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The Return of Ulysses
Theywerebutfourinall,buttothepanic-strickenweaselsthehallseemedfullofmonstrousanimals,grey,black,brownandyellow,whoopingandflourishingenormouscudgels;andtheybrokeandfledwithsquealsofterroranddismay,thiswayandthat,throughthewindows,upthechimney,anywheretogetoutofreachofthoseterriblesticks.
Theaffairwassoonover.Upanddown,thewholelengthofthehall,strodethefourFriends,whackingwiththeirsticksateveryheadthatshoweditself;andinfiveminutestheroomwascleared.Throughthebrokenwindowstheshrieksofterrifiedweaselsescapingacrossthelawnwerebornefaintlytotheirears;onthefloorlayprostratesomedozenorsooftheenemy,onwhomtheMolewasbusilyengagedinfittinghandcuffs.TheBadger,restingfromhislabours,leantonhisstickandwipedhishonestbrow.
"Mole,"hesaid,"you’rethebestoffellows!Justcutalongoutsideandlookafterthosestoat-sentriesofyours,andseewhatthey’redoing.I’veanideathat,thankstoyou,weshan’thavemuchtroublefromthemto-night!"
TheMolevanishedpromptlythroughawindow;andtheBadgerbadetheothertwosetatableonitslegsagain,pickupknivesandforksandplatesandglassesfromthedébrisonthefloor,andseeiftheycouldfindmaterialsforasupper."Iwantsomegrub,Ido,"hesaid,inthatrathercommonwayhehadofspeaking.
