Chapter 3 In which the Muskrat has a terrible experience; how the Moomin family discover Hattifatteners’ Island where the Hemulen has a narrow escape, and how they survive the great thunderstorm. N ext morning the Muskrat went out as usual with his book to lie in the hammock, but he had just gotten comfortable when the string broke and he found himself on the ground. “Unpardonable!” exclaimed the Muskrat unwind- ing the rug from his legs. ey Moominpappa, who was watering “ion hor ope You didn’t hurt yourself? his moustache, Fy the Muskrat gloomily sucking ~ Ne earth can crack and fire come 44jp from heaven for all I care—that sort of thing ron’ cistur me—but I do not like to be put | oe ridiculous situation. It isnt dignified for a io! 1" - jjosopher | ‘put /m the only one who saw it happen,” pro- iqsted Moominpapps “That's bad enough!” replied the Muskrat. “You sirememberall that have been exposed to in your Meose! Last yeas for example, a comet fell on us, It tgs nothing. But as you pethaps remember, I sat on four wife's chocolate shape. It was the deepest insult riny dignity! And sometimes your guests put hair -ryshes in my bed—a particularly stupid joke, Not ~ tomention your son, Moomintroll . ..” “{ know, I know,” interrupted Moominpappa, mis- erably. “But there’s no peace in this house . And sometimes string wears out with the years you know.” “{t must not,” said the Muskrat. “If I had killed my- self, of course, it wouldn’t have mattered. But imag- ine if your YOUNG PERSONS had seen me! Now, however, [intend to retire to a deserted spot and live alife of loneliness and peace, giving up everything, Thave made up my mind once and for all.” Moominpappa was impressed. “Oh,” he said. “Where will you go?” “To the cave,” said the Muskrat. ‘Nobody can inter- "upt my thoughts with stupid jokes there. You may bring me food twice a day. But not before ten Oclock.” 4 Sinn Efoominpappa BOWINE. “And shay too?” » said M some Furnitures ‘do that,” said the Muskrat, mo,, gs. I realize that yoy, gyou so can a simple thins at family of yours is Muskrat took his book and his rug ovly off toward the cliffs. Moomin. pappa sighed co himself; then he went on Watering his tobacco plants and soon forgot all about it When the Muskrat arrived in the cave he was very pleased with everything. He spread out his rug on the sandy floor, sat down on it, and began at once to think. He continued to do that for about two hours. [All was quiet and peaceful and through the crack in the roof the sun shone softly into his hiding place. Sometimes he moved slightly when the sun slid away from him, “Here I shall stay forever and ever,” he thought. “How unnecessary it is to run about and chatter, to build a house and cook food and collect possessions!” He looked contentedly around his new home, and then he caught sight of the Hobgoblin’s Hat, which Moomintroll and Snufkin had hidden in the darkest corner. ‘The wastepaper basket,” said the Muskrat to himself. “Oh, so it’s here. Well, it will always come in useful.” we br “¢ kindly. mean well, butt for me.” So the and wandered si ally too much cide nh litle white longer, and them he de- nies? mid for a bit. He rolled himself in the and put his false teeth in the hat so that they bla 46