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 sleepy--some 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 before--YOU know!----'
Both animals nodded gravely. THEY knew!
'Well, THEN,' went on the Badger, 'we--that is, you and me and our
friend the Mole here--we'll take Toad seriously in hand. We'll stand
no nonsense whatever. We'll bring him back to reason, by force if
need be. We'll MAKE him be a sensible Toad. We'll--you're asleep,
Rat!'
'Not me!' said the Rat, waking up with a jerk.
'He's been asleep two or three times since supper,' said the Mole,
laughing.
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