Ветер в ивах
Mr. Badger
Theyknew!
"Well,then,"wentontheBadger,"we—thatis,youandmeandourfriendtheMolehere—we’lltakeToadseriouslyinhand.We’llstandnononsensewhatever.We’llbringhimbacktoreason,byforceifneedbe.We’llmakehimbeasensibleToad.We’ll—you’reasleep,Rat!"
"Notme!"saidtheRat,wakingupwithajerk.
"He’sbeenasleeptwoorthreetimessincesupper,"saidtheMole,laughing.Hehimselfwasfeelingquitewakefulandevenlively,thoughhedidn’tknowwhy.Thereasonwas,ofcourse,thathebeingnaturallyanundergroundanimalbybirthandbreeding,thesituationofBadger’shouseexactlysuitedhimandmadehimfeelathome;whiletheRat,whoslepteverynightinabedroomthewindowsofwhichopenedonabreezyriver,naturallyfelttheatmospherestillandoppressive.
"Well,it’stimewewereallinbed,"saidtheBadger,gettingupandfetchingflatcandlesticks."Comealong,youtwo,andI’llshowyouyourquarters.Andtakeyourtimeto-morrowmorning—breakfastatanyhouryouplease!"
Heconductedthetwoanimalstoalongroomthatseemedhalfbedchamberandhalfloft.