Mouse took a deep breath of the night air. Being below ground with the Undergardeners had been wonderful, but fresh air and moonlight and space were nice too. Looking around, he was surprised to recognize his surroundings. While underground he had felt he was a thousand miles away, yet here he was at a railway bridge not very far from his own home. The river flowing under the bridge ran through the park at the back of his house; a fast walk and he could be home in minutes. Mouse had never seen the park at this hour: dark, shadowy, moody, mysterious and silent, except for the flowing river whispering to the rocks.
Sooner than he wanted, they came within sight of his back garden and the fenceposts he and his father had erected. In the moonlight they looked like small, square, branchless trees. The house was in darkness, which meant he hadn’t been missed; Mouse could sneak back to bed and nobody would be the wiser. But, tired though he was, he didn’t want to go to bed, didn’t want the evening to end. “Can we meet again?” he asked, looking beseechingly at Alkus.
Alkus looked up at Mouse and then turned to the others. All nodded their agreement without hesitation. “It seems to be unanimous,” she said with a smile. “Let’s sole on it.” One after the other they all solemnly touched toes with Mouse. “Now remember, Mouse,” Alkus continued, “this has to be our secret. We can’t have Uptoppers interfering with our lives, which they would if they found out about us. Promise?” Mouse nodded vigorously.
At the edge of the hole where the adventure had started, the Undergardeners hummed the rock into its open position. Suddenly Mouse had an awful thought. “But if we fill in this hole,” he said, “you won’t be able to raise the rock!”
“Oh, that’s all right,” exclaimed Alkus. “We have lots of entrances. Hollow trees, the edge of the riverbank, under other rocks—we have many ways in and out. In fact, until tonight, this portal hadn’t been used since before these houses and gardens were built.” She gestured about her with both hands. “Thank you for everything, Mouse. Next time we’re working near here we’ll get a message to you and we’ll meet again.”
With one last goodbye to them all, Mouse turned and headed toward his back door.
Back in his bedroom, he knew he should try to wash away all trace of the Undergarden, but he was afraid that the noise would wake his parents. That was his excuse, anyway. Let his mother wonder tomorrow how he managed to get muddy while he slept. Exhausted, he climbed into bed, his mind still buzzing with excitement. He was pleased with himself too. If I hadn’t rushed out to help Qwolsh, look what I would have missed— the best adventure I’ve ever had in my life. I’m a hero, by gollopers.
And with that happy thought, Mouse fell into a deep and dreamless sleep.