'There you are!' cried the Toad, straddling and expanding himself.
'There's real life for you, embodied in that little cart. The open
road, the dusty highway, the heath, the common, the hedgerows, the
rolling downs! Camps, villages, towns, cities! Here to-day, up and
off to somewhere else to-morrow! Travel, change, interest, excitement!
The whole world before you, and a horizon that's always changing! And
mind! this is the very finest cart of its sort that was ever built,
without any exception. Come inside and look at the arrangements.
Planned 'em 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 hands deep into his pockets, remaining
where he was.

It was indeed very compact and comfortable. Little sleeping bunks--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--biscuits, potted lobster, sardines--everything you can
possibly want. Soda-water here--baccy there--letter-paper, bacon,
jam, cards and dominoes--you'll find,' he continued, as they descended
the steps again, 'you'll find that nothing what ever has been
forgotten, when we make our start this afternoon.'

'I beg your pardon,' said the Rat slowly, as he chewed a straw, 'but
did I overhear you say something about "WE," and "START," and "THIS
AFTERNOON?"'