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tried to, at all events." "What, US?" he merely said: "DO

something? us rabbits?" So I cuffed him again and left him.



There was nothing else to be done. At any rate, I had learnt

something; and if I had had the luck to meet any of "Them" I'd



have learnt something more--or THEY would.'

`Weren't you at all--er--nervous?' asked the Mole, some of



yesterday's terror coming back to him at the mention of the Wild

Wood.



`Nervous?' The Otter showed a gleaming set of strong white teeth

as he laughed. `I'd give 'em nerves if any of them tried



anything on with me. Here, Mole, fry me some slices of ham, like

the good little chap you are. I'm frightfully hungry, and I've



got any amount to say to Ratty here. Haven't seen him for an

age.'



So the good-natured Mole, having cut some slices of ham, set the

hedgehogs to fry it, and returned to his own breakfast, while the



Otter and the Rat, their heads together, eagerly talked river-

shop, which is long shop and talk that is endless, running on



like the babbling river itself.

A plate of fried ham had just been cleared and sent back for



more, when the Badger entered, yawning and rubbing his eyes, and

greeted them all in his quiet, simple way, with kind enquiries



for every one. `It must be getting on for luncheon time,' he

remarked to the Otter. `Better stop and have it with us. You



must be hungry, this cold morning.'

`Rather!' replied the Otter, winking at the Mole. `The sight of



these greedy young hedgehogs stuffing themselves with fried ham

makes me feel positively famished.'



The hedgehogs, who were just beginning to feel hungry again after

their porridge, and after working so hard at their frying, looked



timidly up at Mr. Badger, but were too shy to say anything.

`Here, you two youngsters be off home to your mother,' said the



Badger kindly. `I'll send some one with you to show you the way.

You won't want any dinner to-day, I'll be bound.'



He gave them sixpenceapiece and a pat on the head, and they went

off with much respectful swinging of caps and touching of



forelocks.

Presently they all sat down to luncheon together. The Mole found



himself placed next to Mr. Badger, and, as the other two were

still deep in river-gossip from which nothing could divert them,



he took the opportunity to tell Badger how comfortable and home-

like it all felt to him. `Once well underground,' he said, `you



know exactly where you are. Nothing can happen to you, and

nothing can get at you. You're entirely your own master, and you



don't have to consult anybody or mind what they say. Things go

on all the same overhead, and you let 'em, and don't bother about



'em. When you want to, up you go, and there the things are,

waiting for you.'



The Badger simply beamed on him. `That's exactly what I say,' he

replied. `There's no security, or peace and tranquillity, except



underground. And then, if your ideas get larger and you want to

expand--why, a dig and a scrape, and there you are! If you feel



your house is a bit too big, you stop up a hole or two, and there

you are again! No builders, no tradesmen, no remarks passed on



you by fellows looking over your wall, and, above all, no

WEATHER. Look at Rat, now. A couple of feet of flood water,



and he's got to move into hired lodgings; uncomfortable,

inconveniently situated, and horriblyexpensive. Take Toad. I



say nothing against Toad Hall; quite the best house in these

parts, AS a house. But supposing a fire breaks out--where's



Toad? Supposing tiles are blown off, or walls sink or crack, or

windows get broken--where's Toad? Supposing the rooms are



draughty--I HATE a draught myself--where's Toad? No, up and

out of doors is good enough to roam about and get one's living



in; but underground to come back to at last--that's my idea of

HOME'



The Mole assented heartily; and the Badger in consequence got

very friendly with him. `When lunch is over,' he said, `I'll



take you all round this little place of mine. I can see you'll

appreciate it. You understand what domesticarchitecture ought



to be, you do.'

After luncheon, accordingly, when the other two had settled



themselves into the chimney-corner and had started a heated

argument on the subject of EELS, the Badger lighted a lantern



and bade the Mole follow him. Crossing the hall, they passed




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