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something of a shock。 He dared not leave the shelter of the trees； so he
struck into the wood； with the idea of leaving the railway as far as possible
behind him。
After so many weeks within walls； he found the wood strange and
unfriendly and inclined； he thought； to make fun of him。 Night…jars；
sounding their mechanical rattle； made him think that the wood was full of
searching warders； closing in on him。 An owl； swooping noiselessly
towards him； brushed his shoulder with its wing； making him jump with
the horrid certainty that it was a hand； then flitted off； moth…like； laughing
its low ho！ ho！ ho； which Toad thought in very poor taste。 Once he met a
fox； who stopped； looked him up and down in a sarcastic sort of way； and
said； ‘Hullo； washerwoman！ Half a pair of socks and a pillow… case short
this week！ Mind it doesn't occur again！' and swaggered off； sniggering。
Toad looked about for a stone to throw at him； but could not succeed in
finding one； which vexed him more than anything。 At last； cold； hungry；
and tired out； he sought the shelter of a hollow tree； where with branches
and dead leaves he made himself as comfortable a bed as he could； and
slept soundly till the morning。
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CHAPTER IX
WAYFARERS ALL
The Water Rat was restless； and he did not exactly know why。 To all
appearance the summer's pomp was still at fullest height； and although in
the tilled acres green had given way to gold； though rowans were
reddening； and the woods were dashed here and there with a tawny
fierceness； yet light and warmth and colour were still present in
undiminished measure； clean of any chilly premonitions of the passing
year。 But the constant chorus of the orchards and hedges had shrunk to a
casual evensong from a few yet unwearied performers； the robin was
beginning to assert himself once more； and there was a feeling in the air of
change and departure。 The cuckoo； of course； had long been silent； but
many another feathered friend； for months a part of the familiar landscape
and its small society； was missing too and it seemed that the ranks thinned
steadily day by day。 Rat； ever observant of all winged movement； saw that
it was taking daily a southing tendency； and even as he lay in bed at night
he thought he could make out； passing in the darkness overhead； the beat
and quiver of impatient pinions； obedient to the peremptory call。
Nature's Grand Hotel has its Season； like the others。 As the guests one
by one pack； pay； and depart； and the seats at the table…d'hote shrink
pitifully at each succeeding meal； as suites of rooms are closed； carpets
taken up； and waiters sent away； those boarders who are staying on； en
pension； until the next year's full re…opening； cannot help being somewhat
affected by all these flittings and farewells； this eager discussion of plans；
routes； and fresh quarters； this daily shrinkage in the stream of
comradeship。 One gets unsettled； depressed； and inclined to be querulous。
Why this craving for change？ Why not stay on quietly here； like us； and be
jolly？ You don't know this hotel out of the season； and what fun we have
among ourselves； we fellows who remain and see the whole interesting
year out。 All very true； no doubt the others always reply； we quite envy
youand some other year perhapsbut just now we have engagements
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and there's the bus at the doorour time is up！ So they depart； with a smile
and a nod； and we miss them； and feel resentful。 The Rat was a self…
sufficing sort of animal； rooted to the land； and； whoever went； he stayed；
still； he could not help noticing what was in the air； and feeling some of its
influence in his bones。
It was difficult to settle down to anything seriously； with all this
flitting going on。 Leaving the water…side； where rushes stood thick and tall
in a stream that was becoming sluggish and low； he wandered country…
wards； crossed a field or two of pasturage already looking dusty and
parched； and thrust into the great sea of wheat； yellow； wavy； and
murmurous； full of quiet motion and small whisperings。 Here he often
loved to wander； through the forest of stiff strong stalks that carried their
own golden sky away over his heada sky that was always dancing；
shimmering； softly talking； or swaying strongly to the passing wind and
recovering itself with a toss and a merry laugh。 Here； too； he had many
small friends； a society complete in itself； leading full and busy lives； but
always with a spare moment to gossip； and exchange news with a visitor。
Today； however； though they were civil enough； the field…mice and
harvest…mice seemed preoccupied。 Many were digging and tunnelling
busily； others； gathered together in small groups； examined plans and
drawings of small flats； stated to be desirable and compact； and situated
conveniently near the Stores。 Some were hauling out dusty trunks and
dress…baskets； others were already elbow…deep packing their belongings；
while everywhere piles and bundles of wheat； oats； barley； beech…mast and
nuts； lay about ready for transport。
‘Here's old Ratty！' they cried as soon as they saw him。 ‘Come and bear
a hand； Rat； and don't stand about idle！'
‘What sort of games are you up to？' said the Water Rat severely。 ‘You
know it isn't time to be thinking of winter quarters yet； by a long way！'
‘O yes； we know that；' explained a field…mouse rather shamefacedly；
‘but it's always as well to be in good time； isn't it？ We really MUST get all
the furniture and baggage and stores moved out of this before those horrid
machines begin clicking round the fields； and then； you know； the best
flats get picked up so quickly nowadays； and if you're late you have to put
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up with ANYTHING； and they want such a lot of doing up； too； before
they're fit to move int