Mr. Badger

           THEYwaitedpatientlyforwhatseemedaverylongtime,stampinginthesnowtokeeptheirfeetwarm.Atlasttheyheardthesoundofslowshufflingfootstepsapproachingthedoorfromtheinside.Itseemed,astheMoleremarkedtotheRat,likesomeonewalkingincarpetslippersthatweretoolargeforhimanddownatheel;whichwasintelligentofMole,becausethatwasexactlywhatitwas.

           Therewasthenoiseofaboltshotback,andthedooropenedafewinches,enoughtoshowalongsnoutandapairofsleepyblinkingeyes.

           "Now,theverynexttimethishappens,"saidagruffandsuspiciousvoice,"Ishallbeexceedinglyangry.Whoisitthistime,disturbingpeopleonsuchanight?Speakup!"

           "Oh,Badger,"criedtheRat,"letusin,please.It’sme,Rat,andmyfriendMole,andwe’velostourwayinthesnow."

           "What,Ratty,mydearlittleman!"exclaimedtheBadger,inquiteadifferentvoice."Comealongin,bothofyou,atonce.Why,youmustbeperished.Well,Inever!Lostinthesnow!AndintheWildWood,too,andatthistimeofnight!Butcomeinwithyou."

           Thetwoanimalstumbledovereachotherintheireagernesstogetinside,andheardthedoorshutbehindthemwithgreatjoyandrelief.

           TheBadger,whoworealongdressing-gown,andwhoseslipperswereindeedverydownatheel,carriedaflatcandlestickinhispawandhadprobablybeenonhiswaytobedwhentheirsummonssounded.