Ernest Shepard, The Wind In The Willows
First published in 1908. I got my copy 60 years later and I still have it. Badger, Toad, Ratty, and Mole discuss re-taking Toad Hall. Ratty and Toad. Mole yearning for his old home. Ratty rejoices after finding a boot scraper while him and Mole are lost in the Wild Wood. On a beautiful spring day, Mole meets Ratty and they go for a picnic. Mole has never been so happy. Delight and wonder. Ratty and Mole seek refuge with Mr. Badger in the Wild Wood. "Now the very next time this happens, I shall be exceedingly angry"! The stoats and weasels have taken Toad Hall and turn away Badger and Mole. Toad's best friends in the world prevent him from buying and driving his latest motor car. Toad, having deceived Mole, strolls into the Red Lion where he will soon meet his fate. The profligate Mr. Toad of Toad Hall. Toad is nuts for automobiles and has bought and wrecked many of them. Dressed as a washerwoman, Toad hijacks an auto that kindly gave him...