TomydearsonPaulBland，behindwhoseknowledgeofrailwaysmyignoranceconfidentlyshelters。
ChapterI。Thebeginningofthings。
Theywerenotrailwaychildrentobeginwith。Idon’tsupposetheyhadeverthoughtaboutrailwaysexceptasameansofgettingtoMaskelyneandCook’s，thePantomime，ZoologicalGardens，andMadameTussaud’s。Theywerejustordinarysuburbanchildren，andtheylivedwiththeirFatherandMotherinanordinaryred—brick—frontedvilla，withcolouredglassinthefrontdoor，atiledpassagethatwascalledahall，abath—roomwithhotandcoldwater，electricbells，Frenchwindows，andagooddealofwhitepaint，and’everymodernconvenience’，asthehouse—agentssay。
Therewerethreeofthem。Robertawastheeldest。Ofcourse，Mothersneverhavefavourites，butiftheirMotherHADhadafavourite，itmighthavebeenRoberta。NextcamePeter，whowishedtobeanEngineerwhenhegrewup;andtheyoungestwasPhyllis，whomeantextremelywell。
Motherdidnotspendallhertimeinpayingdullcallstodullladies，andsittingdullyathomewaitingfordullladiestopaycallstoher。Shewasalmostalwaysthere，readytoplaywiththechildren，andreadtothem，andhelpthemtodotheirhome—lessons。
Besidesthissheusedtowritestoriesforthemwhiletheywereatschool，andreadthemaloudaftertea，andshealwaysmadeupfunnypiecesofpoetryfortheirbirthdaysandforothergreatoccasions，suchasthechristeningofthenewkittens，ortherefurnishingofthedoll’shouse，orthetimewhentheyweregettingoverthemumps。
Thesethreeluckychildrenalwayshadeverythingtheyneeded：
prettyclothes，goodfires，alovelynurserywithheapsoftoys，andaMotherGoosewall—paper。Theyhadakindandmerrynursemaid，andadogwhowascalledJames，andwhowastheirveryown。TheyalsohadaFatherwhowasjustperfect——nevercross，neverunjust，andalwaysreadyforagame——atleast，ifatanytimehewasNOTready，healwayshadanexcellentreasonforit，andexplainedthereasontothechildrensointerestinglyandfunnilythattheyfeltsurehecouldn’thelphimself。
Youwillthinkthattheyoughttohavebeenveryhappy。Andsotheywere，buttheydidnotknowHOWhappytilltheprettylifeintheRedVillawasoveranddonewith，andtheyhadtoliveaverydifferentlifeindeed。
Thedreadfulchangecamequitesuddenly。
Peterhadabirthday——histenth。Amonghisotherpresentswasamodelenginemoreperfectthanyoucouldeverhavedreamedof。Theotherpresentswerefullofcharm，buttheEnginewasfullerofcharmthananyoftheotherswere。
Itscharmlastedinitsfullperfectionforexactlythreedays。
Then，owingeithertoPeter’sinexperienceorPhyllis’sgoodintentions，whichhadbeenratherpressing，ortosomeothercause，theEnginesuddenlywentoffwithabang。Jameswassofrightenedthathewentoutanddidnotcomebackallday。AlltheNoah’sArkpeoplewhowereinthetenderwerebrokentobits，butnothingelsewashurtexceptthepoorlittleengineandthefeelingsofPeter。
Theotherssaidhecriedoverit——butofcourseboysoftendonotcry，howeverterriblethetragediesmaybewhichdarkentheirlot。
Hesaidthathiseyeswereredbecausehehadacold。Thisturnedouttobetrue，thoughPeterdidnotknowitwaswhenhesaidit，thenextdayhehadtogotobedandstaythere。Motherbegantobeafraidthathemightbesickeningformeasles，whensuddenlyhesatupinbedandsaid：
"Ihategruel——Ihatebarleywater——Ihatebreadandmilk。IwanttogetupandhavesomethingREALtoeat。"
"Whatwouldyoulike？"Motherasked。
"Apigeon—pie，"saidPeter，eagerly，"alargepigeon—pie。Averylargeone。"
SoMotheraskedtheCooktomakealargepigeon—pie。Thepiewasmade。Andwhenthepiewasmade，itwascooked。Andwhenitwascooked，Peteratesomeofit。Afterthathiscoldwasbetter。
Mothermadeapieceofpoetrytoamusehimwhilethepiewasbeingmade。ItbeganbysayingwhatanunfortunatebutworthyboyPeterwas，thenitwenton：
HehadanenginethathelovedWithallhisheartandsoul，AndifhehadawishonearthItwastokeepitwhole。
Oneday——myfriends，prepareyourminds;
I’mcomingtotheworst——
Quitesuddenlyascrewwentmad，Andthentheboilerburst！
WithgloomyfacehepickeditupAndtookittohisMother，ThoughevenhecouldnotsupposeThatshecouldmakeanother;
ForthosewhoperishedonthelineHedidnotseemtocare，HisenginebeingmoretohimThanallthepeoplethere。
AndnowyouseethereasonwhyOurPeterhasbeenill：
Hesootheshissoulwithpigeon—pieHisgnawinggrieftokill。
HewrapshimselfinblanketswarmAndsleepsinbedtilllate，DeterminedthustoovercomeHismiserablefate。
Andifhiseyesareratherred，Hiscoldmustjustexcuseit：
Offerhimpie;youmaybesureHeneverwillrefuseit。
Fatherhadbeenawayinthecountryforthreeorfourdays。AllPeter’shopesforthecuringofhisafflictedEnginewerenowfixedonhisFather，forFatherwasmostwonderfullycleverwithhisfingers。Hecouldmendallsortsofthings。Hehadoftenactedasveterinarysurgeontothewoodenrocking—horse;oncehehadsaveditslifewhenallhumanaidwasdespairedof，andthepoorcreaturewasgivenupforlost，andeventhecarpentersaidhedidn’tseehiswaytodoanything。AnditwasFatherwhomendedthedoll’scradlewhennooneelsecould;andwithalittleglueandsomebitsofwoodandapen—knifemadealltheNoah’sArkbeastsasstrongontheirpinsasevertheywere，ifnotstronger。
Peter，withheroicunselfishness，didnotsayanythingabouthisEnginetillafterFatherhadhadhisdinnerandhisafter—dinnercigar。TheunselfishnesswasMother’sidea——butitwasPeterwhocarrieditout。Andneededagooddealofpatience，too。
AtlastMothersaidtoFather，"Now，dear，ifyou’requiterested，andquitecomfy，wewanttotellyouaboutthegreatrailwayaccident，andaskyouradvice。"
"Allright，"saidFather，"fireaway！"
SothenPetertoldthesadtale，andfetchedwhatwasleftoftheEngine。
"Hum，"saidFather，whenhehadlookedtheEngineoververycarefully。
Thechildrenheldtheirbreaths。
"IsthereNOhope？"saidPeter，inalow，unsteadyvoice。
"Hope？Rather！Tonsofit，"saidFather，cheerfully;"butit’llwantsomethingbesideshope——abitofbrazingsay，orsomesolder，andanewvalve。Ithinkwe’dbetterkeepitforarainyday。Inotherwords，I’llgiveupSaturdayafternoontoit，andyoushallallhelpme。"
"CANgirlshelptomendengines？"Peteraskeddoubtfully。
"Ofcoursetheycan。Girlsarejustascleverasboys，anddon’tyouforgetit！Howwouldyouliketobeanengine—driver，Phil？"
"Myfacewouldbealwaysdirty，wouldn’tit？"saidPhyllis，inunenthusiastictones，"andIexpectIshouldbreaksomething。"
"Ishouldjustloveit，"saidRoberta——"doyouthinkIcouldwhenI’mgrownup，Daddy？Orevenastoker？"
"Youmeanafireman，"saidDaddy，pullingandtwistingattheengine。"Well，ifyoustillwishit，whenyou’regrownup，we’llseeaboutmakingyouafire—woman。IrememberwhenIwasaboy——"
Justthentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor。
"Whoonearth！"saidFather。"AnEnglishman’shouseishiscastle，ofcourse，butIdowishtheybuiltsemi—detachedvillaswithmoatsanddrawbridges。"
Ruth——shewastheparlour—maidandhadredhair——cameinandsaidthattwogentlemenwantedtoseethemaster。
"I’veshownthemintotheLibrary，Sir，"saidshe。
"Iexpectit’sthesubscriptiontotheVicar’stestimonial，"saidMother，"orelseit’sthechoirholidayfund。Getridofthemquickly，dear。Itdoesbreakupaneveningso，andit’snearlythechildren’sbedtime。"
ButFatherdidnotseemtobeabletogetridofthegentlemenatallquickly。
"IwishweHADgotamoatanddrawbridge，"saidRoberta;"then，whenwedidn’twantpeople，wecouldjustpullupthedrawbridgeandnooneelsecouldgetin。IexpectFatherwillhaveforgottenaboutwhenhewasaboyiftheystaymuchlonger。"
MothertriedtomakethetimepassbytellingthemanewfairystoryaboutaPrincesswithgreeneyes，butitwasdifficultbecausetheycouldhearthevoicesofFatherandthegentlemenintheLibrary，andFather’svoicesoundedlouderanddifferenttothevoicehegenerallyusedtopeoplewhocameabouttestimonialsandholidayfunds。
ThentheLibrarybellrang，andeveryoneheavedabreathofrelief。
"They’regoingnow，"saidPhyllis;"he’srungtohavethemshownout。"
Butinsteadofshowinganybodyout，Ruthshowedherselfin，andshelookedqueer，thechildrenthought。
"Please’m，"shesaid，"theMasterwantsyoutojuststepintothestudy。Helookslikethedead，mum;Ithinkhe’shadbadnews。
You’dbestprepareyourselffortheworst，’m——p’rapsit’sadeathinthefamilyorabankbustedor——"
"That’lldo，Ruth，"saidMothergently;"youcango。"
ThenMotherwentintotheLibrary。Therewasmoretalking。Thenthebellrangagain，andRuthfetchedacab。Thechildrenheardbootsgooutanddownthesteps。Thecabdroveaway，andthefrontdoorshut。ThenMothercamein。Herdearfacewasaswhiteasherlacecollar，andhereyeslookedverybigandshining。Hermouthlookedlikejustalineofpalered——herlipswerethinandnottheirpropershapeatall。
"It’sbedtime，"shesaid。"Ruthwillputyoutobed。"
"ButyoupromisedweshouldsituplatetonightbecauseFather’scomehome，"saidPhyllis。
"Father’sbeencalledaway——onbusiness，"saidMother。"Come，darlings，goatonce。"
Theykissedherandwent。RobertalingeredtogiveMotheranextrahugandtowhisper：
"Itwasn’tbadnews，Mammy，wasit？Isanyonedead——or——"
"Nobody’sdead——no，"saidMother，andshealmostseemedtopushRobertaaway。"Ican’ttellyouanythingtonight，mypet。Go，dear，goNOW。"
SoRobertawent。
Ruthbrushedthegirls’hairandhelpedthemtoundress。（Motheralmostalwaysdidthisherself。）WhenshehadturneddownthegasandleftthemshefoundPeter，stilldressed，waitingonthestairs。
"Isay，Ruth，what’sup？"heasked。
"Don’taskmenoquestionsandIwon’ttellyounolies，"thered—
headedRuthreplied。"You’llknowsoonenough。"
LatethatnightMothercameupandkissedallthreechildrenastheylayasleep。ButRobertawastheonlyonewhomthekisswoke，andshelaymousey—still，andsaidnothing。
"IfMotherdoesn’twantustoknowshe’sbeencrying，"shesaidtoherselfassheheardthroughthedarkthecatchingofherMother’sbreath，"weWON’Tknowit。That’sall。"
Whentheycamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，Motherhadalreadygoneout。
"ToLondon，"Ruthsaid，andleftthemtotheirbreakfast。
"There’ssomethingawfulthematter，"saidPeter，breakinghisegg。
"Ruthtoldmelastnightweshouldknowsoonenough。"
"DidyouASKher？"saidRoberta，withscorn。
"Yes，Idid！"saidPeter，angrily。"IfyoucouldgotobedwithoutcaringwhetherMotherwasworriedornot，Icouldn’t。Sothere。"
"Idon’tthinkweoughttoasktheservantsthingsMotherdoesn’ttellus，"saidRoberta。
"That’sright，MissGoody—goody，"saidPeter，"preachaway。"
"I’Mnotgoody，"saidPhyllis，"butIthinkBobbie’srightthistime。"
"Ofcourse。Shealwaysis。Inherownopinion，"saidPeter。
"Oh，DON’T！"criedRoberta，puttingdownheregg—spoon;"don’tlet’sbehorridtoeachother。I’msuresomedirecalamityishappening。
Don’tlet’smakeitworse！"
"Whobegan，Ishouldliketoknow？"saidPeter。
Robertamadeaneffort，andanswered：——
"Idid，Isuppose，but——"
"Well，then，"saidPeter，triumphantly。Butbeforehewenttoschoolhethumpedhissisterbetweentheshouldersandtoldhertocheerup。
Thechildrencamehometooneo’clockdinner，butMotherwasnotthere。Andshewasnotthereattea—time。
Itwasnearlysevenbeforeshecamein，lookingsoillandtiredthatthechildrenfelttheycouldnotaskheranyquestions。Shesankintoanarm—chair。Phyllistookthelongpinsoutofherhat，whileRobertatookoffhergloves，andPeterunfastenedherwalking—
shoesandfetchedhersoftvelvetyslippersforher。
Whenshehadhadacupoftea，andRobertahadputeau—de—Cologneonherpoorheadthatached，Mothersaid：——
"Now，mydarlings，Iwanttotellyousomething。Thosemenlastnightdidbringverybadnews，andFatherwillbeawayforsometime。Iamveryworriedaboutit，andIwantyoualltohelpme，andnottomakethingsharderforme。"
"Asifwewould！"saidRoberta，holdingMother’shandagainstherface。
"Youcanhelpmeverymuch，"saidMother，"bybeinggoodandhappyandnotquarrellingwhenI’maway"——RobertaandPeterexchangedguiltyglances——"forIshallhavetobeawayagooddeal。"
"Wewon’tquarrel。Indeedwewon’t，"saideverybody。Andmeantit，too。
"Then，"Motherwenton，"Iwantyounottoaskmeanyquestionsaboutthistrouble;andnottoaskanybodyelseanyquestions。"
Petercringedandshuffledhisbootsonthecarpet。
"You’llpromisethis，too，won’tyou？"saidMother。
"IdidaskRuth，"saidPeter，suddenly。"I’mverysorry，butI
did。"
"Andwhatdidshesay？"
"ShesaidIshouldknowsoonenough。"
"Itisn’tnecessaryforyoutoknowanythingaboutit，"saidMother;
"it’saboutbusiness，andyouneverdounderstandbusiness，doyou？"
"No，"saidRoberta;"isitsomethingtodowithGovernment？"ForFatherwasinaGovernmentOffice。
"Yes，"saidMother。"Nowit’sbed—time，mydarlings。Anddon’tYOU
worry。It’llallcomerightintheend。"
"Thendon’tYOUworryeither，Mother，"saidPhyllis，"andwe’llallbeasgoodasgold。"
Mothersighedandkissedthem。
"We’llbeginbeinggoodthefirstthingtomorrowmorning，"saidPeter，astheywentupstairs。
"WhynotNOW？"saidRoberta。
"There’snothingtobegoodABOUTnow，silly，"saidPeter。
"WemightbegintotrytoFEELgood，"saidPhyllis，"andnotcallnames。"
"Who’scallingnames？"saidPeter。"BobbieknowsrightenoughthatwhenIsay’silly’，it’sjustthesameasifIsaidBobbie。"
"WELL，"saidRoberta。
"No，Idon’tmeanwhatyoumean。Imeanit’sjusta——whatisitFathercallsit？——agermofendearment！Goodnight。"
Thegirlsfoldeduptheirclotheswithmorethanusualneatness——
whichwastheonlywayofbeinggoodthattheycouldthinkof。
"Isay，"saidPhyllis，smoothingoutherpinafore，"youusedtosayitwassodull——nothinghappening，likeinbooks。NowsomethingHAS
happened。"
"IneverwantedthingstohappentomakeMotherunhappy，"saidRoberta。"Everything’sperfectlyhorrid。"
Everythingcontinuedtobeperfectlyhorridforsomeweeks。
Motherwasnearlyalwaysout。Mealsweredullanddirty。Thebetween—maidwassentaway，andAuntEmmacameonavisit。AuntEmmawasmucholderthanMother。Shewasgoingabroadtobeagoverness。Shewasverybusygettingherclothesready，andtheywereveryugly，dingyclothes，andshehadthemalwayslitteringabout，andthesewing—machineseemedtowhir——onandonalldayandmostofthenight。AuntEmmabelievedinkeepingchildrenintheirproperplaces。Andtheymorethanreturnedthecompliment。TheirideaofAuntEmma’sproperplacewasanywherewheretheywerenot。
Sotheysawverylittleofher。Theypreferredthecompanyoftheservants，whoweremoreamusing。Cook，ifinagoodtemper，couldsingcomicsongs，andthehousemaid，ifshehappenednottobeoffendedwithyou，couldimitateahenthathaslaidanegg，abottleofchampagnebeingopened，andcouldmewliketwocatsfighting。TheservantsnevertoldthechildrenwhatthebadnewswasthatthegentlemenhadbroughttoFather。Buttheykepthintingthattheycouldtellagreatdealiftheychose——andthiswasnotcomfortable。
OnedaywhenPeterhadmadeaboobytrapoverthebath—roomdoor，andithadactedbeautifullyasRuthpassedthrough，thatred—hairedparlour—maidcaughthimandboxedhisears。
"You’llcometoabadend，"shesaidfuriously，"younastylittlelimb，you！Ifyoudon’tmendyourways，you’llgowhereyourpreciousFather’sgone，soItellyoustraight！"
RobertarepeatedthistoherMother，andnextdayRuthwassentaway。
ThencamethetimewhenMothercamehomeandwenttobedandstayedtheretwodaysandtheDoctorcame，andthechildrencreptwretchedlyaboutthehouseandwonderediftheworldwascomingtoanend。
Mothercamedownonemorningtobreakfast，verypaleandwithlinesonherfacethatusednottobethere。Andshesmiled，aswellasshecould，andsaid：——
"Now，mypets，everythingissettled。We’regoingtoleavethishouse，andgoandliveinthecountry。Suchaduckydearlittlewhitehouse。Iknowyou’llloveit。"
Awhirlingweekofpackingfollowed——notjustpackingclothes，likewhenyougototheseaside，butpackingchairsandtables，coveringtheirtopswithsackingandtheirlegswithstraw。
Allsortsofthingswerepackedthatyoudon’tpackwhenyougototheseaside。Crockery，blankets，candlesticks，carpets，bedsteads，saucepans，andevenfendersandfire—irons。
Thehousewaslikeafurniturewarehouse。Ithinkthechildrenenjoyeditverymuch。Motherwasverybusy，butnottoobusynowtotalktothem，andreadtothem，andeventomakeabitofpoetryforPhyllistocheerherupwhenshefelldownwithascrewdriverandranitintoherhand。
"Aren’tyougoingtopackthis，Mother？"Robertaasked，pointingtothebeautifulcabinetinlaidwithredturtleshellandbrass。
"Wecan’ttakeeverything，"saidMother。
"Butweseemtobetakingalltheuglythings，"saidRoberta。
"We’retakingtheusefulones，"saidMother;"we’vegottoplayatbeingPoorforabit，mychickabiddy。"
Whenalltheuglyusefulthingshadbeenpackedupandtakenawayinavanbymeningreen—baizeaprons，thetwogirlsandMotherandAuntEmmasleptinthetwospareroomswherethefurniturewasallpretty。Alltheirbedshadgone。AbedwasmadeupforPeteronthedrawing—roomsofa。
"Isay，thisislarks，"hesaid，wrigglingjoyously，asMothertuckedhimup。"Idolikemoving！Iwishwemovedonceamonth。"
Motherlaughed。
"Idon’t！"shesaid。"Goodnight，Peterkin。"
AssheturnedawayRobertasawherface。Sheneverforgotit。
"Oh，Mother，"shewhisperedalltoherselfasshegotintobed，"howbraveyouare！HowIloveyou！Fancybeingbraveenoughtolaughwhenyou’refeelinglikeTHAT！"
Nextdayboxeswerefilled，andboxesandmoreboxes;andthenlateintheafternoonacabcametotakethemtothestation。
AuntEmmasawthemoff。TheyfeltthatTHEYwereseeingHERoff，andtheyweregladofit。
"But，oh，thosepoorlittleforeignchildrenthatshe’sgoingtogoverness！"whisperedPhyllis。"Iwouldn’tbethemforanything！"
Atfirsttheyenjoyedlookingoutofthewindow，butwhenitgrewdusktheygrewsleepierandsleepier，andnooneknewhowlongtheyhadbeeninthetrainwhentheywererousedbyMother’sshakingthemgentlyandsaying：——
"Wakeup，dears。We’rethere。"
Theywokeup，coldandmelancholy，andstoodshiveringonthedraughtyplatformwhilethebaggagewastakenoutofthetrain。
Thentheengine，puffingandblowing，settoworkagain，anddraggedthetrainaway。Thechildrenwatchedthetail—lightsoftheguard’svandisappearintothedarkness。
Thiswasthefirsttrainthechildrensawonthatrailwaywhichwasintimetobecomesoverydeartothem。Theydidnotguessthenhowtheywouldgrowtolovetherailway，andhowsoonitwouldbecomethecentreoftheirnewlife，norwhatwondersandchangesitwouldbringtothem。Theyonlyshiveredandsneezedandhopedthewalktothenewhousewouldnotbelong。Peter’snosewascolderthanheeverrememberedittohavebeenbefore。Roberta’shatwascrooked，andtheelasticseemedtighterthanusual。Phyllis’sshoe—laceshadcomeundone。
"Come，"saidMother，"we’vegottowalk。Therearen’tanycabshere。"
Thewalkwasdarkandmuddy。Thechildrenstumbledalittleontheroughroad，andoncePhyllisabsentlyfellintoapuddle，andwaspickedupdampandunhappy。Therewerenogas—lampsontheroad，andtheroadwasuphill。Thecartwentatafoot’space，andtheyfollowedthegrittycrunchofitswheels。Astheireyesgotusedtothedarkness，theycouldseethemoundofboxesswayingdimlyinfrontofthem。
Alonggatehadtobeopenedforthecarttopassthrough，andafterthattheroadseemedtogoacrossfields——andnowitwentdownhill。
Presentlyagreatdarklumpishthingshowedovertotheright。
"There’sthehouse，"saidMother。"Iwonderwhyshe’sshuttheshutters。"
"Who’sSHE？"askedRoberta。
"ThewomanIengagedtocleantheplace，andputthefurniturestraightandgetsupper。"
Therewasalowwall，andtreesinside。
"That’sthegarden，"saidMother。
"Itlooksmorelikeadripping—panfullofblackcabbages，"saidPeter。
Thecartwentonalongbythegardenwall，androundtothebackofthehouse，andhereitclatteredintoacobble—stonedyardandstoppedatthebackdoor。
Therewasnolightinanyofthewindows。
Everyonehammeredatthedoor，butnoonecame。
ThemanwhodrovethecartsaidheexpectedMrs。Vineyhadgonehome。
"Youseeyourtrainwasthatlate，"saidhe。
"Butshe’sgotthekey，"saidMother。"Whatarewetodo？"
"Oh，she’llhaveleftthatunderthedoorstep，"saidthecartman;
"folksdohereabouts。"Hetookthelanternoffhiscartandstooped。
"Ay，hereitis，rightenough，"hesaid。
Heunlockedthedoorandwentinandsethislanternonthetable。
"Gote’eracandle？"saidhe。
"Idon’tknowwhereanythingis。"Motherspokeratherlesscheerfullythanusual。
Hestruckamatch。Therewasacandleonthetable，andhelightedit。Byitsthinlittleglimmerthechildrensawalargebarekitchenwithastonefloor。Therewerenocurtains，nohearth—rug。
Thekitchentablefromhomestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Thechairswereinonecorner，andthepots，pans，brooms，andcrockeryinanother。Therewasnofire，andtheblackgrateshowedcold，deadashes。
Asthecartmanturnedtogooutafterhehadbroughtintheboxes，therewasarustling，scamperingsoundthatseemedtocomefrominsidethewallsofthehouse。
"Oh，what’sthat？"criedthegirls。
"It’sonlytherats，"saidthecartman。Andhewentawayandshutthedoor，andthesuddendraughtofitblewoutthecandle。
"Oh，dear，"saidPhyllis，"Iwishwehadn’tcome！"andsheknockedachairover。
"ONLYtherats！"saidPeter，inthedark。
ChapterII。Peter’scoal—mine。
"Whatfun！"saidMother，inthedark，feelingforthematchesonthetable。"Howfrightenedthepoormicewere——Idon’tbelievetheywereratsatall。"
Shestruckamatchandrelightedthecandleandeveryonelookedateachotherbyitswinky，blinkylight。
"Well，"shesaid，"you’veoftenwantedsomethingtohappenandnowithas。Thisisquiteanadventure，isn’tit？ItoldMrs。Vineytogetussomebreadandbutter，andmeatandthings，andtohavesupperready。Isupposeshe’slaiditinthedining—room。Solet’sgoandsee。"
Thedining—roomopenedoutofthekitchen。Itlookedmuchdarkerthanthekitchenwhentheywentinwiththeonecandle。Becausethekitchenwaswhitewashed，butthedining—roomwasdarkwoodfromfloortoceiling，andacrosstheceilingtherewereheavyblackbeams。Therewasamuddledmazeofdustyfurniture——thebreakfast—
roomfurniturefromtheoldhomewheretheyhadlivedalltheirlives。Itseemedaverylongtimeago，andaverylongwayoff。
Therewasthetablecertainly，andtherewerechairs，buttherewasnosupper。
"Let’slookintheotherrooms，"saidMother;andtheylooked。Andineachroomwasthesamekindofblunderinghalf—arrangementoffurniture，andfire—ironsandcrockery，andallsortsofoddthingsonthefloor，buttherewasnothingtoeat;eveninthepantrytherewereonlyarustycake—tinandabrokenplatewithwhiteningmixedinit。
"Whatahorridoldwoman！"saidMother;"she’sjustwalkedoffwiththemoneyandnotgotusanythingtoeatatall。"
"Thenshan’twehaveanysupperatall？"askedPhyllis，dismayed，steppingbackontoasoap—dishthatcrackedresponsively。
"Oh，yes，"saidMother，"onlyit’llmeanunpackingoneofthosebigcasesthatweputinthecellar。Phil，domindwhereyou’rewalkingto，there’sadear。Peter，holdthelight。"
Thecellardooropenedoutofthekitchen。Therewerefivewoodenstepsleadingdown。Itwasn’tapropercellaratall，thechildrenthought，becauseitsceilingwentupashighasthekitchen’s。A
bacon—rackhungunderitsceiling。Therewaswoodinit，andcoal。
Alsothebigcases。
Peterheldthecandle，allononeside，whileMothertriedtoopenthegreatpacking—case。Itwasverysecurelynaileddown。
"Where’sthehammer？"askedPeter。
"That’sjustit，"saidMother。"I’mafraidit’sinsidethebox。
Butthere’sacoal—shovel——andthere’sthekitchenpoker。"
Andwiththeseshetriedtogetthecaseopen。
"Letmedoit，"saidPeter，thinkinghecoulddoitbetterhimself。
Everyonethinksthiswhenheseesanotherpersonstirringafire，oropeningabox，oruntyingaknotinabitofstring。
"You’llhurtyourhands，Mammy，"saidRoberta;"letme。"
"IwishFatherwashere，"saidPhyllis;"he’dgetitopenintwoshakes。Whatareyoukickingmefor，Bobbie？"
"Iwasn’t，"saidRoberta。
Justthenthefirstofthelongnailsinthepacking—casebegantocomeoutwithascrunch。Thenalathwasraisedandthenanother，tillallfourstoodupwiththelongnailsinthemshiningfiercelylikeironteethinthecandle—light。
"Hooray！"saidMother;"herearesomecandles——theveryfirstthing！
Yougirlsgoandlightthem。You’llfindsomesaucersandthings。
Justdropalittlecandle—greaseinthesaucerandstickthecandleuprightinit。"
"Howmanyshallwelight？"
"Asmanyaseveryoulike，"saidMother，gaily。"Thegreatthingistobecheerful。Nobodycanbecheerfulinthedarkexceptowlsanddormice。"
Sothegirlslightedcandles。TheheadofthefirstmatchflewoffandstucktoPhyllis’sfinger;but，asRobertasaid，itwasonlyalittleburn，andshemighthavehadtobeaRomanmartyrandbeburnedwholeifshehadhappenedtoliveinthedayswhenthosethingswerefashionable。
Then，whenthedining—roomwaslightedbyfourteencandles，Robertafetchedcoalandwoodandlightedafire。
"It’sverycoldforMay，"shesaid，feelingwhatagrown—upthingitwastosay。
Thefire—lightandthecandle—lightmadethedining—roomlookverydifferent，fornowyoucouldseethatthedarkwallswereofwood，carvedhereandthereintolittlewreathsandloops。
Thegirlshastily’tidied’theroom，whichmeantputtingthechairsagainstthewall，andpilingalltheoddsandendsintoacornerandpartlyhidingthemwiththebigleatherarm—chairthatFatherusedtositinafterdinner。
"Bravo！"criedMother，cominginwithatrayfullofthings。"Thisissomethinglike！I’lljustgetatableclothandthen——"
Thetableclothwasinaboxwithaproperlockthatwasopenedwithakeyandnotwithashovel，andwhentheclothwasspreadonthetable，arealfeastwaslaidoutonit。
Everyonewasvery，verytired，buteveryonecheeredupatthesightofthefunnyanddelightfulsupper。Therewerebiscuits，theMarieandtheplainkind，sardines，preservedginger，cookingraisins，andcandiedpeelandmarmalade。
"WhatagoodthingAuntEmmapackedupalltheoddsandendsoutoftheStorecupboard，"saidMother。"Now，Phil，DON’Tputthemarmaladespooninamongthesardines。"
"No，Iwon’t，Mother，"saidPhyllis，andputitdownamongtheMariebiscuits。
"Let’sdrinkAuntEmma’shealth，"saidRoberta，suddenly;"whatshouldwehavedoneifshehadn’tpackedupthesethings？Here’stoAuntEmma！"
Andthetoastwasdrunkingingerwineandwater，outofwillow—
patternedtea—cups，becausetheglassescouldn’tbefound。
TheyallfeltthattheyhadbeenalittlehardonAuntEmma。Shewasn’tanicecuddlypersonlikeMother，butafterallitwasshewhohadthoughtofpackinguptheoddsandendsofthingstoeat。
ItwasAuntEmma，too，whohadairedallthesheetsready;andthemenwhohadmovedthefurniturehadputthebedsteadstogether，sothebedsweresoonmade。
"Goodnight，chickies，"saidMother。"I’msuretherearen’tanyrats。ButI’llleavemydooropen，andthenifamousecomes，youneedonlyscream，andI’llcomeandtellitexactlywhatIthinkofit。"
Thenshewenttoherownroom。Robertawoketohearthelittletravellingclockchimetwo。Itsoundedlikeachurchclockeversofaraway，shealwaysthought。Andsheheard，too，Motherstillmovingaboutinherroom。
NextmorningRobertawokePhyllisbypullingherhairgently，butquiteenoughforherpurpose。
"Wassermarrer？"askedPhyllis，stillalmostwhollyasleep。
"Wakeup！wakeup！"saidRoberta。"We’reinthenewhouse——don’tyouremember？Noservantsoranything。Let’sgetupandbegintobeuseful。We’lljustcreepdownmouse—quietly，andhaveeverythingbeautifulbeforeMothergetsup。I’vewokePeter。He’llbedressedassoonasweare。"
Sotheydressedquietlyandquickly。Ofcourse，therewasnowaterintheirroom，sowhentheygotdowntheywashedasmuchastheythoughtwasnecessaryunderthespoutofthepumpintheyard。Onepumpedandtheotherwashed。Itwassplashybutinteresting。
"It’smuchmorefunthanbasinwashing，"saidRoberta。"Howsparklytheweedsarebetweenthestones，andthemossontheroof——oh，andtheflowers！"
Theroofofthebackkitchenslopeddownquitelow。Itwasmadeofthatchandithadmossonit，andhouse—leeksandstonecropandwallflowers，andevenaclumpofpurpleflag—flowers，atthefarcorner。
"Thisisfar，far，farandawayprettierthanEdgecombeVilla，"saidPhyllis。"Iwonderwhatthegarden’slike。"
"Wemustn’tthinkofthegardenyet，"saidRoberta，withearnestenergy。"Let’sgoinandbegintowork。"
Theylightedthefireandputthekettleon，andtheyarrangedthecrockeryforbreakfast;theycouldnotfindalltherightthings，butaglassash—traymadeanexcellentsalt—cellar，andanewishbaking—tinseemedasifitwoulddotoputbreadon，iftheyhadany。
Whenthereseemedtobenothingmorethattheycoulddo，theywentoutagainintothefreshbrightmorning。
"We’llgointothegardennow，"saidPeter。Butsomehowtheycouldn’tfindthegarden。Theywentroundthehouseandroundthehouse。Theyardoccupiedtheback，andacrossitwerestablesandoutbuildings。Ontheotherthreesidesthehousestoodsimplyinafield，withoutayardofgardentodivideitfromtheshortsmoothturf。Andyettheyhadcertainlyseenthegardenwallthenightbefore。
Itwasahillycountry。Downbelowtheycouldseethelineoftherailway，andtheblackyawningmouthofatunnel。Thestationwasoutofsight。Therewasagreatbridgewithtallarchesrunningacrossoneendofthevalley。
"Nevermindthegarden，"saidPeter;"let’sgodownandlookattherailway。Theremightbetrainspassing。"
"Wecanseethemfromhere，"saidRoberta，slowly;"let’ssitdownabit。"
Sotheyallsatdownonagreatflatgreystonethathadpusheditselfupoutofthegrass;itwasoneofmanythatlayaboutonthehillside，andwhenMothercameouttolookforthemateighto’clock，shefoundthemdeeplyasleepinacontented，sun—warmedbunch。
Theyhadmadeanexcellentfire，andhadsetthekettleonitatabouthalf—pastfive。Sothatbyeightthefirehadbeenoutforsometime，thewaterhadallboiledaway，andthebottomwasburnedoutofthekettle。Alsotheyhadnotthoughtofwashingthecrockerybeforetheysetthetable。
"Butitdoesn’tmatter——thecupsandsaucers，Imean，"saidMother。
"BecauseI’vefoundanotherroom——I’dquiteforgottentherewasone。
Andit’smagic！AndI’veboiledthewaterforteainasaucepan。"
Theforgottenroomopenedoutofthekitchen。Intheagitationandhalfdarknessthenightbeforeitsdoorhadbeenmistakenforacupboard’s。Itwasalittlesquareroom，andonitstable，allnicelysetout，wasajointofcoldroastbeef，withbread，butter，cheese，andapie。
"Pieforbreakfast！"criedPeter;"howperfectlyripping！"
"Itisn’tpigeon—pie，"saidMother;"it’sonlyapple。Well，thisisthesupperweoughttohavehadlastnight。AndtherewasanotefromMrs。Viney。Herson—in—lawhasbrokenhisarm，andshehadtogethomeearly。She’scomingthismorningatten。"
Thatwasawonderfulbreakfast。Itisunusualtobeginthedaywithcoldapplepie，butthechildrenallsaidtheywouldratherhaveitthanmeat。
"Youseeit’smorelikedinnerthanbreakfasttous，"saidPeter，passinghisplateformore，"becausewewereupsoearly。"
ThedaypassedinhelpingMothertounpackandarrangethings。Sixsmalllegsquiteachedwithrunningaboutwhiletheirownerscarriedclothesandcrockeryandallsortsofthingstotheirproperplaces。
ItwasnottillquitelateintheafternoonthatMothersaid：——
"There！That’lldoforto—day。I’llliedownforanhour，soastobeasfreshasalarkbysupper—time。"
Thentheyalllookedateachother。Eachofthethreeexpressivecountenancesexpressedthesamethought。Thatthoughtwasdouble，andconsisted，likethebitsofinformationintheChild’sGuidetoKnowledge，ofaquestionandananswer。
Q。Whereshallwego？
A。Totherailway。
Sototherailwaytheywent，andassoonastheystartedfortherailwaytheysawwherethegardenhadhiddenitself。Itwasrightbehindthestables，andithadahighwallallround。
"Oh，nevermindaboutthegardennow！"criedPeter。"Mothertoldmethismorningwhereitwas。It’llkeeptillto—morrow。Let’sgettotherailway。"
Thewaytotherailwaywasalldownhilloversmooth，shortturfwithhereandtherefurzebushesandgreyandyellowrocksstickingoutlikecandiedpeelfromthetopofacake。
Thewayendedinasteeprunandawoodenfence——andtherewastherailwaywiththeshiningmetalsandthetelegraphwiresandpostsandsignals。
Theyallclimbedontothetopofthefence，andthensuddenlytherewasarumblingsoundthatmadethemlookalongthelinetotheright，wherethedarkmouthofatunnelopeneditselfinthefaceofarockycliff;nextmomentatrainhadrushedoutofthetunnelwithashriekandasnort，andhadslidnoisilypastthem。Theyfelttherushofitspassing，andthepebblesonthelinejumpedandrattledunderitasitwentby。
"Oh！"saidRoberta，drawingalongbreath;"itwaslikeagreatdragontearingby。Didyoufeelitfanuswithitshotwings？"
"Isupposeadragon’slairmightlookverylikethattunnelfromtheoutside，"saidPhyllis。
ButPetersaid：——
"Ineverthoughtweshouldevergetasneartoatrainasthis。
It’sthemostrippingsport！"
"Betterthantoy—engines，isn’tit？"saidRoberta。
（IamtiredofcallingRobertabyhername。Idon’tseewhyI
should。Nooneelsedid。EveryoneelsecalledherBobbie，andI
don’tseewhyIshouldn’t。）
"Idon’tknow;it’sdifferent，"saidPeter。"ItseemssooddtoseeALLofatrain。It’sawfullytall，isn’tit？"
"We’vealwaysseenthemcutinhalfbyplatforms，"saidPhyllis。
"IwonderifthattrainwasgoingtoLondon，"Bobbiesaid。
"London’swhereFatheris。"
"Let’sgodowntothestationandfindout，"saidPeter。
Sotheywent。
Theywalkedalongtheedgeoftheline，andheardthetelegraphwireshummingovertheirheads。Whenyouareinthetrain，itseemssuchalittlewaybetweenpostandpost，andoneafteranotherthepostsseemtocatchupthewiresalmostmorequicklythanyoucancountthem。Butwhenyouhavetowalk，thepostsseemfewandfarbetween。
Butthechildrengottothestationatlast。
Neverbeforehadanyofthembeenatastation，exceptforthepurposeofcatchingtrains——orperhapswaitingforthem——andalwayswithgrown—upsinattendance，grown—upswhowerenotthemselvesinterestedinstations，exceptasplacesfromwhichtheywishedtogetaway。
Neverbeforehadtheypassedcloseenoughtoasignal—boxtobeabletonoticethewires，andtohearthemysterious’ping，ping，’
followedbythestrong，firmclickingofmachinery。
Theverysleepersonwhichtherailslaywereadelightfulpathtotravelby——justfarenoughaparttoserveasthestepping—stonesinagameoffoamingtorrentshastilyorganisedbyBobbie。
Thentoarriveatthestation，notthroughthebookingoffice，butinafreebootingsortofwaybytheslopingendoftheplatform。
Thisinitselfwasjoy。
Joy，too，itwastopeepintotheporters’room，wherethelampsare，andtheRailwayalmanaconthewall，andoneporterhalfasleepbehindapaper。
Therewereagreatmanycrossinglinesatthestation;someofthemjustranintoayardandstoppedshort，asthoughtheyweretiredofbusinessandmeanttoretireforgood。Trucksstoodontherailshere，andononesidewasagreatheapofcoal——notalooseheap，suchasyouseeinyourcoalcellar，butasortofsolidbuildingofcoalswithlargesquareblocksofcoaloutsideusedjustasthoughtheywerebricks，andbuiltuptilltheheaplookedlikethepictureoftheCitiesofthePlainin’BibleStoriesforInfants。’Therewasalineofwhitewashnearthetopofthecoalywall。
WhenpresentlythePorterloungedoutofhisroomatthetwice—
repeatedtinglingthrillofagongoverthestationdoor，Petersaid，"Howdoyoudo？"inhisbestmanner，andhastenedtoaskwhatthewhitemarkwasonthecoalfor。
"Tomarkhowmuchcoaltherebe，"saidthePorter，"soaswe’llknowifanyonenicksit。Sodon’tyougooffwithnoneinyourpockets，younggentleman！"
Thisseemed，atthetimebutamerryjest，andPeterfeltatoncethatthePorterwasafriendlysortwithnononsenseabouthim。ButlaterthewordscamebacktoPeterwithanewmeaning。
Haveyouevergoneintoafarmhousekitchenonabakingday，andseenthegreatcrockofdoughsetbythefiretorise？Ifyouhave，andifyouwereatthattimestillyoungenoughtobeinterestedineverythingyousaw，youwillrememberthatyoufoundyourselfquiteunabletoresistthetemptationtopokeyourfingerintothesoftroundofdoughthatcurvedinsidethepanlikeagiantmushroom。
Andyouwillrememberthatyourfingermadeadentinthedough，andthatslowly，butquitesurely，thedentdisappeared，andthedoughlookedquitethesameasitdidbeforeyoutouchedit。Unless，ofcourse，yourhandwasextradirty，inwhichcase，naturally，therewouldbealittleblackmark。
Well，itwasjustlikethatwiththesorrowthechildrenhadfeltatFather’sgoingaway，andatMother’sbeingsounhappy。Itmadeadeepimpression，buttheimpressiondidnotlastlong。
TheysoongotusedtobeingwithoutFather，thoughtheydidnotforgethim;andtheygotusedtonotgoingtoschool，andtoseeingverylittleofMother，whowasnowalmostalldayshutupinherupstairsroomwriting，writing，writing。Sheusedtocomedownattea—timeandreadaloudthestoriesshehadwritten。Theywerelovelystories。
Therocksandhillsandvalleysandtrees，thecanal，andaboveall，therailway，weresonewandsoperfectlypleasingthattheremembranceoftheoldlifeinthevillagrewtoseemalmostlikeadream。
Motherhadtoldthemmorethanoncethattheywere’quitepoornow，’
butthisdidnotseemtobeanythingbutawayofspeaking。Grown—
uppeople，evenMothers，oftenmakeremarksthatdon’tseemtomeananythinginparticular，justforthesakeofsayingsomething，seemingly。Therewasalwaysenoughtoeat，andtheyworethesamekindofniceclothestheyhadalwaysworn。
ButinJunecamethreewetdays;theraincamedown，straightaslances，anditwasvery，verycold。Nobodycouldgoout，andeverybodyshivered。TheyallwentuptothedoorofMother’sroomandknocked。
"Well，whatisit？"askedMotherfrominside。
"Mother，"saidBobbie，"mayn’tIlightafire？Idoknowhow。"
AndMothersaid："No，myducky—love。Wemustn’thavefiresinJune——coalissodear。Ifyou’recold，goandhaveagoodrompintheattic。That’llwarmyou。"
"But，Mother，itonlytakessuchaverylittlecoaltomakeafire。"
"It’smorethanwecanafford，chickeny—love，"saidMother，cheerfully。"Nowrunaway，there’sdarlings——I’mmadlybusy！"
"Mother’salwaysbusynow，"saidPhyllis，inawhispertoPeter。
Peterdidnotanswer。Heshruggedhisshoulders。Hewasthinking。
Thought，however，couldnotlongkeepitselffromthesuitablefurnishingofabandit’slairintheattic。Peterwasthebandit，ofcourse。Bobbiewashislieutenant，hisbandoftrustyrobbers，and，induecourse，theparentofPhyllis，whowasthecapturedmaidenforwhomamagnificentransom——inhorse—beans——wasunhesitatinglypaid。
Theyallwentdowntoteaflushedandjoyousasanymountainbrigands。
ButwhenPhylliswasgoingtoaddjamtoherbreadandbutter，Mothersaid：——
"JamORbutter，dear——notjamANDbutter。Wecan’taffordthatsortofrecklessluxurynowadays。"
Phyllisfinishedthesliceofbreadandbutterinsilence，andfolloweditupbybreadandjam。Petermingledthoughtandweaktea。
Afterteatheywentbacktotheatticandhesaidtohissisters：——
"Ihaveanidea。"
"What’sthat？"theyaskedpolitely。
"Ishan’ttellyou，"wasPeter’sunexpectedrejoinder。
"Oh，verywell，"saidBobbie;andPhilsaid，"Don’t，then。"
"Girls，"saidPeter，"arealwayssohastytempered。"
"Ishouldliketoknowwhatboysare？"saidBobbie，withfinedisdain。"Idon’twanttoknowaboutyoursillyideas。"
"You’llknowsomeday，"saidPeter，keepinghisowntemperbywhatlookedexactlylikeamiracle;"ifyouhadn’tbeensokeenonarow，Imighthavetoldyouaboutitbeingonlynoble—heartednessthatmademenottellyoumyidea。ButnowIshan’ttellyouanythingatallaboutit——sothere！"
Anditwas，indeed，sometimebeforehecouldbeinducedtosayanything，andwhenhediditwasn’tmuch。Hesaid：——
"TheonlyreasonwhyIwon’ttellyoumyideathatI’mgoingtodoisbecauseitMAYbewrong，andIdon’twanttodragyouintoit。"
"Don’tyoudoitifit’swrong，Peter，"saidBobbie;"letmedoit。"
ButPhyllissaid：——
"_I_shouldliketodowrongifYOU’REgoingto！"
"No，"saidPeter，rathertouchedbythisdevotion;"it’saforlornhope，andI’mgoingtoleadit。AllIaskisthatifMotheraskswhereIam，youwon’tblab。"
"Wehaven’tgotanythingTOblab，"saidBobbie，indignantly。
"Oh，yes，youhave！"saidPeter，droppinghorse—beansthroughhisfingers。"I’vetrustedyoutothedeath。YouknowI’mgoingtodoaloneadventure——andsomepeoplemightthinkitwrong——Idon’t。
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