"She’sgoingtoanchor，"saidPeter;"justourluck！"
　　Thebargedidnotanchor，becauseananchorisnotpartofacanal—
　　boat’sfurniture，butshewasmooredwithropesforeandaft——andtheropesweremadefasttothepalingsandtocrowbarsdrivenintotheground。
　　"Whatyoustaringat？"growledtheBargee，crossly。
　　"Weweren’tstaring，"saidBobbie;"wewouldn’tbesorude。"
　　"Rudebeblessed，"saidtheman;"getalongwithyou！"
　　"Getalongyourself，"saidPeter。Herememberedwhathehadsaidaboutfightingboys，and，besides，hefeltsafehalfwayupthebank。
　　"We’veasmuchrighthereasanyoneelse。"
　　"Oh，’AVEyou，indeed！"saidtheman。"We’llsoonseeaboutthat。"
　　Andhecameacrosshisdeckandbegantoclimbdownthesideofhisbarge。
　　"Oh，comeaway，Peter，comeaway！"saidBobbieandPhyllis，inagonisedunison。
　　"Notme，"saidPeter，"butYOU’Dbetter。"
　　Thegirlsclimbedtothetopofthebankandstoodreadytoboltforhomeassoonastheysawtheirbrotheroutofdanger。Thewayhomelayalldownhill。Theyknewthattheyallranwell。TheBargeedidnotlookasifHEdid。Hewasred—faced，heavy，andbeefy。
　　Butassoonashisfootwasonthetowing—paththechildrensawthattheyhadmisjudgedhim。
　　HemadeonespringupthebankandcaughtPeterbytheleg，draggedhimdown——sethimonhisfeetwithashake——tookhimbytheear——andsaidsternly：——
　　"Now，then，whatdoyoumeanbyit？Don’tyouknowthese’erewatersispreserved？Youain’tnorightcatchingfish’ere——nottosaynothingofyourpreciouscheek。"
　　Peterwasalwaysproudafterwardswhenherememberedthat，withtheBargee’sfuriousfingerstighteningonhisear，theBargee’scrimsoncountenanceclosetohisown，theBargee’shotbreathonhisneck，hehadthecouragetospeakthetruth。
　　"IWASN’Tcatchingfish，"saidPeter。
　　"That’snotYOURfault，I’llbebound，"saidtheman，givingPeter’searatwist——notahardone——butstillatwist。
　　Petercouldnotsaythatitwas。BobbieandPhyllishadbeenholdingontotherailingsaboveandskippingwithanxiety。NowsuddenlyBobbieslippedthroughtherailingsandrusheddownthebanktowardsPeter，soimpetuouslythatPhyllis，followingmoretemperately，feltcertainthathersister’sdescentwouldendinthewatersofthecanal。AndsoitwouldhavedoneiftheBargeehadn’tletgoofPeter’sear——andcaughtherinhisjerseyedarm。
　　"Whoareyoua—shovingof？"hesaid，settingheronherfeet。
　　"Oh，"saidBobbie，breathless，"I’mnotshovinganybody。Atleast，notonpurpose。Pleasedon’tbecrosswithPeter。Ofcourse，ifit’syourcanal，we’resorryandwewon’tanymore。Butwedidn’tknowitwasyours。"
　　"Goalongwithyou，"saidtheBargee。
　　"Yes，wewill;indeedwewill，"saidBobbie，earnestly;"butwedobegyourpardon——andreallywehaven’tcaughtasinglefish。I’dtellyoudirectlyifwehad，honourbrightIwould。"
　　SheheldoutherhandsandPhyllisturnedoutherlittleemptypockettoshowthatreallytheyhadn’tanyfishconcealedaboutthem。
　　"Well，"saidtheBargee，moregently，"cutalong，then，anddon’tyoudoitagain，that’sall。"
　　Thechildrenhurriedupthebank。
　　"Chuckusacoat，M’ria，"shoutedtheman。Andared—hairedwomaninagreenplaidshawlcameoutfromthecabindoorwithababyinherarmsandthrewacoattohim。Heputiton，climbedthebank，andslouchedalongacrossthebridgetowardsthevillage。
　　"You’llfindmeupatthe’RoseandCrown’whenyou’vegotthekidtosleep，"hecalledtoherfromthebridge。
　　Whenhewasoutofsightthechildrenslowlyreturned。Peterinsistedonthis。
　　"Thecanalmaybelongtohim，"hesaid，"thoughIdon’tbelieveitdoes。Butthebridgeiseverybody’s。DoctorForresttoldmeit’spublicproperty。I’mnotgoingtobebouncedoffthebridgebyhimoranyoneelse，soItellyou。"
　　Peter’searwasstillsoreandsowerehisfeelings。
　　Thegirlsfollowedhimasgallantsoldiersmightfollowtheleaderofaforlornhope。
　　"Idowishyouwouldn’t，"wasalltheysaid。
　　"Gohomeifyou’reafraid，"saidPeter;"leavemealone。I’Mnotafraid。"
　　Thesoundoftheman’sfootstepsdiedawayalongthequietroad。
　　Thepeaceoftheeveningwasnotbrokenbythenotesofthesedge—
　　warblersorbythevoiceofthewomaninthebarge，singingherbabytosleep。Itwasasadsongshesang。SomethingaboutBillBaileyandhowshewantedhimtocomehome。
　　Thechildrenstoodleaningtheirarmsontheparapetofthebridge;
　　theyweregladtobequietforafewminutesbecauseallthreeheartswerebeatingmuchmorequickly。
　　"I’mnotgoingtobedrivenawaybyanyoldbargeman，I’mnot，"saidPeter，thickly。
　　"Ofcoursenot，"Phyllissaidsoothingly;"youdidn’tgiveintohim！Sonowwemightgohome，don’tyouthink？"
　　"NO，"saidPeter。
　　Nothingmorewassaidtillthewomangotoffthebarge，climbedthebank，andcameacrossthebridge。
　　Shehesitated，lookingatthethreebacksofthechildren，thenshesaid，"Ahem。"
　　Peterstayedashewas，butthegirlslookedround。
　　"Youmustn’ttakenonoticeofmyBill，"saidthewoman;"’isbark’sworse’n’isbite。SomeofthekidsdownFarleywayisfairterrors。
　　Itwasthemput’isbackupcallingoutaboutwhoatethepuppy—pieunderMarlowbridge。"
　　"WhoDID？"askedPhyllis。
　　"_I_dunno，"saidthewoman。"Nobodydon’tknow！Butsomehow，andIdon’tknowthewhynorthewhereforeofit，themwordsisp’isontoabarge—master。Don’tyoutakenonotice。’Ewon’tbebackfortwohoursgood。Youmightcatchapowero’fishaforethat。Thelight’sgoodan’all，"sheadded。
　　"Thankyou，"saidBobbie。"You’reverykind。Where’syourbaby？"
　　"Asleepinthecabin，"saidthewoman。"’E’sallright。Neverwakesaforetwelve。Reg’larasachurchclock，’eis。"
　　"I’msorry，"saidBobbie;"Iwouldhavelikedtoseehim，closeto。"
　　"Andafineryouneverdidsee，Miss，thoughIsaysit。"Thewoman’sfacebrightenedasshespoke。
　　"Aren’tyouafraidtoleaveit？"saidPeter。
　　"Lor’loveyou，no，"saidthewoman;"who’dhurtalittlethinglike’im？Besides，Spot’sthere。Solong！"
　　Thewomanwentaway。
　　"Shallwegohome？"saidPhyllis。
　　"Youcan。I’mgoingtofish，"saidPeterbriefly。
　　"IthoughtwecameupheretotalkaboutPerks’sbirthday，"saidPhyllis。
　　"Perks’sbirthday’llkeep。"
　　Sotheygotdownonthetowing—pathagainandPeterfished。Hedidnotcatchanything。
　　Itwasalmostquitedark，thegirlsweregettingtired，andasBobbiesaid，itwaspastbedtime，whensuddenlyPhylliscried，"What’sthat？"
　　Andshepointedtothecanalboat。Smokewascomingfromthechimneyofthecabin，hadindeedbeencurlingsoftlyintothesofteveningairallthetime——butnowotherwreathsofsmokewererising，andthesewerefromthecabindoor。
　　"It’sonfire——that’sall，"saidPeter，calmly。"Servehimright。"
　　"Oh——howCANyou？"criedPhyllis。"Thinkofthepoordeardog。"
　　"TheBABY！"screamedBobbie。
　　Inaninstantallthreemadeforthebarge。
　　Hermooringropeswereslack，andthelittlebreeze，hardlystrongenoughtobefelt，hadyetbeenstrongenoughtodrifthersternagainstthebank。Bobbiewasfirst——thencamePeter，anditwasPeterwhoslippedandfell。Hewentintothecanaluptohisneck，andhisfeetcouldnotfeelthebottom，buthisarmwasontheedgeofthebarge。Phylliscaughtathishair。Ithurt，butithelpedhimtogetout。Nextminutehehadleapedontothebarge，Phyllisfollowing。
　　"Notyou！"heshoutedtoBobbie;"ME，becauseI’mwet。"
　　HecaughtupwithBobbieatthecabindoor，andflungherasideveryroughlyindeed;iftheyhadbeenplaying，suchroughnesswouldhavemadeBobbieweepwithtearsofrageandpain。Now，thoughheflungherontotheedgeofthehold，sothatherkneeandherelbowweregrazedandbruised，sheonlycried：——
　　"No——notyou——ME，"andstruggledupagain。Butnotquicklyenough。
　　Peterhadalreadygonedowntwoofthecabinstepsintothecloudofthicksmoke。Hestopped，rememberedallhehadeverheardoffires，pulledhissoakedhandkerchiefoutofhisbreastpocketandtieditoverhismouth。Ashepulleditouthesaid：——
　　"It’sallright，hardlyanyfireatall。"
　　Andthis，thoughhethoughtitwasalie，wasrathergoodofPeter。
　　ItwasmeanttokeepBobbiefromrushingafterhimintodanger。Ofcourseitdidn’t。
　　Thecabinglowedred。Aparaffinlampwasburningcalmlyinanorangemist。
　　"Hi，"saidPeter，liftingthehandkerchieffromhismouthforamoment。"Hi，Baby——whereareyou？"Hechoked。
　　"Oh，letMEgo，"criedBobbie，closebehindhim。Peterpushedherbackmoreroughlythanbefore，andwenton。
　　Nowwhatwouldhavehappenedifthebabyhadn’tcriedIdon’tknow——
　　butjustatthatmomentitDIDcry。Peterfelthiswaythroughthedarksmoke，foundsomethingsmallandsoftandwarmandalive，pickeditupandbackedout，nearlytumblingoverBobbiewhowasclosebehind。Adogsnappedathisleg——triedtobark，choked。
　　"I’vegotthekid，"saidPeter，tearingoffthehandkerchiefandstaggeringontothedeck。
　　Bobbiecaughtattheplacewherethebarkcamefrom，andherhandsmetonthefatbackofasmooth—haireddog。Itturnedandfasteneditsteethonherhand，butverygently，asmuchastosay：——
　　"I’mboundtobarkandbiteifstrangerscomeintomymaster’scabin，butIknowyoumeanwell，soIwon’tREALLYbite。"
　　Bobbiedroppedthedog。
　　"Allright，oldman。Gooddog，"saidshe。"Here——givemethebaby，Peter;you’resowetyou’llgiveitcold。"
　　Peterwasonlytoogladtohandoverthestrangelittlebundlethatsquirmedandwhimperedinhisarms。
　　"Now，"saidBobbie，quickly，"yourunstraighttothe’RoseandCrown’andtellthem。PhilandIwillstayherewiththeprecious。
　　Hush，then，adear，aduck，adarling！GoNOW，Peter！Run！"
　　"Ican’truninthesethings，"saidPeter，firmly;"they’reasheavyaslead。I’llwalk。"
　　"ThenI’LLrun，"saidBobbie。"Getonthebank，Phil，andI’llhandyouthedear。"
　　Thebabywascarefullyhanded。Phyllissatdownonthebankandtriedtohushthebaby。Peterwrungthewaterfromhissleevesandknickerbockerlegsaswellashecould，anditwasBobbiewhoranlikethewindacrossthebridgeandupthelongwhitequiettwilightroadtowardsthe’RoseandCrown。’
　　Thereisaniceold—fashionedroomatthe’RoseandCrown;whereBargeesandtheirwivessitofaneveningdrinkingtheirsupperbeer，andtoastingtheirsuppercheeseataglowingbasketfulofcoalsthatsticksoutintotheroomunderagreathoodedchimneyandiswarmerandprettierandmorecomfortingthananyotherfireplace_I_eversaw。
　　Therewasapleasantpartyofbargepeopleroundthefire。Youmightnothavethoughtitpleasant，buttheydid;fortheywereallfriendsoracquaintances，andtheylikedthesamesortofthings，andtalkedthesamesortoftalk。Thisistherealsecretofpleasantsociety。TheBargeeBill，whomthechildrenhadfoundsodisagreeable，wasconsideredexcellentcompanybyhismates。Hewastellingataleofhisownwrongs——alwaysathrillingsubject。Itwashisbargehewasspeakingabout。
　　"And’esentdownword’paintherinsidehout，’notnamin’nocolour，d’yesee？SoIgetsalottergreenpaintandIpaintsherstemtostern，andItellyershelookedA1。Then’Ecomesalongand’esays，’Wotyerpaint’erallonecolourfor？’’esays。AndI
　　says，saysI，’CauseIthoughtshe’dlookfust—rate，’saysI，’andI
　　thinksostill。’An’hesays，’DEWyer？Thenyecanjustpayforthebloomin’paintyerself，’sayshe。An’I’adto，too。"Amurmurofsympathyranroundtheroom。BreakingnoisilyinonitcameBobbie。Sheburstopentheswingdoor——cryingbreathlessly：——
　　"Bill！IwantBilltheBargeman。"
　　Therewasastupefiedsilence。Potsofbeerwereheldinmid—air，paralysedontheirwaytothirstymouths。
　　"Oh，"saidBobbie，seeingthebargewomanandmakingforher。"Yourbargecabin’sonfire。Goquickly。"
　　Thewomanstartedtoherfeet，andputabigredhandtoherwaist，ontheleftside，whereyourheartseemstobewhenyouarefrightenedormiserable。
　　"ReginaldHorace！"shecriedinaterriblevoice;"myReginaldHorace！"
　　"Allright，"saidBobbie，"ifyoumeanthebaby;gothimoutsafe。
　　Dog，too。"Shehadnobreathformore，except，"Goon——it’sallalight。"
　　Thenshesankontheale—housebenchandtriedtogetthatbreathofreliefafterrunningwhichpeoplecallthe’secondwind。’Butshefeltasthoughshewouldneverbreatheagain。
　　BilltheBargeeroseslowlyandheavily。Buthiswifewasahundredyardsuptheroadbeforehehadquiteunderstoodwhatwasthematter。
　　Phyllis，shiveringbythecanalside，hadhardlyheardthequickapproachingfeetbeforethewomanhadflungherselfontherailing，rolleddownthebank，andsnatchedthebabyfromher。
　　"Don’t，"saidPhyllis，reproachfully;"I’djustgothimtosleep。"
　　******
　　Billcameuplatertalkinginalanguagewithwhichthechildrenwerewhollyunfamiliar。Heleapedontothebargeanddippeduppailsofwater。Peterhelpedhimandtheyputoutthefire。
　　Phyllis，thebargewoman，andthebaby——andpresentlyBobbie，too——
　　cuddledtogetherinaheaponthebank。
　　"Lordhelpme，ifitwasmeleftanythingascouldcatchalight，"
　　saidthewomanagainandagain。
　　Butitwasn’tshe。ItwasBilltheBargeman，whohadknockedhispipeoutandtheredashhadfallenonthehearth—rugandsmoulderedthereandatlastbrokenintoflame。Thoughasternmanhewasjust。Hedidnotblamehiswifeforwhatwashisownfault，asmanybargemen，andothermen，too，wouldhavedone。
　　******
　　MotherwashalfwildwithanxietywhenatlastthethreechildrenturnedupatThreeChimneys，allverywetbynow，forPeterseemedtohavecomeoffontheothers。Butwhenshehaddisentangledthetruthofwhathadhappenedfromtheirmixedandincoherentnarrative，sheownedthattheyhaddonequiteright，andcouldnotpossiblyhavedoneotherwise。Nordidsheputanyobstaclesinthewayoftheiracceptingthecordialinvitationwithwhichthebargemanhadpartedfromthem。
　　"Yebehereatsevento—morrow，"hehadsaid，"andI’lltakeyoutheentiretriptoFarleyandback，soIwill，andnotapennytopay。
　　Nineteenlocks！"
　　Theydidnotknowwhatlockswere;buttheywereatthebridgeatseven，withbreadandcheeseandhalfasodacake，andquiteaquarterofalegofmuttoninabasket。
　　Itwasagloriousday。Theoldwhitehorsestrainedattheropes，thebargeglidedsmoothlyandsteadilythroughthestillwater。Theskywasblueoverhead。Mr。Billwasasniceasanyonecouldpossiblybe。NoonewouldhavethoughtthathecouldbethesamemanwhohadheldPeterbytheear。AsforMrs。Bill，shehadalwaysbeennice，asBobbiesaid，andsohadthebaby，andevenSpot，whomighthavebittenthemquitebadlyifhehadliked。
　　"Itwassimplyripping，Mother，"saidPeter，whentheyreachedhomeveryhappy，verytired，andverydirty，"rightoverthatgloriousaqueduct。Andlocks——youdon’tknowwhatthey’relike。Yousinkintothegroundandthen，whenyoufeelyou’renevergoingtostopgoingdown，twogreatblackgatesopenslowly，slowly——yougoout，andthereyouareonthecanaljustlikeyouwerebefore。"
　　"Iknow，"saidMother，"therearelocksontheThames。FatherandI
　　usedtogoontheriveratMarlowbeforeweweremarried。"
　　"Andthedear，darling，duckybaby，"saidBobbie;"itletmenurseitforagesandages——anditWASsogood。Mother，Iwishwehadababytoplaywith。"
　　"Andeverybodywassonicetous，"saidPhyllis，"everybodywemet。
　　Andtheysaywemayfishwheneverwelike。AndBillisgoingtoshowusthewaynexttimehe’sintheseparts。Hesayswedon’tknowreally。"
　　"HesaidYOUdidn’tknow，"saidPeter;"but，Mother，hesaidhe’dtellallthebargeesupanddownthecanalthatwewerethereal，rightsort，andtheyweretotreatuslikegoodpals，aswewere。"
　　"SothenIsaid，"Phyllisinterrupted，"we’dalwayseachweararedribbonwhenwewentfishingbythecanal，sothey’dknowitwasUS，andwewerethereal，rightsort，andbenicetous！"
　　"Soyou’vemadeanotherlotoffriends，"saidMother;"firsttherailwayandthenthecanal！"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidBobbie;"Ithinkeveryoneintheworldisfriendsifyoucanonlygetthemtoseeyoudon’twanttobeUN—friends。"
　　"Perhapsyou’reright，"saidMother;andshesighed。"Come，Chicks。
　　It’sbedtime。"
　　"Yes，"saidPhyllis。"Ohdear——andwewentuptheretotalkaboutwhatwe’ddoforPerks’sbirthday。Andwehaven’ttalkedasinglethingaboutit！"
　　"Nomorewehave，"saidBobbie;"butPeter’ssavedReginaldHorace’slife。Ithinkthat’saboutgoodenoughforoneevening。"
　　"BobbiewouldhavesavedhimifIhadn’tknockedherdown;twiceI
　　did，"saidPeter，loyally。
　　"SowouldI，"saidPhyllis，"ifI’dknownwhattodo。"
　　"Yes，"saidMother，"you’vesavedalittlechild’slife。Idothinkthat’senoughforoneevening。Oh，mydarlings，thankGodYOU’RE
　　allsafe！"
　　ChapterIX。TheprideofPerks。
　　Itwasbreakfast—time。Mother’sfacewasverybrightasshepouredthemilkandladledouttheporridge。
　　"I’vesoldanotherstory，Chickies，"shesaid;"theoneabouttheKingoftheMussels，sothere’llbebunsfortea。Youcangoandgetthemassoonasthey’rebaked。Abouteleven，isn’tit？"
　　Peter，Phyllis，andBobbieexchangedglanceswitheachother，sixglancesinall。ThenBobbiesaid：——
　　"Mother，wouldyoumindifwedidn’thavethebunsforteato—night，butonthefifteenth？That’snextThursday。"
　　"_I_don’tmindwhenyouhavethem，dear，"saidMother，"butwhy？"
　　"Becauseit’sPerks’sbirthday，"saidBobbie;"he’sthirty—two，andhesayshedoesn’tkeephisbirthdayanymore，becausehe’sgototherthingstokeep——notrabbitsorsecrets——butthekidsandthemissus。"
　　"Youmeanhiswifeandchildren，"saidMother。
　　"Yes，"saidPhyllis;"it’sthesamething，isn’tit？"
　　"Andwethoughtwe’dmakeanicebirthdayforhim。He’sbeensoawfullyjollydecenttous，youknow，Mother，"saidPeter，"andweagreedthatnextbun—daywe’daskyouifwecould。"
　　"Butsupposetherehadn’tbeenabun—daybeforethefifteenth？"saidMother。
　　"Oh，then，wemeanttoaskyoutoletusanti——antipateit，andgowithoutwhenthebun—daycame。"
　　"Anticipate，"saidMother。"Isee。Certainly。Itwouldbenicetoputhisnameonthebunswithpinksugar，wouldn’tit？"
　　"Perks，"saidPeter，"it’snotaprettyname。"
　　"Hisothername’sAlbert，"saidPhyllis;"Iaskedhimonce。"
　　"WemightputA。P。，"saidMother;"I’llshowyouhowwhenthedaycomes。"
　　Thiswasallverywellasfarasitwent。ButevenfourteenhalfpennybunswithA。P。ontheminpinksugardonotofthemselvesmakeaverygrandcelebration。
　　"Therearealwaysflowers，ofcourse，"saidBobbie，later，whenareallyearnestcouncilwasbeingheldonthesubjectinthehay—loftwherethebrokenchaff—cuttingmachinewas，andtherowofholestodrophaythroughintothehay—racksoverthemangersofthestablesbelow。
　　"He’sgotlotsofflowersofhisown，"saidPeter。
　　"Butit’salwaysnicetohavethemgivenyou，"saidBobbie，"howevermanyyou’vegotofyourown。Wecanuseflowersfortrimmingstothebirthday。Buttheremustbesomethingtotrimbesidesbuns。"
　　"Let’sallbequietandthink，"saidPhyllis;"noone’stospeakuntilit’sthoughtofsomething。"
　　Sotheywereallquietandsoverystillthatabrownratthoughtthattherewasnooneintheloftandcameoutveryboldly。WhenBobbiesneezed，theratwasquiteshockedandhurriedaway，forhesawthatahay—loftwheresuchthingscouldhappenwasnoplaceforarespectablemiddle—agedratthatlikedaquietlife。
　　"Hooray！"criedPeter，suddenly，"I’vegotit。"Hejumpedupandkickedattheloosehay。
　　"What？"saidtheothers，eagerly。
　　"Why，Perksissonicetoeverybody。Theremustbelotsofpeopleinthevillagewho’dliketohelptomakehimabirthday。Let’sgoroundandaskeverybody。"
　　"Mothersaidweweren’ttoaskpeopleforthings，"saidBobbie，doubtfully。
　　"Forourselves，shemeant，silly，notforotherpeople。I’llasktheoldgentlemantoo。YouseeifIdon’t，"saidPeter。
　　"Let’saskMotherfirst，"saidBobbie。
　　"Oh，what’stheuseofbotheringMotherabouteverylittlething？"
　　saidPeter，"especiallywhenshe’sbusy。Comeon。Let’sgodowntothevillagenowandbegin。"
　　Sotheywent。TheoldladyatthePost—officesaidshedidn’tseewhyPerksshouldhaveabirthdayanymorethananyoneelse。
　　"No，"saidBobbie，"Ishouldlikeeveryonetohaveone。Onlyweknowwhenhisis。"
　　"Mine’sto—morrow，"saidtheoldlady，"andmuchnoticeanyonewilltakeofit。Goalongwithyou。"
　　Sotheywent。
　　Andsomepeoplewerekind，andsomewerecrusty。Andsomewouldgiveandsomewouldnot。Itisratherdifficultworkaskingforthings，evenforotherpeople，asyouhavenodoubtfoundifyouhaveevertriedit。
　　Whenthechildrengothomeandcountedupwhathadbeengivenandwhathadbeenpromised，theyfeltthatforthefirstdayitwasnotsobad。Peterwrotedownthelistsofthethingsinthelittlepocket—bookwherehekeptthenumbersofhisengines。Thesewerethelists：——
　　GIVEN。
　　Atobaccopipefromthesweetshop。
　　Halfapoundofteafromthegrocer’s。
　　Awoollenscarfslightlyfadedfromthedraper’s，whichwastheothersideofthegrocer’s。
　　AstuffedsquirrelfromtheDoctor。
　　PROMISED。
　　Apieceofmeatfromthebutcher。
　　Sixfresheggsfromthewomanwholivedintheoldturnpikecottage。
　　Apieceofhoneycombandsixbootlacesfromthecobbler，andanironshovelfromtheblacksmith’s。
　　VeryearlynextmorningBobbiegotupandwokePhyllis。Thishadbeenagreedonbetweenthem。TheyhadnottoldPeterbecausetheythoughthewouldthinkitsilly。Buttheytoldhimafterwards，whenithadturnedoutallright。
　　Theycutabigbunchofroses，andputitinabasketwiththeneedle—bookthatPhyllishadmadeforBobbieonherbirthday，andaveryprettybluenecktieofPhyllis’s。Thentheywroteonapaper：
　　’ForMrs。Ransome，withourbestlove，becauseitisherbirthday，’
　　andtheyputthepaperinthebasket，andtheytookittothePost—
　　office，andwentinandputitonthecounterandranawaybeforetheoldwomanatthePost—officehadtimetogetintohershop。
　　WhentheygothomePeterhadgrownconfidentialoverhelpingMothertogetthebreakfastandhadtoldhertheirplans。
　　"There’snoharminit，"saidMother，"butitdependsHOWyoudoit。
　　Ionlyhopehewon’tbeoffendedandthinkit’sCHARITY。Poorpeopleareveryproud，youknow。"
　　"Itisn’tbecausehe’spoor，"saidPhyllis;"it’sbecausewe’refondofhim。"
　　"I’llfindsomethingsthatPhyllishasoutgrown，"saidMother，"ifyou’requitesureyoucangivethemtohimwithouthisbeingoffended。Ishouldliketodosomelittlethingforhimbecausehe’sbeensokindtoyou。Ican’tdomuchbecausewe’repoorourselves。Whatareyouwriting，Bobbie？"
　　"Nothingparticular，"saidBobbie，whohadsuddenlybeguntoscribble。"I’msurehe’dlikethethings，Mother。"
　　ThemorningofthefifteenthwasspentveryhappilyingettingthebunsandwatchingMothermakeA。P。onthemwithpinksugar。Youknowhowit’sdone，ofcourse？Youbeatupwhitesofeggsandmixpowderedsugarwiththem，andputinafewdropsofcochineal。Andthenyoumakeaconeofclean，whitepaperwithalittleholeatthepointedend，andputthepinkegg—sugarinatthebigend。Itrunsslowlyoutatthepointedend，andyouwritetheletterswithitjustasthoughitwereagreatfatpenfullofpinksugar—ink。
　　ThebunslookedbeautifulwithA。P。oneveryone，and，whentheywereputinacooloventosetthesugar，thechildrenwentuptothevillagetocollectthehoneyandtheshovelandtheotherpromisedthings。
　　TheoldladyatthePost—officewasstandingonherdoorstep。Thechildrensaid"Goodmorning，"politely，astheypassed。
　　"Here，stopabit，"shesaid。
　　Sotheystopped。
　　"Thoseroses，"saidshe。
　　"Didyoulikethem？"saidPhyllis;"theywereasfreshasfresh。
　　_I_madetheneedle—book，butitwasBobbie’spresent。"Sheskippedjoyouslyasshespoke。
　　"Here’syourbasket，"saidthePost—officewoman。Shewentinandbroughtoutthebasket。Itwasfulloffat，redgooseberries。
　　"IdaresayPerks’schildrenwouldlikethem，"saidshe。
　　"YouAREanolddear，"saidPhyllis，throwingherarmsaroundtheoldlady’sfatwaist。"PerksWILLbepleased。"
　　"Hewon’tbehalfsopleasedasIwaswithyourneedle—bookandthetieandtheprettyflowersandall，"saidtheoldlady，pattingPhyllis’sshoulder。"You’regoodlittlesouls，thatyouare。Lookhere。I’vegotapramroundthebackinthewood—lodge。ItwasgotformyEmmie’sfirst，thatdidn’tlivebutsixmonths，andsheneverhadbutthatone。I’dlikeMrs。Perkstohaveit。It’udbeahelptoherwiththatgreatboyofhers。Willyoutakeitalong？"
　　"OH！"saidallthechildrentogether。
　　WhenMrs。Ransomehadgotouttheperambulatorandtakenoffthecarefulpapersthatcoveredit，anddusteditallover，shesaid：——
　　"Well，thereitis。Idon’tknowbutwhatI’dhavegivenittoherbeforeifI’dthoughtofit。OnlyIdidn’tquiteknowifshe’dacceptofitfromme。YoutellheritwasmyEmmie’slittleone’spram——"
　　"Oh，ISN’Titnicetothinkthereisgoingtobeareallivebabyinitagain！"
　　"Yes，"saidMrs。Ransome，sighing，andthenlaughing;"here，I’llgiveyousomepeppermintcushionsforthelittleones，andthenyourunalongbeforeIgiveyoutheroofoffmyheadandtheclothesoffmyback。"
　　AllthethingsthathadbeencollectedforPerkswerepackedintotheperambulator，andathalf—pastthreePeterandBobbieandPhylliswheeleditdowntothelittleyellowhousewherePerkslived。
　　Thehousewasverytidy。Onthewindowledgewasajugofwild—
　　flowers，bigdaisies，andredsorrel，andfeathery，flowerygrasses。
　　Therewasasoundofsplashingfromthewash—house，andapartlywashedboyputhisheadroundthedoor。
　　"Mother’sa—changingofherself，"hesaid。
　　"Downinaminute，"avoicesoundeddownthenarrow，freshlyscrubbedstairs。
　　Thechildrenwaited。NextmomentthestairscreakedandMrs。Perkscamedown，buttoningherbodice。Herhairwasbrushedverysmoothandtight，andherfaceshonewithsoapandwater。
　　"I’mabitlatechanging，Miss，"shesaidtoBobbie，"owingtomehavinghadaextryclean—upto—day，alongo’Perkshappeningtonameitsbeinghisbirthday。Idon’tknowwhatputitintohisheadtothinkofsuchathing。Wekeepsthechildren’sbirthdays，ofcourse;buthimandme——we’retoooldforsuchlike，asageneralrule。"
　　"Weknewitwashisbirthday，"saidPeter，"andwe’vegotsomepresentsforhimoutsideintheperambulator。
　　Asthepresentswerebeingunpacked，Mrs。Perksgasped。Whentheywereallunpacked，shesurprisedandhorrifiedthechildrenbysittingsuddenlydownonawoodenchairandburstingintotears。
　　"Oh，don’t！"saideverybody;"oh，pleasedon’t！"AndPeteradded，perhapsalittleimpatiently："Whatonearthisthematter？Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tlikeit？"
　　Mrs。Perksonlysobbed。ThePerkschildren，nowasshiny—facedasanyonecouldwish，stoodatthewash—housedoor，andscowledattheintruders。Therewasasilence，anawkwardsilence。
　　"DON’Tyoulikeit？"saidPeter，again，whilehissisterspattedMrs。Perksontheback。
　　Shestoppedcryingassuddenlyasshehadbegun。
　　"There，there，don’tyoumindme。I’Mallright！"shesaid。"Likeit？Why，it’sabirthdaysuchasPerksnever’ad，notevenwhen’ewasaboyandstayedwithhisuncle，whowasacornchandlerinhisownaccount。Hefailedafterwards。Likeit？Oh——"andthenshewentonandsaidallsortsofthingsthatIwon’twritedown，becauseIamsurethatPeterandBobbieandPhylliswouldnotlikemeto。Theirearsgothotterandhotter，andtheirfacesredderandredder，atthekindthingsMrs。Perkssaid。Theyfelttheyhaddonenothingtodeserveallthispraise。
　　AtlastPetersaid："Lookhere，we’regladyou’repleased。Butifyougoonsayingthingslikethat，wemustgohome。AndwedidwanttostayandseeifMr。Perksispleased，too。Butwecan’tstandthis。"
　　"Iwon’tsayanothersingleword，"saidMrs。Perks，withabeamingface，"butthatneedn’tstopmethinking，needit？Forifever——"
　　"Canwehaveaplateforthebuns？"Bobbieaskedabruptly。AndthenMrs。Perkshastilylaidthetablefortea，andthebunsandthehoneyandthegooseberriesweredisplayedonplates，andtheroseswereputintwoglassjamjars，andthetea—tablelooked，asMrs。
　　Perkssaid，"fitforaPrince。"
　　"Tothink！"shesaid，"megettingtheplacetidyearly，andthelittle’unsgettingthewild—flowersandall——whenneverdidIthinkthere’dbeanythingmoreforhimexcepttheounceofhispetparticularthatIgoto’Saturdayandbeensavingupfor’imeversince。Blessus！’eISearly！"
　　Perkshadindeedunlatchedthelatchofthelittlefrontgate。
　　"Oh，"whisperedBobbie，"let’shideinthebackkitchen，andYOU
　　tellhimaboutit。Butgivehimthetobaccofirst，becauseyougotitforhim。Andwhenyou’vetoldhim，we’llallcomeinandshout，’Manyhappyreturns！’"
　　Itwasaveryniceplan，butitdidnotquitecomeoff。Tobeginwith，therewasonlyjusttimeforPeterandBobbieandPhyllistorushintothewash—house，pushingtheyoungandopen—mouthedPerkschildreninfrontofthem。Therewasnottimetoshutthedoor，sothat，withoutatallmeaningit，theyhadtolistentowhatwentoninthekitchen。Thewash—housewasatightfitforthePerkschildrenandtheThreeChimneyschildren，aswellasallthewash—
　　house’sproperfurniture，includingthemangleandthecopper。
　　"Hullo，oldwoman！"theyheardMr。Perks’svoicesay;"here’saprettyset—out！"
　　"It’syourbirthdaytea，Bert，"saidMrs。Perks，"andhere’saounceofyourextryparticular。Igotito’Saturdayalongo’yourhappeningtorememberitwasyourbirthdayto—day。"
　　"Goodoldgirl！"saidMr。Perks，andtherewasasoundofakiss。
　　"Butwhat’sthatpramdoinghere？Andwhat’sallthesebundles？
　　Andwheredidyougetthesweetstuff，and——"
　　ThechildrendidnothearwhatMrs。Perksreplied，becausejustthenBobbiegaveastart，putherhandinherpocket，andallherbodygrewstiffwithhorror。
　　"Oh！"shewhisperedtotheothers，"whatevershallwedo？Iforgottoputthelabelsonanyofthethings！Hewon’tknowwhat’sfromwho。He’llthinkit’sallUS，andthatwe’retryingtobegrandorcharitableorsomethinghorrid。"
　　"Hush！"saidPeter。
　　AndthentheyheardthevoiceofMr。Perks，loudandratherangry。
　　"Idon’tcare，"hesaid;"Iwon’tstandit，andsoItellyoustraight。"
　　"But，"saidMrs。Perks，"it’sthemchildrenyoumakesuchafussabout——thechildrenfromtheThreeChimneys。"
　　"Idon’tcare，"saidPerks，firmly，"notifitwasaangelfromHeaven。We’vegotonallrightalltheseyearsandnofavoursasked。I’mnotgoingtobeginthesesortofcharitygoings—onatmytimeoflife，sodon’tyouthinkit，Nell。"
　　"Oh，hush！"saidpoorMrsPerks;"Bert，shutyoursillytongue，forgoodness’sake。Theallthreeof’emsinthewash—housea—listeningtoeverywordyouspeaks。"
　　"ThenI’llgivethemsomethingtolistento，"saidtheangryPerks;
　　"I’vespokemymindtothemaforenow，andI’lldoitagain，"headded，andhetooktwostridestothewash—housedoor，andflungitwideopen——aswide，thatis，asitwouldgo，withthetightlypackedchildrenbehindit。
　　"Comeout，"saidPerks，"comeoutandtellmewhatyoumeanbyit。
　　’AveIevercomplainedtoyouofbeingshort，asyoucomesthischaritylayoverme？"
　　"OH！"saidPhyllis，"Ithoughtyou’dbesopleased;I’llnevertrytobekindtoanyoneelseaslongasIlive。No，Iwon’t，notnever。"
　　Sheburstintotears。
　　"Wedidn’tmeananyharm，"saidPeter。
　　"Itain’twhatyoumeanssomuchaswhatyoudoes，"saidPerks。
　　"Oh，DON’T！"criedBobbie，tryinghardtobebraverthanPhyllis，andtofindmorewordsthanPeterhaddoneforexplainingin。"Wethoughtyou’dloveit。Wealwayshavethingsonourbirthdays。"
　　"Oh，yes，"saidPerks，"yourownrelations;that’sdifferent。"
　　"Oh，no，"Bobbieanswered。"NOTourownrelations。Alltheservantsalwaysgaveusthingsathome，andustothemwhenitwastheirbirthdays。Andwhenitwasmine，andMothergavemethebroochlikeabuttercup，Mrs。Vineygavemetwolovelyglasspots，andnobodythoughtshewascomingthecharitylayoverus。"
　　"Ifithadbeenglasspotshere，"saidPerks，"Iwouldn’tha’saidsomuch。It’stherebeingallthisheapsandheapsofthingsI
　　can’tstand。No——norwon’t，neither。"
　　"Butthey’renotallfromus——"saidPeter，"onlyweforgottoputthelabelson。They’refromallsortsofpeopleinthevillage。"
　　"Whoput’emuptoit，I’dliketoknow？"askedPerks。
　　"Why，wedid，"sniffedPhyllis。
　　Perkssatdownheavilyintheelbow—chairandlookedatthemwithwhatBobbieafterwardsdescribedaswitheringglancesofgloomydespair。
　　"Soyou’vebeenroundtellingtheneighbourswecan’tmakebothendsmeet？Well，nowyou’vedisgracedusasdeepasyoucanintheneighbourhood，youcanjusttakethewholebagoftricksbackw’ereitcomefrom。Verymuchobliged，I’msure。Idon’tdoubtbutwhatyoumeantitkind，butI’drathernotbeacquaintedwithyouanylongerifit’sallthesametoyou。"Hedeliberatelyturnedthechairroundsothathisbackwasturnedtothechildren。Thelegsofthechairgratedonthebrickfloor，andthatwastheonlysoundthatbrokethesilence。
　　ThensuddenlyBobbiespoke。
　　"Lookhere，"shesaid，"thisismostawful。"
　　"That’swhatIsays，"saidPerks，notturninground。
　　"Lookhere，"saidBobbie，desperately，"we’llgoifyoulike——andyouneedn’tbefriendswithusanymoreifyoudon’twant，but——"
　　"WEshallalwaysbefriendswithYOU，howevernastyyouaretous，"
　　sniffedPhyllis，wildly。
　　"Bequiet，"saidPeter，inafierceaside。
　　"Butbeforewego，"Bobbiewentondesperately，"doletusshowyouthelabelswewrotetoputonthethings。"
　　"Idon’twanttoseenolabels，"saidPerks，"exceptproperluggageonesinmyownwalkoflife。DoyouthinkI’vekeptrespectableandouterdebtonwhatIgets，andherhavingtotakeinwashing，tobegiveawayforalaughing—stocktoalltheneighbours？"
　　"Laughing？"saidPeter;"youdon’tknow。"
　　"You’reaveryhastygentleman，"whinedPhyllis;"youknowyouwerewrongoncebefore，aboutusnottellingyouthesecretabouttheRussian。DoletBobbietellyouaboutthelabels！"
　　"Well。Goahead！"saidPerks，grudgingly。
　　"Well，then，"saidBobbie，fumblingmiserably，yetnotwithouthope，inhertightlystuffedpocket，"wewrotedownallthethingseverybodysaidwhentheygaveusthethings，withthepeople’snames，becauseMothersaidweoughttobecareful——because——butI
　　wrotedownwhatshesaid——andyou’llsee。"
　　ButBobbiecouldnotreadthelabelsjustatonce。Shehadtoswallowonceortwicebeforeshecouldbegin。
　　Mrs。Perkshadbeencryingsteadilyeversinceherhusbandhadopenedthewash—housedoor。Nowshecaughtherbreath，choked，andsaid：——
　　"Don’tyouupsetyourself，Missy。_I_knowyoumeantitkindifhedoesn’t。"
　　"MayIreadthelabels？"saidBobbie，cryingontotheslipsasshetriedtosortthem。"Mother’sfirst。Itsays：——
　　"’LittleClothesforMrs。Perks’schildren。’Mothersaid，’I’llfindsomeofPhyllis’sthingsthatshe’sgrownoutofifyou’requitesureMr。Perkswouldn’tbeoffendedandthinkit’smeantforcharity。I’dliketodosomelittlethingforhim，becausehe’ssokindtoyou。Ican’tdomuchbecausewe’repoorourselves。’"
　　Bobbiepaused。
　　"That’sallright，"saidPerks，"yourMa’sabornlady。We’llkeepthelittlefrocks，andwhatnot，Nell。"
　　"Thenthere’stheperambulatorandthegooseberries，andthesweets，"saidBobbie，"they’refromMrs。Ransome。Shesaid：’IdaresayMr。Perks’schildrenwouldlikethesweets。AndtheperambulatorwasgotformyEmmie’sfirst——itdidn’tlivebutsixmonths，andshe’sneverhadbutthatone。I’dlikeMrs。Perkstohaveit。Itwouldbeahelpwithherfineboy。I’dhavegivenitbeforeifI’dbeensureshe’dacceptofitfromme。’Shetoldmetotellyou，"Bobbieadded，"thatitwasherEmmie’slittleone’spram。"
　　"Ican’tsendthatpramback，Bert，"saidMrsPerks，firmly，"andI
　　won’t。Sodon’tyouaskme——"
　　"I’mnota—askinganything，"saidPerks，gruffly。
　　"Thentheshovel，"saidBobbie。"Mr。Jamesmadeitforyouhimself。
　　Andhesaid——whereisit？Oh，yes，here！Hesaid，’YoutellMr。
　　Perksit’sapleasuretomakealittletrifleforamanasissomuchrespected，’andthenhesaidhewishedhecouldshoeyourchildrenandhisownchildren，liketheydothehorses，because，well，heknewwhatshoeleatherwas。"
　　"Jamesisagoodenoughchap，"saidPerks。
　　"Thenthehoney，"saidBobbie，inhaste，"andtheboot—laces。HE
　　saidherespectedamanthatpaidhisway——andthebutchersaidthesame。Andtheoldturnpikewomansaidmanywasthetimeyou’dlentherahandwithhergardenwhenyouwerealad——andthingslikethatcamehometoroost——Idon’tknowwhatshemeant。Andeverybodywhogaveanythingsaidtheylikedyou，anditwasaverygoodideaofours;andnobodysaidanythingaboutcharityoranythinghorridlikethat。AndtheoldgentlemangavePeteragoldpoundforyou，andsaidyouwereamanwhoknewyourwork。AndIthoughtyou’dLOVEtoknowhowfondpeopleareofyou，andIneverwassounhappyinmylife。Good—bye。Ihopeyou’llforgiveussomeday——"
　　Shecouldsaynomore，andsheturnedtogo。
　　"Stop，"saidPerks，stillwithhisbacktothem;"ItakebackeverywordI’vesaidcontrarytowhatyou’dwish。Nell，setonthekettle。"
　　"We’lltakethethingsawayifyou’reunhappyaboutthem，"saidPeter;"butIthinkeverybody’llbemostawfullydisappointed，aswellasus。"
　　"I’mnotunhappyaboutthem，"saidPerks;"Idon’tknow，"headded，suddenlywheelingthechairroundandshowingaveryodd—lookingscrewed—upface，"Idon’tknowaseverIwasbetterpleased。Notsomuchwiththepresents——thoughthey’reanA1collection——butthekindrespectofourneighbours。That’sworthhaving，eh，Nell？"
　　"Ithinkit’sallworthhaving，"saidMrs。Perks，"andyou’vemadeamostridiculousfussaboutnothing，Bert，ifyouaskme。"
　　"No，Iain’t，"saidPerks，firmly;"ifamandidn’trespecthisself，noonewouldn’tdoitforhim。"
　　"Buteveryonerespectsyou，"saidBobbie;"theyallsaidso。"
　　"Iknewyou’dlikeitwhenyoureallyunderstood，"saidPhyllis，brightly。
　　"Humph！You’llstaytotea？"saidMr。Perks。
　　LateronPeterproposedMr。Perks’shealth。AndMr。Perksproposedatoast，alsohonouredintea，andthetoastwas，"Maythegarlandoffriendshipbeevergreen，"whichwasmuchmorepoeticalthananyonehadexpectedfromhim。
　　******
　　"Jollygoodlittlekids，those，"saidMr。Perkstohiswifeastheywenttobed。
　　"Oh，they’reallright，blesstheirhearts，"saidhiswife;"it’syouthat’stheaggravatingestoldthingthateverwas。Iwasashamedofyou——Itellyou——"
　　"Youdidn’tneedtobe，oldgal。IclimbeddownhandsomesoonasI
　　understooditwasn’tcharity。Butcharity’swhatIneverdidabide，andwon’tneither。"
　　******
　　Allsortsofpeopleweremadehappybythatbirthdayparty。Mr。
　　PerksandMrs。PerksandthelittlePerksesbyallthenicethingsandbythekindthoughtsoftheirneighbours;theThreeChimneyschildrenbythesuccess，undoubtedthoughunexpectedlydelayed，oftheirplan;andMrs。RansomeeverytimeshesawthefatPerksbabyintheperambulator。Mrs。Perksmadequitearoundofvisitstothankpeoplefortheirkindbirthdaypresents，andaftereachvisitfeltthatshehadabetterfriendthanshehadthought。
　　"Yes，"saidPerks，reflectively，"it’snotsomuchwhatyoudoesaswhatyoumeans;that’swhatIsay。Nowifithadbeencharity——"
　　"Oh，dratcharity，"saidMrs。Perks;"nobodywon’tofferyoucharity，Bert，howevermuchyouwastowantit，Ilay。Thatwasjustfriendliness，thatwas。"
　　WhentheclergymancalledonMrs。Perks，shetoldhimallaboutit。
　　"ItWASfriendliness，wasn’tit，Sir？"saidshe。
　　"Ithink，"saidtheclergyman，"itwaswhatissometimescalledloving—kindness。"
　　Soyouseeitwasallrightintheend。Butifonedoesthatsortofthing，onehastobecarefultodoitintherightway。For，asMr。Perkssaid，whenhehadtimetothinkitover，it’snotsomuchwhatyoudo，aswhatyoumean。
　　ChapterX。Theterriblesecret。
　　WhentheyfirstwenttoliveatThreeChimneys，thechildrenhadtalkedagreatdealabouttheirFather，andhadaskedagreatmanyquestionsabouthim，andwhathewasdoingandwherehewasandwhenhewouldcomehome。Motheralwaysansweredtheirquestionsaswellasshecould。Butasthetimewentontheygrewtospeaklessofhim。BobbiehadfeltalmostfromthefirstthatforsomestrangemiserablereasonthesequestionshurtMotherandmadehersad。Andlittlebylittletheotherscametohavethisfeeling，too，thoughtheycouldnothaveputitintowords。
　　Oneday，whenMotherwasworkingsohardthatshecouldnotleaveoffevenfortenminutes，BobbiecarriedupherteatothebigbareroomthattheycalledMother’sworkshop。Ithadhardlyanyfurniture。Justatableandachairandarug。Butalwaysbigpotsofflowersonthewindow—sillsandonthemantelpiece。Thechildrensawtothat。Andfromthethreelonguncurtainedwindowsthebeautifulstretchofmeadowandmoorland，thefarvioletofthehills，andtheunchangingchangefulnessofcloudandsky。
　　"Here’syourtea，Mother—love，"saidBobbie;"dodrinkitwhileit’shot。"
　　Motherlaiddownherpenamongthepagesthatwerescatteredalloverthetable，pagescoveredwithherwriting，whichwasalmostasplainasprint，andmuchprettier。Sheranherhandsintoherhair，asifsheweregoingtopullitoutbyhandfuls。