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'I'm not coming, and that's flat.

And I AM going to stick to my old river, AND live in a hole, AND boat, as I've always done.

And what's more, Mole's going to stick to me and do as I do, aren't you, Mole?'

'Of course I am,' said the Mole, loyally.

I'll always stick to you, Rat, and what you say is to be-has got to be.

All the same, it sounds as if it might have been-well, rather fun, you know!' he added, wistfully.

Poor Mole! The Life Adventurous was so new a thing to him, and so thrilling; and this fresh aspect of it was so tempting; and he had fallen in love at first sight with the canary-coloured cart and all its little fitments.

The Rat saw what was passing in his mind, and wavered.

He hated disappointing people, and he was fond of the Mole, and would do almost anything to oblige him.

Toad was watching both of them closely.

'Come along in, and have some lunch,' he said, diplomatically, 'and we'll talk it over.

We needn't decide anything in a hurry.

Of course, I don't really care.

I only want to give pleasure to you fellows.

Live for others! That's my motto in life.'

During luncheon-which was excellent, of course, as everything at Toad Hall always was-the Toad simply let himself go.

Disregarding the Rat, he proceeded to play upon the inexperienced Mole as on a harp.

Naturally a voluble animal, and always mastered by his imagination, he painted the prospects of the trip and the joys of the open life and the roadside in such glowing colours that the Mole could hardly sit in his chair for excitement.

Somehow, it soon seemed taken for granted by all three of them that the trip was a settled thing; and the Rat, though still unconvinced in his mind, allowed his good-nature to over-ride his personal objections.

He could not bear to disappoint his two friends, who were already deep in schemes and anticipations, planning out each day's separate occupation for several weeks ahead.

When they were quite ready, the now triumphant Toad led his companions to the paddock and set them to capture the old grey horse, who, without having been consulted, and to his own extreme annoyance, had been told off by Toad for the dustiest job in this dusty expedition.

He frankly preferred the paddock, and took a deal of catching.

Meantime Toad packed the lockers still tighter with necessaries, and hung nosebags, nets of onions, bundles of hay, and baskets from the bottom of the cart.

At last the horse was caught and harnessed, and they set off, all talking at once, each animal either trudging by the side of the cart or sitting on the shaft, as the humour took him.

It was a golden afternoon.

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