Дети железной дороги

           "Shepickedupthebrown-paperparcelfromamongthecoalsandundidthestringwithhot,redfingersthattrembled.

           Herfeetandlegsfeltthescorchoftheenginefire,buthershouldersfeltthewildchillrushoftheair.Theenginelurchedandshookandrattled,andastheyshotunderabridgetheengineseemedtoshoutinherears.

           Thefiremanshovelledoncoals.

           Bobbieunrolledthebrownpaperanddisclosedthetoyengine.

           "Ithought,"shesaidwistfully,"thatperhapsyou’dmendthisforme—becauseyou’reanengineer,youknow."

           Theengine-driversaidhewasblowedifhewasn’tblest.

           "I’mblestifIain’tblowed,"remarkedthefireman.

           Buttheengine-drivertookthelittleengineandlookedatit—andthefiremanceasedforaninstanttoshovelcoal,andlooked,too.

           "It’slikeyourpreciouscheek,"saidtheengine-driver—"whatevermadeyouthinkwe’dbebotheredtinkeringpennytoys?"

           "Ididn’tmeanitforpreciouscheek,"saidBobbie;"onlyeverybodythathasanythingtodowithrailwaysissokindandgood,Ididn’tthinkyou’dmind.Youdon’treally—doyou?"sheadded,forshehadseenanotunkindlywinkpassbetweenthetwo.

           "Mytrade’sdrivingofanengine,notmendingher,especiallysuchahout-sizeinenginesasthis’ere,"saidBill.