【英】《柳林风声》第15集：The Return of Toad Hall

The next morning, Mole rushed into the kitchen.“I came up with a clever plan. I borrowed your washerwoman costume, Toad. I went off to Toad Hall and posed as a washerwoman looking for work.

“They laughed at me and told me to run away. I told them that it wasn’t I who would be running away very soon. It was them!”

“How could you tell our plan?”said Rat.

Badger laid down his newspaper.

Mole smiled and continued,“I could see their ears prick up. Then someone said I didn’t know what I was talking about.

“‘Oh, I don’t, do I?’said I. Then I said,‘My daughter works for Mr. Badger. And she said a hundred bloodthirsty badgers are attacking Toad Hall this very night. Six boatloads of rats, too. Everyone will come by river and meet in the garden.’Then I ran away. Of course I hid to see what they said. They were nervous and flustered. They agreed to add more protection to the garden area.”

Toad frowned.“Why tell them our plans, Mole? You’ve spoiled everything.”

Badger laughed.“Mole, how clever you are. Good job!”

Toad became jealous. He had no idea what clever thing Mole had done. But before he could lose his temper, Rat announced that lunch was waiting. And Toad simply would never miss a meal.

When it became dark, Rat summoned each one. He gave them each a belt with a sword, a pair of pistols, and a flask of water. Badger took one lantern and said,“Follow me.”Mole, Rat, and Toad followed.

Badger led them along the river for some way and suddenly swung over the ledge into a hole in the bank. Mole and Rat followed without incident. Toad, of course, slipped and fell into the water. All the splashing was sure to attract attention if Badger hadn’t pulled him inside the hole so quickly.

At last, they were in the secret passage. The passage was cold, dark, damp, and narrow. Toad dreaded the thought of what was ahead of them. He lagged behind the others a bit in the darkness. They shuffled along with their ears pricked and their paws on their pistols.

At last, Badger said,“We’re under Toad Hall.”Voices could be heard up above.

The passage now sloped upward. The noise became louder. Stamping of feet on the floor could be heard. The clanging of glasses and fists pounding on tables rang out. What a time they seemed to be having up above. The four hurried along until they found themselves standing under the trapdoor.

It was so noisy that they didn’t worry of anyone hearing them enter the room. As they opened the door, they saw such a sight. Animals were cheering at a speech given by Chief Weasel. He wastalking about Mr. Toad. The entire place broke into laughter.

“Let me at him,”shrieked Toad.

Badger grabbed his stick.“The hour has come! Follow me!”With that, the heroes burst forth. The terrified Weasels hid under tables. The Ferrets rushed for the fireplace. Many a table and chairs were overturned. China crashed to the floor. Glasses smashed to the ground.

Toad headed straight for Chief Weasel. Although they were only four, to the Weasels in the hall, they looked like an army. All the animals fled screaming and screeching while seeking refuge and escape.

Mole busied himself handcuffing the animals while Badger rested.“Mole,”said Badger,“go see what the Stoats are doing. Thanks to you, I don’t think we’ll be having much trouble from them tonight.”

Mole vanished through a broken window and came back with an armful of rifles.“It’s over,”he reported.“As soon as the Stoats heard the shrieks, they threw down their weapons and fled. The others stood guard until the Weasels came running out.

Many thought the Weasels were traitors. A great fight ensued and many rolled right into the river.”

Badger smiled.“Well done, Mole. Now before we enjoy this feast, take these animals upstairs. Have them clean each room and make up the beds. Have them put clean clothes and soap in each room. Then, escort them out. We won’t ever see them again. When they are gone, come back and enjoy a fine meal with us.”

Mole did what he was told. At dinner, Toad spoke.“Thank you, Mole, for all your cleverness and what you did for me. You have all helped give me back my home.”

The next morning, Toad came downstairs later than everyone else. Through the window of his breakfast room, he could see Mole and Rat sitting in the wicker chairs roaring with laughter. No doubt, they were sharing stories of bravery from the evening before.

Toad joined Badger for breakfast.“I’m sorry, Toad. But I’m afraid you have work to do. You ought to have a banquet at once to celebrate this affair. It’s expected. In fact, it’s the rule.”

Toad agreed.“That’s a very good idea.”

Badger put down his toast.“I’m afraid you don’t have time to eat. You must write out all the invitations at once.”

“What?”cried Toad.“Waste all this time writing invitations on a jolly morning like this? Certainly not!”Then Toad’s cheeks blushed.“Why, Mr. Badger. Of course! It is my pleasure. I am indeed indebted to all of you.”

Badger looked at Toad suspiciously. Was he a changed Toad, or was he being a clever Toad once more?

Toad hurried to the writing table. A fine idea had come to him while he talked to Badger. He would write the invitations. He would hint at his adventures and his cleverness. And he would include a program of entertainment on the front. It looked like this:

Speech: By Toad

（There will be other speeches by Toad during the evening）

Address: By Toad

Synopsis: Our Prison System The Waterways of England Horse Dealing and How to Deal Back to Land A Typical

English Squire

Song: By Toad: Composed by Toad

This pleased him. When the others saw how happy and pleased with himself Toad was, they started to wonder what he was up to.

Toad admitted.“Go on, Badger. How will this passage help us?”

Badger explained that Otter had disguised himself and went to Toad Hall looking for work.“He discovered there’s going to be a huge party tomorrow evening. It’s Chief Weasel’s birthday. All the Weasels will be gathered in the dining hall. They’ll be eating, drinking, and laughing. They won’t have their guns. No swords. No sticks.

“The Weasels will think the Stoats will guard the outside faithfully. But you see, we will take the passage straight to the butler’s pantry. It’s next to the dining hall! We’ll surprise them all.”

With plans in place, the animals went to bed. They knew they had to be well rested to face the battle ahead.