Дети железной дороги
The beginning of things.
Hehadoftenactedasveterinarysurgeontothewoodenrocking-horse;oncehehadsaveditslifewhenallhumanaidwasdespairedof,andthepoorcreaturewasgivenupforlost,andeventhecarpentersaidhedidn’tseehiswaytodoanything.AnditwasFatherwhomendedthedoll’scradlewhennooneelsecould;andwithalittleglueandsomebitsofwoodandapen-knifemadealltheNoah’sArkbeastsasstrongontheirpinsasevertheywere,ifnotstronger.
Peter,withheroicunselfishness,didnotsayanythingabouthisEnginetillafterFatherhadhadhisdinnerandhisafter-dinnercigar.TheunselfishnesswasMother’sidea—butitwasPeterwhocarrieditout.Andneededagooddealofpatience,too.
AtlastMothersaidtoFather,"Now,dear,ifyou’requiterested,andquitecomfy,wewanttotellyouaboutthegreatrailwayaccident,andaskyouradvice."
"Allright,"saidFather,"fireaway!"
SothenPetertoldthesadtale,andfetchedwhatwasleftoftheEngine.
"Hum,"saidFather,whenhehadlookedtheEngineoververycarefully.
Thechildrenheldtheirbreaths.
"IsthereNOhope?"saidPeter,inalow,unsteadyvoice.
"Hope?Rather!Tonsofit,"saidFather,cheerfully;"butit’llwantsomethingbesideshope—abitofbrazingsay,orsomesolder,andanewvalve.Ithinkwe’dbetterkeepitforarainyday.
