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