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all that they had suffered in it a half… forgotten dream。
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When at last they were thoroughly toasted； the Badger summoned
them to the table； where he had been busy laying a repast。 They had felt
pretty hungry before； but when they actually saw at last the supper that
was spread for them； really it seemed only a question of what they should
attack first where all was so attractive； and whether the other things would
obligingly wait for them till they had time to give them attention。
Conversation was impossible for a long time； and when it was slowly
resumed； it was that regrettable sort of conversation that results from
talking with your mouth full。 The Badger did not mind that sort of thing at
all； nor did he take any notice of elbows on the table； or everybody
speaking at once。 As he did not go into Society himself； he had got an idea
that these things belonged to the things that didn't really matter。 （We know
of course that he was wrong； and took too narrow a view； because they do
matter very much； though it would take too long to explain why。） He sat in
his arm…chair at the head of the table； and nodded gravely at intervals as
the animals told their story； and he did not seem surprised or shocked at
anything； and he never said； ‘I told you so；' or； ‘Just what I always said；' or
remarked that they ought to have done so…and…so； or ought not to have
done something else。 The Mole began to feel very friendly towards him。
When supper was really finished at last； and each animal felt that his
skin was now as tight as was decently safe； and that by this time he didn't
care a hang for anybody or anything； they gathered round the glowing
embers of the great wood fire； and thought how jolly it was to be sitting up
SO late； and SO independent； and SO full； and after they had chatted for a
time about things in general； the Badger said heartily； ‘Now then！ tell us
the news from your part of the world。 How's old Toad going on？'
‘Oh； from bad to worse；' said the Rat gravely； while the Mole； cocked
up on a settle and basking in the firelight； his heels higher than his head；
tried to look properly mournful。 ‘Another smash…up only last week； and a
bad one。 You see； he will insist on driving himself； and he's hopelessly
incapable。 If he'd only employ a decent； steady； well…trained animal； pay
him good wages； and leave everything to him； he'd get on all right。 But no；
he's convinced he's a heaven…born driver； and nobody can teach him
anything； and all the rest follows。'
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‘How many has he had？' inquired the Badger gloomily。
‘Smashes； or machines？' asked the Rat。 ‘Oh； well； after all； it's the
same thingwith Toad。 This is the seventh。 As for the othersyou know
that coach…house of his？ Well； it's piled up literally piled up to the roof
with fragments of motor…cars； none of them bigger than your hat！ That
accounts for the other sixso far as they can be accounted for。'
‘He's been in hospital three times；' put in the Mole； ‘and as for the
fines he's had to pay； it's simply awful to think of。'
‘Yes； and that's part of the trouble；' continued the Rat。 ‘Toad's rich； we
all know； but he's not a millionaire。 And he's a hopelessly bad driver； and
quite regardless of law and order。 Killed or ruinedit's got to be one of the
two things； sooner or later。 Badger！ we're his friendsoughtn't we to do
something？'
The Badger went through a bit of hard thinking。 ‘Now look here！' he
said at last； rather severely； ‘of course you know I can't do anything
NOW？'
His two friends assented； quite understanding his point。 No animal；
according to the rules of animal…etiquette； is ever expected to do anything
strenuous； or heroic； or even moderately active during the off…season of
winter。 All are sleepysome actually asleep。 All are weather…bound； more
or less； and all are resting from arduous days and nights； during which
every muscle in them has been severely tested； and every energy kept at
full stretch。
‘Very well then！' continued the Badger。 ‘BUT； when once the year has
really turned； and the nights are shorter； and halfway through them one
rouses and feels fidgety and wanting to be up and doing by sunrise； if not
beforeYOU know！'
Both animals nodded gravely。 THEY knew！
‘Well； THEN；' went on the Badger； ‘wethat is； you and me and our
friend the Mole herewe'll take Toad seriously in hand。 We'll stand no
nonsense whatever。 We'll bring him back to reason； by force if need be。
We'll MAKE him be a sensible Toad。 We'llyou're asleep； Rat！'
‘Not me！' said the Rat； waking up with a jerk。
‘He's been asleep two or three times since supper；' said the Mole；
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laughing。 He himself was feeling quite wakeful and even lively； though he
didn't know why。 The reason was； of course； that he being naturally an
underground animal by birth and breeding； the situation of Badger's house
exactly suited him and made him feel at home； while the Rat； who slept
every night in a bedroom the windows of which opened on a breezy river；
naturally felt the atmosphere still and oppressive。
‘Well； it's time we were all in bed；' said the Badger； getting up and
fetching flat candlesticks。 ‘Come along； you two； and I'll show you your
quarters。 And take your time tomorrow morning breakfast at any hour
you please！'
He conducted the two animals to a long room that seemed half
bedchamber and half loft。 The Badger's winter stores； which indeed were
visible everywhere； took up half the roompiles of apples； turnips； and
potatoes； baskets full of nuts； and jars of honey； but the two little white
beds on the remainder of the floor looked soft and inviting； and the linen
on them； though coarse； was clean and smelt beautifully of lavender； and
the Mole and the Water Rat； shaking off their garments in some thirty
seconds； tumbled in between the sheets in great joy and contentment。
In accordance