STUBBS THE BADGER 199 
At the end of the month the ' earth ' was littered 
down in preparation for the winter's Big Sleep. 
The whole family were still living under one roof, so 
to speak, but as they mostly occupied galleries 
far apart, it was almost more like a hotel. More 
than half a badger's life is spent in sleep profound, 
blissful sleep, in a world of great silences and deep 
shadows. In October came a night with frost nip 
in the air, and a damp mist. Stubbs felt the chill in 
his bones as he crept to the entrance of the ' earth ' ; 
nevertheless, because he was hungry, he went out. 
Shortly afterwards his brother came up, snuffed the 
wind, stretched himself and yawned then, because 
he was sleepy, and the night undesirable, he 
waddled back again and slept the clock round. 
The next night the rest did likewise why hunt when 
they were not hungry ? There are few winter nights 
in Knockdane that are not either cold or wet, and 
such nights the badgers eschewed. Now and again 
they went out for a few hours, but in the small hours 
when the morning frost set the grass in the meadows 
crackling with rime, they grunted disgustedly and 
returned to bed. 
The whole family parents and young ones 
slept through December without ever stirring out, for 
snow was on the ground most of the month ; but 
in January I know not what mysterious influence, 
