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