CONTENTS
THERIVERBANK
TheMolehadbeenworkingveryhardallthemorning，spring-
cleaninghislittlehome。Firstwithbrooms，thenwithdusters；
thenonladdersandstepsandchairs，withabrushandapailofwhitewash；tillhehaddustinhisthroatandeyes，andsplashesofwhitewashalloverhisblackfur，andanachingbackandwearyarms。Springwasmovingintheairaboveandintheearthbelowandaroundhim，penetratingevenhisdarkandlowlylittlehousewithitsspiritofdivinediscontentandlonging。Itwassmallwonder，then，thathesuddenlyflungdownhisbrushonthefloor，said`Bother！’and`Oblow！’andalso`Hangspring-cleaning！’
andboltedoutofthehousewithoutevenwaitingtoputonhiscoat。Somethingupabovewascallinghimimperiously，andhemadeforthesteeplittletunnelwhichansweredinhiscasetothegravelledcarriage-driveownedbyanimalswhoseresidencesarenearertothesunandair。Sohescrapedandscratchedandscrabbledandscroogedandthenhescroogedagainandscrabbledandscratchedandscraped，workingbusilywithhislittlepawsandmutteringtohimself，`Upwego！Upwego！’tillatlast，pop！hissnoutcameoutintothesunlight，andhefoundhimselfrollinginthewarmgrassofagreatmeadow。
`Thisisfine！’hesaidtohimself。`Thisisbetterthanwhitewashing！’Thesunshinestruckhotonhisfur，softbreezescaressedhisheatedbrow，andaftertheseclusionofthecellaragehehadlivedinsolongthecarolofhappybirdsfellonhisdulledhearingalmostlikeashout。Jumpingoffallhisfourlegsatonce，inthejoyoflivingandthedelightofspringwithoutitscleaning，hepursuedhiswayacrossthemeadowtillhereachedthehedgeonthefurtherside。
`Holdup！’saidanelderlyrabbitatthegap。`Sixpencefortheprivilegeofpassingbytheprivateroad！’HewasbowledoverinaninstantbytheimpatientandcontemptuousMole，whotrottedalongthesideofthehedgechaffingtheotherrabbitsastheypeepedhurriedlyfromtheirholestoseewhattherowwasabout。
`Onion-sauce！Onion-sauce！’heremarkedjeeringly，andwasgonebeforetheycouldthinkofathoroughlysatisfactoryreply。Thentheyallstartedgrumblingateachother。`HowSTUPIDyouare！Whydidn’tyoutellhim————’`Well，whydidn’tYOU
say————’`Youmighthaveremindedhim————’andsoon，intheusualway；but，ofcourse，itwasthenmuchtoolate，asisalwaysthecase。
Itallseemedtoogoodtobetrue。Hitherandthitherthroughthemeadowsherambledbusily，alongthehedgerows，acrossthecopses，findingeverywherebirdsbuilding，flowersbudding，leavesthrusting——everythinghappy，andprogressive，andoccupied。Andinsteadofhavinganuneasyconscienceprickinghimandwhispering`whitewash！’hesomehowcouldonlyfeelhowjollyitwastobetheonlyidledogamongallthesebusycitizens。Afterall，thebestpartofaholidayisperhapsnotsomuchtoberestingyourself，astoseealltheotherfellowsbusyworking。
Hethoughthishappinesswascompletewhen，ashemeanderedaimlesslyalong，suddenlyhestoodbytheedgeofafull-fedriver。Neverinhislifehadheseenariverbefore——thissleek，sinuous，full-bodiedanimal，chasingandchuckling，grippingthingswithagurgleandleavingthemwithalaugh，toflingitselfonfreshplaymatesthatshookthemselvesfree，andwerecaughtandheldagain。Allwasa-shakeanda-shiver——glintsandgleamsandsparkles，rustleandswirl，chatterandbubble。TheMolewasbewitched，entranced，fascinated。Bythesideoftheriverhetrottedasonetrots，whenverysmall，bythesideofamanwhoholdsonespell-boundbyexcitingstories；andwhentiredatlast，hesatonthebank，whiletheriverstillchatteredontohim，ababblingprocessionofthebeststoriesintheworld，sentfromtheheartoftheearthtobetoldatlasttotheinsatiablesea。
Ashesatonthegrassandlookedacrosstheriver，adarkholeinthebankopposite，justabovethewater’sedge，caughthiseye，anddreamilyhefelltoconsideringwhatanicesnugdwelling-placeitwouldmakeforananimalwithfewwantsandfondofabijoriversideresidence，abovefloodlevelandremotefromnoiseanddust。Ashegazed，somethingbrightandsmallseemedtotwinkledownintheheartofit，vanished，thentwinkledoncemorelikeatinystar。Butitcouldhardlybeastarinsuchanunlikelysituation；anditwastooglitteringandsmallforaglow-worm。Then，ashelooked，itwinkedathim，andsodeclareditselftobeaneye；andasmallfacebegangraduallytogrowuproundit，likeaframeroundapicture。
Abrownlittleface，withwhiskers。
Agraveroundface，withthesametwinkleinitseyethathadfirstattractedhisnotice。
Smallneatearsandthicksilkyhair。
ItwastheWaterRat！
Thenthetwoanimalsstoodandregardedeachothercautiously。
`Hullo，Mole！’saidtheWaterRat。
`Hullo，Rat！’saidtheMole。
`Wouldyouliketocomeover？’enquiredtheRatpresently。
`Oh，itsallverywelltoTALK，’saidtheMole，ratherpettishly，hebeingnewtoariverandriversidelifeanditsways。
TheRatsaidnothing，butstoopedandunfastenedaropeandhauledonit；thenlightlysteppedintoalittleboatwhichtheMolehadnotobserved。Itwaspaintedblueoutsideandwhitewithin，andwasjustthesizefortwoanimals；andtheMole’swholeheartwentouttoitatonce，eventhoughhedidnotyetfullyunderstanditsuses。
TheRatsculledsmartlyacrossandmadefast。ThenhehelduphisforepawastheMolesteppedgingerlydown。`Leanonthat！’
hesaid。`Nowthen，steplively！’andtheMoletohissurpriseandrapturefoundhimselfactuallyseatedinthesternofarealboat。
`Thishasbeenawonderfulday！’saidhe，astheRatshovedoffandtooktothescullsagain。`Doyouknow，I`veneverbeeninaboatbeforeinallmylife。’
`What？’criedtheRat，open-mouthed：`Neverbeenina——younever——wellI——whathaveyoubeendoing，then？’
`Isitsoniceasallthat？’askedtheMoleshyly，thoughhewasquitepreparedtobelieveitasheleantbackinhisseatandsurveyedthecushions，theoars，therowlocks，andallthefascinatingfittings，andfelttheboatswaylightlyunderhim。
`Nice？It’stheONLYthing，’saidtheWaterRatsolemnly，asheleantforwardforhisstroke。`Believeme，myyoungfriend，thereisNOTHING——absolutenothing——halfsomuchworthdoingassimplymessingaboutinboats。Simplymessing，’hewentondreamily：`messing——about——in——boats；messing————’
`Lookahead，Rat！’criedtheMolesuddenly。
Itwastoolate。Theboatstruckthebankfulltilt。Thedreamer，thejoyousoarsman，layonhisbackatthebottomoftheboat，hisheelsintheair。
`——aboutinboats——orWITHboats，’theRatwentoncomposedly，pickinghimselfupwithapleasantlaugh。`Inoroutof’em，itdoesn’tmatter。Nothingseemsreallytomatter，that’sthecharmofit。Whetheryougetaway，orwhetheryoudon’t；whetheryouarriveatyourdestinationorwhetheryoureachsomewhereelse，orwhetheryounevergetanywhereatall，you’realwaysbusy，andyouneverdoanythinginparticular；andwhenyou’vedoneitthere’salwayssomethingelsetodo，andyoucandoitifyoulike，butyou’dmuchbetternot。Lookhere！Ifyou’vereallynothingelseonhandthismorning，supposingwedropdowntherivertogether，andhavealongdayofit？’
TheMolewaggledhistoesfromsheerhappiness，spreadhischestwithasighoffullcontentment，andleanedbackblissfullyintothesoftcushions。`WHATadayI’mhaving！’hesaid。`Letusstartatonce！’
`Holdhardaminute，then！’saidtheRat。Heloopedthepainterthrougharinginhislanding-stage，climbedupintohisholeabove，andafterashortintervalreappearedstaggeringunderafat，wickerluncheon-basket。
`Shovethatunderyourfeet，’heobservedtotheMole，ashepasseditdownintotheboat。Thenheuntiedthepainterandtookthescullsagain。
`What’sinsideit？’askedtheMole，wrigglingwithcuriosity。
`There’scoldchickeninsideit，’repliedtheRatbriefly；
`coldtonguecoldhamcoldbeefpickledgherkinssaladfrenchrollscresssandwichespottedmeatgingerbeerlemonadesodawater————’
`Ostop，stop，’criedtheMoleinecstacies：`Thisistoomuch！’
`Doyoureallythinkso？’enquiredtheRatseriously。`It’sonlywhatIalwaystakeontheselittleexcursions；andtheotheranimalsarealwaystellingmethatI’mameanbeastandcutitVERYfine！’
TheMoleneverheardawordhewassaying。Absorbedinthenewlifehewasenteringupon，intoxicatedwiththesparkle，theripple，thescentsandthesoundsandthesunlight，hetrailedapawinthewateranddreamedlongwakingdreams。TheWaterRat，likethegoodlittlefellowhewas，sculledsteadilyonandforeboretodisturbhim。
`Ilikeyourclothesawfully，oldchap，’heremarkedaftersomehalfanhourorsohadpassed。`I’mgoingtogetablackvelvetsmoking-suitmyselfsomeday，assoonasIcanaffordit。’
`Ibegyourpardon，’saidtheMole，pullinghimselftogetherwithaneffort。`Youmustthinkmeveryrude；butallthisissonewtome。So——this——is——a——River！’
`THERiver，’correctedtheRat。
`Andyoureallylivebytheriver？Whatajollylife！’
`Byitandwithitandonitandinit，’saidtheRat。`It’sbrotherandsistertome，andaunts，andcompany，andfoodanddrink，and（naturally）washing。It’smyworld，andIdon’twantanyother。Whatithasn’tgotisnotworthhaving，andwhatitdoesn’tknowisnotworthknowing。Lord！thetimeswe’vehadtogether！Whetherinwinterorsummer，springorautumn，it’salwaysgotitsfunanditsexcitements。WhenthefloodsareoninFebruary，andmycellarsandbasementarebrimmingwithdrinkthat’snogoodtome，andthebrownwaterrunsbymybestbedroomwindow；oragainwhenitalldropsawayand，showspatchesofmudthatsmellslikeplum-cake，andtherushesandweedclogthechannels，andIcanpotteraboutdryshodovermostofthebedofitandfindfreshfoodtoeat，andthingscarelesspeoplehavedroppedoutofboats！’
`Butisn’titabitdullattimes？’theMoleventuredtoask。
`Justyouandtheriver，andnooneelsetopassawordwith？’
`Nooneelseto——well，Imustn’tbehardonyou，’saidtheRatwithforbearance。`You’renewtoit，andofcourseyoudon’tknow。Thebankissocrowdednowadaysthatmanypeoplearemovingawayaltogether：Ono，itisn’twhatitusedtobe，atall。Otters，kingfishers，dabchicks，moorhens，allofthemaboutalldaylongandalwayswantingyoutoDOsomething——asifafellowhadnobusinessofhisowntoattendto！’
`WhatliesoverTHERE’askedtheMole，wavingapawtowardsabackgroundofwoodlandthatdarklyframedthewater-meadowsononesideoftheriver。
`That？O，that’sjusttheWildWood，’saidtheRatshortly。`Wedon’tgothereverymuch，weriver-bankers。’
`Aren’tthey——aren’ttheyveryNICEpeopleinthere？’saidtheMole，atriflenervously。
`W-e-ll，’repliedtheRat，`letmesee。Thesquirrelsareallright。ANDtherabbits——someof’em，butrabbitsareamixedlot。Andthenthere’sBadger，ofcourse。Helivesrightintheheartofit；wouldn’tliveanywhereelse，either，ifyoupaidhimtodoit。DearoldBadger！NobodyinterfereswithHIM。
They’dbetternot，’headdedsignificantly。
`Why，whoSHOULDinterferewithhim？’askedtheMole。
`Well，ofcourse——there——areothers，’explainedtheRatinahesitatingsortofway。
`Weasels——andstoats——andfoxes——andsoon。They’reallrightinaway——I’mverygoodfriendswiththem——passthetimeofdaywhenwemeet，andallthat——buttheybreakoutsometimes，there’snodenyingit，andthen——well，youcan’treallytrustthem，andthat’sthefact。’
TheMoleknewwellthatitisquiteagainstanimal-etiquettetodwellonpossibletroubleahead，oreventoalludetoit；sohedroppedthesubject。
`AndbeyondtheWildWoodagain？’heasked：`Whereit’sallblueanddim，andoneseeswhatmaybehillsorperhapstheymayn’t，andsomethinglikethesmokeoftowns，orisitonlycloud-
drift？’
`BeyondtheWildWoodcomestheWideWorld，’saidtheRat。`Andthat’ssomethingthatdoesn’tmatter，eithertoyouorme。I’veneverbeenthere，andI’mnevergoing，noryoueither，ifyou’vegotanysenseatall。Don’teverrefertoitagain，please。Nowthen！Here’sourbackwateratlast，wherewe’regoingtolunch。’
Leavingthemainstream，theynowpassedintowhatseemedatfirstsightlikealittleland-lockedlake。Greenturfslopeddowntoeitheredge，brownsnakytree-rootsgleamedbelowthesurfaceofthequietwater，whileaheadofthemthesilveryshoulderandfoamytumbleofaweir，arm-in-armwitharestlessdrippingmill-wheel，thatheldupinitsturnagrey-gabledmill-
house，filledtheairwithasoothingmurmurofsound，dullandsmothery，yetwithlittleclearvoicesspeakingupcheerfullyoutofitatintervals。ItwassoverybeautifulthattheMolecouldonlyholdupbothforepawsandgasp，`Omy！Omy！Omy！’
TheRatbroughttheboatalongsidethebank，madeherfast，helpedthestillawkwardMolesafelyashore，andswungouttheluncheon-basket。TheMolebeggedasafavourtobeallowedtounpackitallbyhimself；andtheRatwasverypleasedtoindulgehim，andtosprawlatfulllengthonthegrassandrest，whilehisexcitedfriendshookoutthetable-clothandspreadit，tookoutallthemysteriouspacketsonebyoneandarrangedtheircontentsindueorder，stillgasping，`Omy！Omy！’ateachfreshrevelation。Whenallwasready，theRatsaid，`Now，pitchin，oldfellow！’andtheMolewasindeedverygladtoobey，forhehadstartedhisspring-cleaningataveryearlyhourthatmorning，aspeopleWILLdo，andhadnotpausedforbiteorsup；andhehadbeenthroughaverygreatdealsincethatdistanttimewhichnowseemedsomanydaysago。
`Whatareyoulookingat？’saidtheRatpresently，whentheedgeoftheirhungerwassomewhatdulled，andtheMole’seyeswereabletowanderoffthetable-clothalittle。
`Iamlooking，’saidtheMole，`atastreakofbubblesthatIseetravellingalongthesurfaceofthewater。Thatisathingthatstrikesmeasfunny。’
`Bubbles？Oho！’saidtheRat，andchirrupedcheerilyinaninvitingsortofway。
Abroadglisteningmuzzleshoweditselfabovetheedgeofthebank，andtheOtterhauledhimselfoutandshookthewaterfromhiscoat。
`Greedybeggars！’heobserved，makingfortheprovender。`Whydidn’tyouinviteme，Ratty？’
`Thiswasanimpromptuaffair，’explainedtheRat。`Bytheway——
myfriendMr。Mole。’
`Proud，I’msure，’saidtheOtter，andthetwoanimalswerefriendsforthwith。
`Sucharumpuseverywhere！’continuedtheOtter。`Alltheworldseemsoutontheriverto-day。Icameupthisbackwatertotryandgetamoment’speace，andthenstumbleuponyoufellows！——Atleast——Ibegpardon——Idon’texactlymeanthat，youknow。’
Therewasarustlebehindthem，proceedingfromahedgewhereinlastyear’sleavesstillclungthick，andastripyhead，withhighshouldersbehindit，peeredforthonthem。
`Comeon，oldBadger！’shoutedtheRat。
TheBadgertrottedforwardapaceortwo；thengrunted，`H’m！
Company，’andturnedhisbackanddisappearedfromview。
`That’sJUSTthesortoffellowheis！’observedthedisappointedRat。`SimplyhatesSociety！Nowweshan’tseeanymoreofhimto-day。Well，tellus，WHO’Soutontheriver？’
`Toad’sout，forone，’repliedtheOtter。`Inhisbrand-newwager-boat；newtogs，neweverything！’
Thetwoanimalslookedateachotherandlaughed。
`Once，itwasnothingbutsailing，’saidtheRat，`Thenhetiredofthatandtooktopunting。Nothingwouldpleasehimbuttopuntalldayandeveryday，andanicemesshemadeofit。Lastyearitwashouse-boating，andweallhadtogoandstaywithhiminhishouse-boat，andpretendwelikedit。Hewasgoingtospendtherestofhislifeinahouse-boat。It’sallthesame，whateverhetakesup；hegetstiredofit，andstartsonsomethingfresh。’
`Suchagoodfellow，too，’remarkedtheOtterreflectively：`Butnostability——especiallyinaboat！’
Fromwheretheysattheycouldgetaglimpseofthemainstreamacrosstheislandthatseparatedthem；andjustthenawager-boatflashedintoview，therower——ashort，stoutfigure——splashingbadlyandrollingagooddeal，butworkinghishardest。TheRatstoodupandhailedhim，butToad——foritwashe——shookhisheadandsettledsternlytohiswork。
`He’llbeoutoftheboatinaminuteifherollslikethat，’
saidtheRat，sittingdownagain。
`Ofcoursehewill，’chuckledtheOtter。`DidIevertellyouthatgoodstoryaboutToadandthelock-keeper？Ithappenedthisway。Toad……’
AnerrantMay-flyswervedunsteadilyathwartthecurrentintheintoxicatedfashionaffectedbyyoungbloodsofMay-fliesseeinglife。Aswirlofwateranda`cloop！’andtheMay-flywasvisiblenomore。
NeitherwastheOtter。
TheMolelookeddown。Thevoicewasstillinhisears，buttheturfwhereonhehadsprawledwasclearlyvacant。NotanOttertobeseen，asfarasthedistanthorizon。
Butagaintherewasastreakofbubblesonthesurfaceoftheriver。
TheRathummedatune，andtheMolerecollectedthatanimal-
etiquetteforbadeanysortofcommentonthesuddendisappearanceofone’sfriendsatanymoment，foranyreasonornoreasonwhatever。
`Well，well，’saidtheRat，`Isupposeweoughttobemoving。I
wonderwhichofushadbetterpacktheluncheon-basket？’Hedidnotspeakasifhewasfrightfullyeagerforthetreat。
`O，pleaseletme，’saidtheMole。So，ofcourse，theRatlethim。
Packingthebasketwasnotquitesuchpleasantworkasunpacking’
thebasket。Itneveris。ButtheMolewasbentonenjoyingeverything，andalthoughjustwhenhehadgotthebasketpackedandstrappeduptightlyhesawaplatestaringupathimfromthegrass，andwhenthejobhadbeendoneagaintheRatpointedoutaforkwhichanybodyoughttohaveseen，andlastofall，behold！themustardpot，whichhehadbeensittingonwithoutknowingit——still，somehow，thethinggotfinishedatlast，withoutmuchlossoftemper。
TheafternoonsunwasgettinglowastheRatsculledgentlyhomewardsinadreamymood，murmuringpoetry-thingsovertohimself，andnotpayingmuchattentiontoMole。ButtheMolewasveryfulloflunch，andself-satisfaction，andpride，andalreadyquiteathomeinaboat（sohethought）andwasgettingabitrestlessbesides：andpresentlyhesaid，`Ratty！Please，_I_
wanttorow，now！’
TheRatshookhisheadwithasmile。`Notyet，myyoungfriend，’
hesaid——’waittillyou’vehadafewlessons。It’snotsoeasyasitlooks。’
TheMolewasquietforaminuteortwo。ButhebegantofeelmoreandmorejealousofRat，scullingsostronglyandsoeasilyalong，andhispridebegantowhisperthathecoulddoiteverybitaswell。Hejumpedupandseizedthesculls，sosuddenly，thattheRat，whowasgazingoutoverthewaterandsayingmorepoetry-thingstohimself，wastakenbysurpriseandfellbackwardsoffhisseatwithhislegsintheairforthesecondtime，whilethetriumphantMoletookhisplaceandgrabbedthescullswithentireconfidence。
`Stopit，youSILLYass！’criedtheRat，fromthebottomoftheboat。`Youcan’tdoit！You’llhaveusover！’
TheMoleflunghisscullsbackwithaflourish，andmadeagreatdigatthewater。Hemissedthesurfacealtogether，hislegsflewupabovehishead，andhefoundhimselflyingonthetopoftheprostrateRat。Greatlyalarmed，hemadeagrabatthesideoftheboat，andthenextmoment——Sploosh！
Overwenttheboat，andhefoundhimselfstrugglingintheriver。
Omy，howcoldthewaterwas，andO，howVERYwetitfelt。
Howitsanginhisearsashewentdown，down，down！Howbrightandwelcomethesunlookedasherosetothesurfacecoughingandspluttering！Howblackwashisdespairwhenhefelthimselfsinkingagain！Thenafirmpawgrippedhimbythebackofhisneck。ItwastheRat，andhewasevidentlylaughing——theMolecouldFEELhimlaughing，rightdownhisarmandthroughhispaw，andsointohis——theMole’s——neck。
TheRatgotholdofascullandshoveditundertheMole’sarm；
thenhedidthesamebytheothersideofhimand，swimmingbehind，propelledthehelplessanimaltoshore，hauledhimout，andsethimdownonthebank，asquashy，pulpylumpofmisery。
WhentheRathadrubbedhimdownabit，andwrungsomeofthewetoutofhim，hesaid，`Now，then，oldfellow！Trotupanddownthetowing-pathashardasyoucan，tillyou’rewarmanddryagain，whileIdivefortheluncheon-basket。’
SothedismalMole，wetwithoutandashamedwithin，trottedabouttillhewasfairlydry，whiletheRatplungedintothewateragain，recoveredtheboat，rightedherandmadeherfast，fetchedhisfloatingpropertytoshorebydegrees，andfinallydivedsuccessfullyfortheluncheon-basketandstruggledtolandwithit。
Whenallwasreadyforastartoncemore，theMole，limpanddejected，tookhisseatinthesternoftheboat；andastheysetoff，hesaidinalowvoice，brokenwithemotion，`Ratty，mygenerousfriend！Iamverysorryindeedformyfoolishandungratefulconduct。MyheartquitefailsmewhenIthinkhowI
mighthavelostthatbeautifulluncheon-basket。Indeed，Ihavebeenacompleteass，andIknowit。Willyouoverlookitthisonceandforgiveme，andletthingsgoonasbefore？’
`That’sallright，blessyou！’respondedtheRatcheerily。
`What’salittlewettoaWaterRat？I’mmoreinthewaterthanoutofitmostdays。Don’tyouthinkanymoreaboutit；and，lookhere！Ireallythinkyouhadbettercomeandstopwithmeforalittletime。It’sveryplainandrough，youknow——notlikeToad’shouseatall——butyouhaven’tseenthatyet；still，Icanmakeyoucomfortable。AndI’llteachyoutorow，andtoswim，andyou’llsoonbeashandyonthewaterasanyofus。’
TheMolewassotouchedbyhiskindmannerofspeakingthathecouldfindnovoicetoanswerhim；andhehadtobrushawayatearortwowiththebackofhispaw。ButtheRatkindlylookedinanotherdirection，andpresentlytheMole’sspiritsrevivedagain，andhewasevenabletogivesomestraightback-talktoacoupleofmoorhenswhoweresniggeringtoeachotherabouthisbedraggledappearance。
Whentheygothome，theRatmadeabrightfireintheparlour，andplantedtheMoleinanarm-chairinfrontofit，havingfetcheddownadressing-gownandslippersforhim，andtoldhimriverstoriestillsupper-time。Verythrillingstoriestheywere，too，toanearth-dwellinganimallikeMole。Storiesaboutweirs，andsuddenfloods，andleapingpike，andsteamersthatflunghardbottles——atleastbottleswerecertainlyflung，andFROMsteamers，sopresumablyBYthem；andaboutherons，andhowparticulartheywerewhomtheyspoketo；andaboutadventuresdowndrains，andnight-fishingswithOtter，orexcursionsfara-
fieldwithBadger。Supperwasamostcheerfulmeal；butveryshortlyafterwardsaterriblysleepyMolehadtobeescortedupstairsbyhisconsideratehost，tothebestbedroom，wherehesoonlaidhisheadonhispillowingreatpeaceandcontentment，knowingthathisnew-foundfriendtheRiverwaslappingthesillofhiswindow。
ThisdaywasonlythefirstofmanysimilaronesfortheemancipatedMole，eachofthemlongerandfullofinterestastheripeningsummermovedonward。Helearnttoswimandtorow，andenteredintothejoyofrunningwater；andwithhiseartothereed-stemshecaught，atintervals，somethingofwhatthewindwentwhisperingsoconstantlyamongthem。
II
THEOPENROAD
`Ratty，’saidtheMolesuddenly，onebrightsummermorning，`ifyouplease，Iwanttoaskyouafavour。’
TheRatwassittingontheriverbank，singingalittlesong。Hehadjustcomposedithimself，sohewasverytakenupwithit，andwouldnotpayproperattentiontoMoleoranythingelse。
Sinceearlymorninghehadbeenswimmingintheriver，incompanywithhisfriendstheducks。Andwhentheducksstoodontheirheadssuddenly，asduckswill，hewoulddivedownandtickletheirnecks，justunderwheretheirchinswouldbeifduckshadchins，tilltheywereforcedtocometothesurfaceagaininahurry，splutteringandangryandshakingtheirfeathersathim，foritisimpossibletosayquiteALLyoufeelwhenyourheadisunderwater。Atlasttheyimploredhimtogoawayandattendtohisownaffairsandleavethemtomindtheirs。SotheRatwentaway，andsatontheriverbankinthesun，andmadeupasongaboutthem，whichhecalled`DUCKS’DITTY。’
Allalongthebackwater，Throughtherushestall，Ducksarea-dabbling，Uptailsall！
Ducks’tails，drakes’tails，Yellowfeeta-quiver，YellowbillsalloutofsightBusyintheriver！
SlushygreenundergrowthWheretheroachswim——
Herewekeepourlarder，Coolandfullanddim。
Everyoneforwhathelikes！
WEliketobeHeadsdown，tailsup，Dabblingfree！
HighintheblueaboveSwiftswhirlandcall——
WEaredowna-dabblingUptailsall！
`Idon’tknowthatIthinksoVERYmuchofthatlittlesong，Rat，’observedtheMolecautiously。Hewasnopoethimselfanddidn’tcarewhoknewit；andhehadacandidnature。
`Nordon’ttheducksneither，’repliedtheRatcheerfully。`Theysay，\"WHYcan’tfellowsbeallowedtodowhattheylikeWHENtheylikeandAStheylike，insteadofotherfellowssittingonbanksandwatchingthemallthetimeandmakingremarksandpoetryandthingsaboutthem？WhatNONSENSEitallis！\"That’swhattheduckssay。’
`Soitis，soitis，’saidtheMole，withgreatheartiness。
`No，itisn’t！’criedtheRatindignantly。
`Wellthen，itisn’t，itisn’t，’repliedtheMolesoothingly。
`ButwhatIwantedtoaskyouwas，won’tyoutakemetocallonMr。Toad？I’veheardsomuchabouthim，andIdosowanttomakehisacquaintance。’
`Why，certainly，’saidthegood-naturedRat，jumpingtohisfeetanddismissingpoetryfromhismindfortheday。`Gettheboatout，andwe’llpaddleupthereatonce。It’sneverthewrongtimetocallonToad。Earlyorlatehe’salwaysthesamefellow。
Alwaysgood-tempered，alwaysgladtoseeyou，alwayssorrywhenyougo！’
`Hemustbeaveryniceanimal，’observedtheMole，ashegotintotheboatandtookthesculls，whiletheRatsettledhimselfcomfortablyinthestern。
`Heisindeedthebestofanimals，’repliedRat。`Sosimple，sogood-natured，andsoaffectionate。Perhapshe’snotveryclever——wecan’tallbegeniuses；anditmaybethatheisbothboastfulandconceited。Buthehasgotsomegreatqualities，hasToady。’
Roundingabendintheriver，theycameinsightofahandsome，dignifiedoldhouseofmellowedredbrick，withwell-keptlawnsreachingdowntothewater’sedge。
`There’sToadHall，’saidtheRat；`andthatcreekontheleft，wherethenotice-boardsays，\"Private。Nolandingallowed，\"
leadstohisboat-house，wherewe’llleavetheboat。Thestablesareovertheretotheright。That’sthebanqueting-hallyou’relookingatnow——veryold，thatis。Toadisratherrich，youknow，andthisisreallyoneofthenicesthousesintheseparts，thoughweneveradmitasmuchtoToad。’
Theyglidedupthecreek，andtheMoleslippedhisscullsastheypassedintotheshadowofalargeboat-house。Heretheysawmanyhandsomeboats，slungfromthecrossbeamsorhauleduponaslip，butnoneinthewater；andtheplacehadanunusedandadesertedair。
TheRatlookedaroundhim。`Iunderstand，’saidhe。`Boatingisplayedout。He’stiredofit，anddonewithit。Iwonderwhatnewfadhehastakenupnow？Comealongandlet’slookhimup。
Weshallhearallaboutitquitesoonenough。’
Theydisembarked，andstrolledacrossthegayflower-deckedlawnsinsearchofToad，whomtheypresentlyhappeneduponrestinginawickergarden-chair，withapre-occupiedexpressionofface，andalargemapspreadoutonhisknees。
`Hooray！’hecried，jumpinguponseeingthem，`thisissplendid！’Heshookthepawsofbothofthemwarmly，neverwaitingforanintroductiontotheMole。`HowKINDofyou！’
hewenton，dancingroundthem。`Iwasjustgoingtosendaboatdowntheriverforyou，Ratty，withstrictordersthatyouweretobefetcheduphereatonce，whateveryouweredoing。Iwantyoubadly——bothofyou。Nowwhatwillyoutake？Comeinsideandhavesomething！Youdon’tknowhowluckyitis，yourturningupjustnow！’
`Let’ssitquietabit，Toady！’saidtheRat，throwinghimselfintoaneasychair，whiletheMoletookanotherbythesideofhimandmadesomecivilremarkaboutToad’s`delightfulresidence。’
`Finesthouseonthewholeriver，’criedToadboisterously。`Oranywhereelse，forthatmatter，’hecouldnothelpadding。
HeretheRatnudgedtheMole。UnfortunatelytheToadsawhimdoit，andturnedveryred。Therewasamoment’spainfulsilence。
ThenToadburstoutlaughing。`Allright，Ratty，’hesaid。
`It’sonlymyway，youknow。Andit’snotsuchaverybadhouse，isit？Youknowyouratherlikeityourself。Now，lookhere。
Let’sbesensible。YouaretheveryanimalsIwanted。You’vegottohelpme。It’smostimportant！’
`It’saboutyourrowing，Isuppose，’saidtheRat，withaninnocentair。`You’regettingonfairlywell，thoughyousplashagoodbitstill。Withagreatdealofpatience，andanyquantityofcoaching，youmay————’
`O，pooh！boating！’interruptedtheToad，ingreatdisgust。
Sillyboyishamusement。I’vegiventhatupLONGago。Sheerwasteoftime，that’swhatitis。Itmakesmedownrightsorrytoseeyoufellows，whooughttoknowbetter，spendingallyourenergiesinthataimlessmanner。No，I’vediscoveredtherealthing，theonlygenuineoccupationforalifetime。Iproposetodevotetheremainderofminetoit，andcanonlyregretthewastedyearsthatliebehindme，squanderedintrivialities。
Comewithme，dearRatty，andyouramiablefriendalso，ifhewillbesoverygood，justasfarasthestable-yard，andyoushallseewhatyoushallsee！’
Heledthewaytothestable-yardaccordingly，theRatfollowingwithamostmistrustfulexpression；andthere，drawnoutofthecoachhouseintotheopen，theysawagipsycaravan，shiningwithnewness，paintedacanary-yellowpickedoutwithgreen，andredwheels。
`Thereyouare！’criedtheToad，straddlingandexpandinghimself。`There’sreallifeforyou，embodiedinthatlittlecart。Theopenroad，thedustyhighway，theheath，thecommon，thehedgerows，therollingdowns！Camps，villages，towns，cities！Hereto-day，upandofftosomewhereelseto-morrow！
Travel，change，interest，excitement！Thewholeworldbeforeyou，andahorizonthat’salwayschanging！Andmind！thisistheveryfinestcartofitssortthatwaseverbuilt，withoutanyexception。Comeinsideandlookatthearrangements。Planned’emallmyself，Idid！’
TheMolewastremendouslyinterestedandexcited，andfollowedhimeagerlyupthestepsandintotheinteriorofthecaravan。
TheRatonlysnortedandthrusthishandsdeepintohispockets，remainingwherehewas。
Itwasindeedverycompactandcomfortable。Littlesleepingbunks——alittletablethatfoldedupagainstthewall——acooking-
stove，lockers，bookshelves，abird-cagewithabirdinit；andpots，pans，jugsandkettlesofeverysizeandvariety。
`Allcomplete！’saidtheToadtriumphantly，pullingopenalocker。`Yousee——biscuits，pottedlobster，sardines——everythingyoucanpossiblywant。Soda-waterhere——baccythere——letter-
paper，bacon，jam，cardsanddominoes——you’llfind，’hecontinued，astheydescendedthestepsagain，`you’llfindthatnothingwhateverhasbeenforgotten，whenwemakeourstartthisafternoon。’
`Ibegyourpardon，’saidtheRatslowly，ashechewedastraw，`butdidIoverhearyousaysomethingabout\"WE，\"and\"START，\"and\"THISAFTERNOON？\"’
`Now，youdeargoodoldRatty，’saidToad，imploringly，`don’tbegintalkinginthatstiffandsniffysortofway，becauseyouknowyou’veGOTtocome。Ican’tpossiblymanagewithoutyou，sopleaseconsideritsettled，anddon’targue——it’stheonethingIcan’tstand。Yousurelydon’tmeantosticktoyourdullfustyoldriverallyourlife，andjustliveinaholeinabank，andBOAT？Iwanttoshowyoutheworld！I’mgoingtomakeanANIMALofyou，myboy！’
`Idon’tcare，’saidtheRat，doggedly。`I’mnotcoming，andthat’sflat。AndIAMgoingtosticktomyoldriver，AND
liveinahole，ANDboat，asI’vealwaysdone。Andwhat’smore，Mole’sgoingtostickmeanddoasIdo，aren’tyou，Mole？’
`OfcourseIam，’saidtheMole，loyally。`I’llalwayssticktoyou，Rat，andwhatyousayistobe——hasgottobe。Allthesame，itsoundsasifitmighthavebeen——well，ratherfun，youknow！’headded，wistfully。PoorMole！TheLifeAdventurouswassonewathingtohim，andsothrilling；andthisfreshaspectofitwassotempting；andhehadfalleninloveatfirstsightwiththecanary-colouredcartandallitslittlefitments。
TheRatsawwhatwaspassinginhismind，andwavered。Hehateddisappointingpeople，andhewasfondoftheMole，andwoulddoalmostanythingtoobligehim。Toadwaswatchingbothofthemclosely。
`Comealongin，andhavesomelunch，’hesaid，diplomatically，`andwe’lltalkitover。Weneedn’tdecideanythinginahurry。
Ofcourse，_I_don’treallycare。Ionlywanttogivepleasuretoyoufellows。\"Liveforothers！\"That’smymottoinlife。’
Duringluncheon——whichwasexcellent，ofcourse，aseverythingatToadHallalwayswas——theToadsimplylethimselfgo。
DisregardingtheRat，heproceededtoplayupontheinexperiencedMoleasonaharp。Naturallyavolubleanimal，andalwaysmasteredbyhisimagination，hepaintedtheprospectsofthetripandthejoysoftheopenlifeandtheroadsideinsuchglowingcoloursthattheMolecouldhardlysitinhischairforexcitement。Somehow，itsoonseemedtakenforgrantedbyallthreeofthemthatthetripwasasettledthing；andtheRat，thoughstillunconvincedinhismind，allowedhisgood-naturetoover-ridehispersonalobjections。Hecouldnotbeartodisappointhistwofriends，whowerealreadydeepinschemesandanticipations，planningouteachday’sseparateoccupationforseveralweeksahead。
Whentheywerequiteready，thenowtriumphantToadledhiscompanionstothepaddockandsetthemtocapturetheoldgreyhorse，who，withouthavingbeenconsulted，andtohisownextremeannoyance，hadbeentoldoffbyToadforthedustiestjobinthisdustyexpedition。Hefranklypreferredthepaddock，andtookadealofcatching。MeantimeToadpackedthelockersstilltighterwithnecessaries，andhungnosebags，netsofonions，bundlesofhay，andbasketsfromthebottomofthecart。Atlastthehorsewascaughtandharnessed，andtheysetoff，alltalkingatonce，eachanimaleithertrudgingbythesideofthecartorsittingontheshaft，asthehumourtookhim。Itwasagoldenafternoon。Thesmellofthedusttheykickedupwasrichandsatisfying；outofthickorchardsoneithersidetheroad，birdscalledandwhistledtothemcheerily；good-naturedwayfarers，passingthem，gavethem`Good-day，’orstoppedtosaynicethingsabouttheirbeautifulcart；andrabbits，sittingattheirfrontdoorsinthehedgerows，helduptheirfore-paws，andsaid，`Omy！
Omy！Omy！’
Lateintheevening，tiredandhappyandmilesfromhome，theydrewuponaremotecommonfarfromhabitations，turnedthehorseloosetograze，andatetheirsimplesuppersittingonthegrassbythesideofthecart。Toadtalkedbigaboutallhewasgoingtodointhedaystocome，whilestarsgrewfullerandlargerallaroundthem，andayellowmoon，appearingsuddenlyandsilentlyfromnowhereinparticular，cametokeepthemcompanyandlistentotheirtalk。Atlasttheyturnedintotheirlittlebunksinthecart；andToad，kickingouthislegs，sleepilysaid，`Well，goodnight，youfellows！Thisisthereallifeforagentleman！
Talkaboutyouroldriver！’
`IDON’Ttalkaboutmyriver，’repliedthepatientRat。
`YouKNOWIdon’t，Toad。ButITHINKaboutit，’headdedpathetically，inalowertone：`Ithinkaboutit——allthetime！’
TheMolereachedoutfromunderhisblanket，feltfortheRat’spawinthedarkness，andgaveitasqueeze。`I’lldowhateveryoulike，Ratty，’hewhispered。`Shallwerunawayto-morrowmorning，quiteearly——VERYearly——andgobacktoourdearoldholeontheriver？’
`No，no，we’llseeitout，’whisperedbacktheRat。`Thanksawfully，butIoughttostickbyToadtillthistripisended。
Itwouldn’tbesafeforhimtobelefttohimself。Itwon’ttakeverylong。Hisfadsneverdo。Goodnight！’
TheendwasindeednearerthaneventheRatsuspected。
AftersomuchopenairandexcitementtheToadsleptverysoundly，andnoamountofshakingcouldrousehimoutofbednextmorning。SotheMoleandRatturnedto，quietlyandmanfully，andwhiletheRatsawtothehorse，andlitafire，andcleanedlastnight’scupsandplatters，andgotthingsreadyforbreakfast，theMoletrudgedofftothenearestvillage，alongwayoff，formilkandeggsandvariousnecessariestheToadhad，ofcourse，forgottentoprovide。Thehardworkhadallbeendone，andthetwoanimalswereresting，thoroughlyexhausted，bythetimeToadappearedonthescene，freshandgay，remarkingwhatapleasanteasylifeitwastheywereallleadingnow，afterthecaresandworriesandfatiguesofhousekeepingathome。
Theyhadapleasantramblethatdayovergrassydownsandalongnarrowby-lanes，andcampedasbefore，onacommon，onlythistimethetwogueststookcarethatToadshoulddohisfairshareofwork。Inconsequence，whenthetimecameforstartingnextmorning，Toadwasbynomeanssorapturousaboutthesimplicityoftheprimitivelife，andindeedattemptedtoresumehisplaceinhisbunk，whencehewashauledbyforce。Theirwaylay，asbefore，acrosscountrybynarrowlanes，anditwasnottilltheafternoonthattheycameoutonthehigh-road，theirfirsthigh-
road；andtheredisaster，fleetandunforeseen，sprangoutonthem——disastermomentousindeedtotheirexpedition，butsimplyoverwhelminginitseffectontheafter-careerofToad。
