Дети железной дороги
Peter’s coal-mine.
Itwasrightbehindthestables,andithadahighwallallround.
"Oh,nevermindaboutthegardennow!"criedPeter."Mothertoldmethismorningwhereitwas.It’llkeeptillto-morrow.Let’sgettotherailway."
Thewaytotherailwaywasalldownhilloversmooth,shortturfwithhereandtherefurzebushesandgreyandyellowrocksstickingoutlikecandiedpeelfromthetopofacake.
Thewayendedinasteeprunandawoodenfence—andtherewastherailwaywiththeshiningmetalsandthetelegraphwiresandpostsandsignals.
Theyallclimbedontothetopofthefence,andthensuddenlytherewasarumblingsoundthatmadethemlookalongthelinetotheright,wherethedarkmouthofatunnelopeneditselfinthefaceofarockycliff;nextmomentatrainhadrushedoutofthetunnelwithashriekandasnort,andhadslidnoisilypastthem.Theyfelttherushofitspassing,andthepebblesonthelinejumpedandrattledunderitasitwentby.
"Oh!"saidRoberta,drawingalongbreath;"itwaslikeagreatdragontearingby.Didyoufeelitfanuswithitshotwings?"
"Isupposeadragon’slairmightlookverylikethattunnelfromtheoutside,"saidPhyllis.
ButPetersaid:—
"Ineverthoughtweshouldevergetasneartoatrainasthis.It’sthemostrippingsport!"
"Betterthantoy-engines,isn’tit?"saidRoberta.
