AndifMotheraskswhereIam，sayI’mplayingatmines。"
　　"Whatsortofmines？"
　　"Youjustsaymines。"
　　"YoumighttellUS，Pete。"
　　"Well，then，COAL—mines。Butdon’tyouletthewordpassyourlipsonpainoftorture。"
　　"Youneedn’tthreaten，"saidBobbie，"andIdothinkyoumightletushelp。"
　　"IfIfindacoal—mine，youshallhelpcartthecoal，"Petercondescendedtopromise。
　　"Keepyoursecretifyoulike，"saidPhyllis。
　　"KeepitifyouCAN，"saidBobbie。
　　"I’llkeepit，rightenough，"saidPeter。
　　Betweenteaandsupperthereisanintervaleveninthemostgreedilyregulatedfamilies。AtthistimeMotherwasusuallywriting，andMrs。Vineyhadgonehome。
　　TwonightsafterthedawningofPeter’sideahebeckonedthegirlsmysteriouslyatthetwilighthour。
　　"Comehitherwithme，"hesaid，"andbringtheRomanChariot。"
　　TheRomanChariotwasaveryoldperambulatorthathadspentyearsofretirementintheloftoverthecoach—house。Thechildrenhadoileditsworkstillitglidednoiselessasapneumaticbicycle，andansweredtothehelmasithadprobablydoneinitsbestdays。
　　"Followyourdauntlessleader，"saidPeter，andledthewaydownthehilltowardsthestation。
　　Justabovethestationmanyrockshavepushedtheirheadsoutthroughtheturfasthoughthey，likethechildren，wereinterestedintherailway。
　　Inalittlehollowbetweenthreerockslayaheapofdriedbramblesandheather。
　　Peterhalted，turnedoverthebrushwoodwithawell—scarredboot，andsaid：——
　　"Here’sthefirstcoalfromtheSt。Peter’sMine。We’lltakeithomeinthechariot。Punctualityanddespatch。Allorderscarefullyattendedto。Anyshapedlumpcuttosuitregularcustomers。"
　　Thechariotwaspackedfullofcoal。Andwhenitwaspackedithadtobeunpackedagainbecauseitwassoheavythatitcouldn’tbegotupthehillbythethreechildren，notevenwhenPeterharnessedhimselftothehandlewithhisbraces，andfirmlygraspinghiswaistbandinonehandpulledwhilethegirlspushedbehind。
　　ThreejourneyshadtobemadebeforethecoalfromPeter’sminewasaddedtotheheapofMother’scoalinthecellar。
　　AfterwardsPeterwentoutalone，andcamebackveryblackandmysterious。
　　"I’vebeentomycoal—mine，"hesaid;"to—morroweveningwe’llbringhometheblackdiamondsinthechariot。"
　　ItwasaweeklaterthatMrs。VineyremarkedtoMotherhowwellthislastlotofcoalwasholdingout。
　　Thechildrenhuggedthemselvesandeachotherincomplicatedwrigglesofsilentlaughterastheylistenedonthestairs。TheyhadallforgottenbynowthattherehadeverbeenanydoubtinPeter’smindastowhethercoal—miningwaswrong。
　　ButtherecameadreadfulnightwhentheStationMasterputonapairofoldsandshoesthathehadwornattheseasideinhissummerholiday，andcreptoutveryquietlytotheyardwheretheSodomandGomorrahheapofcoalwas，withthewhitewashedlineroundit。Hecreptoutthere，andhewaitedlikeacatbyamousehole。Onthetopoftheheapsomethingsmallanddarkwasscrabblingandrattlingfurtivelyamongthecoal。
　　TheStationMasterconcealedhimselfintheshadowofabrake—vanthathadalittletinchimneyandwaslabelled：——
　　G。N。andS。R。
　　34576
　　ReturnatoncetoWhiteHeatherSidingsandinthisconcealmenthelurkedtillthesmallthingonthetopoftheheapceasedtoscrabbleandrattle，cametotheedgeoftheheap，cautiouslyletitselfdown，andliftedsomethingafterit。
　　ThenthearmoftheStationMasterwasraised，thehandoftheStationMasterfellonacollar，andtherewasPeterfirmlyheldbythejacket，withanoldcarpenter’sbagfullofcoalinhistremblingclutch。
　　"SoI’vecaughtyouatlast，haveI，youyoungthief？"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"I’mnotathief，"saidPeter，asfirmlyashecould。"I’macoal—
　　miner。"
　　"TellthattotheMarines，"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"ItwouldbejustastruewhoeverItolditto，"saidPeter。
　　"You’rerightthere，"saidtheman，whoheldhim。"Stowyourjaw，youyoungrip，andcomealongtothestation。"
　　"Oh，no，"criedinthedarknessanagonisedvoicethatwasnotPeter’s。
　　"NotthePOLICEstation！"saidanothervoicefromthedarkness。
　　"Notyet，"saidtheStationMaster。"TheRailwayStationfirst。
　　Why，it’saregulargang。Anymoreofyou？"
　　"Onlyus，"saidBobbieandPhyllis，comingoutoftheshadowofanothertrucklabelledStaveleyColliery，andbearingonitthelegendinwhitechalk：’WantedinNo。1Road。’
　　"Whatdoyoumeanbyspyingonafellowlikethis？"saidPeter，angrily。
　　"Timesomeonedidspyonyou，_I_think，"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"Comealongtothestation。"
　　"Oh，DON’T！"saidBobbie。"Can’tyoudecideNOWwhatyou’lldotous？It’sourfaultjustasmuchasPeter’s。Wehelpedtocarrythecoalaway——andweknewwherehegotit。"
　　"No，youdidn’t，"saidPeter。
　　"Yes，wedid，"saidBobbie。"Weknewallthetime。Weonlypretendedwedidn’tjusttohumouryou。"
　　Peter’scupwasfull。Hehadminedforcoal，hehadstruckcoal，hehadbeencaught，andnowhelearnedthathissistershad’humoured’
　　him。
　　"Don’tholdme！"hesaid。"Iwon’trunaway。"
　　TheStationMasterloosedPeter’scollar，struckamatchandlookedatthembyitsflickeringlight。
　　"Why，"saidhe，"you’rethechildrenfromtheThreeChimneysupyonder。Sonicelydressed，too。Tellmenow，whatmadeyoudosuchathing？Haven’tyoueverbeentochurchorlearnedyourcatechismoranything，nottoknowit’swickedtosteal？"Hespokemuchmoregentlynow，andPetersaid：——
　　"Ididn’tthinkitwasstealing。Iwasalmostsureitwasn’t。I
　　thoughtifItookitfromtheoutsidepartoftheheap，perhapsitwouldbe。ButinthemiddleIthoughtIcouldfairlycountitonlymining。It’lltakethousandsofyearsforyoutoburnupallthatcoalandgettothemiddleparts。"
　　"Notquite。Butdidyoudoitforalarkorwhat？"
　　"Notmuchlarkcartingthatbeastlyheavystuffupthehill，"saidPeter，indignantly。
　　"Thenwhydidyou？"TheStationMaster’svoicewassomuchkindernowthatPeterreplied：——
　　"Youknowthatwetday？Well，Mothersaidweweretoopoortohaveafire。Wealwayshadfireswhenitwascoldatourotherhouse，and——"
　　"DON’T！"interruptedBobbie，inawhisper。
　　"Well，"saidtheStationMaster，rubbinghischinthoughtfully，"I’lltellyouwhatI’lldo。I’lllookoveritthisonce。Butyouremember，younggentleman，stealingisstealing，andwhat’smineisn’tyours，whetheryoucallitminingorwhetheryoudon’t。Runalonghome。"
　　"Doyoumeanyouaren’tgoingtodoanythingtous？Well，youareabrick，"saidPeter，withenthusiasm。
　　"You’readear，"saidBobbie。
　　"You’readarling，"saidPhyllis。
　　"That’sallright，"saidtheStationMaster。
　　Andonthistheyparted。
　　"Don’tspeaktome，"saidPeter，asthethreewentupthehill。
　　"You’respiesandtraitors——that’swhatyouare。"
　　ButthegirlsweretoogladtohavePeterbetweenthem，safeandfree，andonthewaytoThreeChimneysandnottothePoliceStation，tomindmuchwhathesaid。
　　"WeDIDsayitwasusasmuchasyou，"saidBobbie，gently。
　　"Well——anditwasn’t。"
　　"ItwouldhavecometothesamethinginCourtswithjudges，"saidPhyllis。"Don’tbesnarky，Peter。Itisn’tourfaultyoursecretsaresojollyeasytofindout。"Shetookhisarm，andhelether。
　　"There’sanawfullotofcoalinthecellar，anyhow，"hewenton。
　　"Oh，don’t！"saidBobbie。"Idon’tthinkweoughttobegladaboutTHAT。"
　　"Idon’tknow，"saidPeter，pluckingupaspirit。"I’mnotatallsure，evennow，thatminingisacrime。"
　　Butthegirlswerequitesure。Andtheywerealsoquitesurethathewasquitesure，howeverlittlehecaredtoownit。
　　ChapterIII。Theoldgentleman。
　　AftertheadventureofPeter’sCoal—mine，itseemedwelltothechildrentokeepawayfromthestation——buttheydidnot，theycouldnot，keepawayfromtherailway。Theyhadlivedalltheirlivesinastreetwherecabsandomnibusesrumbledbyatallhours，andthecartsofbutchersandbakersandcandlestickmakers（Ineversawacandlestick—maker’scart;didyou？）mightoccuratanymoment。Hereinthedeepsilenceofthesleepingcountrytheonlythingsthatwentbywerethetrains。Theyseemedtobeallthatwaslefttolinkthechildrentotheoldlifethathadoncebeentheirs。
　　StraightdownthehillinfrontofThreeChimneysthedailypassageoftheirsixfeetbegantomarkapathacrossthecrisp，shortturf。
　　Theybegantoknowthehourswhencertaintrainspassed，andtheygavenamestothem。The9。15upwascalledtheGreenDragon。The10。7downwastheWormofWantley。Themidnighttownexpress，whoseshriekingrushtheysometimeswokefromtheirdreamstohear，wastheFearsomeFly—by—night。Petergotuponce，inchillstarshine，and，peepingatitthroughhiscurtains，nameditonthespot。
　　ItwasbytheGreenDragonthattheoldgentlemantravelled。Hewasaverynice—lookingoldgentleman，andhelookedasifhewerenice，too，whichisnotatallthesamething。Hehadafresh—coloured，clean—shavenfaceandwhitehair，andheworeratherodd—shapedcollarsandatop—hatthatwasn’texactlythesamekindasotherpeople’s。Ofcoursethechildrendidn’tseeallthisatfirst。Infactthefirstthingtheynoticedabouttheoldgentlemanwashishand。
　　ItwasonemorningastheysatonthefencewaitingfortheGreenDragon，whichwasthreeandaquarterminuteslatebyPeter’sWaterburywatchthathehadhadgivenhimonhislastbirthday。
　　"TheGreenDragon’sgoingwhereFatheris，"saidPhyllis;"ifitwereareallyrealdragon，wecouldstopitandaskittotakeourlovetoFather。"
　　"Dragonsdon’tcarrypeople’slove，"saidPeter;"they’dbeaboveit。"
　　"Yes，theydo，ifyoutamethemthoroughlyfirst。Theyfetchandcarrylikepetspaniels，"saidPhyllis，"andfeedoutofyourhand。
　　IwonderwhyFatherneverwritestous。"
　　"Mothersayshe’sbeentoobusy，"saidBobbie;"buthe’llwritesoon，shesays。"
　　"Isay，"Phyllissuggested，"let’sallwavetotheGreenDragonasitgoesby。Ifit’samagicdragon，it’llunderstandandtakeourlovestoFather。Andifitisn’t，threewavesaren’tmuch。Weshallnevermissthem。"
　　SowhentheGreenDragontoreshriekingoutofthemouthofitsdarklair，whichwasthetunnel，allthreechildrenstoodontherailingandwavedtheirpocket—handkerchiefswithoutstoppingtothinkwhethertheywerecleanhandkerchiefsorthereverse。Theywere，asamatteroffact，verymuchthereverse。
　　Andoutofafirst—classcarriageahandwavedback。Aquitecleanhand。Itheldanewspaper。Itwastheoldgentleman’shand。
　　Afterthisitbecamethecustomforwavestobeexchangedbetweenthechildrenandthe9。15。
　　Andthechildren，especiallythegirls，likedtothinkthatperhapstheoldgentlemanknewFather，andwouldmeethim’inbusiness，’
　　whereverthatshadyretreatmightbe，andtellhimhowhisthreechildrenstoodonarailfarawayinthegreencountryandwavedtheirlovetohimeverymorning，wetorfine。
　　Fortheywerenowabletogooutinallsortsofweathersuchastheywouldneverhavebeenallowedtogooutinwhentheylivedintheirvillahouse。ThiswasAuntEmma’sdoing，andthechildrenfeltmoreandmorethattheyhadnotbeenquitefairtothisunattractiveaunt，whentheyfoundhowusefulwerethelonggaitersandwaterproofcoatsthattheyhadlaughedatherforbuyingforthem。
　　Mother，allthistime，wasverybusywithherwriting。Sheusedtosendoffagoodmanylongblueenvelopeswithstoriesinthem——andlargeenvelopesofdifferentsizesandcoloursusedtocometoher。
　　Sometimesshewouldsighwhensheopenedthemandsay：——
　　"Anotherstorycomehometoroost。Oh，dear，Oh，dear！"andthenthechildrenwouldbeverysorry。
　　Butsometimesshewouldwavetheenvelopeintheairandsay：——
　　"Hooray，hooray。Here’sasensibleEditor。He’stakenmystoryandthisistheproofofit。"
　　Atfirstthechildrenthought’theProof’meanttheletterthesensibleEditorhadwritten，buttheypresentlygottoknowthattheproofwaslongslipsofpaperwiththestoryprintedonthem。
　　WheneveranEditorwassensibletherewerebunsfortea。
　　OnedayPeterwasgoingdowntothevillagetogetbunstocelebratethesensiblenessoftheEditoroftheChildren’sGlobe，whenhemettheStationMaster。
　　Peterfeltveryuncomfortable，forhehadnowhadtimetothinkovertheaffairofthecoal—mine。Hedidnotliketosay"Goodmorning"
　　totheStationMaster，asyouusuallydotoanyoneyoumeetonalonelyroad，becausehehadahotfeeling，whichspreadeventohisears，thattheStationMastermightnotcaretospeaktoapersonwhohadstolencoals。’Stolen’isanastyword，butPeterfeltitwastherightone。Sohelookeddown，andsaidNothing。
　　ItwastheStationMasterwhosaid"Goodmorning"ashepassedby。
　　AndPeteranswered，"Goodmorning。"Thenhethought：——
　　"Perhapshedoesn’tknowwhoIambydaylight，orhewouldn’tbesopolite。"
　　Andhedidnotlikethefeelingwhichthinkingthisgavehim。AndthenbeforeheknewwhathewasgoingtodoheranaftertheStationMaster，whostoppedwhenheheardPeter’shastybootscrunchingtheroad，andcomingupwithhimverybreathlessandwithhisearsnowquitemagenta—coloured，hesaid：——
　　"Idon’twantyoutobepolitetomeifyoudon’tknowmewhenyouseeme。"
　　"Eh？"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"Ithoughtperhapsyoudidn’tknowitwasmethattookthecoals，"
　　Peterwenton，"whenyousaid’Goodmorning。’Butitwas，andI’msorry。There。"
　　"Why，"saidtheStationMaster，"Iwasn’tthinkinganythingatallaboutthepreciouscoals。Letbygonesbebygones。Andwherewereyouofftoinsuchahurry？"
　　"I’mgoingtobuybunsfortea，"saidPeter。
　　"Ithoughtyouwereallsopoor，"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"Soweare，"saidPeter，confidentially，"butwealwayshavethreepennyworthofhalfpenniesforteawheneverMothersellsastoryorapoemoranything。"
　　"Oh，"saidtheStationMaster，"soyourMotherwritesstories，doesshe？"
　　"Thebeautifulestyoueverread，"saidPeter。
　　"YououghttobeveryproudtohavesuchacleverMother。"
　　"Yes，"saidPeter，"butsheusedtoplaywithusmorebeforeshehadtobesoclever。"
　　"Well，"saidtheStationMaster，"Imustbegettingalong。YougiveusalookinattheStationwheneveryoufeelsoinclined。Andastocoals，it’sawordthat——well——oh，no，wenevermentionit，eh？"
　　"Thankyou，"saidPeter。"I’mverygladit’sallstraightenedoutbetweenus。"Andhewentonacrossthecanalbridgetothevillagetogetthebuns，feelingmorecomfortableinhismindthanhehadfeltsincethehandoftheStationMasterhadfastenedonhiscollarthatnightamongthecoals。
　　NextdaywhentheyhadsentthethreefoldwaveofgreetingtoFatherbytheGreenDragon，andtheoldgentlemanhadwavedbackasusual，Peterproudlyledthewaytothestation。
　　"Butoughtwe？"saidBobbie。
　　"Afterthecoals，shemeans，"Phyllisexplained。
　　"ImettheStationMasteryesterday，"saidPeter，inanoffhandway，andhepretendednottohearwhatPhyllishadsaid;"heexpresspeciallyinvitedustogodownanytimeweliked。"
　　"Afterthecoals？"repeatedPhyllis。"Stopaminute——mybootlaceisundoneagain。"
　　"ItalwaysISundoneagain，"saidPeter，"andtheStationMasterwasmoreofagentlemanthanyou’lleverbe，Phil——throwingcoalatachap’sheadlikethat。"
　　Phyllisdidupherbootlaceandwentoninsilence，buthershouldersshook，andpresentlyafattearfelloffhernoseandsplashedonthemetaloftherailwayline。Bobbiesawit。
　　"Why，what’sthematter，darling？"shesaid，stoppingshortandputtingherarmroundtheheavingshoulders。
　　"Hecalledmeun—un—ungentlemanly，"sobbedPhyllis。"Ididn’tnevercallhimunladylike，notevenwhenhetiedmyClorindatothefirewoodbundleandburnedheratthestakeforamartyr。"
　　Peterhadindeedperpetratedthisoutrageayearortwobefore。
　　"Well，youbegan，youknow，"saidBobbie，honestly，"aboutcoalsandallthat。Don’tyouthinkyou’dbetterbothunsayeverythingsincethewave，andlethonourbesatisfied？"
　　"IwillifPeterwill，"saidPhyllis，sniffling。
　　"Allright，"saidPeter;"honourissatisfied。Here，usemyhankie，Phil，forgoodness’sake，ifyou’velostyoursasusual。Iwonderwhatyoudowiththem。"
　　"Youhadmylastone，"saidPhyllis，indignantly，"totieuptherabbit—hutchdoorwith。Butyou’reveryungrateful。It’squiterightwhatitsaysinthepoetrybookaboutsharperthanaserpentitistohaveatoothlesschild——butitmeansungratefulwhenitsaystoothless。MissLowetoldmeso。"
　　"Allright，"saidPeter，impatiently，"I’msorry。THERE！Nowwillyoucomeon？"
　　TheyreachedthestationandspentajoyoustwohourswiththePorter。Hewasaworthymanandseemednevertiredofansweringthequestionsthatbeginwith"Why——"whichmanypeopleinhigherranksoflifeoftenseemwearyof。
　　Hetoldthemmanythingsthattheyhadnotknownbefore——as，forinstance，thatthethingsthathookcarriagestogetherarecalledcouplings，andthatthepipeslikegreatserpentsthathangoverthecouplingsaremeanttostopthetrainwith。
　　"Ifyoucouldgetaholtofoneo’themwhenthetrainisgoingandpull’emapart，"saidhe，"she’dstopdeadoffwithajerk。"
　　"Who’sshe？"saidPhyllis。
　　"Thetrain，ofcourse，"saidthePorter。Afterthatthetrainwasneveragain’It’tothechildren。
　　"Andyouknowthethinginthecarriageswhereitsaysonit，’Fivepounds’fineforimproperuse。’Ifyouwastoimproperlyusethat，thetrain’udstop。"
　　"Andifyouuseditproperly？"saidRoberta。
　　"It’udstopjustthesame，Isuppose，"saidhe，"butitisn’tproperuseunlessyou’rebeingmurdered。Therewasanoldladyonce——someonekiddedheronitwasarefreshment—roombell，andsheuseditimproper，notbeingindangerofherlife，thoughhungry，andwhenthetrainstoppedandtheguardcamealongexpectingtofindsomeonewelteringintheirlastmoments，shesays，"Oh，please，Mister，I’lltakeaglassofstoutandabathbun，"shesays。Andthetrainwassevenminutesbehindhertimeasitwas。"
　　"Whatdidtheguardsaytotheoldlady？"
　　"_I_dunno，"repliedthePorter，"butIlayshedidn’tforgetitinahurry，whateveritwas。"
　　Insuchdelightfulconversationthetimewentbyalltooquickly。
　　TheStationMastercameoutonceortwicefromthatsacredinnertemplebehindtheplacewheretheholeisthattheysellyouticketsthrough，andwasmostjollywiththemall。
　　"Justasifcoalhadneverbeendiscovered，"Phylliswhisperedtohersister。
　　Hegavethemeachanorange，andpromisedtotakethemupintothesignal—boxoneofthesedays，whenhewasn’tsobusy。
　　Severaltrainswentthroughthestation，andPeternoticedforthefirsttimethatengineshavenumbersonthem，likecabs。
　　"Yes，"saidthePorter，"Iknowedayounggentasusedtotakedownthenumbersofeverysingleoneheseed;inagreennote—bookwithsilvercornersitwas，owingtohisfatherbeingverywell—to—dointhewholesalestationery。"
　　Peterfeltthathecouldtakedownnumbers，too，evenifhewasnotthesonofawholesalestationer。Ashedidnothappentohaveagreenleathernote—bookwithsilvercorners，thePortergavehimayellowenvelopeandonithenoted：——
　　379
　　663
　　andfeltthatthiswasthebeginningofwhatwouldbeamostinterestingcollection。
　　ThatnightatteaheaskedMotherifshehadagreenleathernote—
　　bookwithsilvercorners。Shehadnot;butwhensheheardwhathewanteditforshegavehimalittleblackone。
　　"Ithasafewpagestornout，"saidshe;"butitwillholdquitealotofnumbers，andwhenit’sfullI’llgiveyouanother。I’msogladyouliketherailway。Only，please，youmustn’twalkontheline。"
　　"Notifwefacethewaythetrain’scoming？"askedPeter，afteragloomypause，inwhichglancesofdespairwereexchanged。
　　"No——reallynot，"saidMother。
　　ThenPhyllissaid，"Mother，didn’tYOUeverwalkontherailwaylineswhenyouwerelittle？"
　　MotherwasanhonestandhonourableMother，soshehadtosay，"Yes。"
　　"Well，then，"saidPhyllis。
　　"But，darlings，youdon’tknowhowfondIamofyou。WhatshouldI
　　doifyougothurt？"
　　"AreyoufonderofusthanGrannywasofyouwhenyouwerelittle？"
　　Phyllisasked。Bobbiemadesignstohertostop，butPhyllisneverdidseesigns，nomatterhowplaintheymightbe。
　　Motherdidnotanswerforaminute。Shegotuptoputmorewaterintheteapot。
　　"Noone，"shesaidatlast，"everlovedanyonemorethanmymotherlovedme。"
　　Thenshewasquietagain，andBobbiekickedPhyllishardunderthetable，becauseBobbieunderstoodalittlebitthethoughtsthatweremakingMothersoquiet——thethoughtsofthetimewhenMotherwasalittlegirlandwasalltheworldtoHERmother。ItseemssoeasyandnaturaltoruntoMotherwhenoneisintrouble。Bobbieunderstoodalittlehowpeopledonotleaveoffrunningtotheirmotherswhentheyareintroubleevenwhentheyaregrownup，andshethoughtsheknewalittlewhatitmustbetobesad，andhavenomothertoruntoanymore。
　　SoshekickedPhyllis，whosaid：——
　　"Whatareyoukickingmelikethatfor，Bob？"
　　AndthenMotherlaughedalittleandsighedandsaid：——
　　"Verywell，then。Onlyletmebesureyoudoknowwhichwaythetrainscome——anddon’twalkonthelinenearthetunnelornearcorners。"
　　"Trainskeeptotheleftlikecarriages，"saidPeter，"soifwekeeptotheright，we’reboundtoseethemcoming。"
　　"Verywell，"saidMother，andIdaresayyouthinkthatsheoughtnottohavesaidit。Butsherememberedaboutwhenshewasalittlegirlherself，andshedidsayit——andneitherherownchildrennoryounoranyotherchildrenintheworldcouldeverunderstandexactlywhatitcosthertodoit。Onlysomefewofyou，likeBobbie，mayunderstandaverylittlebit。
　　ItwastheverynextdaythatMotherhadtostayinbedbecauseherheadachedso。Herhandswereburninghot，andshewouldnoteatanything，andherthroatwasverysore。
　　"IfIwasyou，Mum，"saidMrs。Viney，"Ishouldtakeandsendforthedoctor。There’salotofcatchycomplaintsa—goingaboutjustnow。Mysister’seldest——shetookachillanditwenttoherinside，twoyearsagocomeChristmas，andshe’sneverbeenthesamegellsince。"
　　Motherwouldn’tatfirst，butintheeveningshefeltsomuchworsethatPeterwassenttothehouseinthevillagethathadthreelaburnumtreesbythegate，andonthegateabrassplatewithW。W。
　　Forrest，M。D。，onit。
　　W。W。Forrest，M。D。，cameatonce。HetalkedtoPeteronthewayback。Heseemedamostcharmingandsensibleman，interestedinrailways，andrabbits，andreallyimportantthings。
　　WhenhehadseenMother，hesaiditwasinfluenza。
　　"Now，LadyGrave—airs，"hesaidinthehalltoBobbie，"Isupposeyou’llwanttobehead—nurse。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidshe。
　　"Well，then，I’llsenddownsomemedicine。Keepupagoodfire。
　　Havesomestrongbeefteamadereadytogiveherassoonasthefevergoesdown。Shecanhavegrapesnow，andbeefessence——andsoda—waterandmilk，andyou’dbettergetinabottleofbrandy。
　　Thebestbrandy。Cheapbrandyisworsethanpoison。"
　　Sheaskedhimtowriteitalldown，andhedid。
　　WhenBobbieshowedMotherthelisthehadwritten，Motherlaughed。
　　ItWASalaugh，Bobbiedecided，thoughitwasratheroddandfeeble。
　　"Nonsense，"saidMother，layinginbedwitheyesasbrightasbeads。
　　"Ican’taffordallthatrubbish。TellMrs。Vineytoboiltwopoundsofscrag—endoftheneckforyourdinnersto—morrow，andI
　　canhavesomeofthebroth。Yes，Ishouldlikesomemorewaternow，love。Andwillyougetabasinandspongemyhands？"
　　Robertaobeyed。WhenshehaddoneeverythingshecouldtomakeMotherlessuncomfortable，shewentdowntotheothers。Hercheekswereveryred，herlipssettight，andhereyesalmostasbrightasMother’s。
　　ShetoldthemwhattheDoctorhadsaid，andwhatMotherhadsaid。
　　"Andnow，"saidshe，whenshehadtoldall，"there’snoonebutustodoanything，andwe’vegottodoit。I’vegottheshillingforthemutton。"
　　"Wecandowithoutthebeastlymutton，"saidPeter;"breadandbutterwillsupportlife。Peoplehavelivedonlessondesertislandsmanyatime。"
　　"Ofcourse，"saidhissister。AndMrs。Vineywassenttothevillagetogetasmuchbrandyandsoda—waterandbeefteaasshecouldbuyforashilling。
　　"Butevenifweneverhaveanythingtoeatatall，"saidPhyllis，"youcan’tgetallthoseotherthingswithourdinnermoney。"
　　"No，"saidBobbie，frowning，"wemustfindoutsomeotherway。NowTHINK，everybody，justashardaseveryoucan。"
　　Theydidthink。Andpresentlytheytalked。Andlater，whenBobbiehadgoneuptositwithMotherincaseshewantedanything，theothertwowereverybusywithscissorsandawhitesheet，andapaintbrush，andthepotofBrunswickblackthatMrs。Vineyusedforgratesandfenders。Theydidnotmanagetodowhattheywished，exactly，withthefirstsheet，sotheytookanotheroutofthelinencupboard。Itdidnotoccurtothemthattheywerespoilinggoodsheetswhichcostgoodmoney。Theyonlyknewthattheyweremakingagood——butwhattheyweremakingcomeslater。
　　Bobbie’sbedhadbeenmovedintoMother’sroom，andseveraltimesinthenightshegotuptomendthefire，andtogivehermothermilkandsoda—water。Mothertalkedtoherselfagooddeal，butitdidnotseemtomeananything。Andonceshewokeupsuddenlyandcalledout："Mamma，mamma！"andBobbieknewshewascallingforGranny，andthatshehadforgottenthatitwasnousecalling，becauseGrannywasdead。
　　IntheearlymorningBobbieheardhernameandjumpedoutofbedandrantoMother’sbedside。
　　"Oh——ah，yes——IthinkIwasasleep，"saidMother。"Mypoorlittleduck，howtiredyou’llbe——Idohatetogiveyouallthistrouble。"
　　"Trouble！"saidBobbie。
　　"Ah，don’tcry，sweet，"Mothersaid;"Ishallbeallrightinadayortwo。"
　　AndBobbiesaid，"Yes，"andtriedtosmile。
　　Whenyouareusedtotenhoursofsolidsleep，togetupthreeorfourtimesinyoursleep—timemakesyoufeelasthoughyouhadbeenupallnight。Bobbiefeltquitestupidandhereyesweresoreandstiff，butshetidiedtheroom，andarrangedeverythingneatlybeforetheDoctorcame。
　　Thiswasathalf—pasteight。
　　"Everythinggoingonallright，littleNurse？"hesaidatthefrontdoor。"Didyougetthebrandy？"
　　"I’vegotthebrandy，"saidBobbie，"inalittleflatbottle。"
　　"Ididn’tseethegrapesorthebeeftea，though，"saidhe。
　　"No，"saidBobbie，firmly，"butyouwillto—morrow。Andthere’ssomebeefstewingintheovenforbeeftea。"
　　"Whotoldyoutodothat？"heasked。
　　"InoticedwhatMotherdidwhenPhilhadmumps。"
　　"Right，"saidtheDoctor。"Nowyougetyouroldwomantositwithyourmother，andthenyoueatagoodbreakfast，andgostraighttobedandsleeptilldinner—time。Wecan’taffordtohavethehead—
　　nurseill。"
　　Hewasreallyquiteanicedoctor。
　　Whenthe9。15cameoutofthetunnelthatmorningtheoldgentlemaninthefirst—classcarriageputdownhisnewspaper，andgotreadytowavehishandtothethreechildrenonthefence。Butthismorningtherewerenotthree。Therewasonlyone。AndthatwasPeter。
　　Peterwasnotontherailingseither，asusual。Hewasstandinginfrontoftheminanattitudelikethatofashow—manshowingofftheanimalsinamenagerie，orofthekindclergymanwhenhepointswithawandatthe’ScenesfromPalestine，’whenthereisamagic—lanternandheisexplainingit。
　　Peterwaspointing，too。Andwhathewaspointingatwasalargewhitesheetnailedagainstthefence。Onthesheettherewerethickblacklettersmorethanafootlong。
　　Someofthemhadrunalittle，becauseofPhyllishavingputtheBrunswickblackontooeagerly，butthewordswerequiteeasytoread。
　　Andthiswhattheoldgentlemanandseveralotherpeopleinthetrainreadinthelargeblacklettersonthewhitesheet：——
　　LOOKOUTATTHESTATION。
　　Agoodmanypeopledidlookoutatthestationandweredisappointed，fortheysawnothingunusual。Theoldgentlemanlookedout，too，andatfirsthetoosawnothingmoreunusualthanthegravelledplatformandthesunshineandthewallflowersandforget—me—notsinthestationborders。ItwasonlyjustasthetrainwasbeginningtopuffandpullitselftogethertostartagainthathesawPhyllis。Shewasquiteoutofbreathwithrunning。
　　"Oh，"shesaid，"IthoughtI’dmissedyou。MybootlaceswouldkeepcomingdownandIfelloverthemtwice。Here，takeit。"
　　Shethrustawarm，dampishletterintohishandasthetrainmoved。
　　Heleanedbackinhiscornerandopenedtheletter。Thisiswhatheread：——
　　"DearMr。Wedonotknowyourname。
　　Motherisillandthedoctorsaystogiveherthethingsattheendoftheletter，butshesaysshecan’tafordit，andtogetmuttonforusandshewillhavethebroth。Wedonotknowanybodyherebutyou，becauseFatherisawayandwedonotknowtheaddress。Fatherwillpayyou，orifhehaslostallhismoney，oranything，Peterwillpayyouwhenheisaman。Wepromiseitonourhoner。I。O。U。
　　forallthethingsMotherwants。
　　"sinedPeter。
　　"WillyougivetheparseltotheStationMaster，becauseofusnotknowingwhattrainyoucomedownby？SayitisforPeterthatwassorryaboutthecoalsandhewillknowallright。
　　"Roberta。
　　"Phyllis。
　　"Peter。"
　　ThencamethelistofthingstheDoctorhadordered。
　　Theoldgentlemanreaditthroughonce，andhiseyebrowswentup。
　　Hereadittwiceandsmiledalittle。Whenhehadreaditthrice，heputitinhispocketandwentonreadingTheTimes。
　　Ataboutsixthateveningtherewasaknockatthebackdoor。Thethreechildrenrushedtoopenit，andtherestoodthefriendlyPorter，whohadtoldthemsomanyinterestingthingsaboutrailways。
　　Hedumpeddownabighamperonthekitchenflags。
　　"Oldgent，"hesaid;"heaskedmetofetchitupstraightaway。"
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"saidPeter，andthen，asthePorterlingered，headded：——
　　"I’mmostawfullysorryIhaven’tgottwopencetogiveyoulikeFatherdoes，but——"
　　"Youdropitifyouplease，"saidthePorter，indignantly。"I
　　wasn’tthinkingaboutnotuppences。IonlywantedtosayIwassorryyourMammawasn’tsowell，andtoaskhowshefindsherselfthisevening——andI’vefetchedheralongabitofsweetbrier，verysweettosmellitis。Twopenceindeed，"saidhe，andproducedabunchofsweetbrierfromhishat，"justlikeaconjurer，"asPhyllisremarkedafterwards。
　　"Thankyouverymuch，"saidPeter，"andIbegyourpardonaboutthetwopence。"
　　"Nooffence，"saidthePorter，untrulybutpolitely，andwent。
　　Thenthechildrenundidthehamper。Firsttherewasstraw，andthentherewerefineshavings，andthencameallthethingstheyhadaskedfor，andplentyofthem，andthenagoodmanythingstheyhadnotaskedfor;amongotherspeachesandportwineandtwochickens，acardboardboxofbigredroseswithlongstalks，andatallthingreenbottleoflavenderwater，andthreesmallerfatterbottlesofeau—de—Cologne。Therewasaletter，too。
　　"DearRobertaandPhyllisandPeter，"itsaid;"herearethethingsyouwant。Yourmotherwillwanttoknowwheretheycamefrom。Tellhertheyweresentbyafriendwhoheardshewasill。Whensheiswellagainyoumusttellherallaboutit，ofcourse。Andifshesaysyououghtnottohaveaskedforthethings，tellherthatIsayyouwerequiteright，andthatIhopeshewillforgivemefortakingthelibertyofallowingmyselfaverygreatpleasure。"
　　TheletterwassignedG。P。somethingthatthechildrencouldn’tread。
　　"IthinkweWEREright，"saidPhyllis。
　　"Right？Ofcoursewewereright，"saidBobbie。
　　"Allthesame，"saidPeter，withhishandsinhispockets，"Idon’texactlylookforwardtotellingMotherthewholetruthaboutit。"
　　"We’renottodoittillshe’swell，"saidBobbie，"andwhenshe’swellweshallbesohappyweshan’tmindalittlefusslikethat。
　　Oh，justlookattheroses！Imusttakethemuptoher。"
　　"Andthesweetbrier，"saidPhyllis，sniffingitloudly;"don’tforgetthesweetbrier。"
　　"AsifIshould！"saidRoberta。"Mothertoldmetheotherdaytherewasathickhedgeofitathermother’shousewhenshewasalittlegirl。"
　　ChapterIV。Theengine—burglar。
　　WhatwasleftofthesecondsheetandtheBrunswickblackcameinverynicelytomakeabannerbearingthelegendSHEISNEARLYWELLTHANKYOU
　　andthiswasdisplayedtotheGreenDragonaboutafortnightafterthearrivalofthewonderfulhamper。Theoldgentlemansawit，andwavedacheerfulresponsefromthetrain。AndwhenthishadbeendonethechildrensawthatnowwasthetimewhentheymusttellMotherwhattheyhaddonewhenshewasill。Anditdidnotseemnearlysoeasyastheyhadthoughtitwouldbe。Butithadtobedone。Anditwasdone。Motherwasextremelyangry。Shewasseldomangry，andnowshewasangrierthantheyhadeverknownher。Thiswashorrible。Butitwasmuchworsewhenshesuddenlybegantocry。
　　Cryingiscatching，Ibelieve，likemeaslesandwhooping—cough。Atanyrate，everyoneatoncefounditselftakingpartinacrying—
　　party。
　　Motherstoppedfirst。Shedriedhereyesandthenshesaid：——
　　"I’msorryIwassoangry，darlings，becauseIknowyoudidn’tunderstand。"
　　"Wedidn’tmeantobenaughty，Mammy，"sobbedBobbie，andPeterandPhyllissniffed。
　　"Now，listen，"saidMother;"it’squitetruethatwe’repoor，butwehaveenoughtoliveon。Youmustn’tgotellingeveryoneaboutouraffairs——it’snotright。Andyoumustnever，never，neveraskstrangerstogiveyouthings。Nowalwaysrememberthat——won’tyou？"
　　Theyallhuggedherandrubbedtheirdampcheeksagainsthersandpromisedthattheywould。
　　"AndI’llwritealettertoyouroldgentleman，andIshalltellhimthatIdidn’tapprove——oh，ofcourseIshallthankhim，too，forhiskindness。It’sYOUIdon’tapproveof，mydarlings，nottheoldgentleman。Hewasaskindaseverhecouldbe。AndyoucangivethelettertotheStationMastertogivehim——andwewon’tsayanymoreaboutit。"
　　Afterwards，whenthechildrenwerealone，Bobbiesaid：——
　　"Isn’tMothersplendid？Youcatchanyothergrown—upsayingtheyweresorrytheyhadbeenangry。"
　　"Yes，"saidPeter，"sheISsplendid;butit’sratherawfulwhenshe’sangry。"
　　"She’slikeAvengingandBrightinthesong，"saidPhyllis。"I
　　shouldliketolookatherifitwasn’tsoawful。Shelookssobeautifulwhenshe’sreallydownrightfurious。"
　　TheytooktheletterdowntotheStationMaster。
　　"Ithoughtyousaidyouhadn’tgotanyfriendsexceptinLondon，"
　　saidhe。
　　"We’vemadehimsince，"saidPeter。
　　"Buthedoesn’tlivehereabouts？"
　　"No——wejustknowhimontherailway。"
　　ThentheStationMasterretiredtothatsacredinnertemplebehindthelittlewindowwheretheticketsaresold，andthechildrenwentdowntothePorters’roomandtalkedtothePorter。Theylearnedseveralinterestingthingsfromhim——amongothersthathisnamewasPerks，thathewasmarriedandhadthreechildren，thatthelampsinfrontofenginesarecalledhead—lightsandtheonesatthebacktail—lights。
　　"Andthatjustshows，"whisperedPhyllis，"thattrainsreallyARE
　　dragonsindisguise，withproperheadsandtails。"
　　Itwasonthisdaythatthechildrenfirstnoticedthatallenginesarenotalike。
　　"Alike？"saidthePorter，whosenamewasPerks，"lor，loveyou，no，Miss。Nomorealikenorwhatyouan’meare。Thatlittle’unwithoutatenderaswentbyjustnowallonherown，thatwasatank，thatwas——she’sofftodosomeshuntingt’othersideo’
　　Maidbridge。That’sasitmightbeyou，Miss。Thenthere’sgoodsengines，great，strongthingswiththreewheelseachside——joinedwithrodstostrengthen’em——asitmightbeme。Thenthere’smain—
　　lineenginesasitmightbethis’ereyounggentlemanwhenhegrowsupandwinsalltheracesat’isschool——sohewill。Themain—lineengineshe’sbuiltforspeedaswellaspower。That’sonetothe9。15up。"
　　"TheGreenDragon，"saidPhyllis。
　　"WecallshertheSnail，Miss，amongourselves，"saidthePorter。
　　"She’softenerbe’ind’andnoranytrainontheline。"
　　"Buttheengine’sgreen，"saidPhyllis。
　　"Yes，Miss，"saidPerks，"so’sasnailsomeseasonso’theyear。"
　　ThechildrenagreedastheywenthometodinnerthatthePorterwasmostdelightfulcompany。
　　NextdaywasRoberta’sbirthday。Intheafternoonshewaspolitelybutfirmlyrequestedtogetoutofthewayandkeeptheretilltea—
　　time。
　　"Youaren’ttoseewhatwe’regoingtodotillit’sdone;it’saglorioussurprise，"saidPhyllis。
　　AndRobertawentoutintothegardenallalone。Shetriedtobegrateful，butshefeltshewouldmuchratherhavehelpedinwhateveritwasthanhavetospendherbirthdayafternoonbyherself，nomatterhowgloriousthesurprisemightbe。
　　Nowthatshewasalone，shehadtimetothink，andoneofthethingsshethoughtofmostwaswhatmotherhadsaidinoneofthosefeverishnightswhenherhandsweresohotandhereyessobright。
　　Thewordswere："Oh，whatadoctor’sbillthere’llbeforthis！"
　　Shewalkedroundandroundthegardenamongtherose—bushesthathadn’tanyrosesyet，onlybuds，andthelilacbushesandsyringasandAmericancurrants，andthemoreshethoughtofthedoctor’sbill，thelessshelikedthethoughtofit。
　　Andpresentlyshemadeuphermind。Shewentoutthroughthesidedoorofthegardenandclimbedupthesteepfieldtowheretheroadrunsalongbythecanal。Shewalkedalonguntilshecametothebridgethatcrossesthecanalandleadstothevillage，andhereshewaited。Itwasverypleasantinthesunshinetoleanone’selbowsonthewarmstoneofthebridgeandlookdownatthebluewaterofthecanal。Bobbiehadneverseenanyothercanal，excepttheRegent’sCanal，andthewaterofthatisnotatallaprettycolour。
　　AndshehadneverseenanyriveratallexcepttheThames，whichalsowouldbeallthebetterifitsfacewaswashed。
　　Perhapsthechildrenwouldhavelovedthecanalasmuchastherailway，butfortwothings。OnewasthattheyhadfoundtherailwayFIRST——onthatfirst，wonderfulmorningwhenthehouseandthecountryandthemoorsandrocksandgreathillswereallnewtothem。Theyhadnotfoundthecanaltillsomedayslater。Theotherreasonwasthateveryoneontherailwayhadbeenkindtothem——theStationMaster，thePorter，andtheoldgentlemanwhowaved。Andthepeopleonthecanalwereanythingbutkind。
　　Thepeopleonthecanalwere，ofcourse，thebargees，whosteeredtheslowbargesupanddown，orwalkedbesidetheoldhorsesthattrampledupthemudofthetowing—path，andstrainedatthelongtow—ropes。
　　Peterhadonceaskedoneofthebargeesthetime，andhadbeentoldto"getoutofthat，"inatonesofiercethathedidnotstoptosayanythingabouthishavingjustasmuchrightonthetowing—pathasthemanhimself。Indeed，hedidnoteventhinkofsayingittillsometimelater。
　　Thenanotherdaywhenthechildrenthoughttheywouldliketofishinthecanal，aboyinabargethrewlumpsofcoalatthem，andoneofthesehitPhyllisonthebackoftheneck。Shewasjuststoopingdowntotieupherbootlace——andthoughthecoalhardlyhurtatallitmadehernotcareverymuchaboutgoingonfishing。
　　Onthebridge，however，Robertafeltquitesafe，becauseshecouldlookdownonthecanal，andifanyboyshowedsignsofmeaningtothrowcoal，shecouldduckbehindtheparapet。
　　Presentlytherewasasoundofwheels，whichwasjustwhatsheexpected。
　　ThewheelswerethewheelsoftheDoctor’sdogcart，andinthecart，ofcourse，wastheDoctor。
　　Hepulledup，andcalledout：——
　　"Hullo，headnurse！Wantalift？"
　　"Iwantedtoseeyou，"saidBobbie。
　　"Yourmother’snotworse，Ihope？"saidtheDoctor。
　　"No——but——"
　　"Well，skipin，then，andwe’llgoforadrive。"
　　Robertaclimbedinandthebrownhorsewasmadetoturnround——whichitdidnotlikeatall，foritwaslookingforwardtoitstea——I
　　meanitsoats。
　　"ThisISjolly，"saidBobbie，asthedogcartflewalongtheroadbythecanal。
　　"Wecouldthrowastonedownanyoneofyourthreechimneys，"saidtheDoctor，astheypassedthehouse。
　　"Yes，"saidBobbie，"butyou’dhavetobeajollygoodshot。"
　　"HowdoyouknowI’mnot？"saidtheDoctor。"Now，then，what’sthetrouble？"
　　Bobbiefidgetedwiththehookofthedrivingapron。
　　"Come，outwithit，"saidtheDoctor。
　　"It’sratherhard，yousee，"saidBobbie，"tooutwithit;becauseofwhatMothersaid。"
　　"WhatDIDMothersay？"
　　"ShesaidIwasn’ttogotellingeveryonethatwe’repoor。Butyouaren’teveryone，areyou？"
　　"Notatall，"saidtheDoctor，cheerfully。"Well？"
　　"Well，Iknowdoctorsareveryextravagant——Imeanexpensive，andMrs。VineytoldmethatherdoctoringonlycosthertwopenceaweekbecauseshebelongedtoaClub。"
　　"Yes？"
　　"Youseeshetoldmewhatagooddoctoryouwere，andIaskedherhowshecouldaffordyou，becauseshe’smuchpoorerthanweare。