Дети железной дороги

           Fatherwillpayyou,orifhehaslostallhismoney,oranything,Peterwillpayyouwhenheisaman.Wepromiseitonourhoner.I.O.U.forallthethingsMotherwants.

           "sinedPeter.

           "WillyougivetheparseltotheStationMaster,becauseofusnotknowingwhattrainyoucomedownby?SayitisforPeterthatwassorryaboutthecoalsandhewillknowallright.

           "Roberta.

           "Phyllis.

           "Peter."

           ThencamethelistofthingstheDoctorhadordered.

           Theoldgentlemanreaditthroughonce,andhiseyebrowswentup.Hereadittwiceandsmiledalittle.Whenhehadreaditthrice,heputitinhispocketandwentonreadingTheTimes.

           Ataboutsixthateveningtherewasaknockatthebackdoor.Thethreechildrenrushedtoopenit,andtherestoodthefriendlyPorter,whohadtoldthemsomanyinterestingthingsaboutrailways.Hedumpeddownabighamperonthekitchenflags.

           "Oldgent,"hesaid;"heaskedmetofetchitupstraightaway."

           "Thankyouverymuch,"saidPeter,andthen,asthePorterlingered,headded:—

           "I’mmostawfullysorryIhaven’tgottwopencetogiveyoulikeFatherdoes,but—"

           "Youdropitifyouplease,"saidthePorter,indignantly."Iwasn’tthinkingaboutnotuppences.