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           Itwascloseandairless,andtheearthysmellwasstrong,anditseemedalongtimetoRaterethepassageendedandhecouldstanderectandstretchandshakehimself.TheMolestruckamatch,andbyitslighttheRatsawthattheywerestandinginanopenspace,neatlysweptandsandedunderfoot,anddirectlyfacingthemwasMole’slittlefrontdoor,with"MoleEnd"painted,inGothiclettering,overthebell-pullattheside.

           Molereacheddownalanternfromanailonthewallandlitit,andtheRat,lookingroundhim,sawthattheywereinasortoffore-court.Agarden-seatstoodononesideofthedoor,andontheotheraroller;fortheMole,whowasatidyanimalwhenathome,couldnotstandhavinghisgroundkickedupbyotheranimalsintolittlerunsthatendedinearth-heaps.Onthewallshungwirebasketswithfernsinthem,alternatingwithbracketscarryingplasterstatuary—Garibaldi,andtheinfantSamuel,andQueenVictoria,andotherheroesofmodernItaly.Downononesideofthefore-courtranaskittle-alley,withbenchesalongitandlittlewoodentablesmarkedwithringsthathintedatbeer-mugs.Inthemiddlewasasmallroundpondcontaininggold-fishandsurroundedbyacockle-shellborder.Outofthecentreofthepondroseafancifulerectionclothedinmorecockle-shellsandtoppedbyalargesilveredglassballthatreflectedeverythingallwrongandhadaverypleasingeffect.