The Willows in Winter Read Online Free PDF Page A

going
straight in. “No doubt about it!” There was relief in his voice, but
consternation as well.
    “‘Where are you, Portly? Show yourself.”
    The sobbing grew louder as the Rat joined the
Otter in the parlour and looked about to see where Portly was.
    “You would think that Mole would have had the
sense to light a candle or two,” said the Otter.
    “Mole’s not here,” said a tremulous voice from
the direction of Mole’s favourite armchair. “Mole went out and didn’t come
back.”
    They found Portly at last, huddled beneath
Mole’s winter plaid, staring forlornly into a long-dead fire.
    “Now listen, Portly,” began the Otter in a very
stern voice, “something’s going on and we want to know what it is!”
    Portly began to sob even more.
    “Leave this to me,” said the Rat, who, for all
his fine words about discipline and proper behaviour was a kindly, soft-hearted
animal when he saw others in distress. “You light a candle and get the fire
going and let me talk to Portly —”Now, old chap, why don’t you tell me exactly
what has happened and where Mole’s gone, and where that Nephew of his has
disappeared to.”
    “But that’s just it,” said Portly, “I don’t
exactly know. You see — Then , as the Otter bustled
about setting out some candles, clearing the grate and then setting the fire
ablaze once more, Portly told his sorry tale.
    “So, to sum it all up,” said the Rat finally as
the Otter offered them a warming drink, “instead of telling Mole we had thought
he might join us for the evening — which being a sensible animal and seeing the
blizzard on its way he would have realized was not a good idea —instead of that, you somehow made him think that Otter or I or both of us were in trouble?”
    “Yes,” conceded Portly.
    “And needed help?”
    “Yes,” repeated Portly more quietly.
    “Then being the Mole he is, which is to say
always concerned about his friends before himself, he put on his coat and set
off alone into the snowy night three nights ago.
    “Yes,” said Portly, more quietly still.
    “Then a short time ago you awoke as his Nephew,
concerned for his uncle as all nephews should be, was likewise setting off into
the cold, leaving you here snug and safe.”
    “Not very snug,” said Portly in a very
quiet voice indeed.
    “Snug enough,” scowled the Rat, who might now
have been inclined to be more harsh had Otter not been
there.
    “He only went an hour or so ago. I did offer
to go with him but he said to stay here in case you came.”
    “Sensible,” said the Otter.
    “He also said to tell any animal that came that
he would first go down to the river opposite your home, Mr Rat, because he
thought that was the way Mr Mole would have gone.
    “Sensible again,” said the Otter. “More
sensible than some I can think of.”
    “Very much more so,” said the Rat darkly He
frowned and thought for a moment and put down his drink only half finished.
    “I think, Otter, we had better be going right
away It’s still light outside but the days are growing very short.”
    “Can I come?” asked Portly.
    “No you can’t,” said the Otter. “You stay here
and keep that fire burning. No, on second thoughts, just stay here and don’t
touch anything.”
    “It’s lonely by myself ,”
said Portly.
    “Yes,” said the Rat pitilessly, “I daresay it
is. Now, Otter, to work!”
    The Water Rat was at his very best in a crisis
and in no time at all had gathered together all the provisions he thought they
might need in the course of what could turn out to be a cold and difficult few
hours: some food wrapped up in grease-proof paper; some warming sloe juice; a
flint and candles; and some spare clothing.
    “The only thing I can’t see is Mole’s lantern,
which he must have taken with him, so we’ll have to make do with a jam jar if
we can find one —Then, with the ‘Water Rat carrying the bag of provisions over
his shoulder, the two animals set off once more, giving