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