Rat and Mole ate in Badger's warm kitchen.
No one spoke until the plates were empty.
"We're sorry that we bothered you," said Rat.
"I'm glad to help," said Badger.
Badger gave them some tea.
"Now tell me," said Badger.
"How is Toad?"
Rat was surprised.
Normally Badger did not talk about Riverbankers.
"How's Toad?" said Rat. "Not good."
"He crashed another car last week," said Mole.
"He's a very bad driver," said Rat.
"But he thinks he's the best in the world."
"How many has he had?" asked Badger.
"Do you mean crashes or cars?" asked Mole.
"It's the same thing," laughed Rat.
"Seven! His yard is full of broken cars."
"He went to the hospital three times," said Mole.
"Soon he'll run out of money!" said Rat.
"Or he'll get killed!"
"Shouldn't we do something?" said Mole.
Badger rubbed his chin.
"The other animals will have to help.
But we must wait until spring," he said.
"In winter all the animals are too sleepy."
Rat and Mole nodded.
"I'm sleepy," said Rat.
"It's time for bed."
"I'm sleepy too," yawned Mole.
"Come along," said Badger.
Badger led them to their beds.
Badger was right.
In winter animals can't do anything too active.