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Then he dipped his hairbrush in the water…jug； parted his hair in the
middle； and plastered it down very straight and sleek on each side of his
face； and； unlocking the door； went quietly down the stairs to greet his
guests； who he knew must be assembling in the drawing…room。
All the animals cheered when he entered； and crowded round to
congratulate him and say nice things about his courage； and his cleverness；
and his fighting qualities； but Toad only smiled faintly； and murmured；
‘Not at all！' Or； sometimes； for a change； ‘On the contrary！' Otter； who was
standing on the hearthrug； describing to an admiring circle of friends
exactly how he would have managed things had he been there； came
forward with a shout； threw his arm round Toad's neck； and tried to take
him round the room in triumphal progress； but Toad； in a mild way； was
rather snubby to him； remarking gently； as he disengaged himself；
‘Badger's was the mastermind； the Mole and the Water Rat bore the brunt
of the fighting； I merely served in the ranks and did little or nothing。' The
animals were evidently puzzled and taken aback by this unexpected
attitude of his； and Toad felt； as he moved from one guest to the other；
making his modest responses； that he was an object of absorbing interest
to every one。
The Badger had ordered everything of the best； and the banquet was a
great success。 There was much talking and laughter and chaff among the
animals； but through it all Toad； who of course was in the chair； looked
down his nose and murmured pleasant nothings to the animals on either
side of him。 At intervals he stole a glance at the Badger and the Rat； and
always when he looked they were staring at each other with their mouths
open； and this gave him the greatest satisfaction。 Some of the younger and
livelier animals； as the evening wore on； got whispering to each other that
things were not so amusing as they used to be in the good old days； and
there were some knockings on the table and cries of ‘Toad！ Speech！
Speech from Toad！ Song！ Mr。 Toad's song！' But Toad only shook his head
gently； raised one paw in mild protest； and； by pressing delicacies on his
guests； by topical small…talk； and by earnest inquiries after members of
their families not yet old enough to appear at social functions； managed to
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THE WIND IN THE WILLOWS
convey to them that this dinner was being run on strictly conventional
lines。
He was indeed an altered Toad！
* * * * *
After this climax； the four animals continued to lead their lives； so
rudely broken in upon by civil war； in great joy and contentment；
undisturbed by further risings or invasions。 Toad； after due consultation
with his friends； selected a handsome gold chain and locket set with pearls；
which he dispatched to the gaoler's daughter with a letter that even the
Badger admitted to be modest； grateful； and appreciative； and the engine…
driver； in his turn； was properly thanked and compensated for all his pains
and trouble。 Under severe compulsion from the Badger； even the barge…
woman was； with some trouble； sought out and the value of her horse
discreetly made good to her； though Toad kicked terribly at this； holding
himself to be an instrument of Fate； sent to punish fat women with mottled
arms who couldn't tell a real gentleman when they saw one。 The amount
involved； it was true； was not very burdensome； the gipsy's valuation
being admitted by local assessors to be approximately correct。
Sometimes； in the course of long summer evenings； the friends would
take a stroll together in the Wild Wood； now successfully tamed so far as
they were concerned； and it was pleasing to see how respectfully they
were greeted by the inhabitants； and how the mother…weasels would bring
their young ones to the mouths of their holes； and say； pointing； ‘Look；
baby！ There goes the great Mr。 Toad！ And that's the gallant Water Rat； a
terrible fighter； walking along o' him！ And yonder comes the famous Mr。
Mole； of whom you so often have heard your father tell！' But when their
infants were fractious and quite beyond control； they would quiet them by
telling how； if they didn't hush them and not fret them； the terrible grey
Badger would up and get them。 This was a base libel on Badger； who；
though he cared little about Society； was rather fond of children； but it
never failed to have its full effect。
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