Дети железной дороги
The pride of Perks.
"Likeit?Why,it’sabirthdaysuchasPerksnever‘ad,notevenwhen‘ewasaboyandstayedwithhisuncle,whowasacornchandlerinhisownaccount.Hefailedafterwards.Likeit?Oh—"andthenshewentonandsaidallsortsofthingsthatIwon’twritedown,becauseIamsurethatPeterandBobbieandPhylliswouldnotlikemeto.Theirearsgothotterandhotter,andtheirfacesredderandredder,atthekindthingsMrs.Perkssaid.Theyfelttheyhaddonenothingtodeserveallthispraise.
AtlastPetersaid:"Lookhere,we’regladyou’repleased.Butifyougoonsayingthingslikethat,wemustgohome.AndwedidwanttostayandseeifMr.Perksispleased,too.Butwecan’tstandthis."
"Iwon’tsayanothersingleword,"saidMrs.Perks,withabeamingface,"butthatneedn’tstopmethinking,needit?Forifever—"
"Canwehaveaplateforthebuns?"Bobbieaskedabruptly.AndthenMrs.Perkshastilylaidthetablefortea,andthebunsandthehoneyandthegooseberriesweredisplayedonplates,andtheroseswereputintwoglassjamjars,andthetea-tablelooked,asMrs.Perkssaid,"fitforaPrince."
"Tothink!"shesaid,"megettingtheplacetidyearly,andthelittle‘unsgettingthewild-flowersandall—whenneverdidIthinkthere’dbeanythingmoreforhimexcepttheounceofhispetparticularthatIgoto’Saturdayandbeensavingupfor’imeversince.
