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           "

           "O,allright,"saidthegood-naturedRat,"restaway.It’sprettynearlypitchdarknow,anyhow;andthereoughttobeabitofamoonlater."

           SotheMolegotwellintothedryleavesandstretchedhimselfout,andpresentlydroppedoffintosleep,thoughofabrokenandtroubledsort;whiletheRatcoveredhimselfup,too,asbesthemight,forwarmth,andlaypatientlywaiting,withapistolinhispaw.

           WhenatlasttheMolewokeup,muchrefreshedandinhisusualspirits,theRatsaid,"Nowthen!I’lljusttakealookoutsideandseeifeverything’squiet,andthenwereallymustbeoff."

           Hewenttotheentranceoftheirretreatandputhisheadout.ThentheMoleheardhimsayingquietlytohimself,"Hullo!hullo!here—is—a—go!"

           "What’sup,Ratty?"askedtheMole.

           "Snowisup,"repliedtheRatbriefly;"orrather,down.It’ssnowinghard."

           TheMolecameandcrouchedbesidehim,and,lookingout,sawthewoodthathadbeensodreadfultohiminquiteachangedaspect.Holes,hollows,pools,pitfalls,andotherblackmenacestothewayfarerwerevanishingfast,andagleamingcarpetoffaerywasspringingupeverywhere,thatlookedtoodelicatetobetroddenuponbyroughfeet.Afinepowderfilledtheairandcaressedthecheekwithatingleinitstouch,andtheblackbolesofthetreesshowedupinalightthatseemedtocomefrombelow.