Rat brushed at the snow.
He cleared away an area of painted wood.
"What is it?" said Mole, excited.
"Never mind," said Rat.
"Now we must really dig."
They scraped and dug and pushed away the snow.
At last the entire piece of wood was cleared.
In the moonlight, Mole saw what it was.
"Why, it's a little door!" cried Mole.
An iron bell hung beside the door.
"Read this, Mole," said Rat, pointing.
A name was carved in the center of the door: MR. BADGER.
Mole fell backward in the snow.
"Rat!" he cried with surprise.
"It's Mr. Badger's house!
You have a very clever brain, Ratty!"
"How did you figure it out?" asked Mole.
"Are you going to talk all night?" said Rat.
"Ring that bell!"
Mole grabbed the bell rope.
He pulled so hard his feet left the ground.
Rat beat the door with his club.
"I hope he comes soon!" cried Mole.
They waited.
They stamped their feet to keep warm.
At last Rat said, "I think I hear footsteps."
They heard someone unlock the door.
The door opened a few inches.
A long nose poked out.
Two sleepy eyes stared at them.