fore you, and a horizon that's always changing! And
mind! this is the very finest cart of its sort that was ever built,
without any exception. Come inside and look at the arrangements.
Planned 'em all myself, I did!"

The Mole was tremendously interested and excited, and followed him
eagerly up the steps and into the interior of the caravan. The Rat
only snorted and thrust his hands deep into his pockets, remaining
where he was.

It was indeed very compact and comfortable. Little sleeping bunks--a
little table that folded up against the wall--a cooking-stove,
lockers, book-shelves, a bird-cage with a bird in it; and pots, pans,
jugs, and kettles of every size and variety.

"All complete!" said the Toad triumphantly, pulling open a locker.
"You see--biscuits, potted lobster, sardines--everything you can
possibly want. Soda-water here--baccy there--letter-paper, bacon, jam,
cards, and dominoes--you'll find," he continued, as they descended the
steps again, "you'll find that nothing whatever has been forgotten,
when we make our start this afternoon."

"I beg your pardon," said the Rat slowly, as he chewed a straw, "but
did I overhear you say something about '_we_,' and '_start_,' and
'_this afternoon_'?"

"Now, you dear good old Ratty," said Toad imploringly, "don't begin
talking in that stiff and sniffy sort of way, because you know you've
_got_ to come. I can't possibly manage without you, so please consider
it settled, and don't argue--it's the one thing I can't stand. You
surely don't mean to stick to your dull fusty old river all your life,
and just live in a hole in a bank, and _boat_? I want to show you the
world! I'm going to make an _animal_ of you, my boy!"

"I don't care," said the Rat doggedly. "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
disa