148 



THE RAT 



fallen down a little way from the woodwork, so 

 that there was a path leading upwards behind 

 the boards as far as I cared to go. Luckily, 

 I could see traces of water for a certain distance, 

 and so I knew exactly how far to go, after all, 

 so as to be safe from a flood, though, as I have 

 said, it did not matter, because the gates were never 

 opened. I only mention the circumstance to show 

 you how easy it is to judge where to begin to build, 

 or rather dig. 



When I got as high up the slope as I cared to 

 go, I burrowed inwards behind a tree-root, which 

 came wriggling down through the earth and 

 alongside of the boards, and I excavated a spacious 

 dwelling-place, letting the earth fall down the 

 slope behind the woodwork, so that I left no traces 

 of digging to betray me. Then I enjoyed two 

 whole days of real happiness in collecting a bed 

 for myself. I have been carefully taught the 

 proverb that, as you make your bed, so you lie 

 upon it ; and inasmuch as I was determined to lie 

 soft for awhile after my long wanderings, I was very 

 careful indeed in the selection of my materials. 



I was always rather fond of bed-making, and it was 

 just the right time of the year for such an occupa- 

 tion, as others besides myself seemed to realize. A 



