I’vebeeninherhouseandIknow。AndthenshetoldmeabouttheClub，andIthoughtI’daskyou——and——oh，Idon’twantMothertobeworried！Can’twebeintheClub，too，thesameasMrs。Viney？"
　　TheDoctorwassilent。Hewasratherpoorhimself，andhehadbeenpleasedatgettinganewfamilytoattend。SoIthinkhisfeelingsatthatminutewererathermixed。
　　"Youaren’tcrosswithme，areyou？"saidBobbie，inaverysmallvoice。
　　TheDoctorrousedhimself。
　　"Cross？HowcouldIbe？You’reaverysensiblelittlewoman。Nowlookhere，don’tyouworry。I’llmakeitallrightwithyourMother，evenifIhavetomakeaspecialbrand—newCluballforher。
　　Lookhere，thisiswheretheAqueductbegins。"
　　"What’sanAque——what’sitsname？"askedBobbie。
　　"Awaterbridge，"saidtheDoctor。"Look。"
　　Theroadrosetoabridgeoverthecanal。Totheleftwasasteeprockycliffwithtreesandshrubsgrowinginthecracksoftherock。
　　Andthecanalhereleftoffrunningalongthetopofthehillandstartedtorunonabridgeofitsown——agreatbridgewithtallarchesthatwentrightacrossthevalley。
　　Bobbiedrewalongbreath。
　　"ItISgrand，isn’tit？"shesaid。"It’slikepicturesintheHistoryofRome。"
　　"Right！"saidtheDoctor，"that’sjustexactlywhatitISlike。TheRomansweredeadnutsonaqueducts。It’sasplendidpieceofengineering。"
　　"Ithoughtengineeringwasmakingengines。"
　　"Ah，therearedifferentsortsofengineering——makingroadandbridgesandtunnelsisonekind。Andmakingfortificationsisanother。Well，wemustbeturningback。And，remember，youaren’ttoworryaboutdoctor’sbillsoryou’llbeillyourself，andthenI’llsendyouinabillaslongastheaqueduct。"
　　WhenBobbiehadpartedfromtheDoctoratthetopofthefieldthatrandownfromtheroadtoThreeChimneys，shecouldnotfeelthatshehaddonewrong。SheknewthatMotherwouldperhapsthinkdifferently。ButBobbiefeltthatforonceshewastheonewhowasright，andshescrambleddowntherockyslopewithareallyhappyfeeling。
　　PhyllisandPetermetheratthebackdoor。Theywereunnaturallycleanandneat，andPhyllishadaredbowinherhair。TherewasonlyjusttimeforBobbietomakeherselftidyandtieupherhairwithabluebowbeforealittlebellrang。
　　"There！"saidPhyllis，"that’stoshowthesurpriseisready。Nowyouwaittillthebellringsagainandthenyoumaycomeintothedining—room。"
　　SoBobbiewaited。
　　"Tinkle，tinkle，"saidthelittlebell，andBobbiewentintothedining—room，feelingrathershy。Directlysheopenedthedoorshefoundherself，asitseemed，inanewworldoflightandflowersandsinging。MotherandPeterandPhylliswerestandinginarowattheendofthetable。Theshutterswereshutandthereweretwelvecandlesonthetable，oneforeachofRoberta’syears。Thetablewascoveredwithasortofpatternofflowers，andatRoberta’splacewasathickwreathofforget—me—notsandseveralmostinterestinglittlepackages。AndMotherandPhyllisandPeterweresinging——tothefirstpartofthetuneofSt。Patrick’sDay。
　　RobertaknewthatMotherhadwrittenthewordsonpurposeforherbirthday。ItwasalittlewayofMother’sonbirthdays。IthadbegunonBobbie’sfourthbirthdaywhenPhylliswasababy。BobbierememberedlearningtheversestosaytoFather’forasurprise。’
　　ShewonderedifMotherhadremembered，too。Thefour—year—oldversehadbeen：——
　　Daddydear，I’monlyfourAndI’drathernotbemore。
　　Four’sthenicestagetobe，Twoandtwoandoneandthree。
　　WhatIloveistwoandtwo，Mother，Peter，Phil，andyou。
　　Whatyouloveisoneandthree，Mother，Peter，Phil，andme。
　　GiveyourlittlegirlakissBecauseshelearnedandtoldyouthis。
　　Thesongtheothersweresingingnowwentlikethis：——
　　OurdarlingRoberta，NosorrowshallhurtherIfwecanpreventitHerwholelifelong。
　　Herbirthday’sourfeteday，We’llmakeitourgreatday，AndgiveherourpresentsAndsingheroursong。
　　MaypleasuresattendherAndmaytheFatessendherThehappiestjourneyAlongherlife’sway。
　　WithskiesbrightaboveherAnddearonestoloveher！
　　DearBob！ManyhappyReturnsoftheday！
　　Whentheyhadfinishedsingingtheycried，"ThreecheersforourBobbie！"andgavethemveryloudly。Bobbiefeltexactlyasthoughsheweregoingtocry——youknowthatoddfeelinginthebridgeofyournoseandtheprickinginyoureyelids？Butbeforeshehadtimetobegintheywereallkissingandhuggingher。
　　"Now，"saidMother，"lookatyourpresents。"
　　Theywereverynicepresents。Therewasagreenandredneedle—bookthatPhyllishadmadeherselfinsecretmoments。TherewasadarlinglittlesilverbroochofMother’sshapedlikeabuttercup，whichBobbiehadknownandlovedforyears，butwhichshehadnever，neverthoughtwouldcometobeherveryown。TherewasalsoapairofblueglassvasesfromMrs。Viney。Robertahadseenandadmiredtheminthevillageshop。Andtherewerethreebirthdaycardswithprettypicturesandwishes。
　　Motherfittedtheforget—me—notcrownonBobbie’sbrownhead。
　　"Andnowlookatthetable，"shesaid。
　　Therewasacakeonthetablecoveredwithwhitesugar，with’DearBobbie’onitinpinksweets，andtherewerebunsandjam;butthenicestthingwasthatthebigtablewasalmostcoveredwithflowers—
　　—wallflowerswerelaidallroundthetea—tray——therewasaringofforget—me—notsroundeachplate。Thecakehadawreathofwhitelilacroundit，andinthemiddlewassomethingthatlookedlikeapatternalldonewithsinglebloomsoflilacorwallflowerorlaburnum。
　　"It’samap——amapoftherailway！"criedPeter。"Look——thoselilaclinesarethemetals——andthere’sthestationdoneinbrownwallflowers。Thelaburnumisthetrain，andtherearethesignal—
　　boxes，andtheroaduptohere——andthosefatreddaisiesareusthreewavingtotheoldgentleman——that’shim，thepansyinthelaburnumtrain。"
　　"Andthere’s’ThreeChimneys’doneinthepurpleprimroses，"saidPhyllis。"Andthatlittletinyrose—budisMotherlookingoutforuswhenwe’relatefortea。Peterinventeditall，andwegotalltheflowersfromthestation。Wethoughtyou’dlikeitbetter。"
　　"That’smypresent，"saidPeter，suddenlydumpingdownhisadoredsteam—engineonthetableinfrontofher。Itstenderhadbeenlinedwithfreshwhitepaper，andwasfullofsweets。
　　"Oh，Peter！"criedBobbie，quiteovercomebythismunificence，"notyourowndearlittleenginethatyou’resofondof？"
　　"Oh，no，"saidPeter，verypromptly，"nottheengine。Onlythesweets。"
　　Bobbiecouldn’thelpherfacechangingalittle——notsomuchbecauseshewasdisappointedatnotgettingtheengine，asbecauseshehadthoughtitsoverynobleofPeter，andnowshefeltshehadbeensillytothinkit。Alsoshefeltshemusthaveseemedgreedytoexpecttheengineaswellasthesweets。Soherfacechanged。
　　Petersawit。Hehesitatedaminute;thenhisfacechanged，too，andhesaid："ImeannotALLtheengine。I’llletyougohalvesifyoulike。"
　　"You’reabrick，"criedBobbie;"it’sasplendidpresent。"Shesaidnomorealoud，buttoherselfshesaid：——
　　"ThatwasawfullyjollydecentofPeterbecauseIknowhedidn’tmeanto。Well，thebrokenhalfshallbemyhalfoftheengine，andI’llgetitmendedandgiveitbacktoPeterforhisbirthday。"——
　　"Yes，Motherdear，Ishouldliketocutthecake，"sheadded，andteabegan。
　　Itwasadelightfulbirthday。AfterteaMotherplayedgameswiththem——anygametheyliked——andofcoursetheirfirstchoicewasblindman’s—buff，inthecourseofwhichBobbie’sforget—me—notwreathtwisteditselfcrookedlyoveroneofherearsandstayedthere。Then，whenitwasnearbed—timeandtimetocalmdown，Motherhadalovelynewstorytoreadtothem。
　　"Youwon’tsituplateworking，willyou，Mother？"Bobbieaskedastheysaidgoodnight。
　　AndMothersaidno，shewouldn’t——shewouldonlyjustwritetoFatherandthengotobed。
　　ButwhenBobbiecreptdownlatertobringupherpresents——forshefeltshereallycouldnotbeseparatedfromthemallnight——Motherwasnotwriting，butleaningherheadonherarmsandherarmsonthetable。IthinkitwasrathergoodofBobbietoslipquietlyaway，sayingoverandover，"Shedoesn’twantmetoknowshe’sunhappy，andIwon’tknow;Iwon’tknow。"Butitmadeasadendtothebirthday。
　　******
　　TheverynextmorningBobbiebegantowatchheropportunitytogetPeter’senginemendedsecretly。Andtheopportunitycametheverynextafternoon。
　　Motherwentbytraintothenearesttowntodoshopping。Whenshewentthere，shealwayswenttothePost—office。PerhapstopostherletterstoFather，forshenevergavethemtothechildrenorMrs。
　　Vineytopost，andsheneverwenttothevillageherself。PeterandPhylliswentwithher。Bobbiewantedanexcusenottogo，buttryasshewouldshecouldn’tthinkofagoodone。Andjustwhenshefeltthatallwaslost，herfrockcaughtonabignailbythekitchendoorandtherewasagreatcriss—crosstearallalongthefrontoftheskirt。Iassureyouthiswasreallyanaccident。Sotheotherspitiedherandwentwithouther，fortherewasnotimeforhertochange，becausetheywereratherlatealreadyandhadtohurrytothestationtocatchthetrain。
　　Whentheyhadgone，Bobbieputonhereverydayfrock，andwentdowntotherailway。Shedidnotgointothestation，butshewentalongthelinetotheendoftheplatformwheretheengineiswhenthedowntrainisalongsidetheplatform——theplacewherethereareawatertankandalong，limp，leatherhose，likeanelephant’strunk。
　　Shehidbehindabushontheothersideoftherailway。Shehadthetoyenginedoneupinbrownpaper，andshewaitedpatientlywithitunderherarm。
　　Thenwhenthenexttraincameinandstopped，Bobbiewentacrossthemetalsoftheup—lineandstoodbesidetheengine。Shehadneverbeensoclosetoanenginebefore。Itlookedmuchlargerandharderthanshehadexpected，anditmadeherfeelverysmallindeed，and，somehow，verysoft——asifshecouldvery，veryeasilybehurtratherbadly。
　　"Iknowwhatsilk—wormsfeellikenow，"saidBobbietoherself。
　　Theengine—driverandfiremandidnotseeher。Theywereleaningoutontheotherside，tellingthePorterataleaboutadogandalegofmutton。
　　"Ifyouplease，"saidRoberta——buttheenginewasblowingoffsteamandnooneheardher。
　　"Ifyouplease，Mr。Engineer，"shespokealittlelouder，buttheEnginehappenedtospeakatthesamemoment，andofcourseRoberta’ssoftlittlevoicehadn’tachance。
　　Itseemedtoherthattheonlywaywouldbetoclimbontotheengineandpullattheircoats。Thestepwashigh，butshegotherkneeonit，andclamberedintothecab;shestumbledandfellonhandsandkneesonthebaseofthegreatheapofcoalsthatleduptothesquareopeninginthetender。Theenginewasnotabovetheweaknessesofitsfellows;itwasmakingagreatdealmorenoisethantherewastheslightestneedfor。AndjustasRobertafellonthecoals，theengine—driver，whohadturnedwithoutseeingher，startedtheengine，andwhenBobbiehadpickedherselfup，thetrainwasmoving——notfast，butmuchtoofastforhertogetoff。
　　Allsortsofdreadfulthoughtscametoheralltogetherinonehorribleflash。Thereweresuchthingsasexpresstrainsthatwenton，shesupposed，forhundredsofmileswithoutstopping。Supposethisshouldbeoneofthem？Howwouldshegethomeagain？Shehadnomoneytopayforthereturnjourney。
　　"AndI’venobusinesshere。I’manengine—burglar——that’swhatI
　　am，"shethought。"Ishouldn’twonderiftheycouldlockmeupforthis。"Andthetrainwasgoingfasterandfaster。
　　Therewassomethinginherthroatthatmadeitimpossibleforhertospeak。Shetriedtwice。Themenhadtheirbackstoher。Theyweredoingsomethingtothingsthatlookedliketaps。
　　Suddenlysheputoutherhandandcaughtholdofthenearestsleeve。
　　Themanturnedwithastart，andheandRobertastoodforaminutelookingateachotherinsilence。Thenthesilencewasbrokenbythemboth。
　　Themansaid，"Here’sabloomin’go！"andRobertaburstintotears。
　　Theothermansaidhewasbloomingwellblest——orsomethinglikeit—
　　—butthoughnaturallysurprisedtheywerenotexactlyunkind。
　　"You’reanaughtylittlegell，that’swhatyouare，"saidthefireman，andtheengine—driversaid：——
　　"Daringlittlepiece，Icallher，"buttheymadehersitdownonanironseatinthecabandtoldhertostopcryingandtellthemwhatshemeantbyit。
　　Shedidstop，assoonasshecould。OnethingthathelpedherwasthethoughtthatPeterwouldgivealmosthisearstobeinherplace——onarealengine——reallygoing。Thechildrenhadoftenwonderedwhetheranyengine—drivercouldbefoundnobleenoughtotakethemforarideonanengine——andnowthereshewas。Shedriedhereyesandsniffedearnestly。
　　"Now，then，"saidthefireman，"outwithit。Whatdoyoumeanbyit，eh？"
　　"Oh，please，"sniffedBobbie。
　　"Tryagain，"saidtheengine—driver，encouragingly。
　　Bobbietriedagain。
　　"Please，Mr。Engineer，"shesaid，"Ididcallouttoyoufromtheline，butyoudidn’thearme——andIjustclimbeduptotouchyouonthearm——quitegentlyImeanttodoit——andthenIfellintothecoals——andIamsosorryifIfrightenedyou。Oh，don’tbecross——
　　oh，pleasedon’t！"Shesniffedagain。
　　"Weain’tsomuchCROSS，"saidthefireman，"asinterestedlike。Itain’teverydayalittlegelltumblesintoourcoalbunkerouterthesky，isit，Bill？WhatdidyouDOitfor——eh？"
　　"That’sthepoint，"agreedtheengine—driver;"whatdidyoudoitFOR？"
　　Bobbiefoundthatshehadnotquitestoppedcrying。Theengine—
　　driverpattedheronthebackandsaid："Here，cheerup，Mate。Itain’tsobadasallthat’ere，I’llbebound。"
　　"Iwanted，"saidBobbie，muchcheeredtofindherselfaddressedas’Mate’——"Ionlywantedtoaskyouifyou’dbesokindastomendthis。"Shepickedupthebrown—paperparcelfromamongthecoalsandundidthestringwithhot，redfingersthattrembled。
　　Herfeetandlegsfeltthescorchoftheenginefire，buthershouldersfeltthewildchillrushoftheair。Theenginelurchedandshookandrattled，andastheyshotunderabridgetheengineseemedtoshoutinherears。
　　Thefiremanshovelledoncoals。
　　Bobbieunrolledthebrownpaperanddisclosedthetoyengine。
　　"Ithought，"shesaidwistfully，"thatperhapsyou’dmendthisforme——becauseyou’reanengineer，youknow。"
　　Theengine—driversaidhewasblowedifhewasn’tblest。
　　"I’mblestifIain’tblowed，"remarkedthefireman。
　　Buttheengine—drivertookthelittleengineandlookedatit——andthefiremanceasedforaninstanttoshovelcoal，andlooked，too。
　　"It’slikeyourpreciouscheek，"saidtheengine—driver——"whatevermadeyouthinkwe’dbebotheredtinkeringpennytoys？"
　　"Ididn’tmeanitforpreciouscheek，"saidBobbie;"onlyeverybodythathasanythingtodowithrailwaysissokindandgood，Ididn’tthinkyou’dmind。Youdon’treally——doyou？"sheadded，forshehadseenanotunkindlywinkpassbetweenthetwo。
　　"Mytrade’sdrivingofanengine，notmendingher，especiallysuchahout—sizeinenginesasthis’ere，"saidBill。"An’’owarewea—
　　goin’togetyoubacktoyoursorrowingfriendsandrelations，andallbeforgivenandforgotten？"
　　"Ifyou’llputmedownnexttimeyoustop，"saidBobbie，firmly，thoughherheartbeatfiercelyagainstherarmassheclaspedherhands，"andlendmethemoneyforathird—classticket，I’llpayyouback——honourbright。I’mnotaconfidencetricklikeinthenewspapers——really，I’mnot。"
　　"You’realittlelady，everyinch，"saidBill，relentingsuddenlyandcompletely。"We’llseeyougetshomesafe。An’aboutthisengine——Jim——ain’tyougotne’erapalascanuseasolderingiron？
　　Seemstomethat’saboutallthelittlebounderwantsdoingtoit。"
　　"That’swhatFathersaid，"Bobbieexplainedeagerly。"What’sthatfor？"
　　Shepointedtoalittlebrasswheelthathehadturnedashespoke。
　　"That’stheinjector。"
　　"In——what？"
　　"Injectortofilluptheboiler。"
　　"Oh，"saidBobbie，mentallyregisteringthefacttotelltheothers;
　　"thatISinteresting。"
　　"This’ere’stheautomaticbrake，"Billwenton，flatteredbyherenthusiasm。"Youjustmovethis’erelittlehandle——doitwithonefinger，youcan——andthetrainjollysoonstops。That’swhattheycallthePowerofScienceinthenewspapers。"
　　Heshowedhertwolittledials，likeclockfaces，andtoldherhowoneshowedhowmuchsteamwasgoing，andtheothershowedifthebrakewasworkingproperly。
　　Bythetimeshehadseenhimshutoffsteamwithabigshiningsteelhandle，Bobbieknewmoreabouttheinsideworkingofanenginethanshehadeverthoughttherewastoknow，andJimhadpromisedthathissecondcousin’swife’sbrothershouldsolderthetoyengine，orJimwouldknowthereasonwhy。BesidesalltheknowledgeshehadgainedBobbiefeltthatsheandBillandJimwerenowfriendsforlife，andthattheyhadwhollyandforeverforgivenherforstumblinguninvitedamongthesacredcoalsoftheirtender。
　　AtStacklepooleJunctionshepartedfromthemwithwarmexpressionsofmutualregard。Theyhandedherovertotheguardofareturningtrain——afriendoftheirs——andshehadthejoyofknowingwhatguardsdointheirsecretfastnesses，andunderstoodhow，whenyoupullthecommunicationcordinrailwaycarriages，awheelgoesroundundertheguard’snoseandaloudbellringsinhisears。Sheaskedtheguardwhyhisvansmeltsofishy，andlearnedthathehadtocarryalotoffisheveryday，andthatthewetnessinthehollowsofthecorrugatedfloorhadalldrainedoutofboxesfullofplaiceandcodandmackerelandsolesandsmelts。
　　Bobbiegothomeintimefortea，andshefeltasthoughhermindwouldburstwithallthathadbeenputintoitsinceshepartedfromtheothers。Howsheblessedthenailthathadtornherfrock！
　　"Wherehaveyoubeen？"askedtheothers。
　　"Tothestation，ofcourse，"saidRoberta。Butshewouldnottellawordofheradventurestillthedayappointed，whenshemysteriouslyledthemtothestationatthehourofthe3。19’stransit，andproudlyintroducedthemtoherfriends，BillandJim。Jim’ssecondcousin’swife’sbrotherhadnotbeenunworthyofthesacredtrustreposedinhim。Thetoyenginewas，literally，asgoodasnew。
　　"Good—bye——oh，good—bye，"saidBobbie，justbeforetheenginescreamedITSgood—bye。"Ishallalways，alwaysloveyou——andJim’ssecondcousin’swife’sbrotheraswell！"
　　Andasthethreechildrenwenthomeupthehill，Peterhuggingtheengine，nowquiteitsownselfagain，Bobbietold，withjoyousleapsoftheheart，thestoryofhowshehadbeenanEngine—burglar。
　　ChapterV。Prisonersandcaptives。
　　ItwasonedaywhenMotherhadgonetoMaidbridge。Shehadgonealone，butthechildrenweretogotothestationtomeether。And，lovingthestationastheydid，itwasonlynaturalthattheyshouldbethereagoodhourbeforetherewasanychanceofMother’strainarriving，evenifthetrainwerepunctual，whichwasmostunlikely。
　　Nodoubttheywouldhavebeenjustasearly，evenifithadbeenafineday，andallthedelightsofwoodsandfieldsandrocksandrivershadbeenopentothem。Butithappenedtobeaverywetdayand，forJuly，verycold。Therewasawildwindthatdroveflocksofdarkpurplecloudsacrossthesky"likeherdsofdream—
　　elephants，"asPhyllissaid。Andtherainstungsharply，sothatthewaytothestationwasfinishedatarun。Thentherainfellfasterandharder，andbeatslantwiseagainstthewindowsofthebookingofficeandofthechillplacethathadGeneralWaitingRoomonitsdoor。
　　"It’slikebeinginabesiegedcastle，"Phyllissaid;"lookatthearrowsofthefoestrikingagainstthebattlements！"
　　"It’smuchmorelikeagreatgarden—squirt，"saidPeter。
　　Theydecidedtowaitontheupside，forthedownplatformlookedverywetindeed，andtherainwasdrivingrightintothelittlebleakshelterwheredown—passengershavetowaitfortheirtrains。
　　Thehourwouldbefullofincidentandofinterest，fortherewouldbetwouptrainsandonedowntolookatbeforetheonethatshouldbringMotherback。
　　"Perhapsit’llhavestoppedrainingbythen，"saidBobbie;"anyhow，I’mgladIbroughtMother’swaterproofandumbrella。"
　　TheywentintothedesertspotlabelledGeneralWaitingRoom，andthetimepassedpleasantlyenoughinagameofadvertisements。Youknowthegame，ofcourse？ItissomethinglikedumbCrambo。Theplayerstakeitinturnstogoout，andthencomebackandlookaslikesomeadvertisementastheycan，andtheothershavetoguesswhatadvertisementitismeanttobe。BobbiecameinandsatdownunderMother’sumbrellaandmadeasharpface，andeveryoneknewshewasthefoxwhositsundertheumbrellaintheadvertisement。
　　PhyllistriedtomakeaMagicCarpetofMother’swaterproof，butitwouldnotstandoutstiffandraft—likeasaMagicCarpetshould，andnobodycouldguessit。EveryonethoughtPeterwascarryingthingsalittletoofarwhenheblackedhisfacealloverwithcoal—
　　dustandstruckaspideryattitudeandsaidhewastheblotthatadvertisessomebody’sBlueBlackWritingFluid。
　　ItwasPhyllis’sturnagain，andshewastryingtolookliketheSphinxthatadvertisesWhat’s—his—name’sPersonallyConductedToursuptheNilewhenthesharptingofthesignalannouncedtheuptrain。Thechildrenrushedouttoseeitpass。Onitsengineweretheparticulardriverandfiremanwhowerenownumberedamongthechildren’sdearestfriends。Courtesiespassedbetweenthem。Jimaskedafterthetoyengine，andBobbiepressedonhisacceptanceamoist，greasypackageoftoffeethatshehadmadeherself。
　　Charmedbythisattention，theengine—driverconsentedtoconsiderherrequestthatsomedayhewouldtakePeterforarideontheengine。
　　"Standback，Mates，"criedtheengine—driver，suddenly，"andhorfshegoes。"
　　Andsureenough，offthetrainwent。Thechildrenwatchedthetail—
　　lightsofthetraintillitdisappearedroundthecurveoftheline，andthenturnedtogobacktothedustyfreedomoftheGeneralWaitingRoomandthejoysoftheadvertisementgame。
　　Theyexpectedtoseejustoneortwopeople，theendoftheprocessionofpassengerswhohadgivenuptheirticketsandgoneaway。Instead，theplatformroundthedoorofthestationhadadarkblotroundit，andthedarkblotwasacrowdofpeople。
　　"Oh！"criedPeter，withathrillofjoyousexcitement，"something’shappened！Comeon！"
　　Theyrandowntheplatform。Whentheygottothecrowd，theycould，ofcourse，seenothingbutthedampbacksandelbowsofthepeopleonthecrowd’soutside。Everybodywastalkingatonce。Itwasevidentthatsomethinghadhappened。
　　"It’smybeliefhe’snothingworsethananatural，"saidafarmerish—lookingperson。Petersawhisred，clean—shavenfaceashespoke。
　　"Ifyouaskme，IshouldsayitwasaPoliceCourtcase，"saidayoungmanwithablackbag。
　　"Notit;theInfirmarymorelike——"
　　ThenthevoiceoftheStationMasterwasheard，firmandofficial：——
　　"Now，then——movealongthere。I’llattendtothis，ifYOUplease。"
　　Butthecrowddidnotmove。Andthencameavoicethatthrilledthechildrenthroughandthrough。Foritspokeinaforeignlanguage。
　　And，whatismore，itwasalanguagethattheyhadneverheard。
　　TheyhadheardFrenchspokenandGerman。AuntEmmaknewGerman，andusedtosingasongaboutbedeutenandzeitenandbinandsin。NorwasitLatin。PeterhadbeeninLatinforfourterms。
　　Itwassomecomfort，anyhow，tofindthatnoneofthecrowdunderstoodtheforeignlanguageanybetterthanthechildrendid。
　　"What’sthathe’ssaying？"askedthefarmer，heavily。
　　"SoundslikeFrenchtome，"saidtheStationMaster，whohadoncebeentoBoulognefortheday。
　　"Itisn’tFrench！"criedPeter。
　　"Whatisit，then？"askedmorethanonevoice。Thecrowdfellbackalittletoseewhohadspoken，andPeterpressedforward，sothatwhenthecrowdclosedupagainhewasinthefrontrank。
　　"Idon’tknowwhatitis，"saidPeter，"butitisn’tFrench。Iknowthat。"Thenhesawwhatitwasthatthecrowdhadforitscentre。
　　Itwasaman——theman，Peterdidnotdoubt，whohadspokeninthatstrangetongue。Amanwithlonghairandwildeyes，withshabbyclothesofacutPeterhadnotseenbefore——amanwhosehandsandlipstrembled，andwhospokeagainashiseyesfellonPeter。
　　"No，it’snotFrench，"saidPeter。
　　"TryhimwithFrenchifyouknowsomuchaboutit，"saidthefarmer—
　　man。
　　"ParlayvooFrongsay？"beganPeter，boldly，andthenextmomentthecrowdrecoiledagain，forthemanwiththewildeyeshadleftleaningagainstthewall，andhadsprungforwardandcaughtPeter’shands，andbeguntopourforthafloodofwordswhich，thoughhecouldnotunderstandawordofthem，Peterknewthesoundof。
　　"There！"saidhe，andturned，hishandsstillclaspedinthehandsofthestrangeshabbyfigure，tothrowaglanceoftriumphatthecrowd;"there;THAT’SFrench。"
　　"Whatdoeshesay？"
　　"Idon’tknow。"Peterwasobligedtoownit。
　　"Here，"saidtheStationMasteragain;"youmoveonifyouplease。
　　I’LLdealwiththiscase。"
　　Afewofthemoretimidorlessinquisitivetravellersmovedslowlyandreluctantlyaway。AndPhyllisandBobbiegotneartoPeter。
　　AllthreehadbeenTAUGHTFrenchatschool。HowdeeplytheynowwishedthattheyhadLEARNEDit！Petershookhisheadatthestranger，buthealsoshookhishandsaswarmlyandlookedathimaskindlyashecould。Apersoninthecrowd，aftersomehesitation，saidsuddenly，"Nocomprenny！"andthen，blushingdeeply，backedoutofthepressandwentaway。
　　"Takehimintoyourroom，"whisperedBobbietotheStationMaster。
　　"MothercantalkFrench。She’llbeherebythenexttrainfromMaidbridge。"
　　TheStationMastertookthearmofthestranger，suddenlybutnotunkindly。Butthemanwrenchedhisarmaway，andcoweredbackcoughingandtremblingandtryingtopushtheStationMasteraway。
　　"Oh，don’t！"saidBobbie;"don’tyouseehowfrightenedheis？Hethinksyou’regoingtoshuthimup。Iknowhedoes——lookathiseyes！"
　　"They’relikeafox’seyeswhenthebeast’sinatrap，"saidthefarmer。
　　"Oh，letmetry！"Bobbiewenton;"IdoreallyknowoneortwoFrenchwordsifIcouldonlythinkofthem。"
　　Sometimes，inmomentsofgreatneed，wecandowonderfulthings——
　　thingsthatinordinarylifewecouldhardlyevendreamofdoing。
　　BobbiehadneverbeenanywherenearthetopofherFrenchclass，butshemusthavelearnedsomethingwithoutknowingit，fornow，lookingatthosewild，huntedeyes，sheactuallyrememberedand，whatismore，spoke，someFrenchwords。Shesaid：——
　　"Vousattendre。MamereparlezFrancais。Nous——what’stheFrenchfor’beingkind’？"
　　Nobodyknew。
　　"Bongis’good，’"saidPhyllis。
　　"Nousetrebongpourvous。"
　　Idonotknowwhetherthemanunderstoodherwords，butheunderstoodthetouchofthehandshethrustintohis，andthekindnessoftheotherhandthatstrokedhisshabbysleeve。
　　ShepulledhimgentlytowardstheinmostsanctuaryoftheStationMaster。Theotherchildrenfollowed，andtheStationMastershutthedoorinthefaceofthecrowd，whichstoodalittlewhileinthebookingofficetalkingandlookingatthefastclosedyellowdoor，andthenbyonesandtwoswentitsway，grumbling。
　　InsidetheStationMaster’sroomBobbiestillheldthestranger’shandandstrokedhissleeve。
　　"Here’sago，"saidtheStationMaster;"noticket——doesn’tevenknowwherehewantstogo。I’mnotsurenowbutwhatIoughttosendforthepolice。"
　　"Oh，DON’T！"allthechildrenpleadedatonce。AndsuddenlyBobbiegotbetweentheothersandthestranger，forshehadseenthathewascrying。
　　Byamostunusualpieceofgoodfortuneshehadahandkerchiefinherpocket。Byastillmoreuncommonaccidentthehandkerchiefwasmoderatelyclean。Standinginfrontofthestranger，shegotoutthehandkerchiefandpassedittohimsothattheothersdidnotsee。
　　"WaittillMothercomes，"Phylliswassaying;"shedoesspeakFrenchbeautifully。You’djustlovetohearher。"
　　"I’msurehehasn’tdoneanythinglikeyou’resenttoprisonfor，"
　　saidPeter。
　　"Lookslikewithoutvisiblemeanstome，"saidtheStationMaster。
　　"Well，Idon’tmindgivinghimthebenefitofthedoubttillyourMammacomes。ISHOULDliketoknowwhatnation’sgotthecreditofHIM，thatIshould。"
　　ThenPeterhadanidea。Hepulledanenvelopeoutofhispocket，andshowedthatitwashalffullofforeignstamps。
　　"Lookhere，"hesaid，"let’sshowhimthese——"
　　Bobbielookedandsawthatthestrangerhaddriedhiseyeswithherhandkerchief。Soshesaid："Allright。"
　　TheyshowedhimanItalianstamp，andpointedfromhimtoitandbackagain，andmadesignsofquestionwiththeireyebrows。Heshookhishead。ThentheyshowedhimaNorwegianstamp——thecommonbluekinditwas——andagainhesignedNo。ThentheyshowedhimaSpanishone，andatthathetooktheenvelopefromPeter’shandandsearchedamongthestampswithahandthattrembled。Thehandthathereachedoutatlast，withagestureasofoneansweringaquestion，containedaRUSSIANstamp。
　　"He’sRussian，"criedPeter，"orelsehe’slike’themanwhowas’——
　　inKipling，youknow。"
　　ThetrainfromMaidbridgewassignalled。
　　"I’llstaywithhimtillyoubringMotherin，"saidBobbie。
　　"You’renotafraid，Missie？"
　　"Oh，no，"saidBobbie，lookingatthestranger，asshemighthavelookedatastrangedogofdoubtfultemper。"Youwouldn’thurtme，wouldyou？"
　　Shesmiledathim，andhesmiledback，aqueercrookedsmile。Andthenhecoughedagain。Andtheheavyrattlingswishoftheincomingtrainsweptpast，andtheStationMasterandPeterandPhylliswentouttomeetit。Bobbiewasstillholdingthestranger’shandwhentheycamebackwithMother。
　　TheRussianroseandbowedveryceremoniously。
　　ThenMotherspokeinFrench，andhereplied，haltinglyatfirst，butpresentlyinlongerandlongersentences。
　　Thechildren，watchinghisfaceandMother’s，knewthathewastellingherthingsthatmadeherangryandpitying，andsorryandindignantallatonce。
　　"Well，Mum，what’sitallabout？"TheStationMastercouldnotrestrainhiscuriosityanylonger。
　　"Oh，"saidMother，"it’sallright。He’saRussian，andhe’slosthisticket。AndI’mafraidhe’sveryill。Ifyoudon’tmind，I’lltakehimhomewithmenow。He’sreallyquitewornout。I’llrundownandtellyouallabouthimto—morrow。"
　　"Ihopeyouwon’tfindyou’retakinghomeafrozenviper，"saidtheStationMaster，doubtfully。
　　"Oh，no，"Mothersaidbrightly，andshesmiled;"I’mquitesureI’mnot。Why，he’sagreatmaninhisowncountry，writesbooks——
　　beautifulbooks——I’vereadsomeofthem;butI’lltellyouallaboutitto—morrow。"
　　ShespokeagaininFrenchtotheRussian，andeveryonecouldseethesurpriseandpleasureandgratitudeinhiseyes。HegotupandpolitelybowedtotheStationMaster，andofferedhisarmmostceremoniouslytoMother。Shetookit，butanybodycouldhaveseenthatshewashelpinghimalong，andnotheher。
　　"Yougirlsrunhomeandlightafireinthesitting—room，"Mothersaid，"andPeterhadbettergofortheDoctor。"
　　ButitwasBobbiewhowentfortheDoctor。
　　"Ihatetotellyou，"shesaidbreathlesslywhenshecameuponhiminhisshirtsleeves，weedinghispansy—bed，"butMother’sgotaveryshabbyRussian，andI’msurehe’llhavetobelongtoyourClub。
　　I’mcertainhehasn’tgotanymoney。Wefoundhimatthestation。"
　　"Foundhim！Washelost，then？"askedtheDoctor，reachingforhiscoat。
　　"Yes，"saidBobbie，unexpectedly，"that’sjustwhathewas。He’sbeentellingMotherthesad，sweetstoryofhislifeinFrench;andshesaidwouldyoubekindenoughtocomedirectlyifyouwereathome。Hehasadreadfulcough，andhe’sbeencrying。"
　　TheDoctorsmiled。
　　"Oh，don’t，"saidBobbie;"pleasedon’t。Youwouldn’tifyou’dseenhim。Ineversawamancrybefore。Youdon’tknowwhatit’slike。"
　　Dr。Forrestwishedthenthathehadn’tsmiled。
　　WhenBobbieandtheDoctorgottoThreeChimneys，theRussianwassittinginthearm—chairthathadbeenFather’s，stretchinghisfeettotheblazeofabrightwoodfire，andsippingtheteaMotherhadmadehim。
　　"Themanseemswornout，mindandbody，"waswhattheDoctorsaid;
　　"thecough’sbad，butthere’snothingthatcan’tbecured。Heoughttogostraighttobed，though——andlethimhaveafireatnight。"
　　"I’llmakeoneinmyroom;it’stheonlyonewithafireplace，"saidMother。Shedid，andpresentlytheDoctorhelpedthestrangertobed。
　　TherewasabigblacktrunkinMother’sroomthatnoneofthechildrenhadeverseenunlocked。Now，whenshehadlightedthefire，sheunlockeditandtooksomeclothesout——men’sclothes——andsetthemtoairbythenewlylightedfire。Bobbie，cominginwithmorewoodforthefire，sawthemarkonthenight—shirt，andlookedovertotheopentrunk。Allthethingsshecouldseeweremen’sclothes。AndthenamemarkedontheshirtwasFather’sname。ThenFatherhadn’ttakenhisclotheswithhim。Andthatnight—shirtwasoneofFather’snewones。Bobbieremembereditsbeingmade，justbeforePeter’sbirthday。Whyhadn’tFathertakenhisclothes？
　　Bobbieslippedfromtheroom。Asshewentsheheardthekeyturnedinthelockofthetrunk。Herheartwasbeatinghorribly。WHY
　　hadn’tFathertakenhisclothes？WhenMothercameoutoftheroom，Bobbieflungtightlyclaspingarmsroundherwaist，andwhispered：——
　　"Mother——Daddyisn’t——isn’tDEAD，ishe？"
　　"Mydarling，no！Whatmadeyouthinkofanythingsohorrible？"
　　"I——Idon’tknow，"saidBobbie，angrywithherself，butstillclingingtothatresolutionofhers，nottoseeanythingthatMotherdidn’tmeanhertosee。
　　Mothergaveherahurriedhug。"Daddywasquite，QUITEwellwhenI
　　heardfromhimlast，"shesaid，"andhe’llcomebacktoussomeday。
　　Don’tfancysuchhorriblethings，darling！"
　　Lateron，whentheRussianstrangerhadbeenmadecomfortableforthenight，Mothercameintothegirls’room。ShewastosleepthereinPhyllis’sbed，andPhylliswastohaveamattressonthefloor，amostamusingadventureforPhyllis。DirectlyMothercamein，twowhitefiguresstartedup，andtwoeagervoicescalled：——
　　"Now，Mother，tellusallabouttheRussiangentleman。"
　　Awhiteshapehoppedintotheroom。ItwasPeter，dragginghisquiltbehindhimlikethetailofawhitepeacock。
　　"Wehavebeenpatient，"hesaid，"andIhadtobitemytonguenottogotosleep，andIjustnearlywenttosleepandIbittoohard，andithurtseverso。DOtellus。Makeanicelongstoryofit。"
　　"Ican’tmakealongstoryofitto—night，"saidMother;"I’mverytired。"
　　BobbieknewbyhervoicethatMotherhadbeencrying，buttheothersdidn’tknow。
　　"Well，makeitaslongasyoucan，"saidPhil，andBobbiegotherarmsroundMother’swaistandsnuggledclosetoher。
　　"Well，it’sastorylongenoughtomakeawholebookof。He’sawriter;he’swrittenbeautifulbooks。InRussiaatthetimeoftheCzaronedarednotsayanythingabouttherichpeopledoingwrong，oraboutthethingsthatoughttobedonetomakepoorpeoplebetterandhappier。Ifonedidonewassenttoprison。"
　　"ButtheyCAN’T，"saidPeter;"peopleonlygotoprisonwhenthey’vedonewrong。"
　　"OrwhentheJudgesTHINKthey’vedonewrong，"saidMother。"Yes，that’ssoinEngland。ButinRussiaitwasdifferent。Andhewroteabeautifulbookaboutpoorpeopleandhowtohelpthem。I’vereadit。There’snothinginitbutgoodnessandkindness。Andtheysenthimtoprisonforit。Hewasthreeyearsinahorribledungeon，withhardlyanylight，andalldampanddreadful。Inprisonallaloneforthreeyears。"
　　Mother’svoicetrembledalittleandstoppedsuddenly。
　　"But，Mother，"saidPeter，"thatcan’tbetrueNOW。Itsoundslikesomethingoutofahistorybook——theInquisition，orsomething。"
　　"ItWAStrue，"saidMother;"it’sallhorriblytrue。Well，thentheytookhimoutandsenthimtoSiberia，aconvictchainedtootherconvicts——wickedmenwho’ddoneallsortsofcrimes——alongchainofthem，andtheywalked，andwalked，andwalked，fordaysandweeks，tillhethoughtthey’dneverstopwalking。Andoverseerswentbehindthemwithwhips——yes，whips——tobeatthemiftheygottired。Andsomeofthemwentlame，andsomefelldown，andwhentheycouldn’tgetupandgoon，theybeatthem，andthenleftthemtodie。Oh，it’salltooterrible！Andatlasthegottothemines，andhewascondemnedtostaythereforlife——forlife，justforwritingagood，noble，splendidbook。"
　　"Howdidhegetaway？"
　　"Whenthewarcame，someoftheRussianprisonerswereallowedtovolunteerassoldiers。Andhevolunteered。Buthedesertedatthefirstchancehegotand——"
　　"Butthat’sverycowardly，isn’tit"——saidPeter——"todesert？
　　Especiallywhenit’swar。"
　　"DoyouthinkheowedanythingtoacountrythathaddoneTHATtohim？Ifhedid，heowedmoretohiswifeandchildren。Hedidn’tknowwhathadbecomeofthem。"
　　"Oh，"criedBobbie，"hehadTHEMtothinkaboutandbemiserableaboutTOO，then，allthetimehewasinprison？"
　　"Yes，hehadthemtothinkaboutandbemiserableaboutallthetimehewasinprison。Foranythingheknewtheymighthavebeensenttoprison，too。TheydidthosethingsinRussia。ButwhilehewasintheminessomefriendsmanagedtogetamessagetohimthathiswifeandchildrenhadescapedandcometoEngland。Sowhenhedesertedhecameheretolookforthem。"
　　"Hadhegottheiraddress？"saidpracticalPeter。
　　"No;justEngland。HewasgoingtoLondon，andhethoughthehadtochangeatourstation，andthenhefoundhe’dlosthisticketandhispurse。"
　　"Oh，DOyouthinkhe’llfindthem？——Imeanhiswifeandchildren，nottheticketandthings。"
　　"Ihopeso。Oh，Ihopeandpraythathe’llfindhiswifeandchildrenagain。"
　　EvenPhyllisnowperceivedthatmother’svoicewasveryunsteady。
　　"Why，Mother，"shesaid，"howverysorryyouseemtobeforhim！"
　　Motherdidn’tanswerforaminute。Thenshejustsaid，"Yes，"andthensheseemedtobethinking。Thechildrenwerequiet。
　　Presentlyshesaid，"Dears，whenyousayyourprayers，IthinkyoumightaskGodtoshowHispityuponallprisonersandcaptives。"
　　"ToshowHispity，"Bobbierepeatedslowly，"uponallprisonersandcaptives。Isthatright，Mother？"
　　"Yes，"saidMother，"uponallprisonersandcaptives。Allprisonersandcaptives。"
　　ChapterVI。Savioursofthetrain。
　　TheRussiangentlemanwasbetterthenextday，andthedayafterthatbetterstill，andonthethirddayhewaswellenoughtocomeintothegarden。Abasketchairwasputforhimandhesatthere，dressedinclothesofFather’swhichweretoobigforhim。ButwhenMotherhadhemmeduptheendsofthesleevesandthetrousers，theclothesdidwellenough。Hiswasakindfacenowthatitwasnolongertiredandfrightened，andhesmiledatthechildrenwheneverhesawthem。TheywishedverymuchthathecouldspeakEnglish。
　　MotherwroteseveralletterstopeopleshethoughtmightknowwhereaboutsinEnglandaRussiangentleman’swifeandfamilymightpossiblybe;nottothepeoplesheusedtoknowbeforeshecametoliveatThreeChimneys——sheneverwrotetoanyofthem——butstrangepeople——MembersofParliamentandEditorsofpapers，andSecretariesofSocieties。
　　Andshedidnotdomuchofherstory—writing，onlycorrectedproofsasshesatinthesunneartheRussian，andtalkedtohimeverynowandthen。
　　ThechildrenwantedverymuchtoshowhowkindlytheyfelttothismanwhohadbeensenttoprisonandtoSiberiajustforwritingabeautifulbookaboutpoorpeople。Theycouldsmileathim，ofcourse;theycouldandtheydid。Butifyousmiletooconstantly，thesmileisapttogetfixedlikethesmileofthehyaena。Andthenitnolongerlooksfriendly，butsimplysilly。Sotheytriedotherways，andbroughthimflowerstilltheplacewherehesatwassurroundedbylittlefadingbunchesofcloverandrosesandCanterburybells。
　　AndthenPhyllishadanidea。Shebeckonedmysteriouslytotheothersanddrewthemintothebackyard，andthere，inaconcealedspot，betweenthepumpandthewater—butt，shesaid：——
　　"YourememberPerkspromisingmetheveryfirststrawberriesoutofhisowngarden？"Perks，youwillrecollect，wasthePorter。"Well，Ishouldthinkthey’reripenow。Let’sgodownandsee。"
　　MotherhadbeendownasshehadpromisedtotelltheStationMasterthestoryoftheRussianPrisoner。Buteventhecharmsoftherailwayhadbeenunabletotearthechildrenawayfromtheneighbourhoodoftheinterestingstranger。Sotheyhadnotbeentothestationforthreedays。
　　Theywentnow。
　　And，totheirsurpriseanddistress，wereverycoldlyreceivedbyPerks。
　　"’Ighlyhonoured，I’msure，"hesaidwhentheypeepedinatthedoorofthePorters’room。Andhewentonreadinghisnewspaper。
　　Therewasanuncomfortablesilence。
　　"Oh，dear，"saidBobbie，withasigh，"Idobelieveyou’reCROSS。"
　　"What，me？Notme！"saidPerksloftily;"itain’tnothingtome。"
　　"WhatAIN’Tnothingtoyou？"saidPeter，tooanxiousandalarmedtochangetheformofwords。
　　"Nothingain’tnothing。What’appenseither’ereorelsewhere，"
　　saidPerks;"ifyoulikesto’aveyoursecrets，’ave’emandwelcome。That’swhatIsay。"
　　Thesecret—chamberofeachheartwasrapidlyexaminedduringthepausethatfollowed。Threeheadswereshaken。
　　"Wehaven’tgotanysecretsfromYOU，"saidBobbieatlast。
　　"Maybeyou’ave，andmaybeyou’aven’t，"saidPerks;"itain’tnothingtome。AndIwishyouallaverygoodafternoon。"Heheldupthepaperbetweenhimandthemandwentonreading。
　　"Oh，DON’T！"saidPhyllis，indespair;"thisistrulydreadful！
　　Whateveritis，dotellus。"
　　"Wedidn’tmeantodoitwhateveritwas。"
　　Noanswer。ThepaperwasrefoldedandPerksbeganonanothercolumn。
　　"Lookhere，"saidPeter，suddenly，"it’snotfair。Evenpeoplewhodocrimesaren’tpunishedwithoutbeingtoldwhatit’sfor——asoncetheywereinRussia。"
　　"Idon’tknownothingaboutRussia。"
　　"Oh，yes，youdo，whenMothercamedownonpurposetotellyouandMr。GillsallaboutOURRussian。"
　　"Can’tyoufancyit？"saidPerks，indignantly;"don’tyousee’ima—
　　askingofmetostepinto’isroomandtakeachairandlistentowhat’erLadyship’astosay？"
　　"Doyoumeantosayyou’venotheard？"
　　"Notsomuchasabreath。Ididgosofarastoputaquestion。
　　Andheshutsmeuplikearat—trap。’AffairsofState，Perks，’sayshe。ButIdidthinkoneo’youwould’a’nippeddowntotellme——
　　you’reheresharpenoughwhenyouwanttogetanythingoutofoldPerks"——Phyllisflushedpurpleasshethoughtofthestrawberries——
　　"informationaboutlocomotivesorsignalsorthelikes，"saidPerks。
　　"Wedidn’tknowyoudidn’tknow。"
　　"WethoughtMotherhadtoldyou。"
　　"Wewantedtotellyouonlywethoughtitwouldbestalenews。"
　　Thethreespokeallatonce。
　　Perkssaiditwasallverywell，andstillheldupthepaper。ThenPhyllissuddenlysnatcheditaway，andthrewherarmsroundhisneck。
　　"Oh，let’skissandbefriends，"shesaid;"we’llsaywe’resorryfirst，ifyoulike，butwedidn’treallyknowthatyoudidn’tknow。"
　　"Wearesosorry，"saidtheothers。
　　AndPerksatlastconsentedtoaccepttheirapologies。
　　ThentheygothimtocomeoutandsitinthesunonthegreenRailwayBank，wherethegrasswasquitehottotouch，andthere，sometimesspeakingoneatatime，andsometimesalltogether，theytoldthePorterthestoryoftheRussianPrisoner。
　　"Well，Imustsay，"saidPerks;buthedidnotsayit——whateveritwas。
　　"Yes，itisprettyawful，isn’tit？"saidPeter，"andIdon’twonderyouwerecuriousaboutwhotheRussianwas。"
　　"Iwasn’tcurious，notsomuchasinterested，"saidthePorter。
　　"Well，IdothinkMr。Gillsmighthavetoldyouaboutit。Itwashorridofhim。"
　　"Idon’tkeepnodownon’imforthat，Missie，"saidthePorter;
　　"coswhy？Isee’isreasons。’Ewouldn’twanttogiveaway’isownsidewithatalelikethat’ere。Itain’thumannature。Aman’sgottostandupforhisownsidewhatevertheydoes。That’swhatitmeansbyPartyPolitics。Ishould’a’donethesamemyselfifthatlong—’airedchap’ad’a’beenaJap。"
　　"ButtheJapsdidn’tdocruel，wickedthingslikethat，"saidBobbie。
　　"P’r’apsnot，"saidPerks，cautiously;"stillyoucan’tbesurewithforeigners。Myownbeliefisthey’realltarredwiththesamebrush。"
　　"ThenwhywereyouonthesideoftheJaps？"Peterasked。
　　"Well，yousee，youmusttakeonesideortheother。SameaswithLiberalsandConservatives。Thegreatthingistotakeyoursideandthensticktoit，whateverhappens。"
　　Asignalsounded。