“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.