Дети железной дороги
The hound’s grandfather.
Itwassoonafterbreakfastthataknockcameatthedoor.ThechildrenwerehardatworkcleaningthebrasscandlesticksinhonourofJim’svisit.
"That’llbetheDoctor,"saidMother;"I’llgo.Shutthekitchendoor—you’renotfittobeseen."
Butitwasn’ttheDoctor.Theyknewthatbythevoiceandbythesoundofthebootsthatwentupstairs.Theydidnotrecognisethesoundoftheboots,buteveryonewascertainthattheyhadheardthevoicebefore.
Therewasalongishinterval.Thebootsandthevoicedidnotcomedownagain.
"Whocanitpossiblybe?"theykeptonaskingthemselvesandeachother.
"Perhaps,"saidPeteratlast,"Dr.Forresthasbeenattackedbyhighwaymenandleftfordead,andthisisthemanhe’stelegraphedfortotakehisplace.Mrs.Vineysaidhehadalocaltenanttodohisworkwhenhewentforaholiday,didn’tyou,Mrs.Viney?"
"Ididso,mydear,"saidMrs.Vineyfromthebackkitchen.
"He’sfallendowninafit,morelikely,saidPhyllis,"allhumanaiddespairedof.AndthisishismancometobreakthenewstoMother."
"Nonsense!"saidPeter,briskly;"Motherwouldn’thavetakenthemanupintoJim’sbedroom.Whyshouldshe?Listen—thedoor’sopening.Nowthey’llcomedown.I’llopenthedooracrack."
Hedid.
