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gloomy； and； to tell the truth； decidedly shabby passage； into a sort of a
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central hall； out of which they could dimly see other long tunnel…like
passages branching； passages mysterious and without apparent end。 But
there were doors in the hall as wellstout oaken comfortable…looking
doors。 One of these the Badger flung open； and at once they found
themselves in all the glow and warmth of a large fire…lit kitchen。
The floor was well…worn red brick； and on the wide hearth burnt a fire
of logs； between two attractive chimney…corners tucked away in the wall；
well out of any suspicion of draught。 A couple of high…backed settles；
facing each other on either side of the fire； gave further sitting
accommodations for the sociably disposed。 In the middle of the room
stood a long table of plain boards placed on trestles； with benches down
each side。 At one end of it； where an arm…chair stood pushed back； were
spread the remains of the Badger's plain but ample supper。 Rows of
spotless plates winked from the shelves of the dresser at the far end of the
room； and from the rafters overhead hung hams； bundles of dried herbs；
nets of onions； and baskets of eggs。 It seemed a place where heroes could
fitly feast after victory； where weary harvesters could line up in scores
along the table and keep their Harvest Home with mirth and song； or
where two or three friends of simple tastes could sit about as they pleased
and eat and smoke and talk in comfort and contentment。 The ruddy brick
floor smiled up at the smoky ceiling； the oaken settles； shiny with long
wear； exchanged cheerful glances with each other； plates on the dresser
grinned at pots on the shelf； and the merry firelight flickered and played
over everything without distinction。
The kindly Badger thrust them down on a settle to toast themselves at
the fire； and bade them remove their wet coats and boots。 Then he fetched
them dressing…gowns and slippers； and himself bathed the Mole's shin
with warm water and mended the cut with sticking…plaster till the whole
thing was just as good as new； if not better。 In the embracing light and
warmth； warm and dry at last； with weary legs propped up in front of them；
and a suggestive clink of plates being arranged on the table behind； it
seemed to the storm…driven animals； now in safe anchorage； that the cold
and trackless Wild Wood just left outside was miles and miles away； and
all that they had suffered in it a half… forgotten dream。
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When at last they were thoroughly toasted； the Badger summoned
them to the table； where he had been busy laying a repast。 They had felt
pretty hungry before； but when they actually saw at last the supper that
was spread for them； really it seemed only a question of what they should
attack first where all was so attractive； and whether the other things would
obligingly wait for them till they had time to give them attention。
Conversation was impossible for a long time； and when it was slowly
resumed； it was that regrettable sort of conversation that results from
talking with your mouth full。 The Badger did not mind that sort of thing at
all； nor did he take any notice of elbows on the table； or everybody
speaking at once。 As he did not go into Society himself； he had got an idea
that these things belonged to the things that didn't really matter。 （We know
of course that he was wrong； and took too narrow a view； because they do
matter very much； though it would take too long to explain why。） He sat in
his arm…chair at the head of the table； and nodded gravely at intervals as
the animals told their story； and he did not seem surprised or shocked at
anything； and he never said； ‘I told you so；' or； ‘Just what I always said；' or
remarked that they ought to have done so…and…so； or ought not to have
done something else。 The Mole began to feel very friendly towards him。
When supper was really finished at last； and each animal felt that his
skin was now as tight as was decently safe； and that by this time he didn't
care a hang for anybody or anything； they gathered round the glowing
embers of the great wood fire； and thought how jolly it was to be sitting up
SO late； and SO independent； and SO full； and after they had chatted for a
time about things in general； the Badger said heartily； ‘Now then！ tell us
the news from your part of the world。 How's old Toad going on？'
‘Oh； from bad to worse；' said the Rat gravely； while the Mole； cocked
up on a settle and basking in the firelight； his heels higher than his head；
tried to look properly mournful。 ‘Another smash…up only last week； and a
bad one。 You see； he will insist on driving himself； and he's hopelessly
incapable。 If he'd only employ a decent； steady； well…trained animal； pay
him good wages； and leave everything to him； he'd get on all right。 But no；
he's convinced he's a heaven…born driver； and nobody can teach him
anything； and all the rest follows。'
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‘How many has he had？' inquired the Badger gloomily。
‘Smashes； or machines？' asked the Rat。 ‘Oh； well； after all； it's the
same thingwith Toad。 This is the seventh。 As for the othersyou know
that coach…house of his？ Well； it's piled up literally piled up to the roof
with fragments of motor…cars； none of them bigger than your hat！ That
accounts for the other sixso far as they can be accounted for。'
‘He's been in hospital three times；' put in the Mole； ‘and as for the
fines he's had to pay； it's simply awful to think of。'
‘Yes； and that's part of the trouble；' continued the Rat。 ‘Toad's rich； we
all know； but he's not a millionaire。 And he's a hopelessly bad driver； and
quite regardless of law and order。 Killed or ruinedit's got to be one of the
two things； sooner or later。 Badger！ we're his friendsoughtn't we to do
something？'
The Badger went through a bit of hard thinking。 ‘Now look here！' he
said at last； rather severely； ‘of course you know I can't do anything
NOW？'
His two friends assented； quite understanding his point。 No animal；
according to the rules of animal…etiquette； is ever expected to do anything
strenuous； or heroic； or even moderately active during the off…season of
winter。 All are sleepysome actually asleep。 All are weather…bound； more
or less； and all are resting from arduous days and nights； during which
every muscle in them has been severely tested； and every energy kept at
full stretch。
‘Very well then！' continued the Badger。 ‘BUT； when once the year has
really turned； and the nights are shorter； and halfway through them one
rouses and feels fidgety and wanting to be up and doing by sunrise； if not
beforeYOU know！'
Both animals nodded gravely。 THEY knew！
‘Well； THEN；' went on the Badger； ‘wethat is； you and me an