Дети железной дороги

           Mother,willyouletmeofflessonsto-day?IfeelasifIwantedtobequitealonebymyself."

           "Yes,ofcourseI’llletyouoff,"saidMother;"but—"

           Bobbiedroppedherslate.Itcrackedjustacrossthelittlegreenmarkthatissousefulfordrawingpatternsround,anditwasneverthesameslateagain.Withoutwaitingtopickitupshebolted.Mothercaughtherinthehallfeelingblindlyamongthewaterproofsandumbrellasforhergardenhat.

           "Whatisit,mysweetheart?"saidMother."Youdon’tfeelill,doyou?"

           "IDON’Tknow,"Bobbieanswered,alittlebreathlessly,"butIwanttobebymyselfandseeifmyheadreallyISallsillyandmyinsideallsquirmy-twisty."

           "Hadn’tyoubetterliedown?"Mothersaid,strokingherhairbackfromherforehead.

           "I’dbemorealiveinthegarden,Ithink,"saidBobbie.

           Butshecouldnotstayinthegarden.Thehollyhocksandtheastersandthelaterosesallseemedtobewaitingforsomethingtohappen.Itwasoneofthosestill,shinyautumndays,wheneverythingdoesseemtobewaiting.

           Bobbiecouldnotwait.

           "I’llgodowntothestation,"shesaid,"andtalktoPerksandaskaboutthesignalman’slittleboy."

           Soshewentdown.