The river bank (12)

The river bank (12)

How it sang in his ears as he went down, down, down !
How bright and welcome the sun looked as he rose to the surface coughing and spluttering.  

Then a firm paw gripped him by the back of his neck.

It was the Rat, and he was evidently laughing.

The Mole could FEEL him laughing, right down his arm and through his paw.

The rat got hold of a scull and shoved it under the Mole's arm.

Then he swam behind the mole, propelled the helpless Mole to shore, hauled him out the water, and set him down on the river bank.

When the Rat rubbed him down a bit and wrung some of the wet out of him, he said,
" Now , old fellow, Trot up and down the path as hard as you can, till you're warm and dry again, while I dive to the river for the lunchon-basket. "



So the dismal Mole, wet without and shamed within, trotted about till he was fairly dry, while the Rat recovered the boat and things.

When all was ready for a start once more, the Moe took his seat in the stern of the boat.

As they set off again, the Mole said in a very low voice, broken with emotion,
" Ratty, my generous friend ! I am very sorry indeed for my foolish conduct.
My heart quite fails me when I think how I might have lost that beautiful lunchon-basket. 
Indeed I have been a complete ass. 
Will you forgive me ? , and let things go on as before ? "

" That's all right, bless you ! " responded the Rat cheerily.

" What a little wet to a Water Rat ? I'm more in the water than out of it most days.
Don't you think any more about it. 
And look here ! I really think you had better come and stop with me for a little time.
It's very plain and rough, you know, not like Toad' house at all, but you haven't seen that yet.
I can make you comfortable.
I'll teach you to row, and to swim, and you'll soon be as handy on the water as any of us. 

The Mole was so touched by his kind manner of speaking that he couldn't  answer him. 
He had to brush away a tear or two with the back of his paw.

The Rat kindly looked in another direction, pretended not to notice the tear, and presently the Mole's spirits revived again.

(12/20)