Дети железной дороги

           "

           "You’llknowsomeday,"saidPeter,keepinghisowntemperbywhatlookedexactlylikeamiracle;"ifyouhadn’tbeensokeenonarow,Imighthavetoldyouaboutitbeingonlynoble-heartednessthatmademenottellyoumyidea.ButnowIshan’ttellyouanythingatallaboutit—sothere!"

           Anditwas,indeed,sometimebeforehecouldbeinducedtosayanything,andwhenhediditwasn’tmuch.Hesaid:—

           "TheonlyreasonwhyIwon’ttellyoumyideathatI’mgoingtodoisbecauseitMAYbewrong,andIdon’twanttodragyouintoit."

           "Don’tyoudoitifit’swrong,Peter,"saidBobbie;"letmedoit."ButPhyllissaid:—

           "IshouldliketodowrongifYOU’REgoingto!"

           "No,"saidPeter,rathertouchedbythisdevotion;"it’saforlornhope,andI’mgoingtoleadit.AllIaskisthatifMotheraskswhereIam,youwon’tblab."

           "Wehaven’tgotanythingTOblab,"saidBobbie,indignantly.

           "Oh,yes,youhave!"saidPeter,droppinghorse-beansthroughhisfingers."I’vetrustedyoutothedeath.YouknowI’mgoingtodoaloneadventure—andsomepeoplemightthinkitwrong—Idon’t.AndifMotheraskswhereIam,sayI’mplayingatmines."

           "Whatsortofmines?"

           "Youjustsaymines."

           "YoumighttellUS,Pete."

           "Well,then,COAL-mines.Butdon’tyouletthewordpassyourlipsonpainoftorture.