I’vebeeninherhouseandIknow。AndthenshetoldmeabouttheClub，andIthoughtI’daskyou——and——oh，Idon’twantMothertobeworried！Can’twebeintheClub，too，thesameasMrs。Viney？"
TheDoctorwassilent。Hewasratherpoorhimself，andhehadbeenpleasedatgettinganewfamilytoattend。SoIthinkhisfeelingsatthatminutewererathermixed。
"Youaren’tcrosswithme，areyou？"saidBobbie，inaverysmallvoice。
TheDoctorrousedhimself。
"Cross？HowcouldIbe？You’reaverysensiblelittlewoman。Nowlookhere，don’tyouworry。I’llmakeitallrightwithyourMother，evenifIhavetomakeaspecialbrand—newCluballforher。
Lookhere，thisiswheretheAqueductbegins。"
"What’sanAque——what’sitsname？"askedBobbie。
"Awaterbridge，"saidtheDoctor。"Look。"
Theroadrosetoabridgeoverthecanal。Totheleftwasasteeprockycliffwithtreesandshrubsgrowinginthecracksoftherock。
Andthecanalhereleftoffrunningalongthetopofthehillandstartedtorunonabridgeofitsown——agreatbridgewithtallarchesthatwentrightacrossthevalley。
Bobbiedrewalongbreath。
"ItISgrand，isn’tit？"shesaid。"It’slikepicturesintheHistoryofRome。"
"Right！"saidtheDoctor，"that’sjustexactlywhatitISlike。TheRomansweredeadnutsonaqueducts。It’sasplendidpieceofengineering。"
"Ithoughtengineeringwasmakingengines。"
"Ah，therearedifferentsortsofengineering——makingroadandbridgesandtunnelsisonekind。Andmakingfortificationsisanother。Well，wemustbeturningback。And，remember，youaren’ttoworryaboutdoctor’sbillsoryou’llbeillyourself，andthenI’llsendyouinabillaslongastheaqueduct。"
WhenBobbiehadpartedfromtheDoctoratthetopofthefieldthatrandownfromtheroadtoThreeChimneys，shecouldnotfeelthatshehaddonewrong。SheknewthatMotherwouldperhapsthinkdifferently。ButBobbiefeltthatforonceshewastheonewhowasright，andshescrambleddowntherockyslopewithareallyhappyfeeling。
PhyllisandPetermetheratthebackdoor。Theywereunnaturallycleanandneat，andPhyllishadaredbowinherhair。TherewasonlyjusttimeforBobbietomakeherselftidyandtieupherhairwithabluebowbeforealittlebellrang。
"There！"saidPhyllis，"that’stoshowthesurpriseisready。Nowyouwaittillthebellringsagainandthenyoumaycomeintothedining—room。"
SoBobbiewaited。
"Tinkle，tinkle，"saidthelittlebell，andBobbiewentintothedining—room，feelingrathershy。Directlysheopenedthedoorshefoundherself，asitseemed，inanewworldoflightandflowersandsinging。MotherandPeterandPhylliswerestandinginarowattheendofthetable。Theshutterswereshutandthereweretwelvecandlesonthetable，oneforeachofRoberta’syears。Thetablewascoveredwithasortofpatternofflowers，andatRoberta’splacewasathickwreathofforget—me—notsandseveralmostinterestinglittlepackages。AndMotherandPhyllisandPeterweresinging——tothefirstpartofthetuneofSt。Patrick’sDay。
RobertaknewthatMotherhadwrittenthewordsonpurposeforherbirthday。ItwasalittlewayofMother’sonbirthdays。IthadbegunonBobbie’sfourthbirthdaywhenPhylliswasababy。BobbierememberedlearningtheversestosaytoFather’forasurprise。’
ShewonderedifMotherhadremembered，too。Thefour—year—oldversehadbeen：——
Daddydear，I’monlyfourAndI’drathernotbemore。
Four’sthenicestagetobe，Twoandtwoandoneandthree。
WhatIloveistwoandtwo，Mother，Peter，Phil，andyou。
Whatyouloveisoneandthree，Mother，Peter，Phil，andme。
GiveyourlittlegirlakissBecauseshelearnedandtoldyouthis。
Thesongtheothersweresingingnowwentlikethis：——
OurdarlingRoberta，NosorrowshallhurtherIfwecanpreventitHerwholelifelong。
Herbirthday’sourfeteday，We’llmakeitourgreatday，AndgiveherourpresentsAndsingheroursong。
MaypleasuresattendherAndmaytheFatessendherThehappiestjourneyAlongherlife’sway。
WithskiesbrightaboveherAnddearonestoloveher！
DearBob！ManyhappyReturnsoftheday！
Whentheyhadfinishedsingingtheycried，"ThreecheersforourBobbie！"andgavethemveryloudly。Bobbiefeltexactlyasthoughsheweregoingtocry——youknowthatoddfeelinginthebridgeofyournoseandtheprickinginyoureyelids？Butbeforeshehadtimetobegintheywereallkissingandhuggingher。
"Now，"saidMother，"lookatyourpresents。"
Theywereverynicepresents。Therewasagreenandredneedle—bookthatPhyllishadmadeherselfinsecretmoments。TherewasadarlinglittlesilverbroochofMother’sshapedlikeabuttercup，whichBobbiehadknownandlovedforyears，butwhichshehadnever，neverthoughtwouldcometobeherveryown。TherewasalsoapairofblueglassvasesfromMrs。Viney。Robertahadseenandadmiredtheminthevillageshop。Andtherewerethreebirthdaycardswithprettypicturesandwishes。
Motherfittedtheforget—me—notcrownonBobbie’sbrownhead。
"Andnowlookatthetable，"shesaid。
Therewasacakeonthetablecoveredwithwhitesugar，with’DearBobbie’onitinpinksweets，andtherewerebunsandjam;butthenicestthingwasthatthebigtablewasalmostcoveredwithflowers—
—wallflowerswerelaidallroundthetea—tray——therewasaringofforget—me—notsroundeachplate。Thecakehadawreathofwhitelilacroundit，andinthemiddlewassomethingthatlookedlikeapatternalldonewithsinglebloomsoflilacorwallflowerorlaburnum。
"It’samap——amapoftherailway！"criedPeter。"Look——thoselilaclinesarethemetals——andthere’sthestationdoneinbrownwallflowers。Thelaburnumisthetrain，andtherearethesignal—
boxes，andtheroaduptohere——andthosefatreddaisiesareusthreewavingtotheoldgentleman——that’shim，thepansyinthelaburnumtrain。"
"Andthere’s’ThreeChimneys’doneinthepurpleprimroses，"saidPhyllis。"Andthatlittletinyrose—budisMotherlookingoutforuswhenwe’relatefortea。Peterinventeditall，andwegotalltheflowersfromthestation。Wethoughtyou’dlikeitbetter。"
"That’smypresent，"saidPeter，suddenlydumpingdownhisadoredsteam—engineonthetableinfrontofher。Itstenderhadbeenlinedwithfreshwhitepaper，andwasfullofsweets。
"Oh，Peter！"criedBobbie，quiteovercomebythismunificence，"notyourowndearlittleenginethatyou’resofondof？"
"Oh，no，"saidPeter，verypromptly，"nottheengine。Onlythesweets。"
Bobbiecouldn’thelpherfacechangingalittle——notsomuchbecauseshewasdisappointedatnotgettingtheengine，asbecauseshehadthoughtitsoverynobleofPeter，andnowshefeltshehadbeensillytothinkit。Alsoshefeltshemusthaveseemedgreedytoexpecttheengineaswellasthesweets。Soherfacechanged。
Petersawit。Hehesitatedaminute;thenhisfacechanged，too，andhesaid："ImeannotALLtheengine。I’llletyougohalvesifyoulike。"
"You’reabrick，"criedBobbie;"it’sasplendidpresent。"Shesaidnomorealoud，buttoherselfshesaid：——
"ThatwasawfullyjollydecentofPeterbecauseIknowhedidn’tmeanto。Well，thebrokenhalfshallbemyhalfoftheengine，andI’llgetitmendedandgiveitbacktoPeterforhisbirthday。"——
"Yes，Motherdear，Ishouldliketocutthecake，"sheadded，andteabegan。
Itwasadelightfulbirthday。AfterteaMotherplayedgameswiththem——anygametheyliked——andofcoursetheirfirstchoicewasblindman’s—buff，inthecourseofwhichBobbie’sforget—me—notwreathtwisteditselfcrookedlyoveroneofherearsandstayedthere。Then，whenitwasnearbed—timeandtimetocalmdown，Motherhadalovelynewstorytoreadtothem。
"Youwon’tsituplateworking，willyou，Mother？"Bobbieaskedastheysaidgoodnight。
AndMothersaidno，shewouldn’t——shewouldonlyjustwritetoFatherandthengotobed。
ButwhenBobbiecreptdownlatertobringupherpresents——forshefeltshereallycouldnotbeseparatedfromthemallnight——Motherwasnotwriting，butleaningherheadonherarmsandherarmsonthetable。IthinkitwasrathergoodofBobbietoslipquietlyaway，sayingoverandover，"Shedoesn’twantmetoknowshe’sunhappy，andIwon’tknow;Iwon’tknow。"Butitmadeasadendtothebirthday。
******
TheverynextmorningBobbiebegantowatchheropportunitytogetPeter’senginemendedsecretly。Andtheopportunitycametheverynextafternoon。
Motherwentbytraintothenearesttowntodoshopping。Whenshewentthere，shealwayswenttothePost—office。PerhapstopostherletterstoFather，forshenevergavethemtothechildrenorMrs。
Vineytopost，andsheneverwenttothevillageherself。PeterandPhylliswentwithher。Bobbiewantedanexcusenottogo，buttryasshewouldshecouldn’tthinkofagoodone。Andjustwhenshefeltthatallwaslost，herfrockcaughtonabignailbythekitchendoorandtherewasagreatcriss—crosstearallalongthefrontoftheskirt。Iassureyouthiswasreallyanaccident。Sotheotherspitiedherandwentwithouther，fortherewasnotimeforhertochange，becausetheywereratherlatealreadyandhadtohurrytothestationtocatchthetrain。
Whentheyhadgone，Bobbieputonhereverydayfrock，andwentdowntotherailway。Shedidnotgointothestation，butshewentalongthelinetotheendoftheplatformwheretheengineiswhenthedowntrainisalongsidetheplatform——theplacewherethereareawatertankandalong，limp，leatherhose，likeanelephant’strunk。
Shehidbehindabushontheothersideoftherailway。Shehadthetoyenginedoneupinbrownpaper，andshewaitedpatientlywithitunderherarm。
Thenwhenthenexttraincameinandstopped，Bobbiewentacrossthemetalsoftheup—lineandstoodbesidetheengine。Shehadneverbeensoclosetoanenginebefore。Itlookedmuchlargerandharderthanshehadexpected，anditmadeherfeelverysmallindeed，and，somehow，verysoft——asifshecouldvery，veryeasilybehurtratherbadly。
"Iknowwhatsilk—wormsfeellikenow，"saidBobbietoherself。
Theengine—driverandfiremandidnotseeher。Theywereleaningoutontheotherside，tellingthePorterataleaboutadogandalegofmutton。
"Ifyouplease，"saidRoberta——buttheenginewasblowingoffsteamandnooneheardher。
"Ifyouplease，Mr。Engineer，"shespokealittlelouder，buttheEnginehappenedtospeakatthesamemoment，andofcourseRoberta’ssoftlittlevoicehadn’tachance。
Itseemedtoherthattheonlywaywouldbetoclimbontotheengineandpullattheircoats。Thestepwashigh，butshegotherkneeonit，andclamberedintothecab;shestumbledandfellonhandsandkneesonthebaseofthegreatheapofcoalsthatleduptothesquareopeninginthetender。Theenginewasnotabovetheweaknessesofitsfellows;itwasmakingagreatdealmorenoisethantherewastheslightestneedfor。AndjustasRobertafellonthecoals，theengine—driver，whohadturnedwithoutseeingher，startedtheengine，andwhenBobbiehadpickedherselfup，thetrainwasmoving——notfast，butmuchtoofastforhertogetoff。
Allsortsofdreadfulthoughtscametoheralltogetherinonehorribleflash。Thereweresuchthingsasexpresstrainsthatwenton，shesupposed，forhundredsofmileswithoutstopping。Supposethisshouldbeoneofthem？Howwouldshegethomeagain？Shehadnomoneytopayforthereturnjourney。
"AndI’venobusinesshere。I’manengine—burglar——that’swhatI
am，"shethought。"Ishouldn’twonderiftheycouldlockmeupforthis。"Andthetrainwasgoingfasterandfaster。
Therewassomethinginherthroatthatmadeitimpossibleforhertospeak。Shetriedtwice。Themenhadtheirbackstoher。Theyweredoingsomethingtothingsthatlookedliketaps。
Suddenlysheputoutherhandandcaughtholdofthenearestsleeve。
Themanturnedwithastart，andheandRobertastoodforaminutelookingateachotherinsilence。Thenthesilencewasbrokenbythemboth。
Themansaid，"Here’sabloomin’go！"andRobertaburstintotears。
Theothermansaidhewasbloomingwellblest——orsomethinglikeit—
—butthoughnaturallysurprisedtheywerenotexactlyunkind。
"You’reanaughtylittlegell，that’swhatyouare，"saidthefireman，andtheengine—driversaid：——
"Daringlittlepiece，Icallher，"buttheymadehersitdownonanironseatinthecabandtoldhertostopcryingandtellthemwhatshemeantbyit。
Shedidstop，assoonasshecould。OnethingthathelpedherwasthethoughtthatPeterwouldgivealmosthisearstobeinherplace——onarealengine——reallygoing。Thechildrenhadoftenwonderedwhetheranyengine—drivercouldbefoundnobleenoughtotakethemforarideonanengine——andnowthereshewas。Shedriedhereyesandsniffedearnestly。
"Now，then，"saidthefireman，"outwithit。Whatdoyoumeanbyit，eh？"
"Oh，please，"sniffedBobbie。
"Tryagain，"saidtheengine—driver，encouragingly。
Bobbietriedagain。
"Please，Mr。Engineer，"shesaid，"Ididcallouttoyoufromtheline，butyoudidn’thearme——andIjustclimbeduptotouchyouonthearm——quitegentlyImeanttodoit——andthenIfellintothecoals——andIamsosorryifIfrightenedyou。Oh，don’tbecross——
oh，pleasedon’t！"Shesniffedagain。
"Weain’tsomuchCROSS，"saidthefireman，"asinterestedlike。Itain’teverydayalittlegelltumblesintoourcoalbunkerouterthesky，isit，Bill？WhatdidyouDOitfor——eh？"
"That’sthepoint，"agreedtheengine—driver;"whatdidyoudoitFOR？"
Bobbiefoundthatshehadnotquitestoppedcrying。Theengine—
driverpattedheronthebackandsaid："Here，cheerup，Mate。Itain’tsobadasallthat’ere，I’llbebound。"
"Iwanted，"saidBobbie，muchcheeredtofindherselfaddressedas’Mate’——"Ionlywantedtoaskyouifyou’dbesokindastomendthis。"Shepickedupthebrown—paperparcelfromamongthecoalsandundidthestringwithhot，redfingersthattrembled。
Herfeetandlegsfeltthescorchoftheenginefire，buthershouldersfeltthewildchillrushoftheair。Theenginelurchedandshookandrattled，andastheyshotunderabridgetheengineseemedtoshoutinherears。
Thefiremanshovelledoncoals。
Bobbieunrolledthebrownpaperanddisclosedthetoyengine。
"Ithought，"shesaidwistfully，"thatperhapsyou’dmendthisforme——becauseyou’reanengineer，youknow。"
Theengine—driversaidhewasblowedifhewasn’tblest。
"I’mblestifIain’tblowed，"remarkedthefireman。
Buttheengine—drivertookthelittleengineandlookedatit——andthefiremanceasedforaninstanttoshovelcoal，andlooked，too。
"It’slikeyourpreciouscheek，"saidtheengine—driver——"whatevermadeyouthinkwe’dbebotheredtinkeringpennytoys？"
"Ididn’tmeanitforpreciouscheek，"saidBobbie;"onlyeverybodythathasanythingtodowithrailwaysissokindandgood，Ididn’tthinkyou’dmind。Youdon’treally——doyou？"sheadded，forshehadseenanotunkindlywinkpassbetweenthetwo。
"Mytrade’sdrivingofanengine，notmendingher，especiallysuchahout—sizeinenginesasthis’ere，"saidBill。"An’’owarewea—
goin’togetyoubacktoyoursorrowingfriendsandrelations，andallbeforgivenandforgotten？"
"Ifyou’llputmedownnexttimeyoustop，"saidBobbie，firmly，thoughherheartbeatfiercelyagainstherarmassheclaspedherhands，"andlendmethemoneyforathird—classticket，I’llpayyouback——honourbright。I’mnotaconfidencetricklikeinthenewspapers——really，I’mnot。"
"You’realittlelady，everyinch，"saidBill，relentingsuddenlyandcompletely。"We’llseeyougetshomesafe。An’aboutthisengine——Jim——ain’tyougotne’erapalascanuseasolderingiron？
Seemstomethat’saboutallthelittlebounderwantsdoingtoit。"
"That’swhatFathersaid，"Bobbieexplainedeagerly。"What’sthatfor？"
Shepointedtoalittlebrasswheelthathehadturnedashespoke。
"That’stheinjector。"
"In——what？"
"Injectortofilluptheboiler。"
"Oh，"saidBobbie，mentallyregisteringthefacttotelltheothers;
"thatISinteresting。"
"This’ere’stheautomaticbrake，"Billwenton，flatteredbyherenthusiasm。"Youjustmovethis’erelittlehandle——doitwithonefinger，youcan——andthetrainjollysoonstops。That’swhattheycallthePowerofScienceinthenewspapers。"
Heshowedhertwolittledials，likeclockfaces，andtoldherhowoneshowedhowmuchsteamwasgoing，andtheothershowedifthebrakewasworkingproperly。
Bythetimeshehadseenhimshutoffsteamwithabigshiningsteelhandle，Bobbieknewmoreabouttheinsideworkingofanenginethanshehadeverthoughttherewastoknow，andJimhadpromisedthathissecondcousin’swife’sbrothershouldsolderthetoyengine，orJimwouldknowthereasonwhy。BesidesalltheknowledgeshehadgainedBobbiefeltthatsheandBillandJimwerenowfriendsforlife，andthattheyhadwhollyandforeverforgivenherforstumblinguninvitedamongthesacredcoalsoftheirtender。
AtStacklepooleJunctionshepartedfromthemwithwarmexpressionsofmutualregard。Theyhandedherovertotheguardofareturningtrain——afriendoftheirs——andshehadthejoyofknowingwhatguardsdointheirsecretfastnesses，andunderstoodhow，whenyoupullthecommunicationcordinrailwaycarriages，awheelgoesroundundertheguard’snoseandaloudbellringsinhisears。Sheaskedtheguardwhyhisvansmeltsofishy，andlearnedthathehadtocarryalotoffisheveryday，andthatthewetnessinthehollowsofthecorrugatedfloorhadalldrainedoutofboxesfullofplaiceandcodandmackerelandsolesandsmelts。
Bobbiegothomeintimefortea，andshefeltasthoughhermindwouldburstwithallthathadbeenputintoitsinceshepartedfromtheothers。Howsheblessedthenailthathadtornherfrock！
"Wherehaveyoubeen？"askedtheothers。
"Tothestation，ofcourse，"saidRoberta。Butshewouldnottellawordofheradventurestillthedayappointed，whenshemysteriouslyledthemtothestationatthehourofthe3。19’stransit，andproudlyintroducedthemtoherfriends，BillandJim。Jim’ssecondcousin’swife’sbrotherhadnotbeenunworthyofthesacredtrustreposedinhim。Thetoyenginewas，literally，asgoodasnew。
"Good—bye——oh，good—bye，"saidBobbie，justbeforetheenginescreamedITSgood—bye。"Ishallalways，alwaysloveyou——andJim’ssecondcousin’swife’sbrotheraswell！"
Andasthethreechildrenwenthomeupthehill，Peterhuggingtheengine，nowquiteitsownselfagain，Bobbietold，withjoyousleapsoftheheart，thestoryofhowshehadbeenanEngine—burglar。
ChapterV。Prisonersandcaptives。
ItwasonedaywhenMotherhadgonetoMaidbridge。Shehadgonealone，butthechildrenweretogotothestationtomeether。And，lovingthestationastheydid，itwasonlynaturalthattheyshouldbethereagoodhourbeforetherewasanychanceofMother’strainarriving，evenifthetrainwerepunctual，whichwasmostunlikely。
Nodoubttheywouldhavebeenjustasearly，evenifithadbeenafineday，andallthedelightsofwoodsandfieldsandrocksandrivershadbeenopentothem。Butithappenedtobeaverywetdayand，forJuly，verycold。Therewasawildwindthatdroveflocksofdarkpurplecloudsacrossthesky"likeherdsofdream—
elephants，"asPhyllissaid。Andtherainstungsharply，sothatthewaytothestationwasfinishedatarun。Thentherainfellfasterandharder，andbeatslantwiseagainstthewindowsofthebookingofficeandofthechillplacethathadGeneralWaitingRoomonitsdoor。
"It’slikebeinginabesiegedcastle，"Phyllissaid;"lookatthearrowsofthefoestrikingagainstthebattlements！"
"It’smuchmorelikeagreatgarden—squirt，"saidPeter。
Theydecidedtowaitontheupside，forthedownplatformlookedverywetindeed，andtherainwasdrivingrightintothelittlebleakshelterwheredown—passengershavetowaitfortheirtrains。
Thehourwouldbefullofincidentandofinterest，fortherewouldbetwouptrainsandonedowntolookatbeforetheonethatshouldbringMotherback。
"Perhapsit’llhavestoppedrainingbythen，"saidBobbie;"anyhow，I’mgladIbroughtMother’swaterproofandumbrella。"
TheywentintothedesertspotlabelledGeneralWaitingRoom，andthetimepassedpleasantlyenoughinagameofadvertisements。Youknowthegame，ofcourse？ItissomethinglikedumbCrambo。Theplayerstakeitinturnstogoout，andthencomebackandlookaslikesomeadvertisementastheycan，andtheothershavetoguesswhatadvertisementitismeanttobe。BobbiecameinandsatdownunderMother’sumbrellaandmadeasharpface，andeveryoneknewshewasthefoxwhositsundertheumbrellaintheadvertisement。
PhyllistriedtomakeaMagicCarpetofMother’swaterproof，butitwouldnotstandoutstiffandraft—likeasaMagicCarpetshould，andnobodycouldguessit。EveryonethoughtPeterwascarryingthingsalittletoofarwhenheblackedhisfacealloverwithcoal—
dustandstruckaspideryattitudeandsaidhewastheblotthatadvertisessomebody’sBlueBlackWritingFluid。
ItwasPhyllis’sturnagain，andshewastryingtolookliketheSphinxthatadvertisesWhat’s—his—name’sPersonallyConductedToursuptheNilewhenthesharptingofthesignalannouncedtheuptrain。Thechildrenrushedouttoseeitpass。Onitsengineweretheparticulardriverandfiremanwhowerenownumberedamongthechildren’sdearestfriends。Courtesiespassedbetweenthem。Jimaskedafterthetoyengine，andBobbiepressedonhisacceptanceamoist，greasypackageoftoffeethatshehadmadeherself。
Charmedbythisattention，theengine—driverconsentedtoconsiderherrequestthatsomedayhewouldtakePeterforarideontheengine。
"Standback，Mates，"criedtheengine—driver，suddenly，"andhorfshegoes。"
Andsureenough，offthetrainwent。Thechildrenwatchedthetail—
lightsofthetraintillitdisappearedroundthecurveoftheline，andthenturnedtogobacktothedustyfreedomoftheGeneralWaitingRoomandthejoysoftheadvertisementgame。
Theyexpectedtoseejustoneortwopeople，theendoftheprocessionofpassengerswhohadgivenuptheirticketsandgoneaway。Instead，theplatformroundthedoorofthestationhadadarkblotroundit，andthedarkblotwasacrowdofpeople。
"Oh！"criedPeter，withathrillofjoyousexcitement，"something’shappened！Comeon！"
Theyrandowntheplatform。Whentheygottothecrowd，theycould，ofcourse，seenothingbutthedampbacksandelbowsofthepeopleonthecrowd’soutside。Everybodywastalkingatonce。Itwasevidentthatsomethinghadhappened。
"It’smybeliefhe’snothingworsethananatural，"saidafarmerish—lookingperson。Petersawhisred，clean—shavenfaceashespoke。
"Ifyouaskme，IshouldsayitwasaPoliceCourtcase，"saidayoungmanwithablackbag。
"Notit;theInfirmarymorelike——"
ThenthevoiceoftheStationMasterwasheard，firmandofficial：——
"Now，then——movealongthere。I’llattendtothis，ifYOUplease。"
Butthecrowddidnotmove。Andthencameavoicethatthrilledthechildrenthroughandthrough。Foritspokeinaforeignlanguage。
And，whatismore，itwasalanguagethattheyhadneverheard。
TheyhadheardFrenchspokenandGerman。AuntEmmaknewGerman，andusedtosingasongaboutbedeutenandzeitenandbinandsin。NorwasitLatin。PeterhadbeeninLatinforfourterms。
Itwassomecomfort，anyhow，tofindthatnoneofthecrowdunderstoodtheforeignlanguageanybetterthanthechildrendid。
"What’sthathe’ssaying？"askedthefarmer，heavily。
"SoundslikeFrenchtome，"saidtheStationMaster，whohadoncebeentoBoulognefortheday。
"Itisn’tFrench！"criedPeter。
"Whatisit，then？"askedmorethanonevoice。Thecrowdfellbackalittletoseewhohadspoken，andPeterpressedforward，sothatwhenthecrowdclosedupagainhewasinthefrontrank。
"Idon’tknowwhatitis，"saidPeter，"butitisn’tFrench。Iknowthat。"Thenhesawwhatitwasthatthecrowdhadforitscentre。
Itwasaman——theman，Peterdidnotdoubt，whohadspokeninthatstrangetongue。Amanwithlonghairandwildeyes，withshabbyclothesofacutPeterhadnotseenbefore——amanwhosehandsandlipstrembled，andwhospokeagainashiseyesfellonPeter。
"No，it’snotFrench，"saidPeter。
"TryhimwithFrenchifyouknowsomuchaboutit，"saidthefarmer—
man。
"ParlayvooFrongsay？"beganPeter，boldly，andthenextmomentthecrowdrecoiledagain，forthemanwiththewildeyeshadleftleaningagainstthewall，andhadsprungforwardandcaughtPeter’shands，andbeguntopourforthafloodofwordswhich，thoughhecouldnotunderstandawordofthem，Peterknewthesoundof。
"There！"saidhe，andturned，hishandsstillclaspedinthehandsofthestrangeshabbyfigure，tothrowaglanceoftriumphatthecrowd;"there;THAT’SFrench。"
"Whatdoeshesay？"
"Idon’tknow。"Peterwasobligedtoownit。
"Here，"saidtheStationMasteragain;"youmoveonifyouplease。
I’LLdealwiththiscase。"
Afewofthemoretimidorlessinquisitivetravellersmovedslowlyandreluctantlyaway。AndPhyllisandBobbiegotneartoPeter。
AllthreehadbeenTAUGHTFrenchatschool。HowdeeplytheynowwishedthattheyhadLEARNEDit！Petershookhisheadatthestranger，buthealsoshookhishandsaswarmlyandlookedathimaskindlyashecould。Apersoninthecrowd，aftersomehesitation，saidsuddenly，"Nocomprenny！"andthen，blushingdeeply，backedoutofthepressandwentaway。
"Takehimintoyourroom，"whisperedBobbietotheStationMaster。
"MothercantalkFrench。She’llbeherebythenexttrainfromMaidbridge。"
TheStationMastertookthearmofthestranger，suddenlybutnotunkindly。Butthemanwrenchedhisarmaway，andcoweredbackcoughingandtremblingandtryingtopushtheStationMasteraway。
"Oh，don’t！"saidBobbie;"don’tyouseehowfrightenedheis？Hethinksyou’regoingtoshuthimup。Iknowhedoes——lookathiseyes！"
"They’relikeafox’seyeswhenthebeast’sinatrap，"saidthefarmer。
"Oh，letmetry！"Bobbiewenton;"IdoreallyknowoneortwoFrenchwordsifIcouldonlythinkofthem。"
Sometimes，inmomentsofgreatneed，wecandowonderfulthings——
thingsthatinordinarylifewecouldhardlyevendreamofdoing。
BobbiehadneverbeenanywherenearthetopofherFrenchclass，butshemusthavelearnedsomethingwithoutknowingit，fornow，lookingatthosewild，huntedeyes，sheactuallyrememberedand，whatismore，spoke，someFrenchwords。Shesaid：——
"Vousattendre。MamereparlezFrancais。Nous——what’stheFrenchfor’beingkind’？"
Nobodyknew。
"Bongis’good，’"saidPhyllis。
"Nousetrebongpourvous。"
Idonotknowwhetherthemanunderstoodherwords，butheunderstoodthetouchofthehandshethrustintohis，andthekindnessoftheotherhandthatstrokedhisshabbysleeve。
ShepulledhimgentlytowardstheinmostsanctuaryoftheStationMaster。Theotherchildrenfollowed，andtheStationMastershutthedoorinthefaceofthecrowd，whichstoodalittlewhileinthebookingofficetalkingandlookingatthefastclosedyellowdoor，andthenbyonesandtwoswentitsway，grumbling。
InsidetheStationMaster’sroomBobbiestillheldthestranger’shandandstrokedhissleeve。
"Here’sago，"saidtheStationMaster;"noticket——doesn’tevenknowwherehewantstogo。I’mnotsurenowbutwhatIoughttosendforthepolice。"
"Oh，DON’T！"allthechildrenpleadedatonce。AndsuddenlyBobbiegotbetweentheothersandthestranger，forshehadseenthathewascrying。
Byamostunusualpieceofgoodfortuneshehadahandkerchiefinherpocket。Byastillmoreuncommonaccidentthehandkerchiefwasmoderatelyclean。Standinginfrontofthestranger，shegotoutthehandkerchiefandpassedittohimsothattheothersdidnotsee。
"WaittillMothercomes，"Phylliswassaying;"shedoesspeakFrenchbeautifully。You’djustlovetohearher。"
"I’msurehehasn’tdoneanythinglikeyou’resenttoprisonfor，"
saidPeter。
"Lookslikewithoutvisiblemeanstome，"saidtheStationMaster。
"Well，Idon’tmindgivinghimthebenefitofthedoubttillyourMammacomes。ISHOULDliketoknowwhatnation’sgotthecreditofHIM，thatIshould。"
ThenPeterhadanidea。Hepulledanenvelopeoutofhispocket，andshowedthatitwashalffullofforeignstamps。
"Lookhere，"hesaid，"let’sshowhimthese——"
Bobbielookedandsawthatthestrangerhaddriedhiseyeswithherhandkerchief。Soshesaid："Allright。"
TheyshowedhimanItalianstamp，andpointedfromhimtoitandbackagain，andmadesignsofquestionwiththeireyebrows。Heshookhishead。ThentheyshowedhimaNorwegianstamp——thecommonbluekinditwas——andagainhesignedNo。ThentheyshowedhimaSpanishone，andatthathetooktheenvelopefromPeter’shandandsearchedamongthestampswithahandthattrembled。Thehandthathereachedoutatlast，withagestureasofoneansweringaquestion，containedaRUSSIANstamp。
"He’sRussian，"criedPeter，"orelsehe’slike’themanwhowas’——
inKipling，youknow。"
ThetrainfromMaidbridgewassignalled。
"I’llstaywithhimtillyoubringMotherin，"saidBobbie。
"You’renotafraid，Missie？"
"Oh，no，"saidBobbie，lookingatthestranger，asshemighthavelookedatastrangedogofdoubtfultemper。"Youwouldn’thurtme，wouldyou？"
Shesmiledathim，andhesmiledback，aqueercrookedsmile。Andthenhecoughedagain。Andtheheavyrattlingswishoftheincomingtrainsweptpast，andtheStationMasterandPeterandPhylliswentouttomeetit。Bobbiewasstillholdingthestranger’shandwhentheycamebackwithMother。
TheRussianroseandbowedveryceremoniously。
ThenMotherspokeinFrench，andhereplied，haltinglyatfirst，butpresentlyinlongerandlongersentences。
Thechildren，watchinghisfaceandMother’s，knewthathewastellingherthingsthatmadeherangryandpitying，andsorryandindignantallatonce。
"Well，Mum，what’sitallabout？"TheStationMastercouldnotrestrainhiscuriosityanylonger。
"Oh，"saidMother，"it’sallright。He’saRussian，andhe’slosthisticket。AndI’mafraidhe’sveryill。Ifyoudon’tmind，I’lltakehimhomewithmenow。He’sreallyquitewornout。I’llrundownandtellyouallabouthimto—morrow。"
"Ihopeyouwon’tfindyou’retakinghomeafrozenviper，"saidtheStationMaster，doubtfully。
"Oh，no，"Mothersaidbrightly，andshesmiled;"I’mquitesureI’mnot。Why，he’sagreatmaninhisowncountry，writesbooks——
beautifulbooks——I’vereadsomeofthem;butI’lltellyouallaboutitto—morrow。"
ShespokeagaininFrenchtotheRussian，andeveryonecouldseethesurpriseandpleasureandgratitudeinhiseyes。HegotupandpolitelybowedtotheStationMaster，andofferedhisarmmostceremoniouslytoMother。Shetookit，butanybodycouldhaveseenthatshewashelpinghimalong，andnotheher。
"Yougirlsrunhomeandlightafireinthesitting—room，"Mothersaid，"andPeterhadbettergofortheDoctor。"
ButitwasBobbiewhowentfortheDoctor。
"Ihatetotellyou，"shesaidbreathlesslywhenshecameuponhiminhisshirtsleeves，weedinghispansy—bed，"butMother’sgotaveryshabbyRussian，andI’msurehe’llhavetobelongtoyourClub。
I’mcertainhehasn’tgotanymoney。Wefoundhimatthestation。"
"Foundhim！Washelost，then？"askedtheDoctor，reachingforhiscoat。
"Yes，"saidBobbie，unexpectedly，"that’sjustwhathewas。He’sbeentellingMotherthesad，sweetstoryofhislifeinFrench;andshesaidwouldyoubekindenoughtocomedirectlyifyouwereathome。Hehasadreadfulcough，andhe’sbeencrying。"
TheDoctorsmiled。
"Oh，don’t，"saidBobbie;"pleasedon’t。Youwouldn’tifyou’dseenhim。Ineversawamancrybefore。Youdon’tknowwhatit’slike。"
Dr。Forrestwishedthenthathehadn’tsmiled。
WhenBobbieandtheDoctorgottoThreeChimneys，theRussianwassittinginthearm—chairthathadbeenFather’s，stretchinghisfeettotheblazeofabrightwoodfire，andsippingtheteaMotherhadmadehim。
"Themanseemswornout，mindandbody，"waswhattheDoctorsaid;
"thecough’sbad，butthere’snothingthatcan’tbecured。Heoughttogostraighttobed，though——andlethimhaveafireatnight。"
"I’llmakeoneinmyroom;it’stheonlyonewithafireplace，"saidMother。Shedid，andpresentlytheDoctorhelpedthestrangertobed。
TherewasabigblacktrunkinMother’sroomthatnoneofthechildrenhadeverseenunlocked。Now，whenshehadlightedthefire，sheunlockeditandtooksomeclothesout——men’sclothes——andsetthemtoairbythenewlylightedfire。Bobbie，cominginwithmorewoodforthefire，sawthemarkonthenight—shirt，andlookedovertotheopentrunk。Allthethingsshecouldseeweremen’sclothes。AndthenamemarkedontheshirtwasFather’sname。ThenFatherhadn’ttakenhisclotheswithhim。Andthatnight—shirtwasoneofFather’snewones。Bobbieremembereditsbeingmade，justbeforePeter’sbirthday。Whyhadn’tFathertakenhisclothes？
Bobbieslippedfromtheroom。Asshewentsheheardthekeyturnedinthelockofthetrunk。Herheartwasbeatinghorribly。WHY
hadn’tFathertakenhisclothes？WhenMothercameoutoftheroom，Bobbieflungtightlyclaspingarmsroundherwaist，andwhispered：——
"Mother——Daddyisn’t——isn’tDEAD，ishe？"
"Mydarling，no！Whatmadeyouthinkofanythingsohorrible？"
"I——Idon’tknow，"saidBobbie，angrywithherself，butstillclingingtothatresolutionofhers，nottoseeanythingthatMotherdidn’tmeanhertosee。
Mothergaveherahurriedhug。"Daddywasquite，QUITEwellwhenI
heardfromhimlast，"shesaid，"andhe’llcomebacktoussomeday。
Don’tfancysuchhorriblethings，darling！"
Lateron，whentheRussianstrangerhadbeenmadecomfortableforthenight，Mothercameintothegirls’room。ShewastosleepthereinPhyllis’sbed，andPhylliswastohaveamattressonthefloor，amostamusingadventureforPhyllis。DirectlyMothercamein，twowhitefiguresstartedup，andtwoeagervoicescalled：——
"Now，Mother，tellusallabouttheRussiangentleman。"
Awhiteshapehoppedintotheroom。ItwasPeter，dragginghisquiltbehindhimlikethetailofawhitepeacock。
"Wehavebeenpatient，"hesaid，"andIhadtobitemytonguenottogotosleep，andIjustnearlywenttosleepandIbittoohard，andithurtseverso。DOtellus。Makeanicelongstoryofit。"
"Ican’tmakealongstoryofitto—night，"saidMother;"I’mverytired。"
BobbieknewbyhervoicethatMotherhadbeencrying，buttheothersdidn’tknow。
"Well，makeitaslongasyoucan，"saidPhil，andBobbiegotherarmsroundMother’swaistandsnuggledclosetoher。
"Well，it’sastorylongenoughtomakeawholebookof。He’sawriter;he’swrittenbeautifulbooks。InRussiaatthetimeoftheCzaronedarednotsayanythingabouttherichpeopledoingwrong，oraboutthethingsthatoughttobedonetomakepoorpeoplebetterandhappier。Ifonedidonewassenttoprison。"
"ButtheyCAN’T，"saidPeter;"peopleonlygotoprisonwhenthey’vedonewrong。"
"OrwhentheJudgesTHINKthey’vedonewrong，"saidMother。"Yes，that’ssoinEngland。ButinRussiaitwasdifferent。Andhewroteabeautifulbookaboutpoorpeopleandhowtohelpthem。I’vereadit。There’snothinginitbutgoodnessandkindness。Andtheysenthimtoprisonforit。Hewasthreeyearsinahorribledungeon，withhardlyanylight，andalldampanddreadful。Inprisonallaloneforthreeyears。"
Mother’svoicetrembledalittleandstoppedsuddenly。
"But，Mother，"saidPeter，"thatcan’tbetrueNOW。Itsoundslikesomethingoutofahistorybook——theInquisition，orsomething。"
"ItWAStrue，"saidMother;"it’sallhorriblytrue。Well，thentheytookhimoutandsenthimtoSiberia，aconvictchainedtootherconvicts——wickedmenwho’ddoneallsortsofcrimes——alongchainofthem，andtheywalked，andwalked，andwalked，fordaysandweeks，tillhethoughtthey’dneverstopwalking。Andoverseerswentbehindthemwithwhips——yes，whips——tobeatthemiftheygottired。Andsomeofthemwentlame，andsomefelldown，andwhentheycouldn’tgetupandgoon，theybeatthem，andthenleftthemtodie。Oh，it’salltooterrible！Andatlasthegottothemines，andhewascondemnedtostaythereforlife——forlife，justforwritingagood，noble，splendidbook。"
"Howdidhegetaway？"
"Whenthewarcame，someoftheRussianprisonerswereallowedtovolunteerassoldiers。Andhevolunteered。Buthedesertedatthefirstchancehegotand——"
"Butthat’sverycowardly，isn’tit"——saidPeter——"todesert？
Especiallywhenit’swar。"
"DoyouthinkheowedanythingtoacountrythathaddoneTHATtohim？Ifhedid，heowedmoretohiswifeandchildren。Hedidn’tknowwhathadbecomeofthem。"
"Oh，"criedBobbie，"hehadTHEMtothinkaboutandbemiserableaboutTOO，then，allthetimehewasinprison？"
"Yes，hehadthemtothinkaboutandbemiserableaboutallthetimehewasinprison。Foranythingheknewtheymighthavebeensenttoprison，too。TheydidthosethingsinRussia。ButwhilehewasintheminessomefriendsmanagedtogetamessagetohimthathiswifeandchildrenhadescapedandcometoEngland。Sowhenhedesertedhecameheretolookforthem。"
"Hadhegottheiraddress？"saidpracticalPeter。
"No;justEngland。HewasgoingtoLondon，andhethoughthehadtochangeatourstation，andthenhefoundhe’dlosthisticketandhispurse。"
"Oh，DOyouthinkhe’llfindthem？——Imeanhiswifeandchildren，nottheticketandthings。"
"Ihopeso。Oh，Ihopeandpraythathe’llfindhiswifeandchildrenagain。"
EvenPhyllisnowperceivedthatmother’svoicewasveryunsteady。
"Why，Mother，"shesaid，"howverysorryyouseemtobeforhim！"
Motherdidn’tanswerforaminute。Thenshejustsaid，"Yes，"andthensheseemedtobethinking。Thechildrenwerequiet。
Presentlyshesaid，"Dears，whenyousayyourprayers，IthinkyoumightaskGodtoshowHispityuponallprisonersandcaptives。"
"ToshowHispity，"Bobbierepeatedslowly，"uponallprisonersandcaptives。Isthatright，Mother？"
"Yes，"saidMother，"uponallprisonersandcaptives。Allprisonersandcaptives。"
ChapterVI。Savioursofthetrain。
TheRussiangentlemanwasbetterthenextday，andthedayafterthatbetterstill，andonthethirddayhewaswellenoughtocomeintothegarden。Abasketchairwasputforhimandhesatthere，dressedinclothesofFather’swhichweretoobigforhim。ButwhenMotherhadhemmeduptheendsofthesleevesandthetrousers，theclothesdidwellenough。Hiswasakindfacenowthatitwasnolongertiredandfrightened，andhesmiledatthechildrenwheneverhesawthem。TheywishedverymuchthathecouldspeakEnglish。
MotherwroteseveralletterstopeopleshethoughtmightknowwhereaboutsinEnglandaRussiangentleman’swifeandfamilymightpossiblybe;nottothepeoplesheusedtoknowbeforeshecametoliveatThreeChimneys——sheneverwrotetoanyofthem——butstrangepeople——MembersofParliamentandEditorsofpapers，andSecretariesofSocieties。
Andshedidnotdomuchofherstory—writing，onlycorrectedproofsasshesatinthesunneartheRussian，andtalkedtohimeverynowandthen。
ThechildrenwantedverymuchtoshowhowkindlytheyfelttothismanwhohadbeensenttoprisonandtoSiberiajustforwritingabeautifulbookaboutpoorpeople。Theycouldsmileathim，ofcourse;theycouldandtheydid。Butifyousmiletooconstantly，thesmileisapttogetfixedlikethesmileofthehyaena。Andthenitnolongerlooksfriendly，butsimplysilly。Sotheytriedotherways，andbroughthimflowerstilltheplacewherehesatwassurroundedbylittlefadingbunchesofcloverandrosesandCanterburybells。
AndthenPhyllishadanidea。Shebeckonedmysteriouslytotheothersanddrewthemintothebackyard，andthere，inaconcealedspot，betweenthepumpandthewater—butt，shesaid：——
"YourememberPerkspromisingmetheveryfirststrawberriesoutofhisowngarden？"Perks，youwillrecollect，wasthePorter。"Well，Ishouldthinkthey’reripenow。Let’sgodownandsee。"
MotherhadbeendownasshehadpromisedtotelltheStationMasterthestoryoftheRussianPrisoner。Buteventhecharmsoftherailwayhadbeenunabletotearthechildrenawayfromtheneighbourhoodoftheinterestingstranger。Sotheyhadnotbeentothestationforthreedays。
Theywentnow。
And，totheirsurpriseanddistress，wereverycoldlyreceivedbyPerks。
"’Ighlyhonoured，I’msure，"hesaidwhentheypeepedinatthedoorofthePorters’room。Andhewentonreadinghisnewspaper。
Therewasanuncomfortablesilence。
"Oh，dear，"saidBobbie，withasigh，"Idobelieveyou’reCROSS。"
"What，me？Notme！"saidPerksloftily;"itain’tnothingtome。"
"WhatAIN’Tnothingtoyou？"saidPeter，tooanxiousandalarmedtochangetheformofwords。
"Nothingain’tnothing。What’appenseither’ereorelsewhere，"
saidPerks;"ifyoulikesto’aveyoursecrets，’ave’emandwelcome。That’swhatIsay。"
Thesecret—chamberofeachheartwasrapidlyexaminedduringthepausethatfollowed。Threeheadswereshaken。
"Wehaven’tgotanysecretsfromYOU，"saidBobbieatlast。
"Maybeyou’ave，andmaybeyou’aven’t，"saidPerks;"itain’tnothingtome。AndIwishyouallaverygoodafternoon。"Heheldupthepaperbetweenhimandthemandwentonreading。
"Oh，DON’T！"saidPhyllis，indespair;"thisistrulydreadful！
Whateveritis，dotellus。"
"Wedidn’tmeantodoitwhateveritwas。"
Noanswer。ThepaperwasrefoldedandPerksbeganonanothercolumn。
"Lookhere，"saidPeter，suddenly，"it’snotfair。Evenpeoplewhodocrimesaren’tpunishedwithoutbeingtoldwhatit’sfor——asoncetheywereinRussia。"
"Idon’tknownothingaboutRussia。"
"Oh，yes，youdo，whenMothercamedownonpurposetotellyouandMr。GillsallaboutOURRussian。"
"Can’tyoufancyit？"saidPerks，indignantly;"don’tyousee’ima—
askingofmetostepinto’isroomandtakeachairandlistentowhat’erLadyship’astosay？"
"Doyoumeantosayyou’venotheard？"
"Notsomuchasabreath。Ididgosofarastoputaquestion。
Andheshutsmeuplikearat—trap。’AffairsofState，Perks，’sayshe。ButIdidthinkoneo’youwould’a’nippeddowntotellme——
you’reheresharpenoughwhenyouwanttogetanythingoutofoldPerks"——Phyllisflushedpurpleasshethoughtofthestrawberries——
"informationaboutlocomotivesorsignalsorthelikes，"saidPerks。
"Wedidn’tknowyoudidn’tknow。"
"WethoughtMotherhadtoldyou。"
"Wewantedtotellyouonlywethoughtitwouldbestalenews。"
Thethreespokeallatonce。
Perkssaiditwasallverywell，andstillheldupthepaper。ThenPhyllissuddenlysnatcheditaway，andthrewherarmsroundhisneck。
"Oh，let’skissandbefriends，"shesaid;"we’llsaywe’resorryfirst，ifyoulike，butwedidn’treallyknowthatyoudidn’tknow。"
"Wearesosorry，"saidtheothers。
AndPerksatlastconsentedtoaccepttheirapologies。
ThentheygothimtocomeoutandsitinthesunonthegreenRailwayBank，wherethegrasswasquitehottotouch，andthere，sometimesspeakingoneatatime，andsometimesalltogether，theytoldthePorterthestoryoftheRussianPrisoner。
"Well，Imustsay，"saidPerks;buthedidnotsayit——whateveritwas。
"Yes，itisprettyawful，isn’tit？"saidPeter，"andIdon’twonderyouwerecuriousaboutwhotheRussianwas。"
"Iwasn’tcurious，notsomuchasinterested，"saidthePorter。
"Well，IdothinkMr。Gillsmighthavetoldyouaboutit。Itwashorridofhim。"
"Idon’tkeepnodownon’imforthat，Missie，"saidthePorter;
"coswhy？Isee’isreasons。’Ewouldn’twanttogiveaway’isownsidewithatalelikethat’ere。Itain’thumannature。Aman’sgottostandupforhisownsidewhatevertheydoes。That’swhatitmeansbyPartyPolitics。Ishould’a’donethesamemyselfifthatlong—’airedchap’ad’a’beenaJap。"
"ButtheJapsdidn’tdocruel，wickedthingslikethat，"saidBobbie。
"P’r’apsnot，"saidPerks，cautiously;"stillyoucan’tbesurewithforeigners。Myownbeliefisthey’realltarredwiththesamebrush。"
"ThenwhywereyouonthesideoftheJaps？"Peterasked。
"Well，yousee，youmusttakeonesideortheother。SameaswithLiberalsandConservatives。Thegreatthingistotakeyoursideandthensticktoit，whateverhappens。"
Asignalsounded。
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