The Hedgehogs

The Wind in the Willows 24 The Hedgehogs

In the morning, Rat and Mole slept late. They got up and went to Badger’s kitchen. Two little hedgehogs were eating breakfast. The hedgehogs stood and bowed.

“ Please sit down, ” said Rat, yawning. “ Why are you here?” asked Mole. “ We were on our way to school, ” said the older hedgehog.

“ Mother made us go, ” said the younger hedgehog. “ She always makes us go. ” “ Even in a storm, ” said the older hedgehog.

“ And?” said Rat, breaking eggs into a pan. “ We got lost, ” said the older hedgehog. We saw Badger’s door and knocked. ”

Suddenly the doorbell clanged. Billy, the younger hedgehog, answered the door. Noisy stomping came from the hall. “ What’s all the excitement about?” said Mole.