Mr. Toad

           ITwasabrightmorningintheearlypartofsummer;theriverhadresumeditswontedbanksanditsaccustomedpace,andahotsunseemedtobepullingeverythinggreenandbushyandspikyupoutoftheearthtowardshim,asifbystrings.TheMoleandtheWaterRathadbeenupsincedawn,verybusyonmattersconnectedwithboatsandtheopeningoftheboatingseason;paintingandvarnishing,mendingpaddles,repairingcushions,huntingformissingboat-hooks,andsoon;andwerefinishingbreakfastintheirlittleparlourandeagerlydiscussingtheirplansfortheday,whenaheavyknocksoundedatthedoor.

           "Bother!"saidtheRat,alloveregg."Seewhoitis,Mole,likeagoodchap,sinceyou’vefinished."

           TheMolewenttoattendthesummons,andtheRatheardhimutteracryofsurprise.Thenheflungtheparlourdooropen,andannouncedwithmuchimportance,"Mr.Badger!"

           Thiswasawonderfulthing,indeed,thattheBadgershouldpayaformalcallonthem,orindeedonanybody.Hegenerallyhadtobecaught,ifyouwantedhimbadly,asheslippedquietlyalongahedgerowofanearlymorningoralateevening,orelsehuntedupinhisownhouseinthemiddleoftheWood,whichwasaseriousundertaking.

           TheBadgerstrodeheavilyintotheroom,andstoodlookingatthetwoanimalswithanexpressionfullofseriousness.TheRatlethisegg-spoonfallonthetable-cloth,andsatopen-mouthed.

           "Thehourhascome!"saidtheBadgeratlastwithgreatsolemnity.