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。
