Mr. Badger

The Wind in the Willows 20 Mr. Badger

Rat brushed at the snow. He cleared away an area of painted wood. “ What is it?” said Mole, excited. “ Never mind, ” said Rat. “ Now we must really dig. ”

They scraped and dug and pushed away the snow. At last the entire piece of wood was cleared. In the moonlight, Mole saw what it was. “ Why, it’s a little door! ” cried Mole.

An iron bell hung beside the door. “ Read this, Mole, ” said Rat, pointing. A name was carved in the center of the door: MR. BADGER.

Mole fell backward in the snow. “ Rat! ” he cried with surprise. “ It’s Mr. Badger’s house! You have a very clever brain, Ratty! ”

“ How did you figure it out?” asked Mole. “ Are you going to talk all night?” said Rat. “ Ring that bell! ”