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           Thenhedippedhishairbrushinthewater-jug,partedhishairinthemiddle,andplastereditdownverystraightandsleekoneachsideofhisface;and,unlockingthedoor,wentquietlydownthestairstogreethisguests,whoheknewmustbeassemblinginthedrawing-room.

           Alltheanimalscheeredwhenheentered,andcrowdedroundtocongratulatehimandsaynicethingsabouthiscourage,andhiscleverness,andhisfightingqualities;butToadonlysmiledfaintly,andmurmured,"Notatall!"Or,sometimes,forachange,"Onthecontrary!"Otter,whowasstandingonthehearthrug,describingtoanadmiringcircleoffriendsexactlyhowhewouldhavemanagedthingshadhebeenthere,cameforwardwithashout,threwhisarmroundToad’sneck,andtriedtotakehimroundtheroomintriumphalprogress;butToad,inamildway,wasrathersnubbytohim,remarkinggently,ashedisengagedhimself,"Badger’swasthemastermind;theMoleandtheWaterRatborethebruntofthefighting;Imerelyservedintheranksanddidlittleornothing."Theanimalswereevidentlypuzzledandtakenabackbythisunexpectedattitudeofhis;andToadfelt,ashemovedfromoneguesttotheother,makinghismodestresponses,thathewasanobjectofabsorbinginteresttoeveryone.

           TheBadgerhadorderedeverythingofthebest,andthebanquetwasagreatsuccess.