 This is a LibriVox recording. All LibriVox recordings are in the public domain. For more information or to find out how you can volunteer, please visit LibriVox.org. The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham Read by Adrian Pretzelis, Santa Rosa, California, April 2007 Chapter 1 The Riverbank The Mole had been working very hard all the morning, spring cleaning his little home. First with brooms, then with dusters, then on ladders and steps and chairs, with a brush and a pail of whitewash, till he had dust in his throat and eyes and splashes of whitewash all over his black fur and an aching back and weary arms. Spring was moving in the air above and in the earth below and around him, penetrating even his dark and lowly little house with its spirit of divine discontent and longing. It was small wonder then that he suddenly flung down his brush on the floor and said bada and oblaw and also hang spring cleaning and bolted out of the house without even waiting to put on his coat. Something up above was calling him imperiously and he made for the steep little tunnel which answered in his case to the graveled carriage drive owned by animals whose residences are nearer to the sun and air. So he scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged, then he scrooged again and scrabbled and scratched and scraped, working busily with his little paws and muttering to himself, up we go, up we go, till at last pop. His snout came out into the sunlight and he found himself rolling in the warm grass of a great meadow. This is fine, he said to himself, this is better than whitewashing. The sunshine struck hot on his fur, soft breezes caressed his heated brow and after the seclusion of the cellarage he had lived in so long the carol of happy birds fell on his dulled hearing almost like a shout. Jumping off all his four legs at once in the joy of living and the delight of spring without its cleaning he pursued his wire across the meadow till he reached the hedge on the farther side. Hold up! said an elderly rabbit at the gap. Six pence for the privilege of passing by the private road. He was bowled over in an instant by the impatient and contemptuous mole who trotted along the side of the hedge chaffing the other rabbits as they peeped hurriedly from their holes to see what the row was about. Onion sauce, onion sauce, he remarked jeeringly and was gone before they could think of a thoroughly satisfactory reply. Then they all started grumbling at each other. How stupid you are! Why didn't you tell him? Well, why didn't you say? You may have reminded him. And so on in the usual way. But of course it was then much too late as is always the case. It had seemed too good to be true. Hither and thither through the meadows he rambled busily along the hedgerows across the copses finding everywhere birds, building, flowers, budding, leaves, thrusting everything happy and progressive and occupied. And instead of having an uneasy conscience pricking him and whispering, White Wash, he somehow could only feel how jolly it was to be the only idle dog among all these busy citizens. After all, the best part of a holiday is perhaps not so much to be resting yourself as to see all the other fellows busy working. He thought his happiness was complete and again as he meandered aimlessly along suddenly he stood by the edge of a full fed river. Never in his life had he seen a river before. This sleek, sinuous, full-bodied animal chasing and chuckling, gripping things with a gurgle and leaving them with a laugh to fling on fresh playmates that shook themselves free and were caught and held again. All was a shake and a shiver, glints and gleams and sparkles, rustle and twirl, chatter and bubble. The mole was bewitched, entranced, fascinated. By the side of the river he trotted as one trots when very small by the side of a man who holds one spellbound by exciting stories. And when tired at last he sat on the bank while the river still chattered onto him a babbling procession of the best stories in the world from the heart of the earth to be told at last to the insatiable sea. As he sat on the grass and looked across the river a dark hole in the bank opposite just above the water's edge caught his eye and dreamily he fell to considering what a nice snug dwelling place it would make for an animal with few wants and fond of a Bijou riverside residence above flood level and remote from noise and dust. As he gazed something bright and small seemed to twinkle down in the heart of it, vanished then twinkled once more like a tiny star but it could hardly be a star in such an unlikely situation it was too glittering and small for a glow worm then as he looked it winked at him and so declared itself to be an eye and a small face began gradually to grab round it like a picture round a frame a brown little face with whiskers a grey-brown face with the same twinkle in its eye that had first attracted his notice small neat ears and thick silky hair it was the water rat then the two animals stood and regarded each other cautiously Hello Mole! said the water rat Hello Rat! said the Mole Would you like to come over? inquired the rat presently Oh, it's all very well to talk said the Mole rather pettishly he being new to a river and riverside life in its ways the rat said nothing but stooped and unfastened a rope and hauled on it then lightly stepped into a little boat which the Mole had not observed it was painted blue outside and white within and was just the size for two animals and the Mole's whole heart went out to it at once even though he did not fully understand its uses the rat sculled smartly across and made fast then he held up his forepaw as the Mole stepped gingerly down Lean on that, he said Now then, step lightly and the Mole to his surprise and rapture found himself actually seated in the stone of a real boat This has been a wonderful day said he as the rat shoved off and took to the skulls again Do you know, I've never been in a boat in all my life What? cried the rat open mouth Never been in it? You've never? Well, I... What have you been doing then? Is it so nice as all that? asked the Mole shyly though he was quite prepared to believe it as he leaned back in his seat and surveyed the cushions, the oars, the rollox and all the fascinating fitting and felt the boat sway lightly under him Nice, it's the only thing said the water rat solemnly as he leaned forward for his stroke Believe me, my young friend there is nothing, absolutely nothing half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats Simply messing he went on dreamily Messing about in boats Messing Look ahead, rat cried the Mole suddenly It was too late The boat struck the bank, full tilt the joyous oarsman lay on his back at the bottom of the boat his heels in the air About in boats, or with boats the rat went on, composedly picking himself up with a pleasant laugh In them or out of them it doesn't matter nothing seems really to matter that's the charm of it Whether you get away or whether you don't whether you arrive at your destination or whether you reach somewhere else or whether you never get anywhere at all you're always busy and you never do anything in particular and when you're done there's always something else to do and you can do it if you like but you'd much better not Look here if you've really nothing else on to hand this morning suppose we drop down the river together and have a long day of it The Mole wiggled his toes from sheer happiness spread his chest with a sigh of full contentment and leaned back blissfully into the soft cushions What a day I'm having, he said Let us start at once Hold hard a minute there, said the rat He looped the painter through a ring in his landing stage climbed up into his hole above and after a short interval reappeared staggering under a fat wicker luncheon basket Shove that under your feet, he observed to the Mole as he passed it down into the boat Then he untied the painter and took the skulls again What's inside it? He asked the Mole, wiggling with curiosity There's cold chicken inside it replied the rat briefly Cold tongue, cold ham, cold beef, Pippo gherkins, salad, French rolls, Crest sandwiches, potted meat, ginger beer, lemonade, soda water Oh, stop, stop! cried the Mole in ecstasy This is too much Do you really think so? inquired the rat seriously It's only what I always take on these little excursions and the other animals are always telling me that I'm a mean beast and cut it very fine The Mole never heard a word he was saying Absorbed in the new life he was entering upon intoxicated with the sparkle, the ripple the sense and the sounds and the sunlight He trailed a paw in the water and dreamed long waking dreams The water rat, like the good little fellow he was Sculled along steadily and forbade to disturb him I late your clothes awfully old chap he remarked after some half an hour or so had passed I'm going to get a black velvet smoking suit myself some day as soon as I can afford it I beg your pardon said the Mole, pulling himself together with an effort You must think me very rude but all this is so new to me So this is a river The river, corrected the rat and you really live by the river What a jolly life by it and with it and on it and in it said the rat Its brother insisted to me and aunts and company and foods and drink and naturally washing It's my world and I don't want any other What it hasn't got isn't worth having What it doesn't know is not worth knowing Lord the times we've had together whether in winter, summer, spring or autumn it's always got its fun and its excitements When the floods are on in February and my cellars and basements are brimming with drink that's no good to me and the brown water runs by my best bedroom window or again when it all drops away and shows patches of mud that smells like plum cake and the rushes and weed clog the channels and I can potter about, dry shut over most of the bed of it and find fresh food to eat and things careless people have dropped out of boats Isn't it a bit dull at times? the Mole ventured to ask just due in the river and no one else to pass a word with No one else to? Well I mustn't be hard on you said the rat with forbearance You're new to it and of course you don't know the bank is so crowded nowadays that many people are moving away all together Oh no, isn't what it used to be at all Artners, kingfishers, dab chicks more hints all of them all about all day long and all was wanting you to do something as if a fellow had no business of his own to attend to What lies over there? asked the Mole waving a paw towards a background of woodland that darkly framed the water meadows on one side of the river That, oh that's just the royal wood said the rat shortly We don't go there very much, we river bankers Aren't they, aren't they very nice people in there? asked the Mole a trifle nervously Well replied the rat let me say the squirrels are all right and the rabbits some of them rabbits are a mixed lot and then there's badger of course he lives right in the heart of it wouldn't live anywhere else either if you paid him to do it dear old badger nobody interferes with him they'd better not he added significantly why? who should interfere with him? asked the Mole well of course there's the others explained the rat in a hesitating sort of way weasels and stoats and foxes and so on there are right in a way I'm very good friends with them past the time of day when we meet and all that but they break out sometimes there's no deny in it and then well you just can't trust them and that's the fact the Mole knew well that it is quite against animal etiquette to dwell on possible trouble ahead or even allude to it so he dropped the subject and beyond the wild wood again he asked where it's all blue and dim and one sees what maybe hills and perhaps they mate and something like the smoke of towns or is it only cloud drift beyond the wild wood comes the void world said the rat and that's something that doesn't matter either to you or me I've never been there and I'm not going to know you either if you got any sense don't ever refer to it again please now then here's our backwater at last where we're going to have lunch leaving the mainstream they now passed into what seemed at first sight a little landlocked lake green turf sloped down to either edge brown snaky tree roots gleamed below the surface of the quiet water while ahead of them the silvery shoulder and foamy tumble of a weir arm in arm with a restless dipping millwheel that held up in its turn a grey gabled millhouse filled the air with a soothing murmur of sound dull and smothery with little clear voices speaking up cheerfully out of its intervals it was so very beautiful that the mole could only hold up his forepaws and gasp oh my oh my oh my the rat brought the boat alongside the bank and made her fast helped the still awkward mole safely ashore and swung out the luncheon basket the mole begged as a favour to be allowed to eat all by himself and the rat was very pleased to indulge him and to sprawl at full length on the grass and rest while his excited friend shook out the table-cloth and spread it took out all the mysterious packages one by one and arranged their contents in due order still gasping oh my oh my at each fresh revelation when all was ready the rat said Neil pitch in old fellow and the mole was indeed very glad to obey for he had started his spring cleaning at a very early hour that morning as people will do and had not paused for bite or sup and he had been through a very great deal since that distant time which now seemed so many days ago what are you looking at said the rat presently when the edge of their hunger was somewhat dulled and the mole's eyes were able to wander off the tablecloth a little I am looking said the mole at a streak of bubbles that I see travelling along the surface of the water that is a thing that strikes me as funny bubbles oh ho said the rat and chirped cheerily in an inviting sort of way a broad glistening muzzle showed itself above the edge of the bank and the otter hauled himself out and shook the water from his coat greedy beggars he observed making for the provinda why didn't you invite me ratty this was an impromptu affair explained the rat by the way my friend Mr. Mole paired I'm sure said the otter and the two animals were friends forthwith such a rempice everywhere continued the otter oh the word seems out on the river today I came up this backwater to try and get a moment's peace and then stumble upon you fellows at least I beg pardon I didn't exactly mean that you know there was a rustle behind them proceeding from a hedge where in last year's leaves still clung thick and a stripy head with high shoulders behind it peered forth on them come on old badger shouted the rat the badger trotted forward a pace or two then grunted company and turned his back and disappeared from view that's just the sort of fellow he is observed the disappointed rat simply hates society now we shan't see any more of him today well tell us who's out on the river who's out for when? replied the otter in his brand new wager boat new tugs, new everything the two animals looked at each other and laughed once it was nothing but sailing said the rat then he toyed of that and took to punting nothing would please him but to punt all day and every day in a nice messy made of it last year it was houseboating we all had to go and stay with him in his houseboat and pretend we liked it he was going to spend the rest of his life in a houseboat it's all the same whatever he takes up he gets toyed of it and starts on something fresh such a good fellow to you remarked the otter reflectively but no stability especially in a boat from where they sat they could get a glimpse of the mainstream across the island that separated them and just then a wager boat flashed into view the rower, a short stout figure splashing badly and rolling a good deal but working his hardest the rat stood up and hailed him but toad before it was he shook his head and settled sternly to his work he'll be out of the boat in a minute if he rolls like that said the rat sitting down again of course he will chuckled the otter do you ever tell you that good story about toad and the lock keeper how come this way toad an errant mayfly swerved unsteadily thwart the current in the intoxicated fashion affected by young bloods of mayflies seeing life a swirl of water and a clop and the mayfly was visible no more neither was the otter the mole looked down the voice was still in his ears but the turf where upon he had sprawled was clearly vacant not an otter to be seen as far as the distant horizon but again there was a streak of bubbles on the surface of the river the rat hummed a tune and the mole recollected that animal etiquette forbade any sort of comment on the sudden disappearance of one's friends at any moment for any reason or no reason whatsoever well well said the rat I suppose we ought to be moving under which of us had better pack up the luncheon basket he did not speak as if he was frightfully eager for the treat oh please let me said the mole so of course the rat let him packing the basket was not quite such pleasant work as unpacking the basket it never is but the mole was bent on enjoying everything and although just when he had got the basket packed and it strapped up tightly he saw a plate staring up at him from the grass and when the job had been done again the rat pointed out a fork which anybody ought to have seen and last of all, behold the mustard pot which he had been sitting on without knowing it still somehow the thing got finished at last without much loss of temper the afternoon sun was getting low as the rat sculled gently homewards in a dreamy mood with poetry things over to himself and not paying much attention to mole but the mole was very full of lunch and self-satisfaction and pride and already quite at home in a boat so he thought and was getting a bit restless besides and presently he said ratty please I want to row now the rat shook his head with a smile not yet my young friend he said wait till you've had a few lessons it's not so easy as it looks the mole was quiet for a minute or two but he began to feel more and more jealous of rat sculling so strongly and so easily along and his pride began to whisper that he could do it every bit as well he jumped up and seized the skull so suddenly that the rat who was gazing out over the water and saying poetry things to himself was taken by surprise and fell backwards off his seat with his legs in the air for the second time while the triumphant mole took his place and grabbed the skulls with entire confidence stop it you silly ass cried the rat from the bottom of the boat you can't do it you'll have us over the mole flunked his skulls with a flourish and made a great dig at the water he missed the surface altogether his legs flew up over his head and he found himself lying on top of the prostrate rat greatly alarmed he made a grab at the side of the boat and the next moment sploosh overwent the boat and he found himself struggling in the river oh my how cold the water was and oh how very wet it felt how it sang in his ears as he went down down down how bright and welcome the sun looked as he rose to the surface coughing and spluttering how black was his despair when he felt himself sinking again then a firm paw gripped him by the back of his neck it was the rat and he was evidently laughing the mole could feel him laughing right down his arm and through his paw and so into his the mole's neck the rat got hold of a skull and shoved it under the mole's arm then he did the same by the other side of him and swimming behind propelled the helpless animal to shore hauled him out and set him down on the bank a squashy pulpy lump of misery when the rat had rubbed him down a bit and rung some of the wet out of him he said no then old fellow as hard as you can till you warm and dry again while I dived for the luncheon basket so the dismal mole wet without and shamed within trotted about till he was fairly dry while the rat plunged into the water again recovered the boat righted her and made her fast fetched his floating property to shore by degrees and finally dived successfully for the luncheon basket and struggled to land with it when all was ready for a start once more the mole limp and dejected took his seat in the stern of the boat and as they set off he said in a low voice broken with emotion ratty my generous friend I'm very sorry indeed for my foolish and ungrateful conduct my heart quite fails me when I think how I might have lost that beautiful luncheon basket indeed I have been a complete ass and I know it will you overlook it this once and forgive me and let things go on as before that's alright bless you responded the rat cheerily what's a little wet to a water rat I'm more in the river than out of it most days don't you think any more about it and look here I really think you had better come and start with me for a little while it's very plain and rough not like toad's house at all but you haven't seen that yet still I can meet you comfortable and I'll teach you to row and to swim and you'll soon be as handy on the water as any of us the mole was so touched by his kind manner of speaking he could find no voice to answer him and he had to brush away a tear or two with the back of his paw but the rat kindly looked in another direction and presently as the mole's spirits revived again he was even able to give some straight back talk to a couple of more hens who were sniggering to each other about his bedraggled appearance when they got home the rat made a bright fire in the parlour and planted the mole in an armchair in front of it having fetched down a dressing gown and slippers for him and told him river stories till supper time very thrilling stories they were too to an earth-dwelling animal like mole stories about weirs and sudden floods and leaping pike and steamers that flung hard bottles at least bottles were certainly flung and from steamers so presumably by them and about herons and how particular they were and what they really spoke to and about adventures down drains and night-fishings with otter or excursions far afield with badger supper was a most cheerful meal but very shortly afterwards a terribly sleepy mole had to be escorted upstairs by his considerate host to the best bedroom where he soon laid his head on his pillow in great peace and contentment knowing that his new-found friend the river was lapping the sill of his window this day was only the first of many similar ones for the emancipated mole each of them longer and fuller of interest as the ripening summer moved onward he learned to swim and to row and entered into the joy of running water and with his ear to the reed stems he caught at intervals something of what the wind went whispering so constantly among them end of chapter one this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information or to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham chapter two The Open Road by Adrian Pretzelis Ratty said mole suddenly one bright summer morning if you please I want to ask you a favour the rat was sitting on the riverbank singing a little song he just composed it himself so he was very taken up with it and would not pay proper attention to mole or anything else since early morning he had been swimming in the river and when the ducks stood on their heads suddenly as ducks will he would dive down and tickle their necks just under where their chins would be if ducks had chins till they were forced to come to the surface again in a hurry spluttering and angry and shaking their feathers at him for it is impossible to say quite all you feel when your head is under water at last they implored him to go away and attend to his own affairs and leave them to mind theirs so the rat went away and sat on the riverbank in the sun and made up a song about them which he called the ducks ditty all along the backwater through the rushes tall ducks are a dabbling up tails all ducks tails drakes tails yellow feet aquiver yellow beaks all out of sight busy in the river slushy green undergrowth where the roach swim here we keep our larder cool and full and dim everyone for what he likes we we like to be heads down tails up dabbling free high in the blue above wifts whirl and call we are down a dabbling up tails all I don't know that I think so very much of that little song rat observed the mole cautiously he was no poet himself and didn't care who knew it and he had a candid nature no don't the ducks neither replied the rat cheerfully why can't fellows be allowed to do what they like when they like and as they like instead of other fellows sitting on banks and watching them all the time and making remarks and poetry and things about them what nonsense it all is that's what the ducks say and so it is so it is said the mole with great heartiness no it isn't cried the rat indignantly well well then it isn't it isn't replied the mole soothingly but but what I wanted to ask you was wouldn't you take me on a call to Mr Toad I've heard so much about him and I do so want to make his acquaintance well I certainly said the good natured rat jumping to his feet and dismissing poetry from his mind for the day get the boat out and we'll paddle up there at once it's never the wrong time to call on Toad early or late he's always the same fellow always good tempered always glad to see you always sorry when you go he must be a very nice animal observed the mole as he got into the boat and took the skulls while the rat settled himself comfortably in the stern he is indeed the best of animals replied the rat so simple and so good natured and so affectionate perhaps he's not very clever we can't all be geniuses and it may be that he is both boastful and conceited but he's got some very great qualities has Toadie rounding a bend in the river they came in sight of a handsome dignified old house of mellowed red brick with well kept lawns reaching down to the water's edge that's Toad Hall said the rat and that creek on the left where the notice-bod says private no-landing allowed leads to his boat house where we'll leave the boat the stables are over there to the right that's the banqueting hall you're looking at now very old it is Toad is rather rich you know and this is really one of the houses in these parts though we never admit as much to Toad they glided up the creek and the mole shipped his skulls as they passed into the shadow of a large boat-house here they saw many handsome boats slung from the cross-beams or holed up on a slip but none in the water and the place had an unused and deserted air the rat looked around him and said he boat-in is played out he's tired of it and done with it I wonder what new fad he has taken up now come along let's look him up we shall hear all about it quite soon enough they disembarked and strolled across the gay flower-decked lawns in search of Toad whom they presently happened upon resting in a wicker garden chair with a preoccupied expression of face and a large map spread out on his knees hooray he cried jumping up on seeing them both this is splendid he shook the paws of both of them warmly never waiting for an introduction to the mole how kind of ya he went on dancing around them I was just going to send a boat down the river for you ratty with strict orders that you were to be fetched up here once whatever you were doing I want to see ya badly both of ya now what will ya take come inside and have something you don't know how luck it is you're turning up just now let's just sit quiet a bit toady said the rat throwing himself into an easy chair while the mole took another by the side of him and made some civil remark about the Toad's delightful residence finest house on the Hell River cried Toad boisterously or anywhere else for that matter he couldn't help adding here the rat nudged the mole unfortunately the Toad saw him do it and turned very red there was a moment's painful silence then the Toad burst out laughing alright ratty he said it's only my way and it's not such a very bad house is it or the like it yourself now look here let's be sensible you are the very animals I wanted you've got to help me it's most important it's about your rowing always suppose said the rat with an innocent air you're getting on fairly well though you splash a good bit still with a great deal of patience and any quantity of coaching you may booting you've interrupted the Toad in great disgust silly boyish amusement I've given that up long ago sheer waste of time that's what it is it makes me downright sorry to see you fellows who ought to know better spending all your energies in that aimless matter now I've discovered the real thing the only genuine occupation for a lifetime I propose to devote the remainder of your mind to it and can only regret the wasted years that lie behind me squandered in trivialities come with me my dear ratty and your amiable friend also if he will be so good just as far as the stable yard and you'll still see what you shall see he led the way to the stable yard accordingly the rat following with the most mistrustful expression and there drawn out of the coach house into the open they saw a gypsy caravan shining with newness painted a canary yellow picked out with green and red wheels there you are cried the Toad straddling and expanding himself there's real life for you embodied in that little cart the open road the dusty highway the heath the common the hedge rows the rolling downs camps villages towns cities here today up and off to somewhere else tomorrow travel change interest excitement the whole world before you and a horizon that's always changing and mind this is the very finest cart of its sort that was ever built without any exception come inside and look at the arrangements planned them all myself I did the mole was tremendously interested and excited and followed him eagerly up the steps and into the interior of the caravan the rat only snorted and thrust his hands deep into his pockets remaining where he was it was indeed very compact and comfortable little sleeping bunks a little table that folded up against the wall a cooking stove, lockers, bookshelves a bird cage with a bird in it and pots, pans, jugs and kettles of every size and variety all complete said the Toad triumphantly pulling open a locker you see, biscuits potted lobster, sardines everything you can possibly want, soda water here turkey there, letter paper bacon, jam, cards and dominoes you'll find, he continued as they descended the steps again you'll find that nothing whatsoever has been forgotten when we make our start this afternoon I beg your pardon said the rat slowly as he chewed a straw but did I over here you say something about we start and this afternoon now, you dear good old ratty said Toad imploringly don't begin talking in that stiff and sniffy sort of way because you know you've got to come I can't possibly manage without you so please consider it settled and don't argue it's the one thing I can't stand you surely don't mean to stick to your dull dusty old river all your life and just live in a hole in the bank and boat I want to show you the world I'm going to make an animal of you my boy I don't care said the rat doggedly I'm not coming and that's flat and I am going to stick to my old river and live in a hole and boat and as I've always done and what's more Mole's going to stick to me and do as I do aren't you Mole of course I am said the Mole loyally I'll always stick to you rat and what you say is to be has got to be all the same it sounds as if it might have been well rather fun you know he added wistfully poor Mole the life adventurous was so newer thing to him and so thrilling and this fresh aspect of it was so tempting that he had fallen in love at first sight with the canary colored cart and all its little fitments the rat saw what was passing in his mind and wavered he hated disappointing people and he was fond of the Mole and would do almost anything to oblige him Toad was watching both of them closely come along in and have some lunch he said diplomatically and we'll talk it over we needn't decide anything in a hurry of course I don't really care I only want to give pleasure to you fellows live for others that's my motto in life during luncheon which was excellent of course as everything at Toad Hall always was the Toad simply let himself go disregarding the rat he proceeded to play upon the inexperienced Mole as on a harp naturally a valuable animal and always mastered by his imagination he painted the prospects of the trip and the joys of the open life and the roadside in such glowing colors that the Mole could hardly sit in his chair for his excitement somehow it soon seemed taken for granted by all three of them that the trip was a settled thing and the rat though still unconvinced in his mind allowed his good nature to override his personal objections he could not bear to disappoint his two friends who were already deep in schemes and anticipations planning out each day's separate occupation for several weeks ahead when they were quite ready the now triumphant Toad led his companions to the paddock and set them to capture the old grey horse who without having been consulted and to his own extreme annoyance had been told off by Toad for the dustiest job in this dusty expedition he frankly preferred the paddock and took a great deal of catching meantime Toad packed the lockers still tighter with necessaries and hung nose bags, nets of onions bundles of hay and baskets from the bottom of the cart at last the horse was caught and harnessed and they set off all talking at once each animal either trudging by the side of the cart or sitting on the shaft as the humour took him it was a golden afternoon the smell of the dust they kicked up was rich and satisfying out of thick orchards on either side of the road the orchards called and whistled to them cheerily good-natured wayfarers passing them gave them good day or stopped to say nice things about their beautiful cart and rabbits sitting at their front doors in the hedgerows held up their forepaws and said oh my, oh my, oh my late in the evening tired and happy and miles from home they drew up on a remote common far from habitations turned the horse loose to graze and ate their simple supper sitting on the grass by the side of the cart Toad talked big about all he was going to do in the days to come while the stars grew fuller and larger all around and a yellow moon appearing suddenly and silently from nowhere in particular came to keep them company and listen to their talk at last they turned into their little bunks in the cart and Toad kicking out his legs sleepily said well good night you fellows this is the real life for a gentleman talk about your old river I don't talk about my river replied the patient rat you know I don't Toad but I think about it he added rather pathetically in a lower tone I think about it all the time the mole reached out from under his blanket felt for the rat's paw in the darkness and gave it a squeeze oh I'll do whatever you like ratty he whispered shall we run away tomorrow morning quite early very early and go back to our dear old hole in the river no no we'll see it out whispered back the rat thanks awfully but I ought to stick by Toad till this trip is ended and be safe for him to be left to himself it won't take very long his fads never do now good night the end was indeed nearer than even the rat suspected after so much open air and excitement the Toad slept very soundly and no amount of shaking could rouse him out of bed the next morning so the mole and the rat turned to quietly and manfully and while the rat saw to the horse and little fire cleaned up last night's cups and platters and got things ready for breakfast the mole trudged off to the nearest village a long way off for milk and eggs and various necessities the Toad had of course forgotten to provide the hard work had all been done and the two animals were resting thoroughly exhausted by the time Toad appeared on the scene fresh and gay remarking what a pleasant easy life it was leading now after the cares and worries and fatigues of housekeeping at home they had a pleasant ramble that day over grassy downs and along narrow byways and camped as before on a common only this time the two guests took care that Toad should do his fair share of work in consequence when the time came for starting next morning Toad was by no means so rapturous about the simplicity of the primitive life and indeed attempted to resume his place in his bunk whence he was hauled by force their way lay as before across country by narrow lanes and it was not till the afternoon that they came out on the high road their first high road and their disaster fleets and unforeseen sprang upon them disaster momentous indeed to their condition but simply overwhelming in its effect on the after career of Toad they were strolling along the high road easily the mole by the horse's head talking to him since the horse had complained that he was being frightfully left out of it all and no one considered him in the least the Toad and the water rat walking behind the car talking together at least Toad was talking at intervals all yes precisely and what did you say to him and thinking all the time of something very different when far behind them they heard a faint warning hum like the drone of a distant be glancing back they saw a small cloud of dust with a dark center of energy advancing on them at incredible speed while from out of the dust a faint poop poop wailed like an uneasy animal in pain hardly regarding it they turned to resume their conversation when in an instant as it seemed the peaceful scene was changed and with a blast of air and a whirl of sound that made them jump for the nearest ditch it was on them the poop poop rang with a brazen shout in their ears they had a moments glimpse of an interior of glittering plate glass and rich morocco and the magnificent motor car immense breath-snatching passionate with its pilot tense and hugging his wheel possessed all earth and air for the fraction of a second flung an enveloping cloud of dust that blinded and unwrapped them utterly and then dwindled to a speck in the far distance changed back into a droning bee once more the old grey horse dreaming as he plodded along of his quiet paddock in a new raw situation such as this simply abandoned himself to his natural emotions rearing plunging backing steadily in spite of all the moles efforts at his head lively language directed at his better feelings he drove the cart backwards toward the deep ditch at the side of the road it wavered an instant then there was a heart-rending crash and the canary coloured cart their pride and joy lay on its side in the ditch an irredeemable wreck the rat danced up and down in the road and sported with passion you villains he shouted, shaking both fists you scoundrels you highwaymen you roadhogs I'll have the law on you I'll report you I'll take you through all the carts his homesickness had quite slipped away from him and for the moment he was the skipper of the canary coloured vessel driven on a show this jocking of rival mariners and he was trying to recollect all the fine and biting things he used to say to masters of steam launches when their wash, as they drove too near the bank, used to flood his parlour carpet at home toad sat straight down in the middle of the dusty road his legs stretched out before him and stared fixedly in the direction of the disappearing motor car he breathed short his face wore a placid, satisfied expression and at intervals he faintly murmured the mole was busy trying to quiet the horse which he succeeded in doing after a time then he went to look at the cart on its side in the ditch it was indeed a sorry sight panels and windows smashed the axles hopelessly bent one wheel off sardine tins scattered over the wide world and the bird in the bird cage sobbing pitifully and calling to be let out the rat came to help him but their united efforts were not sufficient to write the cart hey toad they called come and bear a hand can't you the toad never answered a word or budged from his seat in the road so they went to see what was the matter with him they found him in a sort of trance a happy smile on his face his eyes still fixed on the dusty wake of their destroyer at intervals he was still heard to mama the rat shook him by the shoulder are you coming to help us toad he demanded sternly glorious stirring sight murmured toad never offering to move the poetry of motion the real way to travel the only way to travel here today in next week tomorrow villages skipped towns and cities jumped always someone else's horizons oh bliss oh poop poop why oh stop being a ass toad cried the mould despairingly and to think I never knew went on the toad in a dreamy monotone all those wasted years that lie behind me I never knew never dreamt but now but now that I know now that I fully realise oh what a flowery track I spread before me henceforth what dusty clouds shall spring about behind me as I speed on my reckless way what carts I shall flee carelessly into the ditch in the wake of my magnificent onset horrid little carts common carts canary coloured carts what are we to do with him asked the mould of the water rat nothing at all replied the rat firmly because there really is nothing to be done you see I know him of old he's now possessed he has got a new craze and it always takes him that way in its first stage he'll continue like that for days now like an animal walking in a happy dream quite useless for all practical purposes nevermind him there is to be done about the cart a careful inspection showed them that even if they succeeded in writing it by themselves the cart would travel no longer the axels were in a hopeless state and the missing wheel was shattered into pieces the rat knotted the horse's reins over his back and took him by the head carrying the birdcage and its hysterical occupant in the other hand come on he said grimly to the mould it's five or six miles to the nearest town and we shall have to walk it the sooner we make a start the better but what about toad asked the mould anxiously as they set off together we can't leave him here sitting in the middle of the road by himself in the distracted state he's in it's not safe suppose another thing were to come along they all bother toad said the rat savagely we've done with him they had not proceeded very far on their way however when there was a pattering of feet behind them and toad caught them up and thrust the paw inside the elbow of each of them still breathing short and staring into vacancy now look here toad said the rat sharply as soon as we get to town we'll go back to the police station and see if they know anything about that motor car and who it belongs to and lodge a complaint against it and then you'll have to go to a blacksmith or a wheel-rights and arrange for the cart to be fetched and mended and put to rights it'll take time but it's not quite a hopeless smash meanwhile the mould and I will go to an inn and find comfortable rooms so you can stay to the carts ready until your nerves have recovered their shock police station complain moment o dream me complain of that beautiful that heavenly vision that has been vouched saved me mend the cart I've done with carts forever I never want to see the cart or hear of it again you can't think how obliged I am to you for consenting to come on this trip I wouldn't have gone without you and then I might never have seen that that swan that sunbeam that thunderbelt I might never have heard that entrancing sound or smell that bewitching smell I owe it all to you my best friends the rat turned from him to spare you see what it is he said to the mould addressing him across toad's head he's quite hopeless I give it up when we get to the town we'll go to the railway station and with luck we may pick up a train there that'll get us back to riverbank tonight and if ever you catch me going a pleasure in with this provoking animal again he snorted and during the rest of that weary carriage addressed his remarks exclusively to moll on reaching the town they went straight to the station and deposited toad in the second class waiting room giving a porter tuppence to keep a strict eye on him they then left the horse at an instable and gave what directions they could about the cart and its contents eventually a slow train having landed them at a station not very far from toad hall they escorted the spellbound sleepwalking toad to his door put him inside it and instructed his housekeeper to feed him undress him and put him to bed then they got out their boat from the boat house sculled down the river home and at a very late hour sat down to supper in their own cosy riverside parlour to the rats great joy and contentment the following evening the moll who had risen late and taken things very easy all day was sitting on the river bank when the rat, who had been looking up his friends and gossiping came strolling along to find him heard the news there is nothing else being talked about all along the river bank toad went up to town by an early train this morning and he has ordered a large and very expensive motor car end of Chapter 2 this is a LibriVox recording all LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more information and to find out how you can volunteer please visit LibriVox.org The Wind in the Willows by Kenneth Graham read by Adrian Pretzellis Chapter 3 The Wild Wood The moll had long wanted to make the acquaintance of the badger he seemed by all accounts to be such an important personage and though rarely visible to make his unseen influence felt by everybody about the place but whenever the moll mentioned his wish to the water rat he always found himself put off it's all right the rat would say Badger will turn up someday or other he's always turning up and then I'll introduce you the best of fellows but you must not only take him as you find him but when you find him couldn't you ask him here dinner or something said the moll he wouldn't come replied the rat simply Badger hates society and invitations and dinner and all that sort of thing well then supposing we go and call on him suggested the moll oh I'm sure he wouldn't like that at all said the rat quite alarmed he's so very shy he'd sure to be offended I've never even ventured to call on him at his home myself though I know him so well besides we can't it's quite out of the question because he lives in the very middle of the wild wood well supposing he does said the moll you told me the wild wood was all right you know oh I know I know so it is replied the rat evasively but I think we won't go there just now not just yet it's a long way and he wouldn't be at home at this time of year anyhow and he'll be coming along someday so if you just wait patiently the moll had to be content with this but the badger never came along and every day brought its amusements and it was not till summer was long over and cold and frost and mirey ways kept them much indoors and the swollen river raced past their windows with a speed that mocked at boating of any sort or kind that he found his thoughts dwelling again with much persistence on the solitary grey badger who lived his own life by himself in his hole in the middle of the wild wood in the wintertime the rat slept a great deal retiring early and rising late during his short day he sometimes scribbled poetry or did other small domestic jobs about the house and of course there were always animals dropping in chat and consequently there was a great deal of storytelling and comparing notes on the past summer and all its doings such a rich chapter it had been when one came to look back on it all with illustrations so numerous and so very highly coloured the pageant of the river bank had marched steadily along unfolding itself in seen pictures that succeeded each other in stately procession purple loose strife arrived early shaking luxuriant tangled locks along the edge of the mirror went its own face laughed back at it willow herb tender and wistful like a pink sunset cloud was not slow to follow comfrey the purple hand in hand with the white crept forth to take its place in the line and at last one morning the diffident and delaying dog rows stepped delicately on the stage and one knew as if string music had announced it in stately chords that strayed into a gavotte that june at last was here one member of the company was still awaited the shepherd boy for the nymphs to woo the night for whom the ladies waited at the window the prince that was to kiss the sleeping summer back to life and love but when meadow sweet debonair and odorous in amber jerkin moved graciously to his place in the group then the play was ready to begin and what a play it had been drowsy animals snug in their holes while wind and rain were battering at their doors recalled still keen mornings an hour before sunrise when the white mist as yet undersperced clung closely along the surface of the water then the shock of the early plunge the scamper along the bank the radiant transformation of earth, air and water when suddenly the sun was with them again and when grey was gold and colour was born and sprang out of the earth once more they recalled the languorous siesta of hot midday deep in green undergrowth the sun striking through in tiny golden shafts and spots the boating and bathing of the afternoon the rambles along dusty lanes and through yellow cornfields and the long cool evening at last when so many threads were gathered up so many friendships rounded and so many adventures planned for the morrow there was plenty to talk about on those short winter days when the animals found themselves still the mole had a great deal of spare time on his hands and so one afternoon when the rat in his armchair before the blaze was alternately dozing and trying over rhymes that just wouldn't fit he formed the resolution to go out by himself and explore the wild wood and perhaps strike up an acquaintance with Mr. Badger it was a cold still afternoon with a hard steely sky overhead when he slipped out of the warm parlor into the open air the country lay bare and entirely leafless around him and he thought that he had never seen so far and so intimately into the insides of things as on that winter day when nature was deep in her annual slumber and seemed to have kicked the clothes off copses, dells, quarries and all hidden places which had been mysterious minds for exploration in leafy summer now expose themselves and their secrets pathetically and seemed to ask him to overlook their shabby poverty for a while till they could riot in rich masquerade as before and trick and entice him with the old deceptions it was pitiful in a way and yet cheering even exhilarating he was glad that he liked the country undecorated hard and stripped of its finery he had got down to the bare bones of it and they were fine and strong and simple he did not want the warm clover and the play of seeding grasses the screens of quickset the billowy drapery of beach and elm seemed best away and with great cheerfulness of spirit he pushed on towards the wild wood which lay before him low and threatening like a black reef in some still southern sea there was nothing to alarm him at first entry twigs crackled under his feet logs tripped him funguses on stumps resembled caricatures and startled him for the moment by their likeness to something familiar and far away but that was all fun and exciting it led him on concentrated to where the light was less and the trees crouched nearer and nearer and holes made ugly mouths at him on either side everything was still now the dusk advanced on him steadily rapidly gathering him behind and before and the light seemed to be draining away like flood water then the faces began it was over his shoulder and indistinctly the first thought he saw a face a little evil wedge-shaped face looking out at him from a hole when he turned and confronted it the thing had vanished he quickened his pace telling himself cheerfully not to begin imagining things or there would be simply no end to it he passed another hole and another and another and then yes, no, yes certainly a little narrow face with hard eyes had flashed up for an instant from a hole and was gone he hesitated braced himself up for an effort and strode on then suddenly as if it had been so all the time every hole far and near and there were hundreds of them seemed to possess its face coming and going rapidly all fixing on him glances of malice and hatred all hard-eyed and evil and sharp if he could only get away from the holes in the banks he thought there would be no more faces he swung off the path and plunged into the untrodden places of the wood then the whistling began very faint and shrill it was and far behind him when first he heard it but somehow it made him hurry forward then still very faint and shrill it sounded far ahead of him and made him hesitate and want to go back as he halted in indecision it broke out on either side and seemed to be caught up and passed on throughout the whole length of the wood to its farthest limit they were up and alert and ready evidently whoever they were and he alone and unarmed and far from any help and the night was closing in then the pattering began he thought it was only falling leaves at first so slight and delicate was the sound of it then as it grew it took a regular rhythm and he knew it for nothing else but the pip pat pat of little feet still a very long way off was it in front or behind it seemed to be first one then the other then both it grew and it multiplied till from every quarter as he listened anxiously leaning this way and that it seemed to be closing in on him as he stood still to hearken a rabbit came running hard towards him through the trees he waited expecting it to slacken pace or swerve in front of him into a different course instead the animal almost brushed him as it dashed past its face set and hard his eyes staring get out of this you fool get out the mole heard him mutter as he swung around a stump and disappeared down a friendly burrow the pattering increased till it sounded like sudden hail on the dry leaf carpet spread around him the whole word seemed running now running hard hunting chasing closing in round something or somebody in panic he began to run too aimlessly he knew not wither he ran up against things he fell over things and into things he darted under things and dodged around things at last he took refuge in the deep dark hollow of an old beech tree which offered shelter concealment perhaps even safety but who could tell anyhow he was too tired to run any further and could only snuggle down into the dry leaves which had drifted into the hollow and hope he was safe for the time as he lay there panting and trembling and listening to the whistlings and patterings outside he knew at last in all its fullness the thing which other little dwellers in field and hedgerow had encountered here and known as their darkest moment that thing which the rat had vainly tried to shield him from the terror of the wild wood meanwhile the rat warm and comfortable dozed by his fireside his paper of half finished verses from his knee his head fell back his mouth opened and he wandered by the verdant banks of dream rivers then a coal slipped the fire crackled and sent up a spurt of flame and he woke with a start remembering what he had engaged upon he reached down to the floor for his verses poured over them for a minute and then looked around for mole to ask him if he knew a good rhyme or something or other but the mole was not there he listened for a time the house seemed very quiet then he called moley several times and receiving no answer got up and went out into the hall the mole's cap was missing from its accustomed peg his galoshes which always lay by the umbrella stand were also gone the rat looked off the house and carefully examined the muddy surface of the ground outside hoping to find the mole's tracks they were there sure enough the galoshes were new just brought for the winter and the pimples in their souls were fresh and sharp he could see the imprints of them in the mud running along straight and purposeful leading direct to the wild wood very grave and stood in deep thought for a minute or two then he re-entered the house strapped a belt around his waist shoved a brace of pistols into it took up a stout cudgel that stood in a corner of the hall and set off for the wild wood at a smart pace it was already getting towards dusk when he reached the first fringes of trees and plunged without hesitation into the wood looking anxiously on either side for any sign of his friend here and there wicked little faces popped out of holes but it vanished immediately at the sight of the valorous animal his pistols and the great ugly cudgel in his grasp and the whistling and pattering which he had heard quite plainly on his first entry died away and ceased and all was very still he made his way manfully into the wood to its farthest edge then for saking all piles he set himself to traverse it laboriously working over the whole ground and all the time calling out cheerfully moly moly moly where are you it's me it's old rat he had patiently hunted through the wood for an hour or more when at last to his joy he heard a little answering cry guiding himself by the sound he made his way through the gathering darkness to the foot of an old beech tree with a hole in it and from out of the hole came a feeble voice saying ratty is it really you the rat crept into the hollow and there he found the mole exhausted and still trembling oh rat he cried I've been so frightened you can't think oh I quite understand said the rat soothingly you shouldn't really have gone and done it moe I did my best to keep you from it we river bankers we hardly ever come here by ourselves if we have to come we come in couples at least then we generally are right besides there are a hundred things that one has to know which we understand all about and you don't know as yet I mean passwords and signs and saying which have power and effect and plants that you carry in your pocket and verses you repeat and dodges and tricks that you practice all simple enough when you know them but they've got to be known if you're small or you'll find yourself in trouble of course if you were badger or otter it would be quite another matter surely the brave Mr. Toad wouldn't mind coming here by himself would he inquired the moe oh Toad said the rat laughing heartily he wouldn't show his face here alone not for a whole hat full of golden guineas Toad wouldn't the moe was greatly cheered by the sound of rats careless laughter as well as by the sight of his stick and his gleaming pistols and he stopped shivering and to feel bolder and moe himself again now then said rat presently we really must pull ourselves together and make a start for a home while there's still a little light left it will never do to spend the night here you understand too cold for one thing dear ratty said the poor moe I'm dreadfully sorry but I'm simply dead beat and that's a solid fact you must let me rest here a little while longer and get my strength back if I'm to get home at all oh alright said the good natured rat rest away it's pretty near pitch dark now anyhow and there ought to be a bit of a moon later so the moe got well into the dry leaves and stretched himself out and presently dropped off into sleep though of a broken and troubled sort while the rat covered himself up too as best he might for warmth and lay patiently waiting with a pistol in his paw when at last the moe woke up much refreshed in his usual spirits the rat said Neo then oh just take a look out so it and see if everything's quiet and then we really must be off he went to the entrance of their retreat and put his head out then the moe heard him saying quietly to himself hello hello here is a go what's up ratty asked the moe snow is up replied the rat briefly or rather down it's snowing hard the moe came and crouched beside him and looking out saw the wood that had been so dreadful to him in quite a changed aspect holes, hollows, pools, pitfalls and other black menaces to the Wayfarer were vanishing fast and a gleaming carpet of fairy was springing up everywhere that looked too delicate to be trodden upon by a rough feat a fine powder filled the air and caressed the cheek with a tingle in its touch and the black bowls of the trees showed up in a light that seemed to come from below well well it can't be helped said the rat after pondering we must make a start and take our chance I suppose the worst of it is I don't exactly know where we are and now this snow makes everything look so very different it did indeed the moe would not have known it was even the same wood however they set out bravely and took the line that seemed most promising holding on to each other and pretending with invincible cheerfulness that they recognized an old friend in every fresh tree that grimly and silently greeted them or saw openings, gaps or paths with a familiar turn in them in the monotony of the white space and black tree trunks that refused to vary an hour or two later they had lost count of all time they pulled up, dispirited, weary and hopelessly at sea and sat down on a fallen tree trunk to cover their breath and consider what was to be done they were aching with fatigue and bruised with tumbles they had fallen into several holes and got wet through the snow was getting so deep that they could hardly drag their little legs through it and the trees were thicker and more like each other than ever there seemed to be no end to this wood and no beginning and no difference in it and worst of all no way out we can't sit here very long said the rat we shall have to make another push for it and do something or other the cold is too awful for anything and the snow will soon be too deep for us to wade through he peered about him and considered look here he went on this is what occurs to me there's a sort of dell down there in front of us where the ground seems all hilly we'll make our way down into that and try and find some sort of shelter a cave or a hole with a dry floor to it out of the snow in the wind there we'll have a good rest before we try again for we're both of us plenty dead beat besides the snow may leave off or something may turn up so once more they got on their feet and struggled down into the dell where they hunted about for a cave or some corner that was dry and a protection from the keen wind and the whirling snow they were investigating one of the hummocky bits the rat had spoken of when suddenly the Mole tripped up and fell forward on his face with a squeal oh my leg he cried oh my poor shin and he sat up on the snow and nursed his leg in both his front paws oh my poor old Mole said the rat kindly you don't seem to be having much luck today do you let's have a look at that leg yes he went on going down on his knees to look you cut your shin sure enough wait till I get my hangar chief and I'll tie it up for you I must have tripped over a hidden branch or a stump said the Mole miserably oh my that's a very clean cut said the rat examining it again attentively that was never done by a branch or a stump looks like it was made by a sharp edge of something in metal funny he pondered a while and examined the humps and slopes that surrounded them well never mind what done it said the Mole forgetting his grammar it hurts just the same whatever done it but the rat after carefully tying up the leg with his hangar chief had left him and was busy scraping in the snow he scratched and shoveled and explored all four legs working busily while the Mole waited impatiently remarking at intervals oh come on rat suddenly the rat cried and then ran and fell to executing a feeble jig in the snow what have you found ratty asked the Mole still nursing his leg come and see said the delighted rat as he jigged on the Mole hobbled up to the spots and had a good look wow he said at last slowly I see it right enough seen the same sort of thing before at several times familiar object I call it a door scraper well what of it why dance jigs around a door scraper but don't you see what it means you you dull witted animal cried the rat impatiently well of course I see what it means replied the Mole it simply means that some very careless and forgetful person has left his door scraper lying around in the middle of the wild wood just where it's sure to trip everybody up very thoughtless of him I'd say when I get home I shall go and complain about it to somebody or other see if I don't oh dear oh dear cried the rat in despair at his obtuseness here stop arguing and come and scrape and he set to work again and made the snow fly in all directions around him after some further toil his efforts were rewarded and a very shabby doormat lay exposed to you there what did I tell you exclaimed the rat in great triumph absolutely nothing whatsoever replied the Mole in perfect truthfulness well now you seem to have found another piece of domestic litter done for and thrown away and I suppose you're perfectly happy better go and head and dance your jig around that if you've got to and get it over and then perhaps we can go on and not waste any more time over rubbish heaps can we eat a doormat or sleep under the doormat or sit on a doormat and sled home over the snow on it you exasperating rodent do you mean to say cried the exciting rat that this doormat doesn't tell you anything really rat so the more quite pettishly I think we've had enough of this folly whoever thought of a doormat telling anyone anything they simply don't go do it they are not that sort at all doormats know their place now look here you thick-headed beast replied the rat really angry he's misstopped not another word but scrape and scratch and dig and hunt around especially on the sides of the hummock if you want to sleep dry and warm for it's our last chance the rat attacked a snow-bank beside them with ardour probing with his congel everywhere and then digging with fury and the mole scraped busily too more to oblige the rat for another reason for his opinion was that his friend was getting light-headed some ten minutes hard work and the point of the rat's cudgel struck something that sounded hollow he worked till he could get a paw through and feel then he called to mole to come and help him hard at it went the two animals till at last the result of their labour stood in full view of the astonished and hitherto incredulous mole in the side of what had seemed to be a snow-bank stood a solid looking little door painted dark green an iron bell-pull hung by the side and below it on a small brass plate neatly engraved in square capital letters they could read by the aid of moonlight Mr. Badger the mole fell backwards on the snow from sheer surprise and delight rat he cried in penitence you're a wonder a real wonder that's what you are I see it all now you argued it out step by step in that wise head of yours from the very moment that I fell and cut my shin and you looked at the cut and at once your majestic mind said to itself door scraper then you turned to and found the very door scraper that done it did you stop there nope some people would have been quite satisfied but not you your intellect went on working let me only just find a door mat says you to yourself and my theory is proved and of course you found your door mat you're so clever I believe you could find now says you that door exists as plain as if I saw it there's nothing else remains to be done but to find it well I've read about that sort of thing in books but I've never come across it in real life you ought to go where you're properly appreciated you're simply wasted here among us fellows if only I had your head ratty but as you haven't interrupted the rat rather unkindly I suppose you're going to sit on the snow all night and talk get up at once and hang on to that bell-pull you see there and ring hard as hard as ever you can well I hammer while the rat attacked the door with his stick the mole sprang up at the door-pull clutched it and swung there both feet well off the ground and a long way off they could faintly hear a deep-toned bell respond end of Chapter 3