"Poordearhead，"saidBobbie，"doesitache？"
　　"No——yes——notmuch，"saidMother。"Bobbie，doyouthinkPeterandPhilareFORGETTINGFather？"
　　"NO，"saidBobbie，indignantly。"Why？"
　　"Younoneofyoueverspeakofhimnow。"
　　Bobbiestoodfirstononelegandthenontheother。
　　"Weoftentalkabouthimwhenwe’rebyourselves，"shesaid。
　　"Butnottome，"saidMother。"Why？"
　　Bobbiedidnotfinditeasytosaywhy。
　　"I——you——"shesaidandstopped。Shewentovertothewindowandlookedout。
　　"Bobbie，comehere，"saidherMother，andBobbiecame。
　　"Now，"saidMother，puttingherarmroundBobbieandlayingherruffledheadagainstBobbie’sshoulder，"trytotellme，dear。"
　　Bobbiefidgeted。
　　"TellMother。"
　　"Well，then，"saidBobbie，"IthoughtyouweresounhappyaboutDaddynotbeinghere，itmadeyouworsewhenItalkedabouthim。SoIstoppeddoingit。"
　　"Andtheothers？"
　　"Idon’tknowabouttheothers，"saidBobbie。"IneversaidanythingaboutTHATtothem。ButIexpecttheyfeltthesameaboutitasme。"
　　"Bobbiedear，"saidMother，stillleaningherheadagainsther，"I’lltellyou。BesidespartingfromFather，heandIhavehadagreatsorrow——oh，terrible——worsethananythingyoucanthinkof，andatfirstitdidhurttohearyoualltalkingofhimasifeverythingwerejustthesame。Butitwouldbemuchmoreterribleifyouweretoforgethim。Thatwouldbeworsethananything。"
　　"Thetrouble，"saidBobbie，inaverylittlevoice——"IpromisedI
　　wouldneveraskyouanyquestions，andIneverhave，haveI？But——
　　thetrouble——itwon’tlastalways？"
　　"No，"saidMother，"theworstwillbeoverwhenFathercomeshometous。"
　　"IwishIcouldcomfortyou，"saidBobbie。
　　"Oh，mydear，doyousupposeyoudon’t？DoyouthinkIhaven’tnoticedhowgoodyou’veallbeen，notquarrellingnearlyasmuchasyouusedto——andallthelittlekindthingsyoudoforme——theflowers，andcleaningmyshoes，andtearinguptomakemybedbeforeIgettimetodoitmyself？"
　　BobbieHADsometimeswonderedwhetherMothernoticedthesethings。
　　"That’snothing，"shesaid，"towhat——"
　　"IMUSTgetonwithmywork，"saidMother，givingBobbieonelastsqueeze。"Don’tsayanythingtotheothers。"
　　Thateveninginthehourbeforebed—timeinsteadofreadingtothechildrenMothertoldthemstoriesofthegamessheandFatherusedtohavewhentheywerechildrenandlivedneareachotherinthecountry——talesoftheadventuresofFatherwithMother’sbrotherswhentheywereallboystogether。Veryfunnystoriestheywere，andthechildrenlaughedastheylistened。
　　"UncleEdwarddiedbeforehewasgrownup，didn’the？"saidPhyllis，asMotherlightedthebedroomcandles。
　　"Yes，dear，"saidMother，"youwouldhavelovedhim。Hewassuchabraveboy，andsoadventurous。Alwaysinmischief，andyetfriendswitheverybodyinspiteofit。AndyourUncleReggie’sinCeylon——
　　yes，andFather’saway，too。ButIthinkthey’dallliketothinkwe’denjoyedtalkingaboutthethingstheyusedtodo。Don’tyouthinkso？"
　　"NotUncleEdward，"saidPhyllis，inashockedtone;"he’sinHeaven。"
　　"Youdon’tsupposehe’sforgottenusandalltheoldtimes，becauseGodhastakenhim，anymorethanIforgethim。Oh，no，heremembers。He’sonlyawayforalittletime。Weshallseehimsomeday。"
　　"AndUncleReggie——andFather，too？"saidPeter。
　　"Yes，"saidMother。"UncleReggieandFather，too。Goodnight，mydarlings。"
　　"Goodnight，"saideveryone。Bobbiehuggedhermothermorecloselyeventhanusual，andwhisperedinherear，"Oh，Idoloveyouso，Mummy——Ido——Ido——"
　　WhenBobbiecametothinkitallover，shetriednottowonderwhatthegreattroublewas。Butshecouldnotalwayshelpit。Fatherwasnotdead——likepoorUncleEdward——Motherhadsaidso。Andhewasnotill，orMotherwouldhavebeenwithhim。Beingpoorwasn’tthetrouble。Bobbieknewitwassomethingnearertheheartthanmoneycouldbe。
　　"Imustn’ttrytothinkwhatitis，"shetoldherself;"no，I
　　mustn’t。IAMgladMothernoticedaboutusnotquarrellingsomuch。
　　We’llkeepthatup。"
　　Andalas，thatveryafternoonsheandPeterhadwhatPetercalledafirst—classshindy。
　　TheyhadnotbeenaweekatThreeChimneysbeforetheyhadaskedMothertoletthemhaveapieceofgardeneachfortheirveryown，andshehadagreed，andthesouthborderunderthepeachtreeshadbeendividedintothreepiecesandtheywereallowedtoplantwhatevertheylikedthere。
　　PhyllishadplantedmignonetteandnasturtiumandVirginiaStockinhers。Theseedscameup，andthoughtheylookedjustlikeweeds，Phyllisbelievedthattheywouldbearflowerssomeday。TheVirginiaStockjustifiedherfaithquitesoon，andhergardenwasgaywithabandofbrightlittleflowers，pinkandwhiteandredandmauve。
　　"Ican’tweedforfearIpullupthewrongthings，"sheusedtosaycomfortably;"itsavessuchalotofwork。"
　　Petersowedvegetableseedsinhis——carrotsandonionsandturnips。
　　Theseedwasgiventohimbythefarmerwholivedintheniceblack—
　　and—white，wood—and—plasterhousejustbeyondthebridge。Hekeptturkeysandguineafowls，andwasamostamiableman。ButPeter’svegetablesneverhadmuchofachance，becausehelikedtousetheearthofhisgardenfordiggingcanals，andmakingfortsandearthworksforhistoysoldiers。Andtheseedsofvegetablesrarelycometomuchinasoilthatisconstantlydisturbedforthepurposesofwarandirrigation。
　　Bobbieplantedrose—bushesinhergarden，butallthelittlenewleavesoftherose—bushesshrivelledandwithered，perhapsbecauseshemovedthemfromtheotherpartofthegardeninMay，whichisnotatalltherighttimeofyearformovingroses。Butshewouldnotownthattheyweredead，andhopedonagainsthope，untilthedaywhenPerkscameuptoseethegarden，andtoldherquiteplainlythatallherroseswereasdeadasdoornails。
　　"Onlygoodforbonfires，Miss，"hesaid。"Youjustdig’emupandburn’em，andI’llgiveyousomenicefreshrootsoutermygarden;
　　pansies，andstocks，andsweetwillies，andforget—me—nots。I’llbring’emalongto—morrowifyougetthegroundready。"
　　Sonextdayshesettowork，andthathappenedtobethedaywhenMotherhadpraisedherandtheothersaboutnotquarrelling。Shemovedtherose—bushesandcarriedthemtotheotherendofthegarden，wheretherubbishheapwasthattheymeanttomakeabonfireofwhenGuyFawkes’Daycame。
　　MeanwhilePeterhaddecidedtoflattenoutallhisfortsandearthworks，withaviewtomakingamodeloftherailway—tunnel，cutting，embankment，canal，aqueduct，bridges，andall。
　　SowhenBobbiecamebackfromherlastthornyjourneywiththedeadrose—bushes，hehadgottherakeandwasusingitbusily。
　　"_I_wasusingtherake，"saidBobbie。
　　"Well，I’musingitnow，"saidPeter。
　　"ButIhaditfirst，"saidBobbie。
　　"Thenit’smyturnnow，"saidPeter。Andthatwashowthequarrelbegan。
　　"You’realwaysbeingdisagreeableaboutnothing，"saidPeter，aftersomeheatedargument。
　　"Ihadtherakefirst，"saidBobbie，flushedanddefiant，holdingontoitshandle。
　　"Don’t——ItellyouIsaidthismorningImeanttohaveit。Didn’tI，Phil？"
　　Phyllissaidshedidn’twanttobemixedupintheirrows。Andinstantly，ofcourse，shewas。
　　"Ifyouremember，yououghttosay。"
　　"Ofcourseshedoesn’tremember——butshemightsayso。"
　　"IwishI’dhadabrotherinsteadoftwowhinylittlekiddysisters，"saidPeter。Thiswasalwaysrecognisedasindicatingthehigh—watermarkofPeter’srage。
　　Bobbiemadethereplyshealwaysmadetoit。
　　"Ican’tthinkwhylittleboyswereeverinvented，"andjustasshesaiditshelookedup，andsawthethreelongwindowsofMother’sworkshopflashingintheredraysofthesun。Thesightbroughtbackthosewordsofpraise：——
　　"Youdon’tquarrellikeyouusedtodo。"
　　"OH！"criedBobbie，justasifshehadbeenhit，orhadcaughtherfingerinadoor，orhadfeltthehideoussharpbeginningsoftoothache。
　　"What’sthematter？"saidPhyllis。
　　Bobbiewantedtosay："Don’tlet’squarrel。Motherhatesitso，"
　　butthoughshetriedhard，shecouldn’t。Peterwaslookingtoodisagreeableandinsulting。
　　"Takethehorridrake，then，"wasthebestshecouldmanage。Andshesuddenlyletgoherholdonthehandle。Peterhadbeenholdingontoittoofirmlyandpullingly，andnowthatthepulltheotherwaywassuddenlystopped，hestaggeredandfelloverbackward，theteethoftherakebetweenhisfeet。
　　"Serveyouright，"saidBobbie，beforeshecouldstopherself。
　　Peterlaystillforhalfamoment——longenoughtofrightenBobbiealittle。Thenhefrightenedheralittlemore，forhesatup——
　　screamedonce——turnedratherpale，andthenlaybackandbegantoshriek，faintlybutsteadily。Itsoundedexactlylikeapigbeingkilledaquarterofamileoff。
　　Motherputherheadoutofthewindow，anditwasn’thalfaminuteafterthatshewasinthegardenkneelingbythesideofPeter，whoneverforaninstantceasedtosqueal。
　　"Whathappened，Bobbie？"Motherasked。
　　"Itwastherake，"saidPhyllis。"Peterwaspullingatit，sowasBobbie，andsheletgoandhewentover。"
　　"Stopthatnoise，Peter，"saidMother。"Come。Stopatonce。"
　　Peterusedupwhatbreathhehadleftinalastsquealandstopped。
　　"Now，"saidMother，"areyouhurt？"
　　"Ifhewasreallyhurt，hewouldn’tmakesuchafuss，"saidBobbie，stilltremblingwithfury;"he’snotacoward！"
　　"Ithinkmyfoot’sbrokenoff，that’sall，"saidPeter，huffily，andsatup。Thenheturnedquitewhite。Motherputherarmroundhim。
　　"HeIShurt，"shesaid;"he’sfainted。Here，Bobbie，sitdownandtakehisheadonyourlap。"
　　ThenMotherundidPeter’sboots。Asshetooktherightoneoff，somethingdrippedfromhisfootontotheground。Itwasredblood。
　　AndwhenthestockingcameofftherewerethreeredwoundsinPeter’sfootandankle，wheretheteethoftherakehadbittenhim，andhisfootwascoveredwithredsmears。
　　"Runforwater——abasinful，"saidMother，andPhyllisran。Sheupsetmostofthewateroutofthebasininherhaste，andhadtofetchmoreinajug。
　　PeterdidnotopenhiseyesagaintillMotherhadtiedherhandkerchiefroundhisfoot，andsheandBobbiehadcarriedhiminandlaidhimonthebrownwoodensettleinthedining—room。BythistimePhylliswashalfwaytotheDoctor’s。
　　MothersatbyPeterandbathedhisfootandtalkedtohim，andBobbiewentoutandgotteaready，andputonthekettle。
　　"It’sallIcando，"shetoldherself。"Oh，supposePetershoulddie，orbeahelplesscrippleforlife，orhavetowalkwithcrutches，orwearabootwithasolelikealogofwood！"
　　Shestoodbythebackdoorreflectingonthesegloomypossibilities，hereyesfixedonthewater—butt。
　　"IwishI’dneverbeenborn，"shesaid，andshesaiditoutloud。
　　"Why，lawkamercy，what’sthatfor？"askedavoice，andPerksstoodbeforeherwithawoodentrugbasketfullofgreen—leavedthingsandsoft，looseearth。
　　"Oh，it’syou，"shesaid。"Peter’shurthisfootwitharake——threegreatgapingwounds，likesoldiersget。Anditwaspartlymyfault。"
　　"Thatitwasn’t，I’llgobail，"saidPerks。"Doctorseenhim？"
　　"PhyllishasgonefortheDoctor。"
　　"He’llbeallright;youseeifheisn’t，"saidPerks。"Why，myfather’ssecondcousinhadahay—forkrunintohim，rightintohisinside，andhewasrightaseverinafewweeks，allexcepthisbeingabitweakintheheadafterwards，andtheydidsaythatitwasalongofhisgettingatouchofthesuninthehay—field，andnottheforkatall。Irememberhimwell。Akind—’eartedchap，butsoft，asyoumightsay。"
　　Bobbietriedtoletherselfbecheeredbythishearteningreminiscence。
　　"Well，"saidPerks，"youwon’twanttobebotheredwithgardeningjustthisminute，Idaresay。Youshowmewhereyourgardenis，andI’llpopthebitsofstuffinforyou。AndI’llhangabout，ifI
　　maymakesofree，toseetheDoctorashecomesoutandhearwhathesays。Youcheerup，Missie。Ilayapoundheain’thurt，nottospeakof。"
　　Buthewas。TheDoctorcameandlookedatthefootandbandageditbeautifully，andsaidthatPetermustnotputittothegroundforatleastaweek。
　　"Hewon’tbelame，orhavetowearcrutchesoralumponhisfoot，willhe？"whisperedBobbie，breathlessly，atthedoor。
　　"Myaunt！No！"saidDr。Forrest;"he’llbeasnimbleaseveronhispinsinafortnight。Don’tyouworry，littleMotherGoose。"
　　ItwaswhenMotherhadgonetothegatewiththeDoctortotakehislastinstructionsandPhylliswasfillingthekettlefortea，thatPeterandBobbiefoundthemselvesalone。
　　"Hesaysyouwon’tbelameoranything，"saidBobbie。
　　"Oh，courseIshan’t，silly，"saidPeter，verymuchrelievedallthesame。
　　"Oh，Peter，IAMsosorry，"saidBobbie，afterapause。
　　"That’sallright，"saidPeter，gruffly。
　　"ItwasALLmyfault，"saidBobbie。
　　"Rot，"saidPeter。
　　"Ifwehadn’tquarrelled，itwouldn’thavehappened。Iknewitwaswrongtoquarrel。Iwantedtosayso，butsomehowIcouldn’t。"
　　"Don’tdrivel，"saidPeter。"Ishouldn’thavestoppedifyouHAD
　　saidit。Notlikely。Andbesides，usrowinghadn’tanythingtodowithit。Imighthavecaughtmyfootinthehoe，ortakenoffmyfingersinthechaff—cuttingmachineorblownmynoseoffwithfireworks。Itwouldhavebeenhurtjustthesamewhetherwe’dbeenrowingornot。"
　　"ButIknewitwaswrongtoquarrel，"saidBobbie，intears，"andnowyou’rehurtand——"
　　"Nowlookhere，"saidPeter，firmly，"youjustdryup。Ifyou’renotcareful，you’llturnintoabeastlylittleSunday—schoolprig，soItellyou。"
　　"Idon’tmeantobeaprig。Butit’ssohardnottobewhenyou’rereallytryingtobegood。"
　　（TheGentleReadermayperhapshavesufferedfromthisdifficulty。）
　　"Notit，"saidPeter;"it’sajollygoodthingitwasn’tyouwashurt。I’mgladitwasME。There！Ifithadbeenyou，you’dhavebeenlyingonthesofalookinglikeasufferingangelandbeingthelightoftheanxioushouseholdandallthat。AndIcouldn’thavestoodit。"
　　"No，Ishouldn’t，"saidBobbie。
　　"Yes，youwould，"saidPeter。
　　"ItellyouIshouldn’t。"
　　"Itellyouyouwould。"
　　"Oh，children，"saidMother’svoiceatthedoor。"Quarrellingagain？Already？"
　　"Wearen’tquarrelling——notreally，"saidPeter。"Iwishyouwouldn’tthinkit’srowseverytimewedon’tagree！"WhenMotherhadgoneoutagain，Bobbiebrokeout：——
　　"Peter，IAMsorryyou’rehurt。ButyouAREabeasttosayI’maprig。"
　　"Well，"saidPeterunexpectedly，"perhapsIam。YoudidsayI
　　wasn’tacoward，evenwhenyouwereinsuchawax。Theonlythingis——don’tyoubeaprig，that’sall。Youkeepyoureyesopenandifyoufeelpriggishnesscomingonjuststopintime。See？"
　　"Yes，"saidBobbie，"Isee。"
　　"Thenlet’scallitPax，"saidPeter，magnanimously："burythehatchetinthefathomsofthepast。Shakehandsonit。Isay，Bobbie，oldchap，Iamtired。"
　　Hewastiredformanydaysafterthat，andthesettleseemedhardanduncomfortableinspiteofallthepillowsandbolstersandsoftfoldedrugs。Itwasterriblenottobeabletogoout。Theymovedthesettletothewindow，andfromtherePetercouldseethesmokeofthetrainswindingalongthevalley。Buthecouldnotseethetrains。
　　AtfirstBobbiefounditquitehardtobeasnicetohimasshewantedtobe，forfearheshouldthinkherpriggish。Butthatsoonworeoff，andbothsheandPhylliswere，asheobserved，jollygoodsorts。Mothersatwithhimwhenhissisterswereout。Andthewords，"he’snotacoward，"madePeterdeterminednottomakeanyfussaboutthepaininhisfoot，thoughitwasratherbad，especiallyatnight。
　　Praisehelpspeopleverymuch，sometimes。
　　Therewerevisitors，too。Mrs。Perkscameuptoaskhowhewas，andsodidtheStationMaster，andseveralofthevillagepeople。Butthetimewentslowly，slowly。
　　"Idowishtherewassomethingtoread，"saidPeter。"I’vereadallourbooksfiftytimesover。"
　　"I’llgototheDoctor’s，"saidPhyllis;"he’ssuretohavesome。"
　　"Onlyabouthowtobeill，andaboutpeople’snastyinsides，I
　　expect，"saidPeter。
　　"PerkshasawholeheapofMagazinesthatcameoutoftrainswhenpeoplearetiredofthem，"saidBobbie。"I’llrundownandaskhim。"
　　Sothegirlswenttheirtwoways。
　　BobbiefoundPerksbusycleaninglamps。
　　"Andhow’stheyounggent？"saidhe。
　　"Better，thanks，"saidBobbie，"buthe’smostfrightfullybored。I
　　cametoaskifyou’dgotanyMagazinesyoucouldlendhim。"
　　"There，now，"saidPerks，regretfully，rubbinghisearwithablackandoilylumpofcottonwaste，"whydidn’tIthinkofthat，now？I
　　wastryingtothinkofsomethingas’udamusehimonlythismorning，andIcouldn’tthinkofanythingbetterthanaguinea—pig。AndayoungchapIknow’sgoingtofetchthatoverforhimthistea—time。"
　　"Howlovely！Arealliveguinea！Hewillbepleased。Buthe’dliketheMagazinesaswell。"
　　"That’sjustit，"saidPerks。"I’vejustsentthepickof’emtoSnigson’sboy——himwhat’sjustgettingoverthepewmonia。ButI’velotsofillustratedpapersleft。"
　　Heturnedtothepileofpapersinthecornerandtookupaheapsixinchesthick。
　　"There！"hesaid。"I’lljustslipabitofstringandabitofpaperround’em。"
　　Hepulledanoldnewspaperfromthepileandspreaditonthetable，andmadeaneatparcelofit。
　　"There，"saidhe，"there’slotsofpictures，andifhelikestomess’emaboutwithhispaint—box，orcolouredchalksorwhatnot，why，lethim。_I_don’twant’em。"
　　"You’readear，"saidBobbie，tooktheparcel，andstarted。Thepaperswereheavy，andwhenshehadtowaitatthelevel—crossingwhileatrainwentby，sherestedtheparcelonthetopofthegate。
　　Andidlyshelookedattheprintingonthepaperthattheparcelwaswrappedin。
　　Suddenlysheclutchedtheparceltighterandbentherheadoverit。
　　Itseemedlikesomehorribledream。Shereadon——thebottomofthecolumnwastornoff——shecouldreadnofarther。
　　Sheneverrememberedhowshegothome。Butshewentontiptoetoherroomandlockedthedoor。Thensheundidtheparcelandreadthatprintedcolumnagain，sittingontheedgeofherbed，herhandsandfeeticycoldandherfaceburning。Whenshehadreadalltherewas，shedrewalong，unevenbreath。
　　"SonowIknow，"shesaid。
　　Whatshehadreadwasheaded，’EndoftheTrial。Verdict。
　　Sentence。’
　　ThenameofthemanwhohadbeentriedwasthenameofherFather。
　　Theverdictwas’Guilty。’Andthesentencewas’Fiveyears’PenalServitude。’
　　"Oh，Daddy，"shewhispered，crushingthepaperhard，"it’snottrue—
　　—Idon’tbelieveit。Youneverdidit！Never，never，never！"
　　Therewasahammeringonthedoor。
　　"Whatisit？"saidBobbie。
　　"It’sme，"saidthevoiceofPhyllis;"tea’sready，andaboy’sbroughtPeteraguinea—pig。Comealongdown。"
　　AndBobbiehadto。
　　ChapterXI。Thehoundintheredjersey。
　　Bobbieknewthesecretnow。Asheetofoldnewspaperwrappedroundaparcel——justalittlechancelikethat——hadgiventhesecrettoher。Andshehadtogodowntoteaandpretendthattherewasnothingthematter。Thepretencewasbravelymade，butitwasn’tverysuccessful。
　　Forwhenshecamein，everyonelookedupfromteaandsawherpink—
　　liddedeyesandherpalefacewithredtear—blotchesonit。
　　"Mydarling，"criedMother，jumpingupfromthetea—tray，"whateverISthematter？"
　　"Myheadaches，rather，"saidBobbie。Andindeeditdid。
　　"Hasanythinggonewrong？"Motherasked。
　　"I’mallright，really，"saidBobbie，andshetelegraphedtoherMotherfromherswolleneyesthisbrief，imploringmessage——"NOT
　　beforetheothers！"
　　Teawasnotacheerfulmeal。PeterwassodistressedbytheobviousfactthatsomethinghorridhadhappenedtoBobbiethathelimitedhisspeechtorepeating，"Morebreadandbutter，please，"atstartlinglyshortintervals。Phyllisstrokedhersister’shandunderthetabletoexpresssympathy，andknockedhercupoverasshedidit。FetchingaclothandwipingupthespiltmilkhelpedBobbiealittle。Butshethoughtthatteawouldneverend。Yetatlastitdidend，asallthingsdoatlast，andwhenMothertookoutthetray，Bobbiefollowedher。
　　"She’sgonetoownup，"saidPhyllistoPeter;"Iwonderwhatshe’sdone。"
　　"Brokensomething，Isuppose，"saidPeter，"butsheneedn’tbesosillyoverit。Motherneverrowsforaccidents。Listen！Yes，they’regoingupstairs。She’stakingMotheruptoshowher——thewater—jugwithstorksonit，Iexpectitis。"
　　Bobbie，inthekitchen，hadcaughtholdofMother’shandasshesetdownthetea—things。
　　"Whatisit？"Motherasked。
　　ButBobbieonlysaid，"Comeupstairs，comeupwherenobodycanhearus。"
　　WhenshehadgotMotheraloneinherroomshelockedthedoorandthenstoodquitestill，andquitewithoutwords。
　　Allthroughteashehadbeenthinkingofwhattosay;shehaddecidedthat"Iknowall，"or"Allisknowntome，"or"Theterriblesecretisasecretnolonger，"wouldbetheproperthing。ButnowthatsheandherMotherandthatawfulsheetofnewspaperwerealoneintheroomtogether，shefoundthatshecouldsaynothing。
　　SuddenlyshewenttoMotherandputherarmsroundherandbegantocryagain。Andstillshecouldfindnowords，only，"Oh，Mammy，oh，Mammy，oh，Mammy，"overandoveragain。
　　Motherheldherverycloseandwaited。
　　SuddenlyBobbiebrokeawayfromherandwenttoherbed。Fromunderhermattressshepulledoutthepapershehadhiddenthere，andhelditout，pointingtoherFather’snamewithafingerthatshook。
　　"Oh，Bobbie，"Mothercried，whenonelittlequicklookhadshownherwhatitwas，"youdon’tBELIEVEit？Youdon’tbelieveDaddydidit？"
　　"NO，"Bobbiealmostshouted。Shehadstoppedcrying。
　　"That’sallright，"saidMother。"It’snottrue。Andthey’veshuthimupinprison，buthe’sdonenothingwrong。He’sgoodandnobleandhonourable，andhebelongstous。Wehavetothinkofthat，andbeproudofhim，andwait。"
　　AgainBobbieclungtoherMother，andagainonlyonewordcametoher，butnowthatwordwas"Daddy，"and"Oh，Daddy，oh，Daddy，oh，Daddy！"againandagain。
　　"Whydidn’tyoutellme，Mammy？"sheaskedpresently。
　　"Areyougoingtotelltheothers？"Motherasked。
　　"No。"
　　"Why？"
　　"Because——"
　　"Exactly，"saidMother;"soyouunderstandwhyIdidn’ttellyou。
　　Wetwomusthelpeachothertobebrave。"
　　"Yes，"saidBobbie;"Mother，willitmakeyoumoreunhappyifyoutellmeallaboutit？Iwanttounderstand。"
　　Sothen，sittingcuddledupclosetoherMother，Bobbieheard"allaboutit。"Sheheardhowthosemen，whohadaskedtoseeFatheronthatrememberedlastnightwhentheEnginewasbeingmended，hadcometoarresthim，charginghimwithsellingStatesecretstotheRussians——withbeing，infact，aspyandatraitor。Sheheardaboutthetrial，andabouttheevidence——letters，foundinFather’sdeskattheoffice，lettersthatconvincedthejurythatFatherwasguilty。
　　"Oh，howcouldtheylookathimandbelieveit！"criedBobbie;"andhowcouldANYonedosuchathing！"
　　"SOMEONEdidit，"saidMother，"andalltheevidencewasagainstFather。Thoseletters——"
　　"Yes。Howdidthelettersgetintohisdesk？"
　　"Someoneputthemthere。Andthepersonwhoputthemtherewasthepersonwhowasreallyguilty。"
　　"HEmustbefeelingprettyawfulallthistime，"saidBobbie，thoughtfully。
　　"Idon’tbelievehehadanyfeelings，"Mothersaidhotly;"hecouldn’thavedoneathinglikethatifhehad。"
　　"Perhapshejustshovedthelettersintothedesktohidethemwhenhethoughthewasgoingtobefoundout。Whydon’tyoutellthelawyers，orsomeone，thatitmusthavebeenthatperson？Therewasn’tanyonethatwouldhavehurtFatheronpurpose，wasthere？"
　　"Idon’tknow——Idon’tknow。ThemanunderhimwhogotDaddy’splacewhenhe——whentheawfulthinghappened——hewasalwaysjealousofyourFatherbecauseDaddywassocleverandeveryonethoughtsuchalotofhim。AndDaddyneverquitetrustedthatman。"
　　"Couldn’tweexplainallthattosomeone？"
　　"Nobodywilllisten，"saidMother，verybitterly，"nobodyatall。
　　DoyousupposeI’venottriedeverything？No，mydearest，there’snothingtobedone。Allwecando，youandIandDaddy，istobebrave，andpatient，and——"shespokeverysoftly——"topray，Bobbie，dear。"
　　"Mother，you’vegotverythin，"saidBobbie，abruptly。
　　"Alittle，perhaps。"
　　"Andoh，"saidBobbie，"Idothinkyou’rethebravestpersonintheworldaswellasthenicest！"
　　"Wewon’ttalkofallthisanymore，willwe，dear？"saidMother;
　　"wemustbearitandbebrave。And，darling，trynottothinkofit。Trytobecheerful，andtoamuseyourselfandtheothers。It’smucheasierformeifyoucanbealittlebithappyandenjoythings。Washyourpoorlittleroundface，andlet’sgooutintothegardenforabit。"
　　TheothertwowereverygentleandkindtoBobbie。Andtheydidnotaskherwhatwasthematter。ThiswasPeter’sidea，andhehaddrilledPhyllis，whowouldhaveaskedahundredquestionsifshehadbeenlefttoherself。
　　AweeklaterBobbiemanagedtogetawayalone。Andoncemoreshewrotealetter。Andoncemoreitwastotheoldgentleman。
　　"MydearFriend，"shesaid，"youseewhatisinthispaper。Itisnottrue。Fatherneverdidit。MothersayssomeoneputthepapersinFather’sdesk，andshesaysthemanunderhimthatgotFather’splaceafterwardswasjealousofFather，andFathersuspectedhimalongtime。Butnobodylistenstoawordshesays，butyouaresogoodandclever，andyoufoundoutabouttheRussiangentleman’swifedirectly。Can’tyoufindoutwhodidthetreasonbecausehewasn’tFatheruponmyhonour;heisanEnglishmananduncapabletodosuchthings，andthentheywouldletFatheroutofprison。Itisdreadful，andMotherisgettingsothin。Shetoldusoncetoprayforallprisonersandcaptives。Iseenow。Oh，dohelpme——thereisonlyjustMotherandmeknow，andwecan’tdoanything。PeterandPhildon’tknow。I’llprayforyoutwiceeverydayaslongasI
　　liveifyou’llonlytry——justtrytofindout。ThinkifitwasYOUR
　　Daddy，whatyouwouldfeel。Oh，do，do，DOhelpme。Withlove"IremainYouraffectionatelylittlefriend"Roberta。
　　P。S。MotherwouldsendherkindregardsifsheknewIamwriting——
　　butitisnousetellingherIam，incaseyoucan’tdoanything。
　　ButIknowyouwill。Bobbiewithbestlove。"
　　ShecuttheaccountofherFather’strialoutofthenewspaperwithMother’sbigcutting—outscissors，andputitintheenvelopewithherletter。
　　Thenshetookitdowntothestation，goingoutthebackwayandroundbytheroad，sothattheothersshouldnotseeherandoffertocomewithher，andshegavethelettertotheStationMastertogivetotheoldgentlemannextmorning。
　　"WhereHAVEyoubeen？"shoutedPeter，fromthetopoftheyardwallwhereheandPhylliswere。
　　"Tothestation，ofcourse，"saidBobbie;"giveusahand，Pete。"
　　Shesetherfootonthelockoftheyarddoor。Peterreacheddownahand。
　　"Whatonearth？"sheaskedasshereachedthewall—top——forPhyllisandPeterwereverymuddy。Alumpofwetclaylaybetweenthemonthewall，theyhadeachaslipofslateinaverydirtyhand，andbehindPeter，outofthereachofaccidents，wereseveralstrangeroundedobjectsratherlikeveryfatsausages，hollow，butclosedupatoneend。
　　"It’snests，"saidPeter，"swallows’nests。We’regoingtodrythemintheovenandhangthemupwithstringundertheeavesofthecoach—house。"
　　"Yes，"saidPhyllis;"andthenwe’regoingtosaveupallthewoolandhairwecanget，andinthespringwe’lllinethem，andthenhowpleasedtheswallowswillbe！"
　　"I’veoftenthoughtpeopledon’tdonearlyenoughfordumbanimals，"
　　saidPeterwithanairofvirtue。"Idothinkpeoplemighthavethoughtofmakingnestsforpoorlittleswallowsbeforethis。"
　　"Oh，"saidBobbie，vaguely，"ifeverybodythoughtofeverything，there’dbenothingleftforanybodyelsetothinkabout。"
　　"Lookatthenests——aren’ttheypretty？"saidPhyllis，reachingacrossPetertograspanest。
　　"Lookout，Phil，yougoat，"saidherbrother。Butitwastoolate;
　　herstronglittlefingershadcrushedthenest。
　　"Therenow，"saidPeter。
　　"Nevermind，"saidBobbie。
　　"ItISoneofmyown，"saidPhyllis，"soyouneedn’tjaw，Peter。
　　Yes，we’veputourinitialnamesontheoneswe’vedone，sothattheswallowswillknowwhothey’vegottobesogratefultoandfondof。"
　　"Swallowscan’tread，silly，"saidPeter。
　　"Sillyyourself，"retortedPhyllis;"howdoyouknow？"
　　"Whothoughtofmakingthenests，anyhow？"shoutedPeter。
　　"Idid，"screamedPhyllis。
　　"Nya，"rejoinedPeter，"youonlythoughtofmakinghayonesandstickingthemintheivyforthesparrows，andthey’dhavebeensoppingLONGbeforeegg—layingtime。Itwasmesaidclayandswallows。"
　　"Idon’tcarewhatyousaid。"
　　"Look，"saidBobbie，"I’vemadethenestallrightagain。Givemethebitofsticktomarkyourinitialnameonit。Buthowcanyou？
　　YourletterandPeter’sarethesame。P。forPeter，P。forPhyllis。"
　　"IputF。forPhyllis，"saidthechildofthatname。"That’showitsounds。Theswallowswouldn’tspellPhylliswithaP。，I’mcertain—
　　sure。"
　　"Theycan’tspellatall，"Peterwasstillinsisting。
　　"ThenwhydoyouseethemalwaysonChristmascardsandvalentineswithlettersroundtheirnecks？Howwouldtheyknowwheretogoiftheycouldn’tread？"
　　"That’sonlyinpictures。Youneversawonereallywithlettersrounditsneck。"
　　"Well，Ihaveapigeon，then;atleastDaddytoldmetheydid。Onlyitwasundertheirwingsandnotroundtheirnecks，butitcomestothesamething，and——"
　　"Isay，"interruptedBobbie，"there’stobeapaperchaseto—morrow。"
　　"Who？"Peterasked。
　　"GrammarSchool。Perksthinkstheharewillgoalongbythelineatfirst。Wemightgoalongthecutting。Youcanseealongwayfromthere。"
　　Thepaperchasewasfoundtobeamoreamusingsubjectofconversationthanthereadingpowersofswallows。Bobbiehadhopeditmightbe。AndnextmorningMotherletthemtaketheirlunchandgooutforthedaytoseethepaperchase。
　　"Ifwegotothecutting，"saidPeter，"weshallseetheworkmen，evenifwemissthepaperchase。"
　　Ofcourseithadtakensometimetogetthelineclearfromtherocksandearthandtreesthathadfallenonitwhenthegreatlandsliphappened。Thatwastheoccasion，youwillremember，whenthethreechildrensavedthetrainfrombeingwreckedbywavingsixlittlered—flannel—petticoatflags。Itisalwaysinterestingtowatchpeopleworking，especiallywhentheyworkwithsuchinterestingthingsasspadesandpicksandshovelsandplanksandbarrows，whentheyhavecinderyredfiresinironpotswithroundholesinthem，andredlampshangingneartheworksatnight。Ofcoursethechildrenwereneveroutatnight;butonce，atdusk，whenPeterhadgotoutofhisbedroomskylightontotheroof，hehadseentheredlampshiningfarawayattheedgeofthecutting。Thechildrenhadoftenbeendowntowatchthework，andthisdaytheinterestofpicksandspades，andbarrowsbeingwheeledalongplanks，completelyputthepaperchaseoutoftheirheads，sothattheyquitejumpedwhenavoicejustbehindthempanted，"Letmepass，please。"Itwasthehare——abig—boned，loose—limbedboy，withdarkhairlyingflatonaverydampforehead。Thebagoftornpaperunderhisarmwasfastenedacrossoneshoulderbyastrap。Thechildrenstoodback。Thehareranalongtheline，andtheworkmenleanedontheirpickstowatchhim。Heranonsteadilyanddisappearedintothemouthofthetunnel。
　　"That’sagainsttheby—laws，"saidtheforeman。
　　"Whyworry？"saidtheoldestworkman;"liveandletlive’swhatI
　　alwayssay。Ain’tyouneverbeenyoungyourself，Mr。Bates？"
　　"Ioughttoreporthim，"saidtheforeman。
　　"Whyspoilsport’swhatIalwayssay。"
　　"Passengersareforbiddentocrossthelineonanypretence，"
　　murmuredtheforeman，doubtfully。
　　"Heain’tnopassenger，"saidoneoftheworkmen。
　　"Nor’eain’tcrossedtheline，notwherewecouldsee’imdoit，"
　　saidanother。
　　"Noryet’eain’tmadenopretences，"saidathird。
　　"And，"saidtheoldestworkman，"’e’soutersightnow。Whattheeyedon’tseethe’artneedn’ttakenonoticeof’swhatIalwayssay。"
　　Andnow，followingthetrackoftheharebythelittlewhiteblotsofscatteredpaper，camethehounds。Therewerethirtyofthem，andtheyallcamedownthesteep，ladder—likestepsbyonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens。BobbieandPhyllisandPetercountedthemastheypassed。Theforemostoneshesitatedamomentatthefootoftheladder，thentheireyescaughtthegleamofscatteredwhitenessalongthelineandtheyturnedtowardsthetunnel，and，byonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens，disappearedinthedarkmouthofit。Thelastone，inaredjersey，seemedtobeextinguishedbythedarknesslikeacandlethatisblownout。
　　"Theydon’tknowwhatthey’reinfor，"saidtheforeman;"itisn’tsoeasyrunninginthedark。Thetunneltakestwoorthreeturns。"
　　"They’lltakealongtimetogetthrough，youthink？"Peterasked。
　　"Anhourormore，Ishouldn’twonder。"
　　"Thenlet’scutacrossthetopandseethemcomeoutattheotherend，"saidPeter;"weshallgettherelongbeforetheydo。"
　　Thecounselseemedgood，andtheywent。
　　Theyclimbedthesteepstepsfromwhichtheyhadpickedthewildcherryblossomforthegraveofthelittlewildrabbit，andreachingthetopofthecutting，settheirfacestowardsthehillthroughwhichthetunnelwascut。Itwasstiffwork。
　　"It’slikeAlps，"saidBobbie，breathlessly。
　　"OrAndes，"saidPeter。
　　"It’slikeHimmywhat’sitsnames？"gaspedPhyllis。"MountEverlasting。Dolet’sstop。"
　　"Sticktoit，"pantedPeter;"you’llgetyoursecondwindinaminute。"
　　Phyllisconsentedtosticktoit——andontheywent，runningwhentheturfwassmoothandtheslopeeasy，climbingoverstones，helpingthemselvesuprocksbythebranchesoftrees，creepingthroughnarrowopeningsbetweentreetrunksandrocks，andsoonandon，upandup，tillatlasttheystoodontheverytopofthehillwheretheyhadsooftenwishedtobe。
　　"Halt！"criedPeter，andthrewhimselfflatonthegrass。Fortheverytopofthehillwasasmooth，turfedtable—land，dottedwithmossyrocksandlittlemountain—ashtrees。
　　Thegirlsalsothrewthemselvesdownflat。
　　"Plentyoftime，"Peterpanted;"therest’salldownhill。"
　　Whentheywererestedenoughtositupandlookroundthem，Bobbiecried：——
　　"Oh，look！"
　　"Whatat？"saidPhyllis。
　　"Theview，"saidBobbie。
　　"Ihateviews，"saidPhyllis，"don’tyou，Peter？"
　　"Let’sgeton，"saidPeter。
　　"Butthisisn’tlikeaviewtheytakeyoutoincarriageswhenyou’reattheseaside，allseaandsandandbarehills。It’slikethe’colouredcounties’inoneofMother’spoetrybooks。"
　　"It’snotsodusty，"saidPeter;"lookattheAqueductstraddlingslapacrossthevalleylikeagiantcentipede，andthenthetownsstickingtheirchurchspiresupoutofthetreeslikepensoutofaninkstand。_I_thinkit’smorelike"TherecouldheseethebannersOftwelvefaircitiesshine。"
　　"Iloveit，"saidBobbie;"it’sworththeclimb。"
　　"Thepaperchaseisworththeclimb，"saidPhyllis，"ifwedon’tloseit。Let’sgeton。It’salldownhillnow。"
　　"_I_saidthattenminutesago，"saidPeter。
　　"Well，I’VEsaiditnow，"saidPhyllis;"comeon。"
　　"Loadsoftime，"saidPeter。Andtherewas。Forwhentheyhadgotdowntoalevelwiththetopofthetunnel’smouth——theywereacoupleofhundredyardsoutoftheirreckoningandhadtocreepalongthefaceofthehill——therewasnosignofthehareorthehounds。
　　"They’vegonelongago，ofcourse，"saidPhyllis，astheyleanedonthebrickparapetabovethetunnel。
　　"Idon’tthinkso，"saidBobbie，"buteveniftheyhad，it’srippinghere，andweshallseethetrainscomeoutofthetunnellikedragonsoutoflairs。We’veneverseenthatfromthetopsidebefore。"
　　"Nomorewehave，"saidPhyllis，partiallyappeased。
　　Itwasreallyamostexcitingplacetobein。Thetopofthetunnelseemedeversomuchfartherfromthelinethantheyhadexpected，anditwaslikebeingonabridge，butabridgeovergrownwithbushesandcreepersandgrassandwild—flowers。
　　"IKNOWthepaperchasehasgonelongago，"saidPhylliseverytwominutes，andshehardlyknewwhethershewaspleasedordisappointedwhenPeter，leaningovertheparapet，suddenlycried：——
　　"Lookout。Herehecomes！"
　　Theyallleanedoverthesun—warmedbrickwallintimetoseethehare，goingveryslowly，comeoutfromtheshadowofthetunnel。
　　"There，now，"saidPeter，"whatdidItellyou？Nowforthehounds！"
　　Verysooncamethehounds——byonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens——andtheyalsoweregoingslowlyandseemedverytired。Twoorthreewholaggedfarbehindcameoutlongaftertheothers。
　　"There，"saidBobbie，"that’sall——nowwhatshallwedo？"
　　"Goalongintothetulgywoodoverthereandhavelunch，"saidPhyllis;"wecanseethemformilesfromuphere。"
　　"Notyet，"saidPeter。"That’snotthelast。There’stheoneintheredjerseytocomeyet。Let’sseethelastofthemcomeout。"
　　Butthoughtheywaitedandwaitedandwaited，theboyintheredjerseydidnotappear。
　　"Oh，let’shavelunch，"saidPhyllis;"I’vegotapaininmyfrontwithbeingsohungry。Youmusthavemissedseeingthered—jerseyedonewhenhecameoutwiththeothers——"
　　ButBobbieandPeteragreedthathehadnotcomeoutwiththeothers。
　　"Let’sgetdowntothetunnelmouth，"saidPeter;"thenperhapsweshallseehimcomingalongfromtheinside。Iexpecthefeltspun—
　　chuck，andrestedinoneofthemanholes。Youstayuphereandwatch，Bob，andwhenIsignalfrombelow，youcomedown。Wemightmissseeinghimonthewaydown，withallthesetrees。"
　　SotheothersclimbeddownandBobbiewaitedtilltheysignalledtoherfromthelinebelow。Andthenshe，too，scrambleddowntheroundaboutslipperypathamongrootsandmosstillshesteppedoutbetweentwodogwoodtreesandjoinedtheothersontheline。Andstilltherewasnosignofthehoundwiththeredjersey。
　　"Oh，do，DOlet’shavesomethingtoeat，"wailedPhyllis。"Ishalldieifyoudon’t，andthenyou’llbesorry。"
　　"Giveherthesandwiches，forgoodness’sake，andstophersillymouth，"saidPeter，notquiteunkindly。"Lookhere，"headded，turningtoBobbie，"perhapswe’dbetterhaveoneeach，too。Wemayneedallourstrength。Notmorethanone，though。There’snotime。"
　　"What？"askedBobbie，hermouthalreadyfull，forshewasjustashungryasPhyllis。
　　"Don’tyousee，"repliedPeter，impressively，"thatred—jerseyedhoundhashadanaccident——that’swhatitis。Perhapsevenaswespeakhe’slyingwithhisheadonthemetals，anunresistingpreytoanypassingexpress——"
　　"Oh，don’ttrytotalklikeabook，"criedBobbie，boltingwhatwasleftofhersandwich;"comeon。Phil，keepclosebehindme，andifatraincomes，standflatagainstthetunnelwallandholdyourpetticoatsclosetoyou。"
　　"Givemeonemoresandwich，"pleadedPhyllis，"andIwill。"
　　"I’mgoingfirst，"saidPeter;"itwasmyidea，"andhewent。
　　Ofcourseyouknowwhatgoingintoatunnelislike？Theenginegivesascreamandthensuddenlythenoiseoftherunning，rattlingtrainchangesandgrowsdifferentandmuchlouder。Grown—uppeoplepullupthewindowsandholdthembythestrap。Therailwaycarriagesuddenlygrowslikenight——withlamps，ofcourse，unlessyouareinaslowlocaltrain，inwhichcaselampsarenotalwaysprovided。Thenbyandbythedarknessoutsidethecarriagewindowistouchedbypuffsofcloudywhiteness，thenyouseeabluelightonthewallsofthetunnel，thenthesoundofthemovingtrainchangesoncemore，andyouareoutinthegoodopenairagain，andgrown—upsletthestrapsgo。Thewindows，alldimwiththeyellowbreathofthetunnel，rattledownintotheirplaces，andyouseeoncemorethedipandcatchofthetelegraphwiresbesidetheline，andthestraight—cuthawthornhedgeswiththetinybabytreesgrowingupoutofthemeverythirtyyards。
　　Allthis，ofcourse，iswhatatunnelmeanswhenyouareinatrain。
　　Buteverythingisquitedifferentwhenyouwalkintoatunnelonyourownfeet，andtreadonshifting，slidingstonesandgravelonapaththatcurvesdownwardsfromtheshiningmetalstothewall。
　　Thenyouseeslimy，oozytricklesofwaterrunningdowntheinsideofthetunnel，andyounoticethatthebricksarenotredorbrown，astheyareatthetunnel’smouth，butdull，sticky，sicklygreen。
　　Yourvoice，whenyouspeak，isquitechangedfromwhatitwasoutinthesunshine，anditisalongtimebeforethetunnelisquitedark。
　　ItwasnotyetquitedarkinthetunnelwhenPhylliscaughtatBobbie’sskirt，rippingouthalfayardofgathers，butnoonenoticedthisatthetime。
　　"Iwanttogoback，"shesaid，"Idon’tlikeit。It’llbepitchdarkinaminute。IWON’Tgooninthedark。Idon’tcarewhatyousay，IWON’T。"
　　"Don’tbeasillycuckoo，"saidPeter;"I’vegotacandleendandmatches，and——what’sthat？"
　　"That"wasalow，hummingsoundontherailwayline，atremblingofthewiresbesideit，abuzzing，hummingsoundthatgrewlouderandlouderastheylistened。
　　"It’satrain，"saidBobbie。