The river bank (6)

The river bank (6)

By it and with it and on it and in it, " said the Rat.

" It's brother and sister to me, and company, and food and drink, and (naturally)washing.
It's my world, and I don't want say another. What it hasn't got is not worth having,and what it doesn't know is not worth knowing.
Lord ! the time we've had together !
Whether in winter or summer, spring or autumn, it's always got its fun and its excitements."

" But isn't it a bit dull at times ? " the Mole ventures to ask.
" Just you and the river, and no one else to pass a word with ? "

" No one else to ーwell, I mustn't be hard on you, " said the Rat.
" You're new to it, and of course you don't know.
The bank is so crowed nowadays that many people are moving away altogether.
Oh, no, it isn't what it used to be, at all.
Otters, kingfishers, dabchiks, moorhens, all of them about all day long and always wanting you to DO somethingーas if a fellow had no business of his own to attend to ! "

"It was so very beautiful that the Mole could only hold up both fore-paws and gasp, " O my ! Oh my ! O my ! "

The Rat helped the Mole safely ashore, and swung out the luncheon-basket.

The Mole begged to be allowed to unpack it all by himself.



The Rat was very pleased to indulge him, and to sprawl at full length on the grass and rest.

When all was ready, the Rat said, " Now, pitch in, old fellow ! "



The Mole was very glad to, for he had started his spring-cleaning at a very early hour that morning, as people will do, and had not paused for bite or sup.

(6/20)