Otter Shows His Teeth

"The Otter showed a gleaming set of strong white teeth as he laughed. `I'd give 'em nerves if any of them tried anything on with me.'"

Otter had just reported in. He had been sent by Rat to gather intelligence and Mole had asked if the assignment had frightened Otter (it certainly frightened Mole.)

Otter explained that he had a cousin, a weasel who by reason of his being raised by otters, was welcome in Mrs. Otter's home for the occasional family dinner which this time around just happened to include the cousin's favorite dishes. The rest was too simple.

"Tell us everything!" gushed Moled.

Otter took a moment (for dramatic effect) and then told his fellow conspirators that Toad was doing very well.  He would likely be off the ventilator (here Otter had to stop and explain what the ventilator did)  within a day or two,  which meant he could be free from the damned tubes by the weekend. And at this both Rat and Mole simultaneously cheered,  "Hooray for Yoad!"

They would move to free Toad as soon as he was free of the tubes.  The time for actin was approaching!