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at first； but with more freedom as he warmed to his subjecthow this was
planned； and how that was thought out； and how this was got through a
windfall from an aunt； and that was a wonderful find and a bargain； and
this other thing was bought out of laborious savings and a certain amount
of ‘going without。' His spirits finally quite restored； he must needs go and
caress his possessions； and take a lamp and show off their points to his
visitor and expatiate on them； quite forgetful of the supper they both so
much needed； Rat； who was desperately hungry but strove to conceal it；
nodding seriously； examining with a puckered brow； and saying；
‘wonderful；' and ‘most remarkable；' at intervals； when the chance for an
observation was given him。
At last the Rat succeeded in decoying him to the table； and had just got
seriously to work with the sardine…opener when sounds were heard from
the fore…court withoutsounds like the scuffling of small feet in the gravel
and a confused murmur of tiny voices； while broken sentences reached
them‘Now； all in a linehold the lantern up a bit； Tommyclear your
throats firstno coughing after I say one； two； three。Where's young
Bill？Here； come on； do； we're all a…waiting'
‘What's up？' inquired the Rat； pausing in his labours。
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‘I think it must be the field…mice；' replied the Mole； with a touch of
pride in his manner。 ‘They go round carol…singing regularly at this time of
the year。 They're quite an institution in these parts。 And they never pass me
overthey come to Mole End last of all； and I used to give them hot drinks；
and supper too sometimes； when I could afford it。 It will be like old times
to hear them again。'
‘Let's have a look at them！' cried the Rat； jumping up and running to
the door。
It was a pretty sight； and a seasonable one； that met their eyes when
they flung the door open。 In the fore…court； lit by the dim rays of a horn
lantern； some eight or ten little fieldmice stood in a semicircle； red worsted
comforters round their throats； their fore…paws thrust deep into their
pockets； their feet jigging for warmth。 With bright beady eyes they
glanced shyly at each other； sniggering a little； sniffing and applying coat…
sleeves a good deal。 As the door opened； one of the elder ones that carried
the lantern was just saying； ‘Now then； one； two； three！' and forthwith
their shrill little voices uprose on the air； singing one of the old…time carols
that their forefathers composed in fields that were fallow and held by frost；
or when snow…bound in chimney corners； and handed down to be sung in
the miry street to lamp…lit windows at Yule…time。
CAROL
Villagers all； this frosty tide； Let your doors swing open wide； Though
wind may follow； and snow beside； Yet draw us in by your fire to bide； Joy
shall be yours in the morning！
Here we stand in the cold and the sleet； Blowing fingers and stamping
feet； Come from far away you to greet You by the fire and we in the
street Bidding you joy in the morning！
For ere one half of the night was gone； Sudden a star has led us on；
Raining bliss and benison Bliss to…morrow and more anon； Joy for every
morning！
Goodman Joseph toiled through the snow Saw the star o'er a stable
low； Mary she might not further go Welcome thatch； and litter below！
Joy was hers in the morning！
And then they heard the angels tell ‘Who were the first to cry
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NOWELL？ Animals all； as it befell； In the stable where they did dwell！
Joy shall be theirs in the morning！'
The voices ceased； the singers； bashful but smiling； exchanged
sidelong glances； and silence succeededbut for a moment only。 Then；
from up above and far away； down the tunnel they had so lately travelled
was borne to their ears in a faint musical hum the sound of distant bells
ringing a joyful and clangorous peal。
‘Very well sung； boys！' cried the Rat heartily。 ‘And now come along in；
all of you； and warm yourselves by the fire； and have something hot！'
‘Yes； come along； field…mice；' cried the Mole eagerly。 ‘This is quite
like old times！ Shut the door after you。 Pull up that settle to the fire。 Now；
you just wait a minute； while weO； Ratty！' he cried in despair； plumping
down on a seat； with tears impending。 ‘Whatever are we doing？ We've
nothing to give them！'
‘You leave all that to me；' said the masterful Rat。 ‘Here； you with the
lantern！ Come over this way。 I want to talk to you。 Now； tell me； are there
any shops open at this hour of the night？'
‘Why； certainly； sir；' replied the field…mouse respectfully。 ‘At this time
of the year our shops keep open to all sorts of hours。'
‘Then look here！' said the Rat。 ‘You go off at once； you and your
lantern； and you get me'
Here much muttered conversation ensued； and the Mole only heard
bits of it； such as‘Fresh； mind！no； a pound of that will do see you get
Buggins's； for I won't have any otherno； only the bestif you can't get it
there； try somewhere elseyes； of course； home…made； no tinned stuff
well then； do the best you can！' Finally； there was a chink of coin passing
from paw to paw； the field…mouse was provided with an ample basket for
his purchases； and off he hurried； he and his lantern。
The rest of the field…mice； perched in a row on the settle； their small
legs swinging； gave themselves up to enjoyment of the fire； and toasted
their chilblains till they tingled； while the Mole； failing to draw them into
easy conversation； plunged into family history and made each of them
recite the names of his numerous brothers； who were too young； it
appeared； to be allowed to go out a…carolling this year； but looked forward
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very shortly to winning the parental consent。
The Rat； meanwhile； was busy examining the label on one of the beer…
bottles。 ‘I perceive this to be Old Burton；' he remarked approvingly。
‘SENSIBLE Mole！ The very thing！ Now we shall be able to mull some ale！
Get the things ready； Mole； while I draw the corks。'