Дети железной дороги

           Andthenhecalledthechildrenonebyone,bytheirnames,andgaveeachofthemabeautifulgoldwatchandchain.Andinsidethewatcheswereengravedafterthenameofthewatch’snewowner:—

           "FromtheDirectorsoftheNorthernandSouthernRailwayingratefulrecognitionofthecourageousandpromptactionwhichavertedanaccidenton——1905."

           Thewatcheswerethemostbeautifulyoucanpossiblyimagine,andeachonehadablueleathercasetoliveinwhenitwasathome.

           "Youmustmakeaspeechnowandthankeveryonefortheirkindness,"whisperedtheStationMasterinPeter’searandpushedhimforward."Begin‘LadiesandGentlemen,’"headded.

           Eachofthechildrenhadalreadysaid"Thankyou,"quiteproperly.

           "Oh,dear,"saidPeter,buthedidnotresistthepush.

           "LadiesandGentlemen,"hesaidinaratherhuskyvoice.Thentherewasapause,andheheardhisheartbeatinginhisthroat."LadiesandGentlemen,"hewentonwitharush,"it’smostawfullygoodofyou,andweshalltreasurethewatchesallourlives—butreallywedon’tdeserveitbecausewhatwedidwasn’tanything,really.Atleast,Imeanitwasawfullyexciting,andwhatImeantosay—thankyouallvery,verymuch.