Дети железной дороги

           Herdearfacewasaswhiteasherlacecollar,andhereyeslookedverybigandshining.Hermouthlookedlikejustalineofpalered—herlipswerethinandnottheirpropershapeatall.

           "It’sbedtime,"shesaid."Ruthwillputyoutobed."

           "ButyoupromisedweshouldsituplatetonightbecauseFather’scomehome,"saidPhyllis.

           "Father’sbeencalledaway—onbusiness,"saidMother."Come,darlings,goatonce."

           Theykissedherandwent.RobertalingeredtogiveMotheranextrahugandtowhisper:

           "Itwasn’tbadnews,Mammy,wasit?Isanyonedead—or—"

           "Nobody’sdead—no,"saidMother,andshealmostseemedtopushRobertaaway."Ican’ttellyouanythingtonight,mypet.Go,dear,goNOW."

           SoRobertawent.

           Ruthbrushedthegirls’hairandhelpedthemtoundress.(Motheralmostalwaysdidthisherself.)WhenshehadturneddownthegasandleftthemshefoundPeter,stilldressed,waitingonthestairs.

           "Isay,Ruth,what’sup?"heasked.

           "Don’taskmenoquestionsandIwon’ttellyounolies,"thered-headedRuthreplied."You’llknowsoonenough."

           LatethatnightMothercameupandkissedallthreechildrenastheylayasleep.ButRobertawastheonlyonewhomthekisswoke,andshelaymousey-still,andsaidnothing.