TomydearsonPaulBland，behindwhoseknowledgeofrailwaysmyignoranceconfidentlyshelters。
ChapterI。Thebeginningofthings。
Theywerenotrailwaychildrentobeginwith。Idon’tsupposetheyhadeverthoughtaboutrailwaysexceptasameansofgettingtoMaskelyneandCook’s，thePantomime，ZoologicalGardens，andMadameTussaud’s。Theywerejustordinarysuburbanchildren，andtheylivedwiththeirFatherandMotherinanordinaryred—brick—frontedvilla，withcolouredglassinthefrontdoor，atiledpassagethatwascalledahall，abath—roomwithhotandcoldwater，electricbells，Frenchwindows，andagooddealofwhitepaint，and’everymodernconvenience’，asthehouse—agentssay。
Therewerethreeofthem。Robertawastheeldest。Ofcourse，Mothersneverhavefavourites，butiftheirMotherHADhadafavourite，itmighthavebeenRoberta。NextcamePeter，whowishedtobeanEngineerwhenhegrewup;andtheyoungestwasPhyllis，whomeantextremelywell。
Motherdidnotspendallhertimeinpayingdullcallstodullladies，andsittingdullyathomewaitingfordullladiestopaycallstoher。Shewasalmostalwaysthere，readytoplaywiththechildren，andreadtothem，andhelpthemtodotheirhome—lessons。
Besidesthissheusedtowritestoriesforthemwhiletheywereatschool，andreadthemaloudaftertea，andshealwaysmadeupfunnypiecesofpoetryfortheirbirthdaysandforothergreatoccasions，suchasthechristeningofthenewkittens，ortherefurnishingofthedoll’shouse，orthetimewhentheyweregettingoverthemumps。
Thesethreeluckychildrenalwayshadeverythingtheyneeded：
prettyclothes，goodfires，alovelynurserywithheapsoftoys，andaMotherGoosewall—paper。Theyhadakindandmerrynursemaid，andadogwhowascalledJames，andwhowastheirveryown。TheyalsohadaFatherwhowasjustperfect——nevercross，neverunjust，andalwaysreadyforagame——atleast，ifatanytimehewasNOTready，healwayshadanexcellentreasonforit，andexplainedthereasontothechildrensointerestinglyandfunnilythattheyfeltsurehecouldn’thelphimself。
Youwillthinkthattheyoughttohavebeenveryhappy。Andsotheywere，buttheydidnotknowHOWhappytilltheprettylifeintheRedVillawasoveranddonewith，andtheyhadtoliveaverydifferentlifeindeed。
Thedreadfulchangecamequitesuddenly。
Peterhadabirthday——histenth。Amonghisotherpresentswasamodelenginemoreperfectthanyoucouldeverhavedreamedof。Theotherpresentswerefullofcharm，buttheEnginewasfullerofcharmthananyoftheotherswere。
Itscharmlastedinitsfullperfectionforexactlythreedays。
Then，owingeithertoPeter’sinexperienceorPhyllis’sgoodintentions，whichhadbeenratherpressing，ortosomeothercause，theEnginesuddenlywentoffwithabang。Jameswassofrightenedthathewentoutanddidnotcomebackallday。AlltheNoah’sArkpeoplewhowereinthetenderwerebrokentobits，butnothingelsewashurtexceptthepoorlittleengineandthefeelingsofPeter。
Theotherssaidhecriedoverit——butofcourseboysoftendonotcry，howeverterriblethetragediesmaybewhichdarkentheirlot。
Hesaidthathiseyeswereredbecausehehadacold。Thisturnedouttobetrue，thoughPeterdidnotknowitwaswhenhesaidit，thenextdayhehadtogotobedandstaythere。Motherbegantobeafraidthathemightbesickeningformeasles，whensuddenlyhesatupinbedandsaid：
\"Ihategruel——Ihatebarleywater——Ihatebreadandmilk。IwanttogetupandhavesomethingREALtoeat。\"
\"Whatwouldyoulike？\"Motherasked。
\"Apigeon—pie，\"saidPeter，eagerly，\"alargepigeon—pie。Averylargeone。\"
SoMotheraskedtheCooktomakealargepigeon—pie。Thepiewasmade。Andwhenthepiewasmade，itwascooked。Andwhenitwascooked，Peteratesomeofit。Afterthathiscoldwasbetter。
Mothermadeapieceofpoetrytoamusehimwhilethepiewasbeingmade。ItbeganbysayingwhatanunfortunatebutworthyboyPeterwas，thenitwenton：
HehadanenginethathelovedWithallhisheartandsoul，AndifhehadawishonearthItwastokeepitwhole。
Oneday——myfriends，prepareyourminds;
I’mcomingtotheworst——
Quitesuddenlyascrewwentmad，Andthentheboilerburst！
WithgloomyfacehepickeditupAndtookittohisMother，ThoughevenhecouldnotsupposeThatshecouldmakeanother;
ForthosewhoperishedonthelineHedidnotseemtocare，HisenginebeingmoretohimThanallthepeoplethere。
AndnowyouseethereasonwhyOurPeterhasbeenill：
Hesootheshissoulwithpigeon—pieHisgnawinggrieftokill。
HewrapshimselfinblanketswarmAndsleepsinbedtilllate，DeterminedthustoovercomeHismiserablefate。
Andifhiseyesareratherred，Hiscoldmustjustexcuseit：
Offerhimpie;youmaybesureHeneverwillrefuseit。
Fatherhadbeenawayinthecountryforthreeorfourdays。AllPeter’shopesforthecuringofhisafflictedEnginewerenowfixedonhisFather，forFatherwasmostwonderfullycleverwithhisfingers。Hecouldmendallsortsofthings。Hehadoftenactedasveterinarysurgeontothewoodenrocking—horse;oncehehadsaveditslifewhenallhumanaidwasdespairedof，andthepoorcreaturewasgivenupforlost，andeventhecarpentersaidhedidn’tseehiswaytodoanything。AnditwasFatherwhomendedthedoll’scradlewhennooneelsecould;andwithalittleglueandsomebitsofwoodandapen—knifemadealltheNoah’sArkbeastsasstrongontheirpinsasevertheywere，ifnotstronger。
Peter，withheroicunselfishness，didnotsayanythingabouthisEnginetillafterFatherhadhadhisdinnerandhisafter—dinnercigar。TheunselfishnesswasMother’sidea——butitwasPeterwhocarrieditout。Andneededagooddealofpatience，too。
AtlastMothersaidtoFather，\"Now，dear，ifyou’requiterested，andquitecomfy，wewanttotellyouaboutthegreatrailwayaccident，andaskyouradvice。\"
\"Allright，\"saidFather，\"fireaway！\"
SothenPetertoldthesadtale，andfetchedwhatwasleftoftheEngine。
\"Hum，\"saidFather，whenhehadlookedtheEngineoververycarefully。
Thechildrenheldtheirbreaths。
\"IsthereNOhope？\"saidPeter，inalow，unsteadyvoice。
\"Hope？Rather！Tonsofit，\"saidFather，cheerfully;\"butit’llwantsomethingbesideshope——abitofbrazingsay，orsomesolder，andanewvalve。Ithinkwe’dbetterkeepitforarainyday。Inotherwords，I’llgiveupSaturdayafternoontoit，andyoushallallhelpme。\"
\"CANgirlshelptomendengines？\"Peteraskeddoubtfully。
\"Ofcoursetheycan。Girlsarejustascleverasboys，anddon’tyouforgetit！Howwouldyouliketobeanengine—driver，Phil？\"
\"Myfacewouldbealwaysdirty，wouldn’tit？\"saidPhyllis，inunenthusiastictones，\"andIexpectIshouldbreaksomething。\"
\"Ishouldjustloveit，\"saidRoberta——\"doyouthinkIcouldwhenI’mgrownup，Daddy？Orevenastoker？\"
\"Youmeanafireman，\"saidDaddy，pullingandtwistingattheengine。\"Well，ifyoustillwishit，whenyou’regrownup，we’llseeaboutmakingyouafire—woman。IrememberwhenIwasaboy——\"
Justthentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor。
\"Whoonearth！\"saidFather。\"AnEnglishman’shouseishiscastle，ofcourse，butIdowishtheybuiltsemi—detachedvillaswithmoatsanddrawbridges。\"
Ruth——shewastheparlour—maidandhadredhair——cameinandsaidthattwogentlemenwantedtoseethemaster。
\"I’veshownthemintotheLibrary，Sir，\"saidshe。
\"Iexpectit’sthesubscriptiontotheVicar’stestimonial，\"saidMother，\"orelseit’sthechoirholidayfund。Getridofthemquickly，dear。Itdoesbreakupaneveningso，andit’snearlythechildren’sbedtime。\"
ButFatherdidnotseemtobeabletogetridofthegentlemenatallquickly。
\"IwishweHADgotamoatanddrawbridge，\"saidRoberta;\"then，whenwedidn’twantpeople，wecouldjustpullupthedrawbridgeandnooneelsecouldgetin。IexpectFatherwillhaveforgottenaboutwhenhewasaboyiftheystaymuchlonger。\"
MothertriedtomakethetimepassbytellingthemanewfairystoryaboutaPrincesswithgreeneyes，butitwasdifficultbecausetheycouldhearthevoicesofFatherandthegentlemenintheLibrary，andFather’svoicesoundedlouderanddifferenttothevoicehegenerallyusedtopeoplewhocameabouttestimonialsandholidayfunds。
ThentheLibrarybellrang，andeveryoneheavedabreathofrelief。
\"They’regoingnow，\"saidPhyllis;\"he’srungtohavethemshownout。\"
Butinsteadofshowinganybodyout，Ruthshowedherselfin，andshelookedqueer，thechildrenthought。
\"Please’m，\"shesaid，\"theMasterwantsyoutojuststepintothestudy。Helookslikethedead，mum;Ithinkhe’shadbadnews。
You’dbestprepareyourselffortheworst，’m——p’rapsit’sadeathinthefamilyorabankbustedor——\"
\"That’lldo，Ruth，\"saidMothergently;\"youcango。\"
ThenMotherwentintotheLibrary。Therewasmoretalking。Thenthebellrangagain，andRuthfetchedacab。Thechildrenheardbootsgooutanddownthesteps。Thecabdroveaway，andthefrontdoorshut。ThenMothercamein。Herdearfacewasaswhiteasherlacecollar，andhereyeslookedverybigandshining。Hermouthlookedlikejustalineofpalered——herlipswerethinandnottheirpropershapeatall。
\"It’sbedtime，\"shesaid。\"Ruthwillputyoutobed。\"
\"ButyoupromisedweshouldsituplatetonightbecauseFather’scomehome，\"saidPhyllis。
\"Father’sbeencalledaway——onbusiness，\"saidMother。\"Come，darlings，goatonce。\"
Theykissedherandwent。RobertalingeredtogiveMotheranextrahugandtowhisper：
\"Itwasn’tbadnews，Mammy，wasit？Isanyonedead——or——\"
\"Nobody’sdead——no，\"saidMother，andshealmostseemedtopushRobertaaway。\"Ican’ttellyouanythingtonight，mypet。Go，dear，goNOW。\"
SoRobertawent。
Ruthbrushedthegirls’hairandhelpedthemtoundress。（Motheralmostalwaysdidthisherself。）WhenshehadturneddownthegasandleftthemshefoundPeter，stilldressed，waitingonthestairs。
\"Isay，Ruth，what’sup？\"heasked。
\"Don’taskmenoquestionsandIwon’ttellyounolies，\"thered—
headedRuthreplied。\"You’llknowsoonenough。\"
LatethatnightMothercameupandkissedallthreechildrenastheylayasleep。ButRobertawastheonlyonewhomthekisswoke，andshelaymousey—still，andsaidnothing。
\"IfMotherdoesn’twantustoknowshe’sbeencrying，\"shesaidtoherselfassheheardthroughthedarkthecatchingofherMother’sbreath，\"weWON’Tknowit。That’sall。\"
Whentheycamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，Motherhadalreadygoneout。
\"ToLondon，\"Ruthsaid，andleftthemtotheirbreakfast。
\"There’ssomethingawfulthematter，\"saidPeter，breakinghisegg。
\"Ruthtoldmelastnightweshouldknowsoonenough。\"
\"DidyouASKher？\"saidRoberta，withscorn。
\"Yes，Idid！\"saidPeter，angrily。\"IfyoucouldgotobedwithoutcaringwhetherMotherwasworriedornot，Icouldn’t。Sothere。\"
\"Idon’tthinkweoughttoasktheservantsthingsMotherdoesn’ttellus，\"saidRoberta。
\"That’sright，MissGoody—goody，\"saidPeter，\"preachaway。\"
\"I’Mnotgoody，\"saidPhyllis，\"butIthinkBobbie’srightthistime。\"
\"Ofcourse。Shealwaysis。Inherownopinion，\"saidPeter。
\"Oh，DON’T！\"criedRoberta，puttingdownheregg—spoon;\"don’tlet’sbehorridtoeachother。I’msuresomedirecalamityishappening。
Don’tlet’smakeitworse！\"
\"Whobegan，Ishouldliketoknow？\"saidPeter。
Robertamadeaneffort，andanswered：——
\"Idid，Isuppose，but——\"
\"Well，then，\"saidPeter，triumphantly。Butbeforehewenttoschoolhethumpedhissisterbetweentheshouldersandtoldhertocheerup。
Thechildrencamehometooneo’clockdinner，butMotherwasnotthere。Andshewasnotthereattea—time。
Itwasnearlysevenbeforeshecamein，lookingsoillandtiredthatthechildrenfelttheycouldnotaskheranyquestions。Shesankintoanarm—chair。Phyllistookthelongpinsoutofherhat，whileRobertatookoffhergloves，andPeterunfastenedherwalking—
shoesandfetchedhersoftvelvetyslippersforher。
Whenshehadhadacupoftea，andRobertahadputeau—de—Cologneonherpoorheadthatached，Mothersaid：——
\"Now，mydarlings，Iwanttotellyousomething。Thosemenlastnightdidbringverybadnews，andFatherwillbeawayforsometime。Iamveryworriedaboutit，andIwantyoualltohelpme，andnottomakethingsharderforme。\"
\"Asifwewould！\"saidRoberta，holdingMother’shandagainstherface。
\"Youcanhelpmeverymuch，\"saidMother，\"bybeinggoodandhappyandnotquarrellingwhenI’maway\"——RobertaandPeterexchangedguiltyglances——\"forIshallhavetobeawayagooddeal。\"
\"Wewon’tquarrel。Indeedwewon’t，\"saideverybody。Andmeantit，too。
\"Then，\"Motherwenton，\"Iwantyounottoaskmeanyquestionsaboutthistrouble;andnottoaskanybodyelseanyquestions。\"
Petercringedandshuffledhisbootsonthecarpet。
\"You’llpromisethis，too，won’tyou？\"saidMother。
\"IdidaskRuth，\"saidPeter，suddenly。\"I’mverysorry，butI
did。\"
\"Andwhatdidshesay？\"
\"ShesaidIshouldknowsoonenough。\"
\"Itisn’tnecessaryforyoutoknowanythingaboutit，\"saidMother;
\"it’saboutbusiness，andyouneverdounderstandbusiness，doyou？\"
\"No，\"saidRoberta;\"isitsomethingtodowithGovernment？\"ForFatherwasinaGovernmentOffice。
\"Yes，\"saidMother。\"Nowit’sbed—time，mydarlings。Anddon’tYOU
worry。It’llallcomerightintheend。\"
\"Thendon’tYOUworryeither，Mother，\"saidPhyllis，\"andwe’llallbeasgoodasgold。\"
Mothersighedandkissedthem。
\"We’llbeginbeinggoodthefirstthingtomorrowmorning，\"saidPeter，astheywentupstairs。
\"WhynotNOW？\"saidRoberta。
\"There’snothingtobegoodABOUTnow，silly，\"saidPeter。
\"WemightbegintotrytoFEELgood，\"saidPhyllis，\"andnotcallnames。\"
\"Who’scallingnames？\"saidPeter。\"BobbieknowsrightenoughthatwhenIsay’silly’，it’sjustthesameasifIsaidBobbie。\"
\"WELL，\"saidRoberta。
\"No，Idon’tmeanwhatyoumean。Imeanit’sjusta——whatisitFathercallsit？——agermofendearment！Goodnight。\"
Thegirlsfoldeduptheirclotheswithmorethanusualneatness——
whichwastheonlywayofbeinggoodthattheycouldthinkof。
\"Isay，\"saidPhyllis，smoothingoutherpinafore，\"youusedtosayitwassodull——nothinghappening，likeinbooks。NowsomethingHAS
happened。\"
\"IneverwantedthingstohappentomakeMotherunhappy，\"saidRoberta。\"Everything’sperfectlyhorrid。\"
Everythingcontinuedtobeperfectlyhorridforsomeweeks。
Motherwasnearlyalwaysout。Mealsweredullanddirty。Thebetween—maidwassentaway，andAuntEmmacameonavisit。AuntEmmawasmucholderthanMother。Shewasgoingabroadtobeagoverness。Shewasverybusygettingherclothesready，andtheywereveryugly，dingyclothes，andshehadthemalwayslitteringabout，andthesewing—machineseemedtowhir——onandonalldayandmostofthenight。AuntEmmabelievedinkeepingchildrenintheirproperplaces。Andtheymorethanreturnedthecompliment。TheirideaofAuntEmma’sproperplacewasanywherewheretheywerenot。
Sotheysawverylittleofher。Theypreferredthecompanyoftheservants，whoweremoreamusing。Cook，ifinagoodtemper，couldsingcomicsongs，andthehousemaid，ifshehappenednottobeoffendedwithyou，couldimitateahenthathaslaidanegg，abottleofchampagnebeingopened，andcouldmewliketwocatsfighting。TheservantsnevertoldthechildrenwhatthebadnewswasthatthegentlemenhadbroughttoFather。Buttheykepthintingthattheycouldtellagreatdealiftheychose——andthiswasnotcomfortable。
OnedaywhenPeterhadmadeaboobytrapoverthebath—roomdoor，andithadactedbeautifullyasRuthpassedthrough，thatred—hairedparlour—maidcaughthimandboxedhisears。
\"You’llcometoabadend，\"shesaidfuriously，\"younastylittlelimb，you！Ifyoudon’tmendyourways，you’llgowhereyourpreciousFather’sgone，soItellyoustraight！\"
RobertarepeatedthistoherMother，andnextdayRuthwassentaway。
ThencamethetimewhenMothercamehomeandwenttobedandstayedtheretwodaysandtheDoctorcame，andthechildrencreptwretchedlyaboutthehouseandwonderediftheworldwascomingtoanend。
Mothercamedownonemorningtobreakfast，verypaleandwithlinesonherfacethatusednottobethere。Andshesmiled，aswellasshecould，andsaid：——
\"Now，mypets，everythingissettled。We’regoingtoleavethishouse，andgoandliveinthecountry。Suchaduckydearlittlewhitehouse。Iknowyou’llloveit。\"
Awhirlingweekofpackingfollowed——notjustpackingclothes，likewhenyougototheseaside，butpackingchairsandtables，coveringtheirtopswithsackingandtheirlegswithstraw。
Allsortsofthingswerepackedthatyoudon’tpackwhenyougototheseaside。Crockery，blankets，candlesticks，carpets，bedsteads，saucepans，andevenfendersandfire—irons。
Thehousewaslikeafurniturewarehouse。Ithinkthechildrenenjoyeditverymuch。Motherwasverybusy，butnottoobusynowtotalktothem，andreadtothem，andeventomakeabitofpoetryforPhyllistocheerherupwhenshefelldownwithascrewdriverandranitintoherhand。
\"Aren’tyougoingtopackthis，Mother？\"Robertaasked，pointingtothebeautifulcabinetinlaidwithredturtleshellandbrass。
\"Wecan’ttakeeverything，\"saidMother。
\"Butweseemtobetakingalltheuglythings，\"saidRoberta。
\"We’retakingtheusefulones，\"saidMother;\"we’vegottoplayatbeingPoorforabit，mychickabiddy。\"
Whenalltheuglyusefulthingshadbeenpackedupandtakenawayinavanbymeningreen—baizeaprons，thetwogirlsandMotherandAuntEmmasleptinthetwospareroomswherethefurniturewasallpretty。Alltheirbedshadgone。AbedwasmadeupforPeteronthedrawing—roomsofa。
\"Isay，thisislarks，\"hesaid，wrigglingjoyously，asMothertuckedhimup。\"Idolikemoving！Iwishwemovedonceamonth。\"
Motherlaughed。
\"Idon’t！\"shesaid。\"Goodnight，Peterkin。\"
AssheturnedawayRobertasawherface。Sheneverforgotit。
\"Oh，Mother，\"shewhisperedalltoherselfasshegotintobed，\"howbraveyouare！HowIloveyou！Fancybeingbraveenoughtolaughwhenyou’refeelinglikeTHAT！\"
Nextdayboxeswerefilled，andboxesandmoreboxes;andthenlateintheafternoonacabcametotakethemtothestation。
AuntEmmasawthemoff。TheyfeltthatTHEYwereseeingHERoff，andtheyweregladofit。
\"But，oh，thosepoorlittleforeignchildrenthatshe’sgoingtogoverness！\"whisperedPhyllis。\"Iwouldn’tbethemforanything！\"
Atfirsttheyenjoyedlookingoutofthewindow，butwhenitgrewdusktheygrewsleepierandsleepier，andnooneknewhowlongtheyhadbeeninthetrainwhentheywererousedbyMother’sshakingthemgentlyandsaying：——
\"Wakeup，dears。We’rethere。\"
Theywokeup，coldandmelancholy，andstoodshiveringonthedraughtyplatformwhilethebaggagewastakenoutofthetrain。
Thentheengine，puffingandblowing，settoworkagain，anddraggedthetrainaway。Thechildrenwatchedthetail—lightsoftheguard’svandisappearintothedarkness。
Thiswasthefirsttrainthechildrensawonthatrailwaywhichwasintimetobecomesoverydeartothem。Theydidnotguessthenhowtheywouldgrowtolovetherailway，andhowsoonitwouldbecomethecentreoftheirnewlife，norwhatwondersandchangesitwouldbringtothem。Theyonlyshiveredandsneezedandhopedthewalktothenewhousewouldnotbelong。Peter’snosewascolderthanheeverrememberedittohavebeenbefore。Roberta’shatwascrooked，andtheelasticseemedtighterthanusual。Phyllis’sshoe—laceshadcomeundone。
\"Come，\"saidMother，\"we’vegottowalk。Therearen’tanycabshere。\"
Thewalkwasdarkandmuddy。Thechildrenstumbledalittleontheroughroad，andoncePhyllisabsentlyfellintoapuddle，andwaspickedupdampandunhappy。Therewerenogas—lampsontheroad，andtheroadwasuphill。Thecartwentatafoot’space，andtheyfollowedthegrittycrunchofitswheels。Astheireyesgotusedtothedarkness，theycouldseethemoundofboxesswayingdimlyinfrontofthem。
Alonggatehadtobeopenedforthecarttopassthrough，andafterthattheroadseemedtogoacrossfields——andnowitwentdownhill。
Presentlyagreatdarklumpishthingshowedovertotheright。
\"There’sthehouse，\"saidMother。\"Iwonderwhyshe’sshuttheshutters。\"
\"Who’sSHE？\"askedRoberta。
\"ThewomanIengagedtocleantheplace，andputthefurniturestraightandgetsupper。\"
Therewasalowwall，andtreesinside。
\"That’sthegarden，\"saidMother。
\"Itlooksmorelikeadripping—panfullofblackcabbages，\"saidPeter。
Thecartwentonalongbythegardenwall，androundtothebackofthehouse，andhereitclatteredintoacobble—stonedyardandstoppedatthebackdoor。
Therewasnolightinanyofthewindows。
Everyonehammeredatthedoor，butnoonecame。
ThemanwhodrovethecartsaidheexpectedMrs。Vineyhadgonehome。
\"Youseeyourtrainwasthatlate，\"saidhe。
\"Butshe’sgotthekey，\"saidMother。\"Whatarewetodo？\"
\"Oh，she’llhaveleftthatunderthedoorstep，\"saidthecartman;
\"folksdohereabouts。\"Hetookthelanternoffhiscartandstooped。
\"Ay，hereitis，rightenough，\"hesaid。
Heunlockedthedoorandwentinandsethislanternonthetable。
\"Gote’eracandle？\"saidhe。
\"Idon’tknowwhereanythingis。\"Motherspokeratherlesscheerfullythanusual。
Hestruckamatch。Therewasacandleonthetable，andhelightedit。Byitsthinlittleglimmerthechildrensawalargebarekitchenwithastonefloor。Therewerenocurtains，nohearth—rug。
Thekitchentablefromhomestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Thechairswereinonecorner，andthepots，pans，brooms，andcrockeryinanother。Therewasnofire，andtheblackgrateshowedcold，deadashes。
Asthecartmanturnedtogooutafterhehadbroughtintheboxes，therewasarustling，scamperingsoundthatseemedtocomefrominsidethewallsofthehouse。
\"Oh，what’sthat？\"criedthegirls。
\"It’sonlytherats，\"saidthecartman。Andhewentawayandshutthedoor，andthesuddendraughtofitblewoutthecandle。
\"Oh，dear，\"saidPhyllis，\"Iwishwehadn’tcome！\"andsheknockedachairover。
\"ONLYtherats！\"saidPeter，inthedark。
ChapterII。Peter’scoal—mine。
\"Whatfun！\"saidMother，inthedark，feelingforthematchesonthetable。\"Howfrightenedthepoormicewere——Idon’tbelievetheywereratsatall。\"
Shestruckamatchandrelightedthecandleandeveryonelookedateachotherbyitswinky，blinkylight。
\"Well，\"shesaid，\"you’veoftenwantedsomethingtohappenandnowithas。Thisisquiteanadventure，isn’tit？ItoldMrs。Vineytogetussomebreadandbutter，andmeatandthings，andtohavesupperready。Isupposeshe’slaiditinthedining—room。Solet’sgoandsee。\"
Thedining—roomopenedoutofthekitchen。Itlookedmuchdarkerthanthekitchenwhentheywentinwiththeonecandle。Becausethekitchenwaswhitewashed，butthedining—roomwasdarkwoodfromfloortoceiling，andacrosstheceilingtherewereheavyblackbeams。Therewasamuddledmazeofdustyfurniture——thebreakfast—
roomfurniturefromtheoldhomewheretheyhadlivedalltheirlives。Itseemedaverylongtimeago，andaverylongwayoff。
Therewasthetablecertainly，andtherewerechairs，buttherewasnosupper。
\"Let’slookintheotherrooms，\"saidMother;andtheylooked。Andineachroomwasthesamekindofblunderinghalf—arrangementoffurniture，andfire—ironsandcrockery，andallsortsofoddthingsonthefloor，buttherewasnothingtoeat;eveninthepantrytherewereonlyarustycake—tinandabrokenplatewithwhiteningmixedinit。
\"Whatahorridoldwoman！\"saidMother;\"she’sjustwalkedoffwiththemoneyandnotgotusanythingtoeatatall。\"
\"Thenshan’twehaveanysupperatall？\"askedPhyllis，dismayed，steppingbackontoasoap—dishthatcrackedresponsively。
\"Oh，yes，\"saidMother，\"onlyit’llmeanunpackingoneofthosebigcasesthatweputinthecellar。Phil，domindwhereyou’rewalkingto，there’sadear。Peter，holdthelight。\"
Thecellardooropenedoutofthekitchen。Therewerefivewoodenstepsleadingdown。Itwasn’tapropercellaratall，thechildrenthought，becauseitsceilingwentupashighasthekitchen’s。A
bacon—rackhungunderitsceiling。Therewaswoodinit，andcoal。
Alsothebigcases。
Peterheldthecandle，allononeside，whileMothertriedtoopenthegreatpacking—case。Itwasverysecurelynaileddown。
\"Where’sthehammer？\"askedPeter。
\"That’sjustit，\"saidMother。\"I’mafraidit’sinsidethebox。
Butthere’sacoal—shovel——andthere’sthekitchenpoker。\"
Andwiththeseshetriedtogetthecaseopen。
\"Letmedoit，\"saidPeter，thinkinghecoulddoitbetterhimself。
Everyonethinksthiswhenheseesanotherpersonstirringafire，oropeningabox，oruntyingaknotinabitofstring。
\"You’llhurtyourhands，Mammy，\"saidRoberta;\"letme。\"
\"IwishFatherwashere，\"saidPhyllis;\"he’dgetitopenintwoshakes。Whatareyoukickingmefor，Bobbie？\"
\"Iwasn’t，\"saidRoberta。
Justthenthefirstofthelongnailsinthepacking—casebegantocomeoutwithascrunch。Thenalathwasraisedandthenanother，tillallfourstoodupwiththelongnailsinthemshiningfiercelylikeironteethinthecandle—light。
\"Hooray！\"saidMother;\"herearesomecandles——theveryfirstthing！
Yougirlsgoandlightthem。You’llfindsomesaucersandthings。
Justdropalittlecandle—greaseinthesaucerandstickthecandleuprightinit。\"
\"Howmanyshallwelight？\"
\"Asmanyaseveryoulike，\"saidMother，gaily。\"Thegreatthingistobecheerful。Nobodycanbecheerfulinthedarkexceptowlsanddormice。\"
Sothegirlslightedcandles。TheheadofthefirstmatchflewoffandstucktoPhyllis’sfinger;but，asRobertasaid，itwasonlyalittleburn，andshemighthavehadtobeaRomanmartyrandbeburnedwholeifshehadhappenedtoliveinthedayswhenthosethingswerefashionable。
Then，whenthedining—roomwaslightedbyfourteencandles，Robertafetchedcoalandwoodandlightedafire。
\"It’sverycoldforMay，\"shesaid，feelingwhatagrown—upthingitwastosay。
Thefire—lightandthecandle—lightmadethedining—roomlookverydifferent，fornowyoucouldseethatthedarkwallswereofwood，carvedhereandthereintolittlewreathsandloops。
Thegirlshastily’tidied’theroom，whichmeantputtingthechairsagainstthewall，andpilingalltheoddsandendsintoacornerandpartlyhidingthemwiththebigleatherarm—chairthatFatherusedtositinafterdinner。
\"Bravo！\"criedMother，cominginwithatrayfullofthings。\"Thisissomethinglike！I’lljustgetatableclothandthen——\"
Thetableclothwasinaboxwithaproperlockthatwasopenedwithakeyandnotwithashovel，andwhentheclothwasspreadonthetable，arealfeastwaslaidoutonit。
Everyonewasvery，verytired，buteveryonecheeredupatthesightofthefunnyanddelightfulsupper。Therewerebiscuits，theMarieandtheplainkind，sardines，preservedginger，cookingraisins，andcandiedpeelandmarmalade。
\"WhatagoodthingAuntEmmapackedupalltheoddsandendsoutoftheStorecupboard，\"saidMother。\"Now，Phil，DON’Tputthemarmaladespooninamongthesardines。\"
\"No，Iwon’t，Mother，\"saidPhyllis，andputitdownamongtheMariebiscuits。
\"Let’sdrinkAuntEmma’shealth，\"saidRoberta，suddenly;\"whatshouldwehavedoneifshehadn’tpackedupthesethings？Here’stoAuntEmma！\"
Andthetoastwasdrunkingingerwineandwater，outofwillow—
patternedtea—cups，becausetheglassescouldn’tbefound。
TheyallfeltthattheyhadbeenalittlehardonAuntEmma。Shewasn’tanicecuddlypersonlikeMother，butafterallitwasshewhohadthoughtofpackinguptheoddsandendsofthingstoeat。
ItwasAuntEmma，too，whohadairedallthesheetsready;andthemenwhohadmovedthefurniturehadputthebedsteadstogether，sothebedsweresoonmade。
\"Goodnight，chickies，\"saidMother。\"I’msuretherearen’tanyrats。ButI’llleavemydooropen，andthenifamousecomes，youneedonlyscream，andI’llcomeandtellitexactlywhatIthinkofit。\"
Thenshewenttoherownroom。Robertawoketohearthelittletravellingclockchimetwo。Itsoundedlikeachurchclockeversofaraway，shealwaysthought。Andsheheard，too，Motherstillmovingaboutinherroom。
NextmorningRobertawokePhyllisbypullingherhairgently，butquiteenoughforherpurpose。
\"Wassermarrer？\"askedPhyllis，stillalmostwhollyasleep。
\"Wakeup！wakeup！\"saidRoberta。\"We’reinthenewhouse——don’tyouremember？Noservantsoranything。Let’sgetupandbegintobeuseful。We’lljustcreepdownmouse—quietly，andhaveeverythingbeautifulbeforeMothergetsup。I’vewokePeter。He’llbedressedassoonasweare。\"
Sotheydressedquietlyandquickly。Ofcourse，therewasnowaterintheirroom，sowhentheygotdowntheywashedasmuchastheythoughtwasnecessaryunderthespoutofthepumpintheyard。Onepumpedandtheotherwashed。Itwassplashybutinteresting。
\"It’smuchmorefunthanbasinwashing，\"saidRoberta。\"Howsparklytheweedsarebetweenthestones，andthemossontheroof——oh，andtheflowers！\"
Theroofofthebackkitchenslopeddownquitelow。Itwasmadeofthatchandithadmossonit，andhouse—leeksandstonecropandwallflowers，andevenaclumpofpurpleflag—flowers，atthefarcorner。
\"Thisisfar，far，farandawayprettierthanEdgecombeVilla，\"saidPhyllis。\"Iwonderwhatthegarden’slike。\"
\"Wemustn’tthinkofthegardenyet，\"saidRoberta，withearnestenergy。\"Let’sgoinandbegintowork。\"
Theylightedthefireandputthekettleon，andtheyarrangedthecrockeryforbreakfast;theycouldnotfindalltherightthings，butaglassash—traymadeanexcellentsalt—cellar，andanewishbaking—tinseemedasifitwoulddotoputbreadon，iftheyhadany。
Whenthereseemedtobenothingmorethattheycoulddo，theywentoutagainintothefreshbrightmorning。
\"We’llgointothegardennow，\"saidPeter。Butsomehowtheycouldn’tfindthegarden。Theywentroundthehouseandroundthehouse。Theyardoccupiedtheback，andacrossitwerestablesandoutbuildings。Ontheotherthreesidesthehousestoodsimplyinafield，withoutayardofgardentodivideitfromtheshortsmoothturf。Andyettheyhadcertainlyseenthegardenwallthenightbefore。
Itwasahillycountry。Downbelowtheycouldseethelineoftherailway，andtheblackyawningmouthofatunnel。Thestationwasoutofsight。Therewasagreatbridgewithtallarchesrunningacrossoneendofthevalley。
\"Nevermindthegarden，\"saidPeter;\"let’sgodownandlookattherailway。Theremightbetrainspassing。\"
\"Wecanseethemfromhere，\"saidRoberta，slowly;\"let’ssitdownabit。\"
Sotheyallsatdownonagreatflatgreystonethathadpusheditselfupoutofthegrass;itwasoneofmanythatlayaboutonthehillside，andwhenMothercameouttolookforthemateighto’clock，shefoundthemdeeplyasleepinacontented，sun—warmedbunch。
Theyhadmadeanexcellentfire，andhadsetthekettleonitatabouthalf—pastfive。Sothatbyeightthefirehadbeenoutforsometime，thewaterhadallboiledaway，andthebottomwasburnedoutofthekettle。Alsotheyhadnotthoughtofwashingthecrockerybeforetheysetthetable。
\"Butitdoesn’tmatter——thecupsandsaucers，Imean，\"saidMother。
\"BecauseI’vefoundanotherroom——I’dquiteforgottentherewasone。
Andit’smagic！AndI’veboiledthewaterforteainasaucepan。\"
Theforgottenroomopenedoutofthekitchen。Intheagitationandhalfdarknessthenightbeforeitsdoorhadbeenmistakenforacupboard’s。Itwasalittlesquareroom，andonitstable，allnicelysetout，wasajointofcoldroastbeef，withbread，butter，cheese，andapie。
\"Pieforbreakfast！\"criedPeter;\"howperfectlyripping！\"
\"Itisn’tpigeon—pie，\"saidMother;\"it’sonlyapple。Well，thisisthesupperweoughttohavehadlastnight。AndtherewasanotefromMrs。Viney。Herson—in—lawhasbrokenhisarm，andshehadtogethomeearly。She’scomingthismorningatten。\"
Thatwasawonderfulbreakfast。Itisunusualtobeginthedaywithcoldapplepie，butthechildrenallsaidtheywouldratherhaveitthanmeat。
\"Youseeit’smorelikedinnerthanbreakfasttous，\"saidPeter，passinghisplateformore，\"becausewewereupsoearly。\"
ThedaypassedinhelpingMothertounpackandarrangethings。Sixsmalllegsquiteachedwithrunningaboutwhiletheirownerscarriedclothesandcrockeryandallsortsofthingstotheirproperplaces。
ItwasnottillquitelateintheafternoonthatMothersaid：——
\"There！That’lldoforto—day。I’llliedownforanhour，soastobeasfreshasalarkbysupper—time。\"
Thentheyalllookedateachother。Eachofthethreeexpressivecountenancesexpressedthesamethought。Thatthoughtwasdouble，andconsisted，likethebitsofinformationintheChild’sGuidetoKnowledge，ofaquestionandananswer。
Q。Whereshallwego？
A。Totherailway。
Sototherailwaytheywent，andassoonastheystartedfortherailwaytheysawwherethegardenhadhiddenitself。Itwasrightbehindthestables，andithadahighwallallround。
\"Oh，nevermindaboutthegardennow！\"criedPeter。\"Mothertoldmethismorningwhereitwas。It’llkeeptillto—morrow。Let’sgettotherailway。\"
Thewaytotherailwaywasalldownhilloversmooth，shortturfwithhereandtherefurzebushesandgreyandyellowrocksstickingoutlikecandiedpeelfromthetopofacake。
Thewayendedinasteeprunandawoodenfence——andtherewastherailwaywiththeshiningmetalsandthetelegraphwiresandpostsandsignals。
Theyallclimbedontothetopofthefence，andthensuddenlytherewasarumblingsoundthatmadethemlookalongthelinetotheright，wherethedarkmouthofatunnelopeneditselfinthefaceofarockycliff;nextmomentatrainhadrushedoutofthetunnelwithashriekandasnort，andhadslidnoisilypastthem。Theyfelttherushofitspassing，andthepebblesonthelinejumpedandrattledunderitasitwentby。
\"Oh！\"saidRoberta，drawingalongbreath;\"itwaslikeagreatdragontearingby。Didyoufeelitfanuswithitshotwings？\"
\"Isupposeadragon’slairmightlookverylikethattunnelfromtheoutside，\"saidPhyllis。
ButPetersaid：——
\"Ineverthoughtweshouldevergetasneartoatrainasthis。
It’sthemostrippingsport！\"
\"Betterthantoy—engines，isn’tit？\"saidRoberta。
（IamtiredofcallingRobertabyhername。Idon’tseewhyI
should。Nooneelsedid。EveryoneelsecalledherBobbie，andI
don’tseewhyIshouldn’t。）
\"Idon’tknow;it’sdifferent，\"saidPeter。\"ItseemssooddtoseeALLofatrain。It’sawfullytall，isn’tit？\"
\"We’vealwaysseenthemcutinhalfbyplatforms，\"saidPhyllis。
\"IwonderifthattrainwasgoingtoLondon，\"Bobbiesaid。
\"London’swhereFatheris。\"
\"Let’sgodowntothestationandfindout，\"saidPeter。
Sotheywent。
Theywalkedalongtheedgeoftheline，andheardthetelegraphwireshummingovertheirheads。Whenyouareinthetrain，itseemssuchalittlewaybetweenpostandpost，andoneafteranotherthepostsseemtocatchupthewiresalmostmorequicklythanyoucancountthem。Butwhenyouhavetowalk，thepostsseemfewandfarbetween。
Butthechildrengottothestationatlast。
Neverbeforehadanyofthembeenatastation，exceptforthepurposeofcatchingtrains——orperhapswaitingforthem——andalwayswithgrown—upsinattendance，grown—upswhowerenotthemselvesinterestedinstations，exceptasplacesfromwhichtheywishedtogetaway。
Neverbeforehadtheypassedcloseenoughtoasignal—boxtobeabletonoticethewires，andtohearthemysterious’ping，ping，’
followedbythestrong，firmclickingofmachinery。
Theverysleepersonwhichtherailslaywereadelightfulpathtotravelby——justfarenoughaparttoserveasthestepping—stonesinagameoffoamingtorrentshastilyorganisedbyBobbie。
Thentoarriveatthestation，notthroughthebookingoffice，butinafreebootingsortofwaybytheslopingendoftheplatform。
Thisinitselfwasjoy。
Joy，too，itwastopeepintotheporters’room，wherethelampsare，andtheRailwayalmanaconthewall，andoneporterhalfasleepbehindapaper。
Therewereagreatmanycrossinglinesatthestation;someofthemjustranintoayardandstoppedshort，asthoughtheyweretiredofbusinessandmeanttoretireforgood。Trucksstoodontherailshere，andononesidewasagreatheapofcoal——notalooseheap，suchasyouseeinyourcoalcellar，butasortofsolidbuildingofcoalswithlargesquareblocksofcoaloutsideusedjustasthoughtheywerebricks，andbuiltuptilltheheaplookedlikethepictureoftheCitiesofthePlainin’BibleStoriesforInfants。’Therewasalineofwhitewashnearthetopofthecoalywall。
WhenpresentlythePorterloungedoutofhisroomatthetwice—
repeatedtinglingthrillofagongoverthestationdoor，Petersaid，\"Howdoyoudo？\"inhisbestmanner，andhastenedtoaskwhatthewhitemarkwasonthecoalfor。
\"Tomarkhowmuchcoaltherebe，\"saidthePorter，\"soaswe’llknowifanyonenicksit。Sodon’tyougooffwithnoneinyourpockets，younggentleman！\"
Thisseemed，atthetimebutamerryjest，andPeterfeltatoncethatthePorterwasafriendlysortwithnononsenseabouthim。ButlaterthewordscamebacktoPeterwithanewmeaning。
Haveyouevergoneintoafarmhousekitchenonabakingday，andseenthegreatcrockofdoughsetbythefiretorise？Ifyouhave，andifyouwereatthattimestillyoungenoughtobeinterestedineverythingyousaw，youwillrememberthatyoufoundyourselfquiteunabletoresistthetemptationtopokeyourfingerintothesoftroundofdoughthatcurvedinsidethepanlikeagiantmushroom。
Andyouwillrememberthatyourfingermadeadentinthedough，andthatslowly，butquitesurely，thedentdisappeared，andthedoughlookedquitethesameasitdidbeforeyoutouchedit。Unless，ofcourse，yourhandwasextradirty，inwhichcase，naturally，therewouldbealittleblackmark。
Well，itwasjustlikethatwiththesorrowthechildrenhadfeltatFather’sgoingaway，andatMother’sbeingsounhappy。Itmadeadeepimpression，buttheimpressiondidnotlastlong。
TheysoongotusedtobeingwithoutFather，thoughtheydidnotforgethim;andtheygotusedtonotgoingtoschool，andtoseeingverylittleofMother，whowasnowalmostalldayshutupinherupstairsroomwriting，writing，writing。Sheusedtocomedownattea—timeandreadaloudthestoriesshehadwritten。Theywerelovelystories。
Therocksandhillsandvalleysandtrees，thecanal，andaboveall，therailway，weresonewandsoperfectlypleasingthattheremembranceoftheoldlifeinthevillagrewtoseemalmostlikeadream。
Motherhadtoldthemmorethanoncethattheywere’quitepoornow，’
butthisdidnotseemtobeanythingbutawayofspeaking。Grown—
uppeople，evenMothers，oftenmakeremarksthatdon’tseemtomeananythinginparticular，justforthesakeofsayingsomething，seemingly。Therewasalwaysenoughtoeat，andtheyworethesamekindofniceclothestheyhadalwaysworn。
ButinJunecamethreewetdays;theraincamedown，straightaslances，anditwasvery，verycold。Nobodycouldgoout，andeverybodyshivered。TheyallwentuptothedoorofMother’sroomandknocked。
\"Well，whatisit？\"askedMotherfrominside。
\"Mother，\"saidBobbie，\"mayn’tIlightafire？Idoknowhow。\"
AndMothersaid：\"No，myducky—love。Wemustn’thavefiresinJune——coalissodear。Ifyou’recold，goandhaveagoodrompintheattic。That’llwarmyou。\"
\"But，Mother，itonlytakessuchaverylittlecoaltomakeafire。\"
\"It’smorethanwecanafford，chickeny—love，\"saidMother，cheerfully。\"Nowrunaway，there’sdarlings——I’mmadlybusy！\"
\"Mother’salwaysbusynow，\"saidPhyllis，inawhispertoPeter。
Peterdidnotanswer。Heshruggedhisshoulders。Hewasthinking。
Thought，however，couldnotlongkeepitselffromthesuitablefurnishingofabandit’slairintheattic。Peterwasthebandit，ofcourse。Bobbiewashislieutenant，hisbandoftrustyrobbers，and，induecourse，theparentofPhyllis，whowasthecapturedmaidenforwhomamagnificentransom——inhorse—beans——wasunhesitatinglypaid。
Theyallwentdowntoteaflushedandjoyousasanymountainbrigands。
ButwhenPhylliswasgoingtoaddjamtoherbreadandbutter，Mothersaid：——
\"JamORbutter，dear——notjamANDbutter。Wecan’taffordthatsortofrecklessluxurynowadays。\"
Phyllisfinishedthesliceofbreadandbutterinsilence，andfolloweditupbybreadandjam。Petermingledthoughtandweaktea。
Afterteatheywentbacktotheatticandhesaidtohissisters：——
\"Ihaveanidea。\"
\"What’sthat？\"theyaskedpolitely。
\"Ishan’ttellyou，\"wasPeter’sunexpectedrejoinder。
\"Oh，verywell，\"saidBobbie;andPhilsaid，\"Don’t，then。\"
\"Girls，\"saidPeter，\"arealwayssohastytempered。\"
\"Ishouldliketoknowwhatboysare？\"saidBobbie，withfinedisdain。\"Idon’twanttoknowaboutyoursillyideas。\"
\"You’llknowsomeday，\"saidPeter，keepinghisowntemperbywhatlookedexactlylikeamiracle;\"ifyouhadn’tbeensokeenonarow，Imighthavetoldyouaboutitbeingonlynoble—heartednessthatmademenottellyoumyidea。ButnowIshan’ttellyouanythingatallaboutit——sothere！\"
Anditwas，indeed，sometimebeforehecouldbeinducedtosayanything，andwhenhediditwasn’tmuch。Hesaid：——
\"TheonlyreasonwhyIwon’ttellyoumyideathatI’mgoingtodoisbecauseitMAYbewrong，andIdon’twanttodragyouintoit。\"
\"Don’tyoudoitifit’swrong，Peter，\"saidBobbie;\"letmedoit。\"
ButPhyllissaid：——
\"_I_shouldliketodowrongifYOU’REgoingto！\"
\"No，\"saidPeter，rathertouchedbythisdevotion;\"it’saforlornhope，andI’mgoingtoleadit。AllIaskisthatifMotheraskswhereIam，youwon’tblab。\"
\"Wehaven’tgotanythingTOblab，\"saidBobbie，indignantly。
\"Oh，yes，youhave！\"saidPeter，droppinghorse—beansthroughhisfingers。\"I’vetrustedyoutothedeath。YouknowI’mgoingtodoaloneadventure——andsomepeoplemightthinkitwrong——Idon’t。