Дети железной дороги

           "

           "HowdoyouknowI’mnot?"saidtheDoctor."Now,then,what’sthetrouble?"

           Bobbiefidgetedwiththehookofthedrivingapron.

           "Come,outwithit,"saidtheDoctor.

           "It’sratherhard,yousee,"saidBobbie,"tooutwithit;becauseofwhatMothersaid."

           "WhatDIDMothersay?"

           "ShesaidIwasn’ttogotellingeveryonethatwe’repoor.Butyouaren’teveryone,areyou?"

           "Notatall,"saidtheDoctor,cheerfully."Well?"

           "Well,Iknowdoctorsareveryextravagant—Imeanexpensive,andMrs.VineytoldmethatherdoctoringonlycosthertwopenceaweekbecauseshebelongedtoaClub."

           "Yes?"

           "Youseeshetoldmewhatagooddoctoryouwere,andIaskedherhowshecouldaffordyou,becauseshe’smuchpoorerthanweare.I’vebeeninherhouseandIknow.AndthenshetoldmeabouttheClub,andIthoughtI’daskyou—and—oh,Idon’twantMothertobeworried!Can’twebeintheClub,too,thesameasMrs.Viney?"

           TheDoctorwassilent.Hewasratherpoorhimself,andhehadbeenpleasedatgettinganewfamilytoattend.SoIthinkhisfeelingsatthatminutewererathermixed.

           "Youaren’tcrosswithme,areyou?"saidBobbie,inaverysmallvoice.

           TheDoctorrousedhimself.

           "Cross?HowcouldIbe?You’reaverysensiblelittlewoman.Nowlookhere,don’tyouworry.