\"Notevenifshe’syourownsister。That’sbecausegirlsaresomuchsofterandweakerthanweare;theyhavetobe，youknow，\"headded，\"becauseiftheyweren’t，itwouldn’tbeniceforthebabies。
Andthat’swhyalltheanimalsaresogoodtothemotheranimals。
Theyneverfightthem，youknow。\"
\"Iknow，\"saidPeter，interested;\"twobuckrabbitswillfightalldayifyouletthem，buttheywon’thurtadoe。\"
\"No;andquitewildbeasts——lionsandelephants——they’reimmenselygentlewiththefemalebeasts。Andwe’vegottobe，too。\"
\"Isee，\"saidPeter。
\"Andtheirheartsaresoft，too，\"theDoctorwenton，\"andthingsthatweshouldn’tthinkanythingofhurtthemdreadfully。Sothatamanhastobeverycareful，notonlyofhisfists，butofhiswords。
They’reawfullybrave，youknow，\"hewenton。\"ThinkofBobbiewaitingaloneinthetunnelwiththatpoorchap。It’sanoddthing—
—thesofterandmoreeasilyhurtawomanisthebettershecanscrewherselfuptodowhatHAStobedone。I’veseensomebravewomen——
yourMother’sone，\"heendedabruptly。
\"Yes，\"saidPeter。
\"Well，that’sall。Excusemymentioningit。Butnobodyknowseverythingwithoutbeingtold。AndyouseewhatImean，don’tyou？\"
\"Yes，\"saidPeter。\"I’msorry。There！\"
\"Ofcourseyouare！Peoplealwaysare——directlytheyunderstand。
Everyoneoughttobetaughtthesescientificfacts。Solong！\"
Theyshookhandsheartily。WhenPetercamehome，hissisterslookedathimdoubtfully。
\"It’sPax，\"saidPeter，dumpingdownthebasketonthetable。\"Dr。
Forresthasbeentalkingscientifictome。No，it’snousemytellingyouwhathesaid;youwouldn’tunderstand。Butitallcomestoyougirlsbeingpoor，soft，weak，frightenedthingslikerabbits，sousmenhavejustgottoputupwiththem。Hesaidyouwerefemalebeasts。ShallItakethisuptoMother，orwillyou？\"
\"IknowwhatBOYSare，\"saidPhyllis，withflamingcheeks;\"they’rejustthenastiest，rudest——\"
\"They’reverybrave，\"saidBobbie，\"sometimes。\"
\"Ah，youmeanthechapupstairs？Isee。Goahead，Phil——Ishallputupwithyouwhateveryousaybecauseyou’reapoor，weak，frightened，soft——\"
\"NotifIpullyourhairyouwon’t，\"saidPhyllis，springingathim。
\"Hesaid’Pax，’\"saidBobbie，pullingheraway。\"Don’tyousee，\"
shewhisperedasPeterpickedupthebasketandstalkedoutwithit，\"he’ssorry，really，onlyhewon’tsayso？Let’ssaywe’resorry。\"
\"It’ssogoodygoody，\"saidPhyllis，doubtfully;\"hesaidwewerefemalebeasts，andsoftandfrightened——\"
\"Thenlet’sshowhimwe’renotfrightenedofhimthinkingusgoodygoody，\"saidBobbie;\"andwe’renotanymorebeaststhanheis。\"
AndwhenPetercameback，stillwithhischinintheair，Bobbiesaid：——
\"We’resorrywetiedyouup，Pete。\"
\"Ithoughtyouwouldbe，\"saidPeter，verystiffandsuperior。
Thiswashardtobear。But——
\"Well，soweare，\"saidBobbie。\"Nowlethonourbesatisfiedonbothsides。\"
\"IdidcallitPax，\"saidPeter，inaninjuredtone。
\"ThenletitBEPax，\"saidBobbie。\"Comeon，Phil，let’sgetthetea。Pete，youmightlaythecloth。\"
\"Isay，\"saidPhyllis，whenpeacewasreallyrestored，whichwasnottilltheywerewashingupthecupsaftertea，\"Dr。Forrestdidn’tREALLYsaywewerefemalebeasts，didhe？\"
\"Yes，\"saidPeter，firmly，\"butIthinkhemeantwemenwerewildbeasts，too。\"
\"Howfunnyofhim！\"saidPhyllis，breakingacup。
******
\"MayIcomein，Mother？\"PeterwasatthedoorofMother’swritingroom，whereMothersatathertablewithtwocandlesinfrontofher。Theirflameslookedorangeandvioletagainstthecleargreyblueoftheskywherealreadyafewstarsweretwinkling。
\"Yes，dear，\"saidMother，absently，\"anythingwrong？\"Shewroteafewmorewordsandthenlaiddownherpenandbegantofoldupwhatshehadwritten。\"IwasjustwritingtoJim’sgrandfather。Helivesnearhere，youknow。\"
\"Yes，yousaidsoattea。That’swhatIwanttosay。Mustyouwritetohim，Mother？Couldn’twekeepJim，andnotsayanythingtohispeopletillhe’swell？Itwouldbesuchasurpriseforthem。\"
\"Well，yes，\"saidMother，laughing，\"Ithinkitwould。\"
\"Yousee，\"Peterwenton，\"ofcoursethegirlsareallrightandallthat——I’mnotsayinganythingagainstTHEM。ButIshouldlikeitifIhadanotherchaptotalktosometimes。\"
\"Yes，\"saidMother，\"Iknowit’sdullforyou，dear。ButIcan’thelpit。NextyearperhapsIcansendyoutoschool——you’dlikethat，wouldn’tyou？\"
\"Idomisstheotherchaps，rather，\"Peterconfessed;\"butifJimcouldstayafterhislegwaswell，wecouldhaveawfullarks。\"
\"I’venodoubtofit，\"saidMother。\"Well——perhapshecould，butyouknow，dear，we’renotrich。Ican’taffordtogethimeverythinghe’llwant。Andhemusthaveanurse。\"
\"Can’tyounursehim，Mother？Youdonursepeoplesobeautifully。\"
\"That’saprettycompliment，Pete——butIcan’tdonursingandmywritingaswell。That’stheworstofit。\"
\"ThenyouMUSTsendthelettertohisgrandfather？\"
\"Ofcourse——andtohisschoolmaster，too。Wetelegraphedtothemboth，butImustwriteaswell。They’llbemostdreadfullyanxious。\"
\"Isay，Mother，whycan’thisgrandfatherpayforanurse？\"Petersuggested。\"Thatwouldberipping。Iexpecttheoldboy’srollinginmoney。Grandfathersinbooksalwaysare。\"
\"Well，thisoneisn’tinabook，\"saidMother，\"sowemustn’texpecthimtorollmuch。\"
\"Isay，\"saidPeter，musingly，\"wouldn’titbejollyifweallWERE
inabook，andyouwerewritingit？Thenyoucouldmakeallsortsofjollythingshappen，andmakeJim’slegsgetwellatonceandbeallrightto—morrow，andFathercomehomesoonand——\"
\"DoyoumissyourFatherverymuch？\"Motherasked，rathercoldly，Peterthought。
\"Awfully，\"saidPeter，briefly。
Motherwasenvelopingandaddressingthesecondletter。
\"Yousee，\"Peterwentonslowly，\"yousee，it’snotonlyhimBEING
Father，butnowhe’sawaythere’snoothermaninthehousebutme——
that’swhyIwantJimtostaysofrightfullymuch。Wouldn’tyouliketobewritingthatbookwithusallinit，Mother，andmakeDaddycomehomesoon？\"
Peter’sMotherputherarmroundhimsuddenly，andhuggedhiminsilenceforaminute。Thenshesaid：——
\"Don’tyouthinkit’srathernicetothinkthatwe’reinabookthatGod’swriting？IfIwerewritingthebook，Imightmakemistakes。
ButGodknowshowtomakethestoryendjustright——inthewaythat’sbestforus。\"
\"Doyoureallybelievethat，Mother？\"Peteraskedquietly。
\"Yes，\"shesaid，\"Idobelieveit——almostalways——exceptwhenI’msosadthatIcan’tbelieveanything。ButevenwhenIcan’tbelieveit，Iknowit’strue——andItrytobelieve。Youdon’tknowhowI
try，Peter。Nowtaketheletterstothepost，anddon’tlet’sbesadanymore。Courage，courage！That’sthefinestofallthevirtues！IdaresayJimwillbeherefortwoorthreeweeksyet。\"
ForwhatwasleftoftheeveningPeterwassoangelicthatBobbiefearedhewasgoingtobeill。ShewasquiterelievedinthemorningtofindhimplaitingPhyllis’shairontothebackofherchairinquitehisoldmanner。
Itwassoonafterbreakfastthataknockcameatthedoor。ThechildrenwerehardatworkcleaningthebrasscandlesticksinhonourofJim’svisit。
\"That’llbetheDoctor，\"saidMother;\"I’llgo。Shutthekitchendoor——you’renotfittobeseen。\"
Butitwasn’ttheDoctor。Theyknewthatbythevoiceandbythesoundofthebootsthatwentupstairs。Theydidnotrecognisethesoundoftheboots，buteveryonewascertainthattheyhadheardthevoicebefore。
Therewasalongishinterval。Thebootsandthevoicedidnotcomedownagain。
\"Whocanitpossiblybe？\"theykeptonaskingthemselvesandeachother。
\"Perhaps，\"saidPeteratlast，\"Dr。Forresthasbeenattackedbyhighwaymenandleftfordead，andthisisthemanhe’stelegraphedfortotakehisplace。Mrs。Vineysaidhehadalocaltenanttodohisworkwhenhewentforaholiday，didn’tyou，Mrs。Viney？\"
\"Ididso，mydear，\"saidMrs。Vineyfromthebackkitchen。
\"He’sfallendowninafit，morelikely，saidPhyllis，\"allhumanaiddespairedof。AndthisishismancometobreakthenewstoMother。\"
\"Nonsense！\"saidPeter，briskly;\"Motherwouldn’thavetakenthemanupintoJim’sbedroom。Whyshouldshe？Listen——thedoor’sopening。
Nowthey’llcomedown。I’llopenthedooracrack。\"
Hedid。
\"It’snotlistening，\"herepliedindignantlytoBobbie’sscandalisedremarks;\"nobodyintheirsenseswouldtalksecretsonthestairs。
AndMothercan’thavesecretstotalkwithDr。Forrest’sstable—man—
—andyousaiditwashim。\"
\"Bobbie，\"calledMother’svoice。
Theyopenedthekitchendoor，andMotherleanedoverthestairrailing。
\"Jim’sgrandfatherhascome，\"shesaid;\"washyourhandsandfacesandthenyoucanseehim。Hewantstoseeyou！\"Thebedroomdoorshutagain。
\"Therenow！\"saidPeter;\"fancyusnoteventhinkingofthat！Let’shavesomehotwater，Mrs。Viney。I’masblackasyourhat。\"
Thethreewereindeeddirty，forthestuffyoucleanbrasscandlestickswithisveryfarfromcleaningtothecleaner。
Theywerestillbusywithsoapandflannelwhentheyheardthebootsandthevoicecomedownthestairsandgointothedining—room。Andwhentheywereclean，thoughstilldamp——becauseittakessuchalongtimetodryyourhandsproperly，andtheywereveryimpatienttoseethegrandfather——theyfiledintothedining—room。
Motherwassittinginthewindow—seat，andintheleather—coveredarmchairthatFatheralwaysusedtositinattheotherhousesat——
THEIROWNOLDGENTLEMAN！
\"Well，Ineverdid，\"saidPeter，evenbeforehesaid，\"Howdoyoudo？\"Hewas，asheexplainedafterwards，toosurprisedeventorememberthattherewassuchathingaspoliteness——muchlesstopractiseit。
\"It’sourownoldgentleman！\"saidPhyllis。
\"Oh，it’syou！\"saidBobbie。Andthentheyrememberedthemselvesandtheirmannersandsaid，\"Howdoyoudo？\"verynicely。
\"ThisisJim’sgrandfather，Mr。——\"saidMother，namingtheoldgentleman’sname。
\"Howsplendid！\"saidPeter;\"that’sjustexactlylikeabook，isn’tit，Mother？\"
\"Itis，rather，\"saidMother，smiling;\"thingsdohappeninreallifethatareratherlikebooks，sometimes。\"
\"IamsoawfullygladitISyou，\"saidPhyllis;\"whenyouthinkofthetonsofoldgentlementhereareintheworld——itmighthavebeenalmostanyone。\"
\"Isay，though，\"saidPeter，\"you’renotgoingtotakeJimaway，though，areyou？\"
\"Notatpresent，\"saidtheoldgentleman。\"YourMotherhasmostkindlyconsentedtolethimstayhere。Ithoughtofsendinganurse，butyourMotherisgoodenoughtosaythatshewillnursehimherself。\"
\"Butwhataboutherwriting？\"saidPeter，beforeanyonecouldstophim。\"Therewon’tbeanythingforhimtoeatifMotherdoesn’twrite。\"
\"That’sallright，\"saidMother，hastily。
TheoldgentlemanlookedverykindlyatMother。
\"Isee，\"hesaid，\"youtrustyourchildren，andconfideinthem。\"
\"Ofcourse，\"saidMother。
\"ThenImaytellthemofourlittlearrangement，\"hesaid。\"YourMother，mydears，hasconsentedtogiveupwritingforalittlewhileandtobecomeaMatronofmyHospital。\"
\"Oh！\"saidPhyllis，blankly;\"andshallwehavetogoawayfromThreeChimneysandtheRailwayandeverything？\"
\"No，no，darling，\"saidMother，hurriedly。
\"TheHospitaliscalledThreeChimneysHospital，\"saidtheoldgentleman，\"andmyunluckyJim’stheonlypatient，andIhopehe’llcontinuetobeso。YourMotherwillbeMatron，andthere’llbeahospitalstaffofahousemaidandacook——tillJim’swell。\"
\"AndthenwillMothergoonwritingagain？\"askedPeter。
\"Weshallsee，\"saidtheoldgentleman，withaslight，swiftglanceatBobbie;\"perhapssomethingnicemayhappenandshewon’thaveto。\"
\"Ilovemywriting，\"saidMother，veryquickly。
\"Iknow，\"saidtheoldgentleman;\"don’tbeafraidthatI’mgoingtotrytointerfere。Butoneneverknows。Verywonderfulandbeautifulthingsdohappen，don’tthey？Andwelivemostofourlivesinthehopeofthem。Imaycomeagaintoseetheboy？\"
\"Surely，\"saidMother，\"andIdon’tknowhowtothankyouformakingitpossibleformetonursehim。Dearboy！\"
\"HekeptcallingMother，Mother，inthenight，\"saidPhyllis。\"I
wokeuptwiceandheardhim。\"
\"Hedidn’tmeanme，\"saidMother，inalowvoicetotheoldgentleman;\"that’swhyIwantedsomuchtokeephim。\"
Theoldgentlemanrose。
\"I’msoglad，\"saidPeter，\"thatyou’regoingtokeephim，Mother。\"
\"TakecareofyourMother，mydears，\"saidtheoldgentleman。
\"She’sawomaninamillion。\"
\"Yes，isn’tshe？\"whisperedBobbie。
\"Godblessher，\"saidtheoldgentleman，takingbothMother’shands，\"Godblessher！Ay，andsheshallbeblessed。Dearme，where’smyhat？WillBobbiecomewithmetothegate？\"
Atthegatehestoppedandsaid：——
\"You’reagoodchild，mydear——Igotyourletter。Butitwasn’tneeded。WhenIreadaboutyourFather’scaseinthepapersatthetime，Ihadmydoubts。AndeversinceI’veknownwhoyouwere，I’vebeentryingtofindoutthings。Ihaven’tdoneverymuchyet。ButIhavehopes，mydear——Ihavehopes。\"
\"Oh！\"saidBobbie，chokingalittle。
\"Yes——Imaysaygreathopes。Butkeepyoursecretalittlelonger。
Wouldn’tdotoupsetyourMotherwithafalsehope，wouldit？\"
\"Oh，butitisn’tfalse！\"saidBobbie;\"IKNOWyoucandoit。I
knewyoucouldwhenIwrote。Itisn’tafalsehope，isit？\"
\"No，\"hesaid，\"Idon’tthinkit’safalsehope，orIwouldn’thavetoldyou。AndIthinkyoudeservetobetoldthatthereISahope。\"
\"Andyoudon’tthinkFatherdidit，doyou？Oh，sayyoudon’tthinkhedid。\"
\"Mydear，\"hesaid，\"I’mperfectlyCERTAINhedidn’t。\"
Ifitwasafalsehope，itwasnonethelessaveryradiantonethatlaywarmatBobbie’sheart，andthroughthedaysthatfollowedlightedherlittlefaceasaJapaneselanternislightedbythecandlewithin。
ChapterXIV。TheEnd。
LifeattheThreeChimneyswasneverquitethesameagainaftertheoldgentlemancametoseehisgrandson。Althoughtheynowknewhisname，thechildrenneverspokeofhimbyit——atanyrate，whentheywerebythemselves。Tothemhewasalwaystheoldgentleman，andI
thinkhehadbetterbetheoldgentlemantous，too。Itwouldn’tmakehimseemanymorerealtoyou，wouldit，ifIweretotellyouthathisnamewasSnooksorJenkins（whichitwasn’t）？——and，afterall，Imustbeallowedtokeeponesecret。It’stheonlyone;I
havetoldyoueverythingelse，exceptwhatIamgoingtotellyouinthischapter，whichisthelast。Atleast，ofcourse，Ihaven’ttoldyouEVERYTHING。IfIweretodothat，thebookwouldnevercometoanend，andthatwouldbeapity，wouldn’tit？
Well，asIwassaying，lifeatThreeChimneyswasneverquitethesameagain。Thecookandthehousemaidwereverynice（Idon’tmindtellingyoutheirnames——theywereClaraandEthelwyn），buttheytoldMothertheydidnotseemtowantMrs。Viney，andthatshewasanoldmuddler。SoMrs。Vineycameonlytwodaysaweektodowashingandironing。ThenClaraandEthelwynsaidtheycoulddotheworkallrightiftheyweren’tinterferedwith，andthatmeantthatthechildrennolongergottheteaandcleareditawayandwashedupthetea—thingsanddustedtherooms。
Thiswouldhaveleftquiteablankintheirlives，althoughtheyhadoftenpretendedtothemselvesandtoeachotherthattheyhatedhousework。ButnowthatMotherhadnowritingandnohouseworktodo，shehadtimeforlessons。Andlessonsthechildrenhadtodo。
Howevernicethepersonwhoisteachingyoumaybe，lessonsarelessonsalltheworldover，andattheirbestareworsefunthanpeelingpotatoesorlightingafire。
Ontheotherhand，ifMothernowhadtimeforlessons，shealsohadtimeforplay，andtomakeuplittlerhymesforthechildrenassheusedtodo。ShehadnothadmuchtimeforrhymessinceshecametoThreeChimneys。
Therewasoneveryoddthingabouttheselessons。Whateverthechildrenweredoing，theyalwayswantedtobedoingsomethingelse。
WhenPeterwasdoinghisLatin，hethoughtitwouldbenicetobelearningHistorylikeBobbie。BobbiewouldhavepreferredArithmetic，whichwaswhatPhyllishappenedtobedoing，andPhyllisofcoursethoughtLatinmuchthemostinterestingkindoflesson。
Andsoon。
So，oneday，whentheysatdowntolessons，eachofthemfoundalittlerhymeatitsplace。IputtherhymesintoshowyouthattheirMotherreallydidunderstandalittlehowchildrenfeelaboutthings，andalsothekindofwordstheyuse，whichisthecasewithveryfewgrown—uppeople。Isupposemostgrown—upshaveverybadmemories，andhaveforgottenhowtheyfeltwhentheywerelittle。
Ofcourse，theversesaresupposedtobespokenbythechildren。
PETER
IoncethoughtCaesareasypap——
HowverysoftImusthavebeen！
WhentheystartCaesarwithachapHelittleknowwhatthatwillmean。
Oh，verbsaresillystupidthings。
I’dratherlearnthedatesofkings！
BOBBIE
TheworstofallmylessonthingsIslearningwhosucceededwhoInalltherowsofqueensandkings，Withdatestoeverythingtheydo：
Withdatesenoughtomakeyousick;——
IwishitwasArithmetic！
PHYLLIS
SuchpoundsandpoundsofapplesfillMyslate——whatisthepriceyou’dspend？
YouscratchthefiguresoutuntilYoucryuponthedividend。
I’dbreaktheslateandscreamforjoyIfIdidLatinlikeaboy！
Thiskindofthing，ofcourse，madelessonsmuchjollier。Itissomethingtoknowthatthepersonwhoisteachingyouseesthatitisnotallplainsailingforyou，anddoesnotthinkthatitisjustyourstupidnessthatmakesyounotknowyourlessonstillyou’velearnedthem！
ThenasJim’sleggotbetteritwasverypleasanttogoupandsitwithhimandheartalesabouthisschoollifeandtheotherboys。
Therewasoneboy，namedParr，ofwhomJimseemedtohaveformedthelowestpossibleopinion，andanotherboynamedWigsbyMinor，forwhoseviewsJimhadagreatrespect。AlsotherewerethreebrothersnamedPaley，andtheyoungestwascalledPaleyTerts，andwasmuchgiventofighting。
Peterdrankinallthiswithdeepjoy，andMotherseemedtohavelistenedwithsomeinterest，foronedayshegaveJimasheetofpaperonwhichshehadwrittenarhymeaboutParr，bringinginPaleyandWigsbybynameinamostwonderfulway，aswellasallthereasonsJimhadfornotlikingParr，andWigsby’swiseopiniononthematter。Jimwasimmenselypleased。Hehadneverhadarhymewrittenexpresslyforhimbefore。HereadittillheknewitbyheartandthenhesentittoWigsby，wholikeditalmostasmuchasJimdid。Perhapsyoumaylikeit，too。
THENEWBOY
HisnameisParr：hesaysthatheIsgivenbreadandmilkfortea。
Hesayshisfatherkilledabear。
Hesayshismothercutshishair。
Hewearsgolosheswhenit’swet。
I’veheardhispeoplecallhim\"Pet\"！
Hehasnopropersenseofshame;
HetoldthechapshisChristianname。
Hecannotwicket—keepatall，He’sfrightenedofacricketball。
Hereadsindoorsforhoursandhours。
Heknowsthenamesofbeastlyflowers。
HesayshisFrenchjustlikeMossoo——
Abeastlystuck—upthingtodo——
Hewon’tkeep_cave_，shirkshisturnAndsayshecametoschooltolearn！
Hewon’tplayfootball，saysithurts;
Hewouldn’tfightwithPaleyTerts;
Hecouldn’twhistleifhetried，Andwhenwelaughedathimhecried！
NowWigsbyMinorsaysthatParrIsonlylikeallnewboysare。
Iknowwhen_I_firstcametoschoolIwasn’tsuchajollyfool！
JimcouldneverunderstandhowMothercouldhavebeencleverenoughtodoit。Totheothersitseemednice，butnatural。Youseetheyhadalwaysbeenusedtohavingamotherwhocouldwriteversesjustlikethewaypeopletalk，eventotheshockingexpressionattheendoftherhyme，whichwasJim’sveryown。
JimtaughtPetertoplaychessanddraughtsanddominoes，andaltogetheritwasanicequiettime。
OnlyJim’sleggotbetterandbetter，andageneralfeelingbegantospringupamongBobbie，Peter，andPhyllisthatsomethingoughttobedonetoamusehim;notjustgames，butsomethingreallyhandsome。
Butitwasextraordinarilydifficulttothinkofanything。
\"It’snogood，\"saidPeter，whenallofthemhadthoughtandthoughttilltheirheadsfeltquiteheavyandswollen;\"ifwecan’tthinkofanythingtoamusehim，wejustcan’t，andthere’sanendofit。
Perhapssomethingwilljusthappenofitsownaccordthathe’lllike。\"
\"ThingsDOhappenbythemselvessometimes，withoutyourmakingthem，\"saidPhyllis，ratherasthough，usually，everythingthathappenedintheworldwasherdoing。
\"Iwishsomethingwouldhappen，\"saidBobbie，dreamily，\"somethingwonderful。\"
Andsomethingwonderfuldidhappenexactlyfourdaysaftershehadsaidthis。IwishIcouldsayitwasthreedaysafter，becauseinfairytalesitisalwaysthreedaysafterthatthingshappen。Butthisisnotafairystory，andbesides，itreallywasfourandnotthree，andIamnothingifnotstrictlytruthful。
TheyseemedtobehardlyRailwaychildrenatallinthosedays，andasthedayswentoneachhadanuneasyfeelingaboutthiswhichPhyllisexpressedoneday。
\"IwonderiftheRailwaymissesus，\"shesaid，plaintively。\"Wenevergotoseeitnow。\"
\"Itseemsungrateful，\"saidBobbie;\"weloveditsowhenwehadn’tanyoneelsetoplaywith。\"
\"PerksisalwayscominguptoaskafterJim，\"saidPeter，\"andthesignalman’slittleboyisbetter。Hetoldmeso。\"
\"Ididn’tmeanthepeople，\"explainedPhyllis;\"ImeantthedearRailwayitself。\"
\"ThethingIdon’tlike，\"saidBobbie，onthisfourthday，whichwasaTuesday，\"isourhavingstoppedwavingtothe9。15andsendingourlovetoFatherbyit。\"
\"Let’sbeginagain，\"saidPhyllis。Andtheydid。
SomehowthechangeofeverythingthatwasmadebyhavingservantsinthehouseandMothernotdoinganywriting，madethetimeseemextremelylongsincethatstrangemorningatthebeginningofthings，whentheyhadgotupsoearlyandburntthebottomoutofthekettleandhadapplepieforbreakfastandfirstseentheRailway。
ItwasSeptembernow，andtheturfontheslopetotheRailwaywasdryandcrisp。Littlelonggrassspikesstooduplikebitsofgoldwire，frailblueharebellstrembledontheirtough，slenderstalks，Gipsyrosesopenedwideandflattheirlilac—coloureddiscs，andthegoldenstarsofSt。John’sWortshoneattheedgesofthepoolthatlayhalfwaytotheRailway。Bobbiegatheredageneroushandfuloftheflowersandthoughthowprettytheywouldlooklyingonthegreen—and—pinkblanketofsilk—wastethatnowcoveredJim’spoorbrokenleg。
\"Hurryup，\"saidPeter，\"orweshallmissthe9。15！\"
\"Ican’thurrymorethanIamdoing，\"saidPhyllis。\"Oh，botherit！
MybootlacehascomeundoneAGAIN！\"
\"Whenyou’remarried，\"saidPeter，\"yourbootlacewillcomeundonegoingupthechurchaisle，andyourmanthatyou’regoingtogetmarriedtowilltumbleoveritandsmashhisnoseinontheornamentedpavement;andthenyou’llsayyouwon’tmarryhim，andyou’llhavetobeanoldmaid。\"
\"Ishan’t，\"saidPhyllis。\"I’dmuchrathermarryamanwithhisnosesmashedinthannotmarryanybody。\"
\"Itwouldbehorridtomarryamanwithasmashednose，allthesame，\"wentonBobbie。\"Hewouldn’tbeabletosmelltheflowersatthewedding。Wouldn’tthatbeawful！\"
\"Bothertheflowersatthewedding！\"criedPeter。\"Look！thesignal’sdown。Wemustrun！\"
Theyran。Andoncemoretheywavedtheirhandkerchiefs，withoutatallmindingwhetherthehandkerchiefswerecleanornot，tothe9。15。
\"TakeourlovetoFather！\"criedBobbie。Andtheothers，too，shouted：——
\"TakeourlovetoFather！\"
Theoldgentlemanwavedfromhisfirst—classcarriagewindow。Quiteviolentlyhewaved。Andtherewasnothingoddinthat，forhealwayshadwaved。Butwhatwasreallyremarkablewasthatfromeverywindowhandkerchiefsfluttered，newspaperssignalled，handswavedwildly。Thetrainsweptbywitharustleandroar，thelittlepebblesjumpedanddancedunderitasitpassed，andthechildrenwereleftlookingateachother。
\"Well！\"saidPeter。
\"WELL！\"saidBobbie。
\"_WELL！_\"saidPhyllis。
\"Whateveronearthdoesthatmean？\"askedPeter，buthedidnotexpectanyanswer。
\"_I_don’tknow，\"saidBobbie。\"Perhapstheoldgentlemantoldthepeopleathisstationtolookoutforusandwave。Heknewweshouldlikeit！\"
Now，curiouslyenough，thiswasjustwhathadhappened。Theoldgentleman，whowasverywellknownandrespectedathisparticularstation，hadgotthereearlythatmorning，andhehadwaitedatthedoorwheretheyoungmanstandsholdingtheinterestingmachinethatclipsthetickets，andhehadsaidsomethingtoeverysinglepassengerwhopassedthroughthatdoor。Andafternoddingtowhattheoldgentlemanhadsaid——andthenodsexpressedeveryshadeofsurprise，interest，doubt，cheerfulpleasure，andgrumpyagreement——
eachpassengerhadgoneontotheplatformandreadonecertainpartofhisnewspaper。Andwhenthepassengersgotintothetrain，theyhadtoldtheotherpassengerswhowerealreadytherewhattheoldgentlemanhadsaid，andthentheotherpassengershadalsolookedattheirnewspapersandseemedveryastonishedand，mostly，pleased。
Then，whenthetrainpassedthefencewherethethreechildrenwere，newspapersandhandsandhandkerchiefswerewavedmadly，tillallthatsideofthetrainwasflutterywithwhitelikethepicturesoftheKing’sCoronationinthebiographatMaskelyneandCook’s。Tothechildrenitalmostseemedasthoughthetrainitselfwasalive，andwasatlastrespondingtothelovethattheyhadgivenitsofreelyandsolong。
\"Itismostextraordinarilyrum！\"saidPeter。
\"Moststronery！\"echoedPhyllis。
ButBobbiesaid，\"Don’tyouthinktheoldgentleman’swavesseemedmoresignificatingthanusual？\"
\"No，\"saidtheothers。
\"Ido，\"saidBobbie。\"Ithoughthewastryingtoexplainsomethingtouswithhisnewspaper。\"
\"Explainwhat？\"askedPeter，notunnaturally。
\"_I_don’tknow，\"Bobbieanswered，\"butIdofeelmostawfullyfunny。Ifeeljustexactlyasifsomethingwasgoingtohappen。\"
\"Whatisgoingtohappen，\"saidPeter，\"isthatPhyllis’sstockingisgoingtocomedown。\"
Thiswasbuttootrue。Thesuspenderhadgivenwayintheagitationofthewavestothe9。15。Bobbie’shandkerchiefservedasfirstaidtotheinjured，andtheyallwenthome。
LessonsweremorethanusuallydifficulttoBobbiethatday。
Indeed，shedisgracedherselfsodeeplyoveraquitesimplesumaboutthedivisionof48poundsofmeatand36poundsofbreadamong144hungrychildrenthatMotherlookedatheranxiously。
\"Don’tyoufeelquitewell，dear？\"sheasked。
\"Idon’tknow，\"wasBobbie’sunexpectedanswer。\"Idon’tknowhowI
feel。Itisn’tthatI’mlazy。Mother，willyouletmeofflessonsto—day？IfeelasifIwantedtobequitealonebymyself。\"
\"Yes，ofcourseI’llletyouoff，\"saidMother;\"but——\"
Bobbiedroppedherslate。Itcrackedjustacrossthelittlegreenmarkthatissousefulfordrawingpatternsround，anditwasneverthesameslateagain。Withoutwaitingtopickitupshebolted。
Mothercaughtherinthehallfeelingblindlyamongthewaterproofsandumbrellasforhergardenhat。
\"Whatisit，mysweetheart？\"saidMother。\"Youdon’tfeelill，doyou？\"
\"IDON’Tknow，\"Bobbieanswered，alittlebreathlessly，\"butIwanttobebymyselfandseeifmyheadreallyISallsillyandmyinsideallsquirmy—twisty。\"
\"Hadn’tyoubetterliedown？\"Mothersaid，strokingherhairbackfromherforehead。
\"I’dbemorealiveinthegarden，Ithink，\"saidBobbie。
Butshecouldnotstayinthegarden。Thehollyhocksandtheastersandthelaterosesallseemedtobewaitingforsomethingtohappen。
Itwasoneofthosestill，shinyautumndays，wheneverythingdoesseemtobewaiting。
Bobbiecouldnotwait。
\"I’llgodowntothestation，\"shesaid，\"andtalktoPerksandaskaboutthesignalman’slittleboy。\"
Soshewentdown。OnthewayshepassedtheoldladyfromthePost—
office，whogaveherakissandahug，but，rathertoBobbie’ssurprise，nowordsexcept：——
\"Godblessyou，love——\"and，afterapause，\"runalong——do。\"
Thedraper’sboy，whohadsometimesbeenalittlelessthancivilandalittlemorethancontemptuous，nowtouchedhiscap，andutteredtheremarkablewords：——
\"’Morning，Miss，I’msure——\"
Theblacksmith，comingalongwithanopennewspaperinhishand，wasevenmorestrangeinhismanner。Hegrinnedbroadly，though，asarule，hewasamannotgiventosmiles，andwavedthenewspaperlongbeforehecameuptoher。Andashepassedher，hesaid，inanswertoher\"Goodmorning\"：——
\"Goodmorningtoyou，Missie，andmanyofthem！Iwishyoujoy，thatIdo！\"
\"Oh！\"saidBobbietoherself，andherheartquickeneditsbeats，\"somethingISgoingtohappen！Iknowitis——everyoneissoodd，likepeopleareindreams。\"
TheStationMasterwrungherhandwarmly。Infactheworkeditupanddownlikeapump—handle。Buthegavehernoreasonforthisunusuallyenthusiasticgreeting。Heonlysaid：——
\"The11。54’sabitlate，Miss——theextraluggagethisholidaytime，\"
andwentawayveryquicklyintothatinnerTempleofhisintowhichevenBobbiedarednotfollowhim。
Perkswasnottobeseen，andBobbiesharedthesolitudeoftheplatformwiththeStationCat。Thistortoiseshelllady，usuallyofaretiringdisposition，cameto—daytorubherselfagainstthebrownstockingsofBobbiewitharchedback，wavingtail，andreverberatingpurrs。
\"Dearme！\"saidBobbie，stoopingtostrokeher，\"howverykindeverybodyisto—day——evenyou，Pussy！\"
Perksdidnotappearuntilthe11。54wassignalled，andthenhe，likeeverybodyelsethatmorning，hadanewspaperinhishand。
\"Hullo！\"hesaid，\"’ereyouare。Well，ifTHISisthetrain，it’llbesmartwork！Well，Godblessyou，mydear！Iseeitinthepaper，andIdon’tthinkIwaseversogladofanythinginallmyborndays！\"HelookedatBobbieamoment，thensaid，\"OneImusthave，Miss，andnooffence，Iknow，onadaylikethis’ere！\"andwiththathekissedher，firstononecheekandthenontheother。
\"Youain’toffended，areyou？\"heaskedanxiously。\"Iain’ttooktoogreataliberty？Onadaylikethis，youknow——\"
\"No，no，\"saidBobbie，\"ofcourseit’snotaliberty，dearMr。
Perks;weloveyouquiteasmuchasifyouwereanuncleofours——
but——onadaylikeWHAT？\"
\"Likethis’ere！\"saidPerks。\"Don’tItellyouIseeitinthepaper？\"
\"SawWHATinthepaper？\"askedBobbie，butalreadythe11。54wassteamingintothestationandtheStationMasterwaslookingatalltheplaceswherePerkswasnotandoughttohavebeen。
Bobbiewasleftstandingalone，theStationCatwatchingherfromunderthebenchwithfriendlygoldeneyes。
Ofcourseyouknowalreadyexactlywhatwasgoingtohappen。Bobbiewasnotsoclever。Shehadthevague，confused，expectantfeelingthatcomestoone’sheartindreams。WhatherheartexpectedI
can’ttell——perhapstheverythingthatyouandIknowwasgoingtohappen——buthermindexpectednothing;itwasalmostblank，andfeltnothingbuttirednessandstupidnessandanemptyfeeling，likeyourbodyhaswhenyouhavebeenalongwalkanditisveryfarindeedpastyourproperdinner—time。
Onlythreepeoplegotoutofthe11。54。Thefirstwasacountrymanwithtwobasketyboxesfulloflivechickenswhostucktheirrussetheadsoutanxiouslythroughthewickerbars;thesecondwasMissPeckitt，thegrocer’swife’scousin，withatinboxandthreebrown—
paperparcels;andthethird——
\"Oh！myDaddy，myDaddy！\"Thatscreamwentlikeaknifeintotheheartofeveryoneinthetrain，andpeopleputtheirheadsoutofthewindowstoseeatallpalemanwithlipssetinathincloseline，andalittlegirlclingingtohimwitharmsandlegs，whilehisarmswenttightlyroundher。
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\"Iknewsomethingwonderfulwasgoingtohappen，\"saidBobbie，astheywentuptheroad，\"butIdidn’tthinkitwasgoingtobethis。
Oh，myDaddy，myDaddy！\"
\"Thendidn’tMothergetmyletter？\"Fatherasked。
\"Thereweren’tanylettersthismorning。Oh！Daddy！itISreallyyou，isn’tit？\"
Theclaspofahandshehadnotforgottenassuredherthatitwas。
\"Youmustgoinbyyourself，Bobbie，andtellMotherquitequietlythatit’sallright。They’vecaughtthemanwhodidit。Everyoneknowsnowthatitwasn’tyourDaddy。\"
\"_I_alwaysknewitwasn’t，\"saidBobbie。\"MeandMotherandouroldgentleman。\"
\"Yes，\"hesaid，\"it’sallhisdoing。Motherwroteandtoldmeyouhadfoundout。Andshetoldmewhatyou’dbeentoher。Myownlittlegirl！\"Theystoppedaminutethen。
AndnowIseethemcrossingthefield。Bobbiegoesintothehouse，tryingtokeephereyesfromspeakingbeforeherlipshavefoundtherightwordsto\"tellMotherquitequietly\"thatthesorrowandthestruggleandthepartingareoveranddone，andthatFatherhascomehome。
IseeFatherwalkinginthegarden，waiting——waiting。Heislookingattheflowers，andeachflowerisamiracletoeyesthatallthesemonthsofSpringandSummerhaveseenonlyflagstonesandgravelandalittlegrudginggrass。Buthiseyeskeepturningtowardsthehouse。Andpresentlyheleavesthegardenandgoestostandoutsidethenearestdoor。Itisthebackdoor，andacrosstheyardtheswallowsarecircling。Theyaregettingreadytoflyawayfromcoldwindsandkeenfrosttothelandwhereitisalwayssummer。Theyarethesameswallowsthatthechildrenbuiltthelittleclaynestsfor。
Nowthehousedooropens。Bobbie’svoicecalls：——
\"Comein，Daddy;comein！\"
Hegoesinandthedoorisshut。Ithinkwewillnotopenthedoororfollowhim。Ithinkthatjustnowwearenotwantedthere。I
thinkitwillbebestforustogoquicklyandquietlyaway。Attheendofthefield，amongthethingoldspikesofgrassandtheharebellsandGipsyrosesandSt。John’sWort，wemayjusttakeonelastlook，overourshoulders，atthewhitehousewhereneitherwenoranyoneelseiswantednow。