\"Whichline？\"
\"Letmegoback，\"criedPhyllis，strugglingtogetawayfromthehandbywhichBobbieheldher。
\"Don’tbeacoward，\"saidBobbie;\"it’squitesafe。Standback。\"
\"Comeon，\"shoutedPeter，whowasafewyardsahead。\"Quick！
Manhole！\"
Theroaroftheadvancingtrainwasnowlouderthanthenoiseyouhearwhenyourheadisunderwaterinthebathandbothtapsarerunning，andyouarekickingwithyourheelsagainstthebath’stinsides。ButPeterhadshoutedforallhewasworth，andBobbieheardhim。ShedraggedPhyllisalongtothemanhole。Phyllis，ofcourse，stumbledoverthewiresandgrazedbothherlegs。Buttheydraggedherin，andallthreestoodinthedark，damp，archedrecesswhilethetrainroaredlouderandlouder。Itseemedasifitwoulddeafenthem。And，inthedistance，theycouldseeitseyesoffiregrowingbiggerandbrightereveryinstant。
\"ItISadragon——Ialwaysknewitwas——ittakesitsownshapeinhere，inthedark，\"shoutedPhyllis。Butnobodyheardher。Youseethetrainwasshouting，too，anditsvoicewasbiggerthanhers。
Andnow，witharushandaroarandarattleandalongdazzlingflashoflightedcarriagewindows，asmellofsmoke，andblastofhotair，thetrainhurtledby，clangingandjanglingandechoinginthevaultedroofofthetunnel。PhyllisandBobbieclungtoeachother。EvenPetercaughtholdofBobbie’sarm，\"incasesheshouldbefrightened，\"asheexplainedafterwards。
Andnow，slowlyandgradually，thetail—lightsgrewsmallerandsmaller，andsodidthenoise，tillwithonelastWHIZthetraingotitselfoutofthetunnel，andsilencesettledagainonitsdampwallsanddrippingroof。
\"OH！\"saidthechildren，alltogetherinawhisper。
Peterwaslightingthecandleendwithahandthattrembled。
\"Comeon，\"hesaid;buthehadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldspeakinhisnaturalvoice。
\"Oh，\"saidPhyllis，\"ifthered—jerseyedonewasinthewayofthetrain！\"
\"We’vegottogoandsee，\"saidPeter。
\"Couldn’twegoandsendsomeonefromthestation？\"saidPhyllis。
\"Wouldyouratherwaithereforus？\"askedBobbie，severely，andofcoursethatsettledthequestion。
Sothethreewentonintothedeeperdarknessofthetunnel。Peterled，holdinghiscandleendhightolighttheway。Thegreaserandownhisfingers，andsomeofitrightuphissleeve。Hefoundalongstreakfromwristtoelbowwhenhewenttobedthatnight。
ItwasnotmorethanahundredandfiftyyardsfromthespotwheretheyhadstoodwhilethetrainwentbythatPeterstoodstill，shouted\"Hullo，\"andthenwentonmuchquickerthanbefore。Whentheotherscaughthimup，hestopped。Andhestoppedwithinayardofwhattheyhadcomeintothetunneltolookfor。Phyllissawagleamofred，andshuthereyestight。There，bythecurved，pebblydownline，wasthered—jerseyedhound。Hisbackwasagainstthewall，hisarmshunglimplybyhissides，andhiseyeswereshut。
\"Wasthered，blood？Isheallkilled？\"askedPhyllis，screwinghereyelidsmoretightlytogether。
\"Killed？Nonsense！\"saidPeter。\"There’snothingredabouthimexcepthisjersey。He’sonlyfainted。Whatoneartharewetodo？\"
\"Canwemovehim？\"askedBobbie。
\"Idon’tknow;he’sabigchap。\"
\"Supposewebathehisforeheadwithwater。No，Iknowwehaven’tany，butmilk’sjustaswet。There’sawholebottle。\"
\"Yes，\"saidPeter，\"andtheyrubpeople’shands，Ibelieve。\"
\"Theyburnfeathers，Iknow，\"saidPhyllis。
\"What’sthegoodofsayingthatwhenwehaven’tanyfeathers？\"
\"Asithappens，\"saidPhyllis，inatoneofexasperatedtriumph，\"I’vegotashuttlecockinmypocket。Sothere！\"
AndnowPeterrubbedthehandsofthered—jerseyedone。Bobbieburnedthefeathersoftheshuttlecockonebyoneunderhisnose，Phyllissplashedwarmishmilkonhisforehead，andallthreekeptonsayingasfastandasearnestlyastheycould：——
\"Oh，lookup，speaktome！Formysake，speak！\"
ChapterXII。WhatBobbiebroughthome。
\"Oh，lookup！Speaktome！ForMYsake，speak！\"Thechildrensaidthewordsoverandoveragaintotheunconscioushoundinaredjersey，whosatwithclosedeyesandpalefaceagainstthesideofthetunnel。
\"Wethisearswithmilk，\"saidBobbie。\"Iknowtheydoittopeoplethatfaint——witheau—de—Cologne。ButIexpectmilk’sjustasgood。\"
Sotheywettedhisears，andsomeofthemilkrandownhisneckundertheredjersey。Itwasverydarkinthetunnel。ThecandleendPeterhadcarried，andwhichnowburnedonaflatstone，gavehardlyanylightatall。
\"Oh，DOlookup，\"saidPhyllis。\"ForMYsake！Ibelievehe’sdead。\"
\"ForMYsake，\"repeatedBobbie。\"No，heisn’t。\"
\"ForANYsake，\"saidPeter;\"comeoutofit。\"Andheshookthesuffererbythearm。
Andthentheboyintheredjerseysighed，andopenedhiseyes，andshutthemagainandsaidinaverysmallvoice，\"Chuckit。\"
\"Oh，he’sNOTdead，\"saidPhyllis。\"IKNEWhewasn’t，\"andshebegantocry。
\"What’sup？I’mallright，\"saidtheboy。
\"Drinkthis，\"saidPeter，firmly，thrustingthenoseofthemilkbottleintotheboy’smouth。Theboystruggled，andsomeofthemilkwasupsetbeforehecouldgethismouthfreetosay：——
\"Whatisit？\"
\"It’smilk，\"saidPeter。\"Fearnot，youareinthehandsoffriends。Phil，youstopbleatingthisminute。\"
\"Dodrinkit，\"saidBobbie，gently;\"it’lldoyougood。\"
Sohedrank。Andthethreestoodbywithoutspeakingtohim。
\"Lethimbeaminute，\"Peterwhispered;\"he’llbeallrightassoonasthemilkbeginstorunlikefirethroughhisveins。\"
Hewas。
\"I’mbetternow，\"heannounced。\"Irememberallaboutit。\"Hetriedtomove，butthemovementendedinagroan。\"Bother！I
believeI’vebrokenmyleg，\"hesaid。
\"Didyoutumbledown？\"askedPhyllis，sniffing。
\"Ofcoursenot——I’mnotakiddie，\"saidtheboy，indignantly;\"itwasoneofthosebeastlywirestrippedmeup，andwhenItriedtogetupagainIcouldn’tstand，soIsatdown。Geewhillikins！itdoeshurt，though。HowdidYOUgethere？\"
\"Wesawyouallgointothetunnelandthenwewentacrossthehilltoseeyouallcomeout。Andtheothersdid——allbutyou，andyoudidn’t。Sowearearescueparty，\"saidPeter，withpride。
\"You’vegotsomepluck，Iwillsay，\"remarkedtheboy。
\"Oh，that’snothing，\"saidPeter，withmodesty。\"Doyouthinkyoucouldwalkifwehelpedyou？\"
\"Icouldtry，\"saidtheboy。
Hedidtry。Buthecouldonlystandononefoot;theotherdraggedinaverynastyway。
\"Here，letmesitdown。Ifeellikedying，\"saidtheboy。\"Letgoofme——letgo，quick——\"Helaydownandclosedhiseyes。Theotherslookedateachotherbythedimlightofthelittlecandle。
\"Whatonearth！\"saidPeter。
\"Lookhere，\"saidBobbie，quickly，\"youmustgoandgethelp。Gotothenearesthouse。\"
\"Yes，that’stheonlything，\"saidPeter。\"Comeon。\"
\"IfyoutakehisfeetandPhilandItakehishead，wecouldcarryhimtothemanhole。\"
Theydidit。Itwasperhapsaswellforthesuffererthathehadfaintedagain。
\"Now，\"saidBobbie，\"I’llstaywithhim。Youtakethelongestbitofcandle，and，oh——bequick，forthisbitwon’tburnlong。\"
\"Idon’tthinkMotherwouldlikemeleavingyou，\"saidPeter，doubtfully。\"Letmestay，andyouandPhilgo。\"
\"No，no，\"saidBobbie，\"youandPhilgo——andlendmeyourknife。
I’lltrytogethisbootoffbeforehewakesupagain。\"
\"Ihopeit’sallrightwhatwe’redoing，\"saidPeter。
\"Ofcourseit’sright，\"saidBobbie，impatiently。\"WhatelseWOULD
youdo？Leavehimhereallalonebecauseit’sdark？Nonsense。
Hurryup，that’sall。\"
Sotheyhurriedup。
Bobbiewatchedtheirdarkfiguresandthelittlelightofthelittlecandlewithanoddfeelingofhavingcometotheendofeverything。
Sheknewnow，shethought，whatnunswhowerebrickedupaliveinconventwallsfeltlike。Suddenlyshegaveherselfalittleshake。
\"Don’tbeasillylittlegirl，\"shesaid。Shewasalwaysveryangrywhenanyoneelsecalledheralittlegirl，eveniftheadjectivethatwentfirstwasnot\"silly\"but\"nice\"or\"good\"or\"clever。\"
AnditwasonlywhenshewasveryangrywithherselfthatsheallowedRobertatousethatexpressiontoBobbie。
Shefixedthelittlecandleendonabrokenbricknearthered—
jerseyedboy’sfeet。ThensheopenedPeter’sknife。Itwasalwayshardtomanage——ahalfpennywasgenerallyneededtogetitopenatall。ThistimeBobbiesomehowgotitopenwithherthumbnail。Shebrokethenail，andithurthorribly。Thenshecuttheboy’sbootlace，andgotthebootoff。Shetriedtopulloffhisstocking，buthislegwasdreadfullyswollen，anditdidnotseemtobethepropershape。Soshecutthestockingdown，veryslowlyandcarefully。Itwasabrown，knittedstocking，andshewonderedwhohadknittedit，andwhetheritwastheboy’smother，andwhethershewasfeelinganxiousabouthim，andhowshewouldfeelwhenhewasbroughthomewithhislegbroken。WhenBobbiehadgotthestockingoffandsawthepoorleg，shefeltasthoughthetunnelwasgrowingdarker，andthegroundfeltunsteady，andnothingseemedquitereal。
\"SILLYlittlegirl！\"saidRobertatoBobbie，andfeltbetter。
\"Thepoorleg，\"shetoldherself;\"itoughttohaveacushion——ah！\"
SherememberedthedaywhensheandPhyllishadtornuptheirredflannelpetticoatstomakedangersignalstostopthetrainandpreventanaccident。Herflannelpetticoatto—daywaswhite，butitwouldbequiteassoftasaredone。Shetookitoff。
\"Oh，whatusefulthingsflannelpetticoatsare！\"shesaid;\"themanwhoinventedthemoughttohaveastatuedirectedtohim。\"Andshesaiditaloud，becauseitseemedthatanyvoice，evenherown，wouldbeacomfortinthatdarkness。
\"WHAToughttobedirected？Whoto？\"askedtheboy，suddenlyandveryfeebly。
\"Oh，\"saidBobbie，\"nowyou’rebetter！Holdyourteethanddon’tletithurttoomuch。Now！\"
Shehadfoldedthepetticoat，andliftinghisleglaiditonthecushionoffoldedflannel。
\"Don’tfaintagain，PLEASEdon’t，\"saidBobbie，ashegroaned。Shehastilywettedherhandkerchiefwithmilkandspreaditoverthepoorleg。
\"Oh，thathurts，\"criedtheboy，shrinking。\"Oh——no，itdoesn’t——
it’snice，really。\"
\"What’syourname？\"saidBobbie。
\"Jim。\"
\"Mine’sBobbie。\"
\"Butyou’reagirl，aren’tyou？\"
\"Yes，mylongname’sRoberta。\"
\"Isay——Bobbie。\"
\"Yes？\"
\"Wasn’ttheresomemoreofyoujustnow？\"
\"Yes，PeterandPhil——that’smybrotherandsister。They’vegonetogetsomeonetocarryyouout。\"
\"Whatrumnames。Allboys’。\"
\"Yes——IwishIwasaboy，don’tyou？\"
\"Ithinkyou’reallrightasyouare。\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthat——Imeantdon’tyouwishYOUwereaboy，butofcourseyouarewithoutwishing。\"
\"You’rejustasbraveasaboy。Whydidn’tyougowiththeothers？\"
\"Somebodyhadtostaywithyou，\"saidBobbie。
\"Tellyouwhat，Bobbie，\"saidJim，\"you’reabrick。Shake。\"Hereachedoutared—jerseyedarmandBobbiesqueezedhishand。
\"Iwon’tshakeit，\"sheexplained，\"becauseitwouldshakeYOU，andthatwouldshakeyourpoorleg，andthatwouldhurt。Haveyougotahanky？\"
\"Idon’texpectIhave。\"Hefeltinhispocket。\"Yes，Ihave。
Whatfor？\"
Shetookitandwetteditwithmilkandputitonhisforehead。
\"That’sjolly，\"hesaid;\"whatisit？\"
\"Milk，\"saidBobbie。\"Wehaven’tanywater——\"
\"You’reajollygoodlittlenurse，\"saidJim。
\"IdoitforMothersometimes，\"saidBobbie——\"notmilk，ofcourse，butscent，orvinegarandwater。Isay，Imustputthecandleoutnow，becausetheremayn’tbeenoughoftheotheronetogetyououtby。\"
\"ByGeorge，\"saidhe，\"youthinkofeverything。\"
Bobbieblew。Outwentthecandle。Youhavenoideahowblack—
velvetythedarknesswas。
\"Isay，Bobbie，\"saidavoicethroughtheblackness，\"aren’tyouafraidofthedark？\"
\"Not——notvery，thatis——\"
\"Let’sholdhands，\"saidtheboy，anditwasreallyrathergoodofhim，becausehewaslikemostboysofhisageandhatedallmaterialtokensofaffection，suchaskissingandholdingofhands。Hecalledallsuchthings\"pawings，\"anddetestedthem。
ThedarknesswasmorebearabletoBobbienowthatherhandwasheldinthelargeroughhandofthered—jerseyedsufferer;andhe，holdingherlittlesmoothhotpaw，wassurprisedtofindthathedidnotminditsomuchasheexpected。Shetriedtotalk，toamusehim，and\"takehismindoff\"hissufferings，butitisverydifficulttogoontalkinginthedark，andpresentlytheyfoundthemselvesinasilence，onlybrokennowandthenbya——
\"Youallright，Bobbie？\"
oran——
\"I’mafraidit’shurtingyoumostawfully，Jim。IAMsosorry。\"
Anditwasverycold。
******
PeterandPhyllistrampeddownthelongwayofthetunneltowardsdaylight，thecandle—greasedrippingoverPeter’sfingers。TherewerenoaccidentsunlessyoucountPhyllis’scatchingherfrockonawire，andtearingalong，jaggedslitinit，andtrippingoverherbootlacewhenitcameundone，orgoingdownonherhandsandknees，allfourofwhichweregrazed。
\"There’snoendtothistunnel，\"saidPhyllis——andindeeditdidseemveryverylong。
\"Sticktoit，\"saidPeter;\"everythinghasanend，andyougettoitifyouonlykeepallon。\"
Whichisquitetrue，ifyoucometothinkofit，andausefulthingtorememberinseasonsoftrouble——suchasmeasles，arithmetic，impositions，andthosetimeswhenyouareindisgrace，andfeelasthoughnoonewouldeverloveyouagain，andyoucouldnever——neveragain——loveanybody。
\"Hurray，\"saidPeter，suddenly，\"there’stheendofthetunnel——
looksjustlikeapin—holeinabitofblackpaper，doesn’tit？\"
Thepin—holegotlarger——bluelightslayalongthesidesofthetunnel。Thechildrencouldseethegravelwaythatlayinfrontofthem;theairgrewwarmerandsweeter。Anothertwentystepsandtheywereoutinthegoodgladsunshinewiththegreentreesonbothsides。
Phyllisdrewalongbreath。
\"I’llnevergointoatunnelagainaslongaseverIlive，\"saidshe，\"notiftherearetwentyhundredthousandmillionshoundsinsidewithredjerseysandtheirlegsbroken。\"
\"Don’tbeasillycuckoo，\"saidPeter，asusual。\"You’dHAVEto。\"
\"Ithinkitwasverybraveandgoodofme，\"saidPhyllis。
\"Notit，\"saidPeter;\"youdidn’tgobecauseyouwerebrave，butbecauseBobbieandIaren’tskunks。Nowwhere’sthenearesthouse，Iwonder？Youcan’tseeanythinghereforthetrees。\"
\"There’saroofoverthere，\"saidPhyllis，pointingdowntheline。
\"That’sthesignal—box，\"saidPeter，\"andyouknowyou’renotallowedtospeaktosignalmenonduty。It’swrong。\"
\"I’mnotnearsoafraidofdoingwrongasIwasofgoingintothattunnel，\"saidPhyllis。\"Comeon，\"andshestartedtorunalongtheline。SoPeterran，too。
Itwasveryhotinthesunshine，andbothchildrenwerehotandbreathlessbythetimetheystopped，andbendingtheirheadsbacktolookupattheopenwindowsofthesignal—box，shouted\"Hi！\"asloudastheirbreathlessstateallowed。Butnooneanswered。Thesignal—boxstoodquietasanemptynursery，andthehandrailofitsstepswashottothehandsofthechildrenastheyclimbedsoftlyup。Theypeepedinattheopendoor。Thesignalmanwassittingonachairtiltedbackagainstthewall。Hisheadleanedsideways，andhismouthwasopen。Hewasfastasleep。
\"Myhat！\"criedPeter;\"wakeup！\"Andhecrieditinaterriblevoice，forheknewthatifasignalmansleepsonduty，heriskslosinghissituation，letalonealltheotherdreadfulriskstotrainswhichexpecthimtotellthemwhenitissafeforthemtogotheirways。
Thesignalmannevermoved。ThenPetersprangtohimandshookhim。
Andslowly，yawningandstretching，themanawoke。ButthemomentheWASawakeheleapttohisfeet，puthishandstohishead\"likeamadmaniac，\"asPhyllissaidafterwards，andshouted：——
\"Oh，myheavens——what’so’clock？\"
\"Twelvethirteen，\"saidPeter，andindeeditwasbythewhite—faced，round—facedclockonthewallofthesignal—box。
Themanlookedattheclock，sprangtothelevers，andwrenchedthemthiswayandthat。Anelectricbelltingled——thewiresandcrankscreaked，andthemanthrewhimselfintoachair。Hewasverypale，andthesweatstoodonhisforehead\"likelargedewdropsonawhitecabbage，\"asPhyllisremarkedlater。Hewastrembling，too;thechildrencouldseehisbighairyhandsshakefromsidetoside，\"withquiteextra—sizedtrembles，\"tousethesubsequentwordsofPeter。Hedrewlongbreaths。Thensuddenlyhecried，\"ThankGod，thankGodyoucomeinwhenyoudid——oh，thankGod！\"andhisshouldersbegantoheaveandhisfacegrewredagain，andhehiditinthoselargehairyhandsofhis。
\"Oh，don’tcry——don’t，\"saidPhyllis，\"it’sallrightnow，\"andshepattedhimononebig，broadshoulder，whilePeterconscientiouslythumpedtheother。
Butthesignalmanseemedquitebrokendown，andthechildrenhadtopathimandthumphimforquitealongtimebeforehefoundhishandkerchief——aredonewithmauveandwhitehorseshoesonit——andmoppedhisfaceandspoke。Duringthispattingandthumpingintervalatrainthunderedby。
\"I’mdownrightshamed，thatIam，\"werethewordsofthebigsignalmanwhenhehadstoppedcrying;\"snivellinglikeakid。\"Thensuddenlyheseemedtogetcross。\"Andwhatwasyoudoinguphere，anyway？\"hesaid;\"youknowitain’tallowed。\"
\"Yes，\"saidPhyllis，\"weknewitwaswrong——butIwasn’tafraidofdoingwrong，andsoitturnedoutright。Youaren’tsorrywecame。\"
\"Lor’loveyou——ifyouhadn’t’a’come——\"hestoppedandthenwenton。\"It’sadisgrace，soitis，sleepingonduty。Ifitwastocometobeknown——evenasitis，whennoharm’scomeofit。\"
\"Itwon’tcometobeknown，\"saidPeter;\"wearen’tsneaks。Allthesame，yououghtn’ttosleeponduty——it’sdangerous。\"
\"TellmesomethingIdon’tknow，\"saidtheman，\"butIcan’thelpit。Iknow’dwellenoughjusthowit’udbe。ButIcouldn’tgetoff。Theycouldn’tgetnoonetotakeonmyduty。ItellyouI
ain’thadtenminutes’sleepthislastfivedays。Mylittlechap’sill——pewmonia，theDoctorsays——andthere’snoonebutmeand’islittlesistertodoforhim。That’swhereitis。Thegellmust’avehersleep。Dangerous？Yes，Ibelieveyou。Nowgoandsplitonmeifyoulike。\"
\"Ofcoursewewon’t，\"saidPeter，indignantly，butPhyllisignoredthewholeofthesignalman’sspeech，exceptthefirstsixwords。
\"Youaskedus，\"shesaid，\"totellyousomethingyoudon’tknow。
Well，Iwill。There’saboyinthetunnelovertherewitharedjerseyandhislegbroken。\"
\"Whatdidhewanttogointothebloomingtunnelfor，then？\"saidtheman。
\"Don’tyoubesocross，\"saidPhyllis，kindly。\"WEhaven’tdoneanythingwrongexceptcomingandwakingyouup，andthatwasright，asithappens。\"
ThenPetertoldhowtheboycametobeinthetunnel。
\"Well，\"saidtheman，\"Idon’tseeasIcandoanything。Ican’tleavethebox。\"
\"Youmighttelluswheretogoaftersomeonewhoisn’tinabox，though，\"saidPhyllis。
\"There’sBrigden’sfarmoveryonder——whereyouseethesmokea—
comingupthroughthetrees，\"saidtheman，moreandmoregrumpy，asPhyllisnoticed。
\"Well，good—bye，then，\"saidPeter。
Butthemansaid，\"Waitaminute。\"Heputhishandinhispocketandbroughtoutsomemoney——alotofpenniesandoneortwoshillingsandsixpencesandhalf—a—crown。Hepickedouttwoshillingsandheldthemout。
\"Here，\"hesaid。\"I’llgiveyouthistoholdyourtonguesaboutwhat’stakenplaceto—day。\"
Therewasashort，unpleasantpause。Then：——
\"YouAREanastyman，though，aren’tyou？\"saidPhyllis。
Petertookastepforwardandknockedtheman’shandup，sothattheshillingsleaptoutofitandrolledonthefloor。
\"IfanythingCOULDmakemesneak，THATwould！\"hesaid。\"Come，Phil，\"andmarchedoutofthesignal—boxwithflamingcheeks。
Phyllishesitated。Thenshetookthehand，stillheldoutstupidly，thattheshillingshadbeenin。
\"Iforgiveyou，\"shesaid，\"evenifPeterdoesn’t。You’renotinyourpropersenses，oryou’dneverhavedonethat。Iknowwantofsleepsendspeoplemad。Mothertoldme。Ihopeyourlittleboywillsoonbebetter，and——\"
\"Comeon，Phil，\"criedPeter，eagerly。
\"Igiveyoumysacredhonour—wordwe’llnevertellanyone。Kissandbefriends，\"saidPhyllis，feelinghownobleitwasofhertotrytomakeupaquarrelinwhichshewasnottoblame。
Thesignalmanstoopedandkissedher。
\"IdobelieveI’mabitoffmyhead，Sissy，\"hesaid。\"NowrunalonghometoMother。Ididn’tmeantoputyouabout——there。\"
SoPhilleftthehotsignal—boxandfollowedPeteracrossthefieldstothefarm。
Whenthefarmmen，ledbyPeterandPhyllisandcarryingahurdlecoveredwithhorse—cloths，reachedthemanholeinthetunnel，BobbiewasfastasleepandsowasJim。Wornoutwiththepain，theDoctorsaidafterwards。
\"Wheredoeshelive？\"thebailifffromthefarmasked，whenJimhadbeenliftedontothehurdle。
\"InNorthumberland，\"answeredBobbie。
\"I’matschoolatMaidbridge，\"saidJim。\"IsupposeI’vegottogetbackthere，somehow。\"
\"SeemstometheDoctoroughttohavealookinfirst，\"saidthebailiff。
\"Oh，bringhimuptoourhouse，\"saidBobbie。\"It’sonlyalittlewaybytheroad。I’msureMotherwouldsayweoughtto。\"
\"WillyourMalikeyoubringinghomestrangerswithbrokenlegs？\"
\"ShetookthepoorRussianhomeherself，\"saidBobbie。\"Iknowshe’dsayweought。\"
\"Allright，\"saidthebailiff，\"yououghttoknowwhatyourMa’udlike。Iwouldn’ttakeituponmetofetchhimuptoourplacewithoutIaskedtheMissusfirst，andtheycallmetheMaster，too。\"
\"AreyousureyourMotherwon’tmind？\"whisperedJim。
\"Certain，\"saidBobbie。
\"Thenwe’retotakehimuptoThreeChimneys？\"saidthebailiff。
\"Ofcourse，\"saidPeter。
\"ThenmyladshallnipuptoDoctor’sonhisbike，andtellhimtocomedownthere。Now，lads，lifthimquietandsteady。One，two，three！\"
******
ThusithappenedthatMother，writingawayfordearlifeatastoryaboutaDuchess，adesigningvillain，asecretpassage，andamissingwill，droppedherpenasherwork—roomdoorburstopen，andturnedtoseeBobbiehatlessandredwithrunning。
\"Oh，Mother，\"shecried，\"docomedown。Wefoundahoundinaredjerseyinthetunnel，andhe’sbrokenhislegandthey’rebringinghimhome。\"
\"Theyoughttotakehimtothevet，\"saidMother，withaworriedfrown;\"IreallyCAN’Thavealamedoghere。\"
\"He’snotadog，really——he’saboy，\"saidBobbie，betweenlaughingandchoking。
\"Thenheoughttobetakenhometohismother。\"
\"Hismother’sdead，\"saidBobbie，\"andhisfather’sinNorthumberland。Oh，Mother，youwillbenicetohim？ItoldhimI
wassureyou’dwantustobringhimhome。Youalwayswanttohelpeverybody。\"
Mothersmiled，butshesighed，too。Itisnicethatyourchildrenshouldbelieveyouwillingtoopenhouseandhearttoanyandeveryonewhoneedshelp。Butitisratherembarrassingsometimes，too，whentheyactontheirbelief。
\"Oh，well，\"saidMother，\"wemustmakethebestofit。\"
WhenJimwascarriedin，dreadfullywhiteandwithsetlipswhoseredhadfadedtoahorridblueyvioletcolour，Mothersaid：——
\"Iamgladyoubroughthimhere。Now，Jim，let’sgetyoucomfortableinbedbeforetheDoctorcomes！\"
AndJim，lookingatherkindeyes，feltalittle，warm，comfortingflushofnewcourage。
\"It’llhurtrather，won’tit？\"hesaid。\"Idon’tmeantobeacoward。Youwon’tthinkI’macowardifIfaintagain，willyou？I
reallyandtrulydon’tdoitonpurpose。AndIdohatetogiveyouallthistrouble。\"
\"Don’tyouworry，\"saidMother;\"it’syouthathavethetrouble，youpoordear——notus。\"
AndshekissedhimjustasifhehadbeenPeter。\"Welovetohaveyouhere——don’twe，Bobbie？\"
\"Yes，\"saidBobbie——andshesawbyherMother’sfacehowrightshehadbeentobringhomethewoundedhoundintheredjersey。
ChapterXIII。Thehound’sgrandfather。
Motherdidnotgetbacktoherwritingallthatday，forthered—
jerseyedhoundwhomthechildrenhadbroughttoThreeChimneyshadtobeputtobed。AndthentheDoctorcame，andhurthimmosthorribly。Motherwaswithhimallthroughit，andthatmadeitalittlebetterthanitwouldhavebeen，but\"badwasthebest，\"asMrs。Vineysaid。
ThechildrensatintheparlourdownstairsandheardthesoundoftheDoctor’sbootsgoingbackwardsandforwardsoverthebedroomfloor。Andonceortwicetherewasagroan。
\"It’shorrible，\"saidBobbie。\"Oh，IwishDr。Forrestwouldmakehaste。Oh，poorJim！\"
\"ItIShorrible，\"saidPeter，\"butit’sveryexciting。IwishDoctorsweren’tsostuck—upaboutwhothey’llhaveintheroomwhenthey’redoingthings。Ishouldmostawfullyliketoseealegset。
Ibelievethebonescrunchlikeanything。\"
\"Don’t！\"saidthetwogirlsatonce。
\"Rubbish！\"saidPeter。\"HowareyougoingtobeRedCrossNurses，likeyouweretalkingofcominghome，ifyoucan’tevenstandhearingmesayaboutbonescrunching？You’dhavetoHEARthemcrunchonthefieldofbattle——andbesteepedingoreuptotheelbowsaslikelyasnot，and——\"
\"Stopit！\"criedBobbie，withawhiteface;\"youdon’tknowhowfunnyyou’remakingmefeel。\"
\"Me，too，\"saidPhyllis，whosefacewaspink。
\"Cowards！\"saidPeter。
\"I’mnot，\"saidBobbie。\"IhelpedMotherwithyourrake—woundedfoot，andsodidPhil——youknowwedid。\"
\"Well，then！\"saidPeter。\"Nowlookhere。ItwouldbeajollygoodthingforyouifIweretotalktoyoueverydayforhalfanhouraboutbrokenbonesandpeople’sinsides，soastogetyouusedtoit。\"
Achairwasmovedabove。
\"Listen，\"saidPeter，\"that’sthebonecrunching。\"
\"Idowishyouwouldn’t，\"saidPhyllis。\"Bobbiedoesn’tlikeit。\"
\"I’lltellyouwhattheydo，\"saidPeter。Ican’tthinkwhatmadehimsohorrid。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeensoveryniceandkindalltheearlierpartoftheday，andnowhehadtohaveachange。Thisiscalledreaction。Onenoticesitnowandtheninoneself。Sometimeswhenonehasbeenextragoodforalongertimethanusual，oneissuddenlyattackedbyaviolentfitofnotbeinggoodatall。\"I’lltellyouwhattheydo，\"saidPeter;\"theystrapthebrokenmandownsothathecan’tresistorinterferewiththeirdoctorishdesigns，andthensomeoneholdshishead，andsomeoneholdshisleg——thebrokenone，andpullsittillthebonesfitin——
withacrunch，mindyou！Thentheystrapitupand——let’splayatbone—setting！\"
\"Oh，no！\"saidPhyllis。
ButBobbiesaidsuddenly：\"Allright——LET’S！I’llbethedoctor，andPhilcanbethenurse。Youcanbethebrokenboner;wecangetatyourlegsmoreeasily，becauseyoudon’twearpetticoats。\"
\"I’llgetthesplintsandbandages，\"saidPeter;\"yougetthecouchofsufferingready。\"
Theropesthathadtieduptheboxesthathadcomefromhomewereallinawoodenpacking—caseinthecellar。WhenPeterbroughtinatrailingtangleofthem，andtwoboardsforsplints，Phylliswasexcitedlygiggling。
\"Now，then，\"hesaid，andlaydownonthesettle，groaningmostgrievously。
\"Notsoloud！\"saidBobbie，beginningtowindtheroperoundhimandthesettle。\"Youpull，Phil。\"
\"Notsotight，\"moanedPeter。\"You’llbreakmyotherleg。\"
Bobbieworkedoninsilence，windingmoreandmoreroperoundhim。
\"That’senough，\"saidPeter。\"Ican’tmoveatall。Oh，mypoorleg！\"Hegroanedagain。
\"SUREyoucan’tmove？\"askedBobbie，inaratherstrangetone。
\"Quitesure，\"repliedPeter。\"Shallweplayit’sbleedingfreelyornot？\"heaskedcheerfully。
\"YOUcanplaywhatyoulike，\"saidBobbie，sternly，foldingherarmsandlookingdownathimwherehelayallwoundroundandroundwithcord。\"PhilandIaregoingaway。Andweshan’tuntieyoutillyoupromisenever，nevertotalktousaboutbloodandwoundsunlesswesayyoumay。Come，Phil！\"
\"Youbeast！\"saidPeter，writhing。\"I’llneverpromise，never。
I’llyell，andMotherwillcome。\"
\"Do，\"saidBobbie，\"andtellherwhywetiedyouup！Comeon，Phil。
No，I’mnotabeast，Peter。Butyouwouldn’tstopwhenweaskedyouand——\"
\"Yah，\"saidPeter，\"itwasn’tevenyourownidea。YougotitoutofStalky！\"
BobbieandPhil，retiringinsilentdignity，weremetatthedoorbytheDoctor。Hecameinrubbinghishandsandlookingpleasedwithhimself。
\"Well，\"hesaid，\"THATjob’sdone。It’sanicecleanfracture，andit’llgoonallright，I’venodoubt。Pluckyyoungchap，too——
hullo！what’sallthis？\"
HiseyehadfallenonPeterwholaymousy—stillinhisbondsonthesettle。
\"Playingatprisoners，eh？\"hesaid;buthiseyebrowshadgoneupalittle。SomehowhehadnotthoughtthatBobbiewouldbeplayingwhileintheroomabovesomeonewashavingabrokenboneset。
\"Oh，no！\"saidBobbie，\"notatPRISONERS。Wewereplayingatsettingbones。Peter’sthebrokenboner，andIwasthedoctor。\"
TheDoctorfrowned。
\"ThenImustsay，\"hesaid，andhesaiditrathersternly，\"that’sit’saveryheartlessgame。Haven’tyouenoughimaginationeventofaintlypicturewhat’sbeengoingonupstairs？Thatpoorchap，withthedropsofsweatonhisforehead，andbitinghislipssoasnottocryout，andeverytouchonhislegagonyand——\"
\"YOUoughttobetiedup，\"saidPhyllis;\"you’reasbadas——\"
\"Hush，\"saidBobbie;\"I’msorry，butweweren’theartless，really。\"
\"Iwas，Isuppose，\"saidPeter，crossly。\"Allright，Bobbie，don’tyougoonbeingnobleandscreeningme，becauseIjollywellwon’thaveit。ItwasonlythatIkeptontalkingaboutbloodandwounds。
IwantedtotrainthemforRedCrossNurses。AndIwouldn’tstopwhentheyaskedme。\"
\"Well？\"saidDr。Forrest，sittingdown。
\"Well——thenIsaid，’Let’splayatsettingbones。’Itwasallrot。
IknewBobbiewouldn’t。Ionlysaidittoteaseher。Andthenwhenshesaid’yes，’ofcourseIhadtogothroughwithit。Andtheytiedmeup。TheygotitoutofStalky。AndIthinkit’sabeastlyshame。\"
Hemanagedtowritheoverandhidehisfaceagainstthewoodenbackofthesettle。
\"Ididn’tthinkthatanyonewouldknowbutus，\"saidBobbie，indignantlyansweringPeter’sunspokenreproach。\"Ineverthoughtofyourcomingin。Andhearingaboutbloodandwoundsdoesreallymakemefeelmostawfullyfunny。Itwasonlyajokeourtyinghimup。Letmeuntieyou，Pete。\"
\"Idon’tcareifyouneveruntieme，\"saidPeter;\"andifthat’syourideaofajoke——\"
\"IfIwereyou，\"saidtheDoctor，thoughreallyhedidnotquiteknowwhattosay，\"IshouldbeuntiedbeforeyourMothercomesdown。
Youdon’twanttoworryherjustnow，doyou？\"
\"Idon’tpromiseanythingaboutnotsayingaboutwounds，mind，\"saidPeter，inverysurlytones，asBobbieandPhyllisbegantountietheknots。
\"I’mverysorry，Pete，\"Bobbiewhispered，leaningclosetohimasshefumbledwiththebigknotunderthesettle;\"butifyouonlyknewhowsickyoumademefeel。\"
\"You’vemadeMEfeelprettysick，Icantellyou，\"Peterrejoined。
Thenheshookofftheloosecords，andstoodup。
\"Ilookedin，\"saidDr。Forrest，\"toseeifoneofyouwouldcomealongtothesurgery。TherearesomethingsthatyourMotherwillwantatonce，andI’vegivenmymanadayofftogoandseethecircus;willyoucome，Peter？\"
Peterwentwithoutawordoralooktohissisters。
ThetwowalkedinsilenceuptothegatethatledfromtheThreeChimneysfieldtotheroad。ThenPetersaid：——
\"Letmecarryyourbag。Isay，itisheavy——what’sinit？\"
\"Oh，knivesandlancetsanddifferentinstrumentsforhurtingpeople。Andtheetherbottle。Ihadtogivehimether，youknow——
theagonywassointense。\"
Peterwassilent。
\"Tellmeallabouthowyoufoundthatchap，\"saidDr。Forrest。
Petertold。AndthenDr。Forresttoldhimstoriesofbraverescues;
hewasamostinterestingmantotalkto，asPeterhadoftenremarked。
TheninthesurgeryPeterhadabetterchancethanhehadeverhadofexaminingtheDoctor’sbalance，andhismicroscope，andhisscalesandmeasuringglasses。WhenallthethingswerereadythatPeterwastotakeback，theDoctorsaidsuddenly：——
\"You’llexcusemyshovingmyoarin，won’tyou？ButIshouldliketosaysomethingtoyou。\"
\"Nowforarowing，\"thoughtPeter，whohadbeenwonderinghowitwasthathehadescapedone。
\"Somethingscientific，\"addedtheDoctor。
\"Yes，\"saidPeter，fiddlingwiththefossilammonitethattheDoctorusedforapaper—weight。
\"Wellthen，yousee。Boysandgirlsareonlylittlemenandwomen。
AndWEaremuchharderandhardierthantheyare——\"（Peterlikedthe\"we。\"PerhapstheDoctorhadknownhewould。）——\"andmuchstronger，andthingsthathurtTHEMdon’thurtUS。Youknowyoumustn’thitagirl——\"
\"Ishouldthinknot，indeed，\"mutteredPeter，indignantly。