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