Toad finished all the letters by noon.
"I wonder who can deliver these?" he thought.
Just then a young ferret appeared at the door.
Toad remembered him from the night before.
"Mr. Toad," said the ferret shyly.
"I feel bad about last night.
Is there anything I can do for you?"
"Why, yes," said Toad.
"Deliver these right away."
Toad handed him the letters.
"Oh, thank you!" cried the ferret.
He ran off to deliver them.
Soon after, Badger, Mole, and Rat returned.
"Hello, friends!" shouted Toad happily.
"Did you order everything for the party?"
Badger, Rat, and Mole looked at each other.
"Well," said Toad, "I'm going for a walk!"
Toad wanted to practice his songs and speeches.
He took a step toward the garden.
Suddenly Rat grabbed Toad's arm.
"Hey, Rat!" cried Toad.
"Let me go!"
Then Badger took Toad's other arm.
"Hey, Badger!" cried Toad.
"What's going on?"
They dragged Toad to a chair.
"Now, look here, Toad," said Rat.
"It's about this party.
What are you planning?
Are you going to show off again?"
"Of course not!" said Toad.
"Well . . ." He paused.
"I might sing a song.
And give a little speech."