The Open Road (5)

The Open Road (5)

" There you are ! " cried the Toad, stradding and expanding himself.

" There's real life for you, embodied in that little cart.
The open road, the dusty highway, the heath, the rolling downs.
Camps, villages, towns, cities !
Here toda, up and off to somewhere else tomorrow !
Travel, change, interest, excitement !
The whole world before you, and horizon that always changing ! 
And mind ! this is the very finest cart of its sort that was ever built.
Come inside and look at the arrangements.
Planned them 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 hand deep into his pockets, remainng where he was.

It's indeed very compact and comfortable.

Little sleeping bunksーa little table that folded up against the wall, a cooking stove, lockers, bookshelves, 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ーbiscuits, potted lobster, sardinesーeveryhing you can possibly  want. Soda-water was here. There letter-papaer, bacon, jam, cards and dominoes, you'll find."
he continued, as they desended the steps again.
" You'll find nothing what ever has been forgotten, when we make our start this afternoon. "

" I beg your pardon ? " said the Rat slowly, " but did I overhear you say something about "WE" and " START, " and " THIS AFTERNOON ? ""

" Now, you dear good old Ratty, " said Toad.
" Don't began talking in that 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ーIt's the one thing I can't stand.
You surely don't mean to stick to your dull old river all your life, and just live in a hole in a bank, and BOAT ?
I want to show you the world ! "

" I don't care, " said the Rat.
" 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 ? " 

(6/20)