forawearydistancethatseemedtobemiles。Atlastdaylightbegantoshowitselfconfusedlythroughtangledgrowthoverhangingthemouthofthepassage；andtheBadger，biddingthemahastygood-bye，pushedthemhurriedlythroughtheopening，madeeverythinglookasnaturalaspossibleagain，withcreepers，brushwood，anddeadleaves，andretreated。
TheyfoundthemselvesstandingontheveryedgeoftheWildWood。
Rocksandbramblesandtree-rootsbehindthem，confusedlyheapedandtangled；infront，agreatspaceofquietfields，hemmedbylinesofhedgesblackonthesnow，and，farahead，aglintofthefamiliaroldriver，whilethewintrysunhungredandlowonthehorizon。TheOtter，asknowingallthepaths，tookchargeoftheparty，andtheytrailedoutonabee-lineforadistantstile。
Pausingthereamomentandlookingback，theysawthewholemassoftheWildWood，dense，menacing，compact，grimlysetinvastwhitesurroundings；simultaneouslytheyturnedandmadeswiftlyforhome，forfirelightandthefamiliarthingsitplayedon，forthevoice，soundingcheerilyoutsidetheirwindow，oftheriverthattheyknewandtrustedinallitsmoods，thatnevermadethemafraidwithanyamazement。
Ashehurriedalong，eagerlyanticipatingthemomentwhenhewouldbeathomeagainamongthethingsheknewandliked，theMolesawclearlythathewasananimaloftilledfieldandhedge-
row，linkedtotheploughedfurrow，thefrequentedpasture，thelaneofeveninglingerings，thecultivatedgarden-plot。Forotherstheasperities，thestubbornendurance，ortheclashofactualconflict，thatwentwithNatureintherough；hemustbewise，mustkeeptothepleasantplacesinwhichhislineswerelaidandwhichheldadventureenough，intheirway，tolastforalifetime。
V
DULCEDOMUM
Thesheepranhuddlingtogetheragainstthehurdles，blowingoutthinnostrilsandstampingwithdelicatefore-feet，theirheadsthrownbackandalightsteamrisingfromthecrowdedsheep-penintothefrostyair，asthetwoanimalshastenedbyinhighspirits，withmuchchatterandlaughter。Theywerereturningacrosscountryafteralongday’soutingwithOtter，huntingandexploringonthewideuplandswherecertainstreamstributarytotheirownRiverhadtheirfirstsmallbeginnings；andtheshadesoftheshortwinterdaywereclosinginonthem，andtheyhadstillsomedistancetogo。Ploddingatrandomacrosstheplough，theyhadheardthesheepandhadmadeforthem；andnow，leadingfromthesheep-pen，theyfoundabeatentrackthatmadewalkingalighterbusiness，andresponded，moreover，tothatsmallinquiringsomethingwhichallanimalscarryinsidethem，sayingunmistakably，`Yes，quiteright；THISleadshome！’
`Itlooksasifwewerecomingtoavillage，’saidtheMolesomewhatdubiously，slackeninghispace，asthetrack，thathadintimebecomeapathandthenhaddevelopedintoalane，nowhandedthemovertothechargeofawell-metalledroad。Theanimalsdidnotholdwithvillages，andtheirownhighways，thicklyfrequentedastheywere，tookanindependentcourse，regardlessofchurch，postoffice，orpublic-house。
`Oh，nevermind！’saidtheRat。`Atthisseasonoftheyearthey’reallsafeindoorsbythistime，sittingroundthefire；
men，women，andchildren，dogsandcatsandall。Weshallslipthroughallright，withoutanybotherorunpleasantness，andwecanhavealookatthemthroughtheirwindowsifyoulike，andseewhatthey’redoing。’
Therapidnightfallofmid-Decemberhadquitebesetthelittlevillageastheyapproacheditonsoftfeetoverafirstthinfallofpowderysnow。Littlewasvisiblebutsquaresofaduskyorange-redoneithersideofthestreet，wherethefirelightorlamplightofeachcottageoverflowedthroughthecasementsintothedarkworldwithout。Mostofthelowlatticedwindowswereinnocentofblinds，andtothelookers-infromoutside，theinmates，gatheredroundthetea-table，absorbedinhandiwork，ortalkingwithlaughterandgesture，hadeachthathappygracewhichisthelastthingtheskilledactorshallcapture——thenaturalgracewhichgoeswithperfectunconsciousnessofobservation。Movingatwillfromonetheatretoanother，thetwospectators，sofarfromhomethemselves，hadsomethingofwistfulnessintheireyesastheywatchedacatbeingstroked，asleepychildpickedupandhuddledofftobed，oratiredmanstretchandknockouthispipeontheendofasmoulderinglog。
Butitwasfromonelittlewindow，withitsblinddrawndown，amereblanktransparencyonthenight，thatthesenseofhomeandthelittlecurtainedworldwithinwalls——thelargerstressfulworldofoutsideNatureshutoutandforgotten——mostpulsated。
Closeagainstthewhiteblindhungabird-cage，clearlysilhouetted，everywire，perch，andappurtenancedistinctandrecognisable，eventoyesterday’sdull-edgedlumpofsugar。Onthemiddleperchthefluffyoccupant，headtuckedwellintofeathers，seemedsoneartothemastobeeasilystroked，hadtheytried；eventhedelicatetipsofhisplumped-outplumagepencilledplainlyontheilluminatedscreen。Astheylooked，thesleepylittlefellowstirreduneasily，woke，shookhimself，andraisedhishead。Theycouldseethegapeofhistinybeakasheyawnedinaboredsortofway，lookedround，andthensettledhisheadintohisbackagain，whiletheruffledfeathersgraduallysubsidedintoperfectstillness。Thenagustofbitterwindtooktheminthebackoftheneck，asmallstingoffrozensleetontheskinwokethemasfromadream，andtheyknewtheirtoestobecoldandtheirlegstired，andtheirownhomedistantawearyway。
Oncebeyondthevillage，wherethecottagesceasedabruptly，oneithersideoftheroadtheycouldsmellthroughthedarknessthefriendlyfieldsagain；andtheybracedthemselvesforthelastlongstretch，thehomestretch，thestretchthatweknowisboundtoend，sometime，intherattleofthedoor-latch，thesuddenfirelight，andthesightoffamiliarthingsgreetingusaslong-absenttravellersfromfarover-sea。Theyploddedalongsteadilyandsilently，eachofthemthinkinghisownthoughts。
TheMole’sranagooddealonsupper，asitwaspitch-dark，anditwasallastrangecountryforhimasfarasheknew，andhewasfollowingobedientlyinthewakeoftheRat，leavingtheguidanceentirelytohim。AsfortheRat，hewaswalkingalittlewayahead，ashishabitwas，hisshouldershumped，hiseyesfixedonthestraightgreyroadinfrontofhim；sohedidnotnoticepoorMolewhensuddenlythesummonsreachedhim，andtookhimlikeanelectricshock。
Weothers，whohavelonglostthemoresubtleofthephysicalsenses，havenotevenpropertermstoexpressananimal’sinter-
communicationswithhissurroundings，livingorotherwise，andhaveonlytheword`smell，’forinstance，toincludethewholerangeofdelicatethrillswhichmurmurinthenoseoftheanimalnightandday，summoning，warning？inciting，repelling。ItwasoneofthesemysteriousfairycallsfromoutthevoidthatsuddenlyreachedMoleinthedarkness，makinghimtinglethroughandthroughwithitsveryfamiliarappeal，evenwhileyethecouldnotclearlyrememberwhatitwas。Hestoppeddeadinhistracks，hisnosesearchinghitherandthitherinitseffortstorecapturethefinefilament，thetelegraphiccurrent，thathadsostronglymovedhim。Amoment，andhehadcaughtitagain；andwithitthistimecamerecollectioninfullestflood。
Home！Thatwaswhattheymeant，thosecaressingappeals，thosesofttoucheswaftedthroughtheair，thoseinvisiblelittlehandspullingandtugging，alloneway！Why，itmustbequiteclosebyhimatthatmoment，hisoldhomethathehadhurriedlyforsakenandneversoughtagain，thatdaywhenhefirstfoundtheriver！
Andnowitwassendingoutitsscoutsanditsmessengerstocapturehimandbringhimin。Sincehisescapeonthatbrightmorninghehadhardlygivenitathought，soabsorbedhadhebeeninhisnewlife，inallitspleasures，itssurprises，itsfreshandcaptivatingexperiences。Now，witharushofoldmemories，howclearlyitstoodupbeforehim，inthedarkness！Shabbyindeed，andsmallandpoorlyfurnished，andyethis，thehomehehadmadeforhimself，thehomehehadbeensohappytogetbacktoafterhisday’swork。Andthehomehadbeenhappywithhim，too，evidently，andwasmissinghim，andwantedhimback，andwastellinghimso，throughhisnose，sorrowfully，reproachfully，butwithnobitternessoranger；onlywithplaintivereminderthatitwasthere，andwantedhim。
Thecallwasclear，thesummonswasplain。Hemustobeyitinstantly，andgo。`Ratty！’hecalled，fullofjoyfulexcitement，`holdon！Comeback！Iwantyou，quick！’
`Oh，COMEalong，Mole，do！’repliedtheRatcheerfully，stillploddingalong。
`PLEASEstop，Ratty！’pleadedthepoorMole，inanguishofheart。`Youdon’tunderstand！It’smyhome，myoldhome！I’vejustcomeacrossthesmellofit，andit’sclosebyhere，reallyquiteclose。AndIMUSTgotoit，Imust，Imust！Oh，comeback，Ratty！Please，pleasecomeback！’
TheRatwasbythistimeveryfarahead，toofartohearclearlywhattheMolewascalling，toofartocatchthesharpnoteofpainfulappealinhisvoice。Andhewasmuchtakenupwiththeweather，forhetoocouldsmellsomething——somethingsuspiciouslylikeapproachingsnow。
`Mole，wemustn’tstopnow，really！’hecalledback。`We’llcomeforitto-morrow，whateveritisyou’vefound。ButI
daren’tstopnow——it’slate，andthesnow’scomingonagain，andI’mnotsureoftheway！AndIwantyournose，Mole，socomeonquick，there’sagoodfellow！’AndtheRatpressedforwardonhiswaywithoutwaitingforananswer。
PoorMolestoodaloneintheroad，hishearttornasunder，andabigsobgathering，gathering，somewherelowdowninsidehim，toleapuptothesurfacepresently，heknew，inpassionateescape。
Butevenundersuchatestasthishisloyaltytohisfriendstoodfirm。Neverforamomentdidhedreamofabandoninghim。
Meanwhile，thewaftsfromhisoldhomepleaded，whispered，conjured，andfinallyclaimedhimimperiously。Hedarednottarrylongerwithintheirmagiccircle。WithawrenchthattorehisveryheartstringshesethisfacedowntheroadandfollowedsubmissivelyinthetrackoftheRat，whilefaint，thinlittlesmells，stilldogginghisretreatingnose，reproachedhimforhisnewfriendshipandhiscallousforgetfulness。
WithanefforthecaughtuptotheunsuspectingRat，whobeganchatteringcheerfullyaboutwhattheywoulddowhentheygotback，andhowjollyafireoflogsintheparlourwouldbe，andwhatasupperhemeanttoeat；nevernoticinghiscompanion’ssilenceanddistressfulstateofmind。Atlast，however，whentheyhadgonesomeconsiderablewayfurther，andwerepassingsometree-stumpsattheedgeofacopsethatborderedtheroad，hestoppedandsaidkindly，`Lookhere，Moleoldchap，youseemdeadtired。Notalkleftinyou，andyourfeetdragginglikelead。We’llsitdownhereforaminuteandrest。Thesnowhasheldoffsofar，andthebestpartofourjourneyisover。’
TheMolesubsidedforlornlyonatree-stumpandtriedtocontrolhimself，forhefeltitsurelycoming。Thesobhehadfoughtwithsolongrefusedtobebeaten。Upandup，itforceditswaytotheair，andthenanother，andanother，andothersthickandfast；tillpoorMoleatlastgaveupthestruggle，andcriedfreelyandhelplesslyandopenly，nowthatheknewitwasalloverandhehadlostwhathecouldhardlybesaidtohavefound。
TheRat，astonishedanddismayedattheviolenceofMole’sparoxysmofgrief，didnotdaretospeakforawhile。Atlasthesaid，veryquietlyandsympathetically，`Whatisit，oldfellow？Whatevercanbethematter？Tellusyourtrouble，andletmeseewhatIcando。’
PoorMolefounditdifficulttogetanywordsoutbetweentheupheavalsofhischestthatfollowedoneuponanothersoquicklyandheldbackspeechandchokeditasitcame。`Iknowit’sa——
shabby，dingylittleplace，’hesobbedforthatlast，brokenly：
`notlike——yourcosyquarters——orToad’sbeautifulhall——orBadger’sgreathouse——butitwasmyownlittlehome——andIwasfondofit——andIwentawayandforgotallaboutit——andthenI
smeltitsuddenly——ontheroad，whenIcalledandyouwouldn’tlisten，Rat——andeverythingcamebacktomewitharush——andI
WANTEDit！——Odear，Odear！——andwhenyouWOULDN’Tturnback，Ratty——andIhadtoleaveit，thoughIwassmellingitallthetime——Ithoughtmyheartwouldbreak。——Wemighthavejustgoneandhadonelookatit，Ratty——onlyonelook——itwascloseby——butyouwouldn’tturnback，Ratty，youwouldn’tturnback！O
dear，Odear！’
Recollectionbroughtfreshwavesofsorrow，andsobsagaintookfullchargeofhim，preventingfurtherspeech。
TheRatstaredstraightinfrontofhim，sayingnothing，onlypattingMolegentlyontheshoulder。Afteratimehemutteredgloomily，`Iseeitallnow！WhataPIGIhavebeen！Apig——
that’sme！Justapig——aplainpig！’
HewaitedtillMole’ssobsbecamegraduallylessstormyandmorerhythmical；hewaitedtillatlastsniffswerefrequentandsobsonlyintermittent。Thenherosefromhisseat，and，remarkingcarelessly，`Well，nowwe’dreallybetterbegettingon，oldchap！’setoffuptheroadagain，overthetoilsomewaytheyhadcome。
`Whereverareyou（hic）goingto（hic），Ratty？’criedthetearfulMole，lookingupinalarm。
`We’regoingtofindthathomeofyours，oldfellow，’repliedtheRatpleasantly；`soyouhadbettercomealong，foritwilltakesomefinding，andweshallwantyournose。’
`Oh，comeback，Ratty，do！’criedtheMole，gettingupandhurryingafterhim。`It’snogood，Itellyou！It’stoolate，andtoodark，andtheplaceistoofaroff，andthesnow’scoming！And——andInevermeanttoletyouknowIwasfeelingthatwayaboutit——itwasallanaccidentandamistake！AndthinkofRiverBank，andyoursupper！’
`HangRiverBank，andsuppertoo！’saidtheRatheartily。`I
tellyou，I’mgoingtofindthisplacenow，ifIstayoutallnight。Socheerup，oldchap，andtakemyarm，andwe’llverysoonbebackthereagain。’
Stillsnuffling，pleading，andreluctant，Molesufferedhimselftobedraggedbackalongtheroadbyhisimperiouscompanion，whobyaflowofcheerfultalkandanecdoteendeavouredtobeguilehisspiritsbackandmakethewearywayseemshorter。WhenatlastitseemedtotheRatthattheymustbenearingthatpartoftheroadwheretheMolehadbeen`heldup，’hesaid，`Now，nomoretalking。Business！Useyournose，andgiveyourmindtoit。’
Theymovedoninsilenceforsomelittleway，whensuddenlytheRatwasconscious，throughhisarmthatwaslinkedinMole’s，ofafaintsortofelectricthrillthatwaspassingdownthatanimal’sbody。Instantlyhedisengagedhimself，fellbackapace，andwaited，allattention。
Thesignalswerecomingthrough！
Molestoodamomentrigid，whilehisupliftednose，quiveringslightly，felttheair。
Thenashort，quickrunforward——afault——acheck——atryback；
andthenaslow，steady，confidentadvance。
TheRat，muchexcited，keptclosetohisheelsastheMole，withsomethingoftheairofasleep-walker，crossedadryditch，scrambledthroughahedge，andnosedhiswayoverafieldopenandtracklessandbareinthefaintstarlight。
Suddenly，withoutgivingwarning，hedived；buttheRatwasonthealert，andpromptlyfollowedhimdownthetunneltowhichhisunerringnosehadfaithfullyledhim。
Itwascloseandairless，andtheearthysmellwasstrong，anditseemedalongtimetoRaterethepassageendedandhecouldstanderectandstretchandshakehimself。TheMolestruckamatch，andbyitslighttheRatsawthattheywerestandinginanopenspace，neatlysweptandsandedunderfoot，anddirectlyfacingthemwasMole’slittlefrontdoor，with`MoleEnd’
painted，inGothiclettering，overthebell-pullattheside。
Molereacheddownalanternfromanailonthewailandlitit，andtheRat，lookingroundhim，sawthattheywereinasortoffore-court。Agarden-seatstoodononesideofthedoor，andontheotheraroller；fortheMole，whowasatidyanimalwhenathome，couldnotstandhavinghisgroundkickedupbyotheranimalsintolittlerunsthatendedinearth-heaps。Onthewallshungwirebasketswithfernsinthem，alternatingwithbracketscarryingplasterstatuary——Garibaldi，andtheinfantSamuel，andQueenVictoria，andotherheroesofmodernItaly。Downononesideoftheforecourtranaskittle-alley，withbenchesalongitandlittlewoodentablesmarkedwithringsthathintedatbeer-
mugs。Inthemiddlewasasmallroundpondcontaininggold-fishandsurroundedbyacockle-shellborder。Outofthecentreofthepondroseafancifulerectionclothedinmorecockle-shellsandtoppedbyalargesilveredglassballthatreflectedeverythingallwrongandhadaverypleasingeffect。
Mole’sface-beamedatthesightofalltheseobjectssodeartohim，andhehurriedRatthroughthedoor，litalampinthehall，andtookoneglanceroundhisoldhome。Hesawthedustlyingthickoneverything，sawthecheerless，desertedlookofthelong-neglectedhouse，anditsnarrow，meagredimensions，itswornandshabbycontents——andcollapsedagainonahall-chair，hisnosetohispaws。`ORatty！’hecrieddismally，`whyeverdidIdoit？WhydidIbringyoutothispoor，coldlittleplace，onanightlikethis，whenyoumighthavebeenatRiverBankbythistime，toastingyourtoesbeforeablazingfire，withallyourownnicethingsaboutyou！’
TheRatpaidnoheedtohisdolefulself-reproaches。Hewasrunninghereandthere，openingdoors，inspectingroomsandcupboards，andlightinglampsandcandlesandstickingthem，upeverywhere。`Whatacapitallittlehousethisis！’hecalledoutcheerily。`Socompact！Sowellplanned！Everythinghereandeverythinginitsplace！We’llmakeajollynightofit。Thefirstthingwewantisagoodfire；I’llseetothat——Ialwaysknowwheretofindthings。Sothisistheparlour？Splendid！
Yourownidea，thoselittlesleeping-bunksinthewall？Capital！
Now，I’llfetchthewoodandthecoals，andyougetaduster，Mole——you’llfindoneinthedrawerofthekitchentable——andtryandsmartenthingsupabit。Bustleabout，oldchap！’
Encouragedbyhisinspiritingcompanion，theMolerousedhimselfanddustedandpolishedwithenergyandheartiness，whiletheRat，runningtoandfrowitharmfulsoffuel，soonhadacheerfulblazeroaringupthechimney。HehailedtheMoletocomeandwarmhimself；butMolepromptlyhadanotherfitoftheblues，droppingdownonacouchindarkdespairandburyinghisfaceinhisduster。`Rat，’hemoaned，`howaboutyoursupper，youpoor，cold，hungry，wearyanimal？I’venothingtogiveyou——nothing——
notacrumb！’
`Whatafellowyouareforgivingin！’saidtheRatreproachfully。`Why，onlyjustnowIsawasardine-openeronthekitchendresser，quitedistinctly；andeverybodyknowsthatmeanstherearesardinesaboutsomewhereintheneighbourhood。Rouseyourself！pullyourselftogether，andcomewithmeandforage。’
Theywentandforagedaccordingly，huntingthrougheverycupboardandturningouteverydrawer。Theresultwasnotsoverydepressingafterall，thoughofcourseitmighthavebeenbetter；atinofsardines——aboxofcaptain’sbiscuits，nearlyfull——andaGermansausageencasedinsilverpaper。
`There’sabanquetforyou！’observedtheRat，ashearrangedthetable。`Iknowsomeanimalswhowouldgivetheirearstobesittingdowntosupperwithusto-night！’
`Nobread！’groanedtheMoledolorously；`nobutter，no————’
`Nopatedefoiegras，nochampagne！’continuedtheRat，grinning。`Andthatremindsme——what’sthatlittledoorattheendofthepassage？Yourcellar，ofcourse！Everyluxuryinthishouse！Justyouwaitaminute。’
Hemadeforthecellar-door，andpresentlyreappeared，somewhatdusty，withabottleofbeerineachpawandanotherundereacharm，`Self-indulgentbeggaryouseemtobe，Mole，’heobserved。
`Denyyourselfnothing。ThisisreallythejolliestlittleplaceIeverwasin。Now，whereverdidyoupickupthoseprints？Maketheplacelooksohome-like，theydo。Nowonderyou’resofondofit，Mole。Tellusallaboutit，andhowyoucametomakeitwhatitis。’
Then，whiletheRatbusiedhimselffetchingplates，andknivesandforks，andmustardwhichhemixedinanegg-cup，theMole，hisbosomstillheavingwiththestressofhisrecentemotion，related——somewhatshylyatfirst，butwithmorefreedomashewarmedtohissubject——howthiswasplanned，andhowthatwasthoughtout，andhowthiswasgotthroughawindfallfromanaunt，andthatwasawonderfulfindandabargain，andthisotherthingwasboughtoutoflaborioussavingsandacertainamountof`goingwithout。’Hisspiritsfinallyquiterestored，hemustneedsgoandcaresshispossessions，andtakealampandshowofftheirpointstohisvisitorandexpatiateonthem，quiteforgetfulofthesuppertheybothsomuchneeded；Rat，whowasdesperatelyhungrybutstrovetoconcealit，noddingseriously，examiningwithapuckeredbrow，andsaying，`wonderful，’and`mostremarkable，’atintervals，whenthechanceforanobservationwasgivenhim。
AtlasttheRatsucceededindecoyinghimtothetable，andhadjustgotseriouslytoworkwiththesardine-openerwhensoundswereheardfromthefore-courtwithout——soundslikethescufflingofsmallfeetinthegravelandaconfusedmurmuroftinyvoices，whilebrokensentencesreachedthem——`Now，allinaline——holdthelanternupabit，Tommy——clearyourthroatsfirst——nocoughingafterIsayone，two，three。——Where’syoungBill？——Here，comeon，do，we’realla-waiting————’
`What’sup？’inquiredtheRat，pausinginhislabours。
`Ithinkitmustbethefield-mice，’repliedtheMole，withatouchofprideinhismanner。`Theygoroundcarol-singingregularlyatthistimeoftheyear。They’requiteaninstitutionintheseparts。Andtheyneverpassmeover——theycometoMoleEndlastofall；andIusedtogivethemhotdrinks，andsuppertoosometimes，whenIcouldaffordit。Itwillbelikeoldtimestohearthemagain。’
`Let’shavealookatthem！’criedtheRat，jumpingupandrunningtothedoor。
Itwasaprettysight，andaseasonableone，thatmettheireyeswhentheyflungthedooropen。Inthefore-court，litbythedimraysofahornlantern，someeightortenlittlefieldmicestoodinasemicircle，redworstedcomfortersroundtheirthroats，theirfore-pawsthrustdeepintotheirpockets，theirfeetjiggingforwarmth。Withbrightbeadyeyestheyglancedshylyateachother，sniggeringalittle，sniffingandapplyingcoat-
sleevesagooddeal。Asthedooropened，oneoftheelderonesthatcarriedthelanternwasjustsaying，`Nowthen，one，two，three！’andforthwiththeirshrilllittlevoicesuproseontheair，singingoneoftheold-timecarolsthattheirforefatherscomposedinfieldsthatwerefallowandheldbyfrost，orwhensnow-boundinchimneycorners，andhandeddowntobesunginthemirystreettolamp-litwindowsatYule-time。
CAROL
Villagersall，thisfrostytide，Letyourdoorsswingopenwide，Thoughwindmayfollow，andsnowbeside，Yetdrawusinbyyourfiretobide；
Joyshallbeyoursinthemorning！
Herewestandinthecoldandthesleet，Blowingfingersandstampingfeet，Comefromfarawayyoutogreet——
Youbythefireandweinthestreet——
Biddingyoujoyinthemorning！
Forereonehalfofthenightwasgone，Suddenastarhasleduson，Rainingblissandbenison——
Blissto-morrowandmoreanon，Joyforeverymorning！
GoodmanJosephtoiledthroughthesnow——
Sawthestaro’erastablelow；
Maryshemightnotfurthergo——
Welcomethatch，andlitterbelow！
Joywashersinthemorning！
Andthentheyheardtheangelstell`WhowerethefirsttocryNOWELL？
Animalsall，asitbefell，Inthestablewheretheydiddwell！
Joyshallbetheirsinthemorning！’
Thevoicesceased，thesingers，bashfulbutsmiling，exchangedsidelongglances，andsilencesucceeded——butforamomentonly。
Then，fromupaboveandfaraway，downthetunneltheyhadsolatelytravelledwasbornetotheirearsinafaintmusicalhumthesoundofdistantbellsringingajoyfulandclangorouspeal。
`Verywellsung，boys！’criedtheRatheartily。`Andnowcomealongin，allofyou，andwarmyourselvesbythefire，andhavesomethinghot！’
`Yes，comealong，field-mice，’criedtheMoleeagerly。`Thisisquitelikeoldtimes！Shutthedoorafteryou。Pullupthatsettletothefire。Now，youjustwaitaminute，whilewe——O，Ratty！’hecriedindespair，plumpingdownonaseat，withtearsimpending。`Whateverarewedoing？We’venothingtogivethem！’
`Youleaveallthattome，’saidthemasterfulRat。`Here，youwiththelantern！Comeoverthisway。Iwanttotalktoyou。
Now，tellme，arethereanyshopsopenatthishourofthenight？’
`Why，certainly，sir，’repliedthefield-mouserespectfully。`Atthistimeoftheyearourshopskeepopentoallsortsofhours。’
`Thenlookhere！’saidtheRat。`Yougooffatonce，youandyourlantern，andyougetme————’
Heremuchmutteredconversationensued，andtheMoleonlyheardbitsofit，suchas——`Fresh，mind！——no，apoundofthatwilldo——
seeyougetBuggins’s，forIwon’thaveanyother——no，onlythebest——ifyoucan’tgetitthere，trysomewhereelse——yes，ofcourse，home-made，notinnedstuff——wellthen，dothebestyoucan！’Finally，therewasachinkofcoinpassingfrompawtopaw，thefield-mousewasprovidedwithanamplebasketforhispurchases，andoffhehurried，heandhislantern。
Therestofthefield-mice，perchedinarowonthesettle，theirsmalllegsswinging，gavethemselvesuptoenjoymentofthefire，andtoastedtheirchilblainstilltheytingled；whiletheMole，failingtodrawthemintoeasyconversation，plungedintofamilyhistoryandmadeeachofthemrecitethenamesofhisnumerousbrothers，whoweretooyoung，itappeared，tobeallowedtogoouta-carollingthisyear，butlookedforwardveryshortlytowinningtheparentalconsent。
