Дети железной дороги

           OnethingthathelpedherwasthethoughtthatPeterwouldgivealmosthisearstobeinherplace—onarealengine—reallygoing.Thechildrenhadoftenwonderedwhetheranyengine-drivercouldbefoundnobleenoughtotakethemforarideonanengine—andnowthereshewas.Shedriedhereyesandsniffedearnestly.

           "Now,then,"saidthefireman,"outwithit.Whatdoyoumeanbyit,eh?"

           "Oh,please,"sniffedBobbie.

           "Tryagain,"saidtheengine-driver,encouragingly.

           Bobbietriedagain.

           "Please,Mr.Engineer,"shesaid,"Ididcallouttoyoufromtheline,butyoudidn’thearme—andIjustclimbeduptotouchyouonthearm—quitegentlyImeanttodoit—andthenIfellintothecoals—andIamsosorryifIfrightenedyou.Oh,don’tbecross—oh,pleasedon’t!"Shesniffedagain.

           "Weain’tsomuchCROSS,"saidthefireman,"asinterestedlike.Itain’teverydayalittlegelltumblesintoourcoalbunkerouterthesky,isit,Bill?WhatdidyouDOitfor—eh?"

           "That’sthepoint,"agreedtheengine-driver;"whatdidyoudoitFOR?"

           Bobbiefoundthatshehadnotquitestoppedcrying.Theengine-driverpattedheronthebackandsaid:"Here,cheerup,Mate.Itain’tsobadasallthat’ere,I’llbebound."

           "Iwanted,"saidBobbie,muchcheeredtofindherselfaddressedas‘Mate’—"Ionlywantedtoaskyouifyou’dbesokindastomendthis.