Дети железной дороги

           HEsaidherespectedamanthatpaidhisway—andthebutchersaidthesame.Andtheoldturnpikewomansaidmanywasthetimeyou’dlentherahandwithhergardenwhenyouwerealad—andthingslikethatcamehometoroost—Idon’tknowwhatshemeant.Andeverybodywhogaveanythingsaidtheylikedyou,anditwasaverygoodideaofours;andnobodysaidanythingaboutcharityoranythinghorridlikethat.AndtheoldgentlemangavePeteragoldpoundforyou,andsaidyouwereamanwhoknewyourwork.AndIthoughtyou’dLOVEtoknowhowfondpeopleareofyou,andIneverwassounhappyinmylife.Good-bye.Ihopeyou’llforgiveussomeday—"

           Shecouldsaynomore,andsheturnedtogo.

           "Stop,"saidPerks,stillwithhisbacktothem;"ItakebackeverywordI’vesaidcontrarytowhatyou’dwish.Nell,setonthekettle."

           "We’lltakethethingsawayifyou’reunhappyaboutthem,"saidPeter;"butIthinkeverybody’llbemostawfullydisappointed,aswellasus."

           "I’mnotunhappyaboutthem,"saidPerks;"Idon’tknow,"headded,suddenlywheelingthechairroundandshowingaveryodd-lookingscrewed-upface,"Idon’tknowaseverIwasbetterpleased.Notsomuchwiththepresents—thoughthey’reanA1collection—butthekindrespectofourneighbours.That’sworthhaving,eh,Nell?"

           "Ithinkit’sallworthhaving,"saidMrs.Perks,"andyou’vemadeamostridiculousfussaboutnothing,Bert,ifyouaskme.