Ветер в ивах

           "

           "Nowlookhere,you—youthick-headedbeast,"repliedtheRat,reallyangry,"thismuststop.Notanotherword,butscrape—scrapeandscratchanddigandhuntround,especiallyonthesidesofthehummocks,ifyouwanttosleepdryandwarmto-night,forit’sourlastchance!"

           TheRatattackedasnow-bankbesidethemwithardour,probingwithhiscudgeleverywhereandthendiggingwithfury;andtheMolescrapedbusilytoo,moretoobligetheRatthanforanyotherreason,forhisopinionwasthathisfriendwasgettinglight-headed.

           Sometenminutes’hardwork,andthepointoftheRat’scudgelstrucksomethingthatsoundedhollow.Heworkedtillhecouldgetapawthroughandfeel;thencalledtheMoletocomeandhelphim.Hardatitwentthetwoanimals,tillatlasttheresultoftheirlaboursstoodfullinviewoftheastonishedandhithertoincredulousMole.

           Inthesideofwhathadseemedtobeasnow-bankstoodasolid-lookinglittledoor,paintedadarkgreen.Anironbell-pullhungbytheside,andbelowit,onasmallbrassplate,neatlyengravedinsquarecapitalletters,theycouldreadbytheaidofmoonlight

           MR.BADGER.

           TheMolefellbackwardsonthesnowfromsheersurpriseanddelight."Rat!"hecriedinpenitence,"you’reawonder!Arealwonder,that’swhatyouare