Дети железной дороги
The beginning of things.
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
