The Wind in the Willows Chapter Summary & Analysis - Chapter VII Summary

Chapter VII Summary

A sultry summer night finds Mole lying on the riverbank, where it's cooler than inside Rat's house. Mole thinks pleasantly back on the day's events and waits for Rat to return home from spending the day with Otter. When Rat arrives, he sits down on the cool riverbank next to Mole and tells him Otter's son, Portly, is missing again. Mole reassures him that Portly's wandered off before, but that the boy is well-liked, and anybody who sees him will look out for him. Rat says it's more serious this time; no one's seen Portly, and Mr. and Mrs. Otter can't find him anywhere. When Rat left the house, Otter was leaving to keep vigil at the ford, little Portly's favorite spot to play. Despite the late hour, loyal Rat and Mole both want to look for Portly.

They get the boat out and set off down the eerie river;...
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