TomydearsonPaulBland，behindwhoseknowledgeofrailwaysmyignoranceconfidentlyshelters。
　　ChapterI。Thebeginningofthings。
　　Theywerenotrailwaychildrentobeginwith。Idon’tsupposetheyhadeverthoughtaboutrailwaysexceptasameansofgettingtoMaskelyneandCook’s，thePantomime，ZoologicalGardens，andMadameTussaud’s。Theywerejustordinarysuburbanchildren，andtheylivedwiththeirFatherandMotherinanordinaryred—brick—frontedvilla，withcolouredglassinthefrontdoor，atiledpassagethatwascalledahall，abath—roomwithhotandcoldwater，electricbells，Frenchwindows，andagooddealofwhitepaint，and’everymodernconvenience’，asthehouse—agentssay。
　　Therewerethreeofthem。Robertawastheeldest。Ofcourse，Mothersneverhavefavourites，butiftheirMotherHADhadafavourite，itmighthavebeenRoberta。NextcamePeter，whowishedtobeanEngineerwhenhegrewup;andtheyoungestwasPhyllis，whomeantextremelywell。
　　Motherdidnotspendallhertimeinpayingdullcallstodullladies，andsittingdullyathomewaitingfordullladiestopaycallstoher。Shewasalmostalwaysthere，readytoplaywiththechildren，andreadtothem，andhelpthemtodotheirhome—lessons。
　　Besidesthissheusedtowritestoriesforthemwhiletheywereatschool，andreadthemaloudaftertea，andshealwaysmadeupfunnypiecesofpoetryfortheirbirthdaysandforothergreatoccasions，suchasthechristeningofthenewkittens，ortherefurnishingofthedoll’shouse，orthetimewhentheyweregettingoverthemumps。
　　Thesethreeluckychildrenalwayshadeverythingtheyneeded：
　　prettyclothes，goodfires，alovelynurserywithheapsoftoys，andaMotherGoosewall—paper。Theyhadakindandmerrynursemaid，andadogwhowascalledJames，andwhowastheirveryown。TheyalsohadaFatherwhowasjustperfect——nevercross，neverunjust，andalwaysreadyforagame——atleast，ifatanytimehewasNOTready，healwayshadanexcellentreasonforit，andexplainedthereasontothechildrensointerestinglyandfunnilythattheyfeltsurehecouldn’thelphimself。
　　Youwillthinkthattheyoughttohavebeenveryhappy。Andsotheywere，buttheydidnotknowHOWhappytilltheprettylifeintheRedVillawasoveranddonewith，andtheyhadtoliveaverydifferentlifeindeed。
　　Thedreadfulchangecamequitesuddenly。
　　Peterhadabirthday——histenth。Amonghisotherpresentswasamodelenginemoreperfectthanyoucouldeverhavedreamedof。Theotherpresentswerefullofcharm，buttheEnginewasfullerofcharmthananyoftheotherswere。
　　Itscharmlastedinitsfullperfectionforexactlythreedays。
　　Then，owingeithertoPeter’sinexperienceorPhyllis’sgoodintentions，whichhadbeenratherpressing，ortosomeothercause，theEnginesuddenlywentoffwithabang。Jameswassofrightenedthathewentoutanddidnotcomebackallday。AlltheNoah’sArkpeoplewhowereinthetenderwerebrokentobits，butnothingelsewashurtexceptthepoorlittleengineandthefeelingsofPeter。
　　Theotherssaidhecriedoverit——butofcourseboysoftendonotcry，howeverterriblethetragediesmaybewhichdarkentheirlot。
　　Hesaidthathiseyeswereredbecausehehadacold。Thisturnedouttobetrue，thoughPeterdidnotknowitwaswhenhesaidit，thenextdayhehadtogotobedandstaythere。Motherbegantobeafraidthathemightbesickeningformeasles，whensuddenlyhesatupinbedandsaid：
　　"Ihategruel——Ihatebarleywater——Ihatebreadandmilk。IwanttogetupandhavesomethingREALtoeat。"
　　"Whatwouldyoulike？"Motherasked。
　　"Apigeon—pie，"saidPeter，eagerly，"alargepigeon—pie。Averylargeone。"
　　SoMotheraskedtheCooktomakealargepigeon—pie。Thepiewasmade。Andwhenthepiewasmade，itwascooked。Andwhenitwascooked，Peteratesomeofit。Afterthathiscoldwasbetter。
　　Mothermadeapieceofpoetrytoamusehimwhilethepiewasbeingmade。ItbeganbysayingwhatanunfortunatebutworthyboyPeterwas，thenitwenton：
　　HehadanenginethathelovedWithallhisheartandsoul，AndifhehadawishonearthItwastokeepitwhole。
　　Oneday——myfriends，prepareyourminds;
　　I’mcomingtotheworst——
　　Quitesuddenlyascrewwentmad，Andthentheboilerburst！
　　WithgloomyfacehepickeditupAndtookittohisMother，ThoughevenhecouldnotsupposeThatshecouldmakeanother;
　　ForthosewhoperishedonthelineHedidnotseemtocare，HisenginebeingmoretohimThanallthepeoplethere。
　　AndnowyouseethereasonwhyOurPeterhasbeenill：
　　Hesootheshissoulwithpigeon—pieHisgnawinggrieftokill。
　　HewrapshimselfinblanketswarmAndsleepsinbedtilllate，DeterminedthustoovercomeHismiserablefate。
　　Andifhiseyesareratherred，Hiscoldmustjustexcuseit：
　　Offerhimpie;youmaybesureHeneverwillrefuseit。
　　Fatherhadbeenawayinthecountryforthreeorfourdays。AllPeter’shopesforthecuringofhisafflictedEnginewerenowfixedonhisFather，forFatherwasmostwonderfullycleverwithhisfingers。Hecouldmendallsortsofthings。Hehadoftenactedasveterinarysurgeontothewoodenrocking—horse;oncehehadsaveditslifewhenallhumanaidwasdespairedof，andthepoorcreaturewasgivenupforlost，andeventhecarpentersaidhedidn’tseehiswaytodoanything。AnditwasFatherwhomendedthedoll’scradlewhennooneelsecould;andwithalittleglueandsomebitsofwoodandapen—knifemadealltheNoah’sArkbeastsasstrongontheirpinsasevertheywere，ifnotstronger。
　　Peter，withheroicunselfishness，didnotsayanythingabouthisEnginetillafterFatherhadhadhisdinnerandhisafter—dinnercigar。TheunselfishnesswasMother’sidea——butitwasPeterwhocarrieditout。Andneededagooddealofpatience，too。
　　AtlastMothersaidtoFather，"Now，dear，ifyou’requiterested，andquitecomfy，wewanttotellyouaboutthegreatrailwayaccident，andaskyouradvice。"
　　"Allright，"saidFather，"fireaway！"
　　SothenPetertoldthesadtale，andfetchedwhatwasleftoftheEngine。
　　"Hum，"saidFather，whenhehadlookedtheEngineoververycarefully。
　　Thechildrenheldtheirbreaths。
　　"IsthereNOhope？"saidPeter，inalow，unsteadyvoice。
　　"Hope？Rather！Tonsofit，"saidFather，cheerfully;"butit’llwantsomethingbesideshope——abitofbrazingsay，orsomesolder，andanewvalve。Ithinkwe’dbetterkeepitforarainyday。Inotherwords，I’llgiveupSaturdayafternoontoit，andyoushallallhelpme。"
　　"CANgirlshelptomendengines？"Peteraskeddoubtfully。
　　"Ofcoursetheycan。Girlsarejustascleverasboys，anddon’tyouforgetit！Howwouldyouliketobeanengine—driver，Phil？"
　　"Myfacewouldbealwaysdirty，wouldn’tit？"saidPhyllis，inunenthusiastictones，"andIexpectIshouldbreaksomething。"
　　"Ishouldjustloveit，"saidRoberta——"doyouthinkIcouldwhenI’mgrownup，Daddy？Orevenastoker？"
　　"Youmeanafireman，"saidDaddy，pullingandtwistingattheengine。"Well，ifyoustillwishit，whenyou’regrownup，we’llseeaboutmakingyouafire—woman。IrememberwhenIwasaboy——"
　　Justthentherewasaknockatthefrontdoor。
　　"Whoonearth！"saidFather。"AnEnglishman’shouseishiscastle，ofcourse，butIdowishtheybuiltsemi—detachedvillaswithmoatsanddrawbridges。"
　　Ruth——shewastheparlour—maidandhadredhair——cameinandsaidthattwogentlemenwantedtoseethemaster。
　　"I’veshownthemintotheLibrary，Sir，"saidshe。
　　"Iexpectit’sthesubscriptiontotheVicar’stestimonial，"saidMother，"orelseit’sthechoirholidayfund。Getridofthemquickly，dear。Itdoesbreakupaneveningso，andit’snearlythechildren’sbedtime。"
　　ButFatherdidnotseemtobeabletogetridofthegentlemenatallquickly。
　　"IwishweHADgotamoatanddrawbridge，"saidRoberta;"then，whenwedidn’twantpeople，wecouldjustpullupthedrawbridgeandnooneelsecouldgetin。IexpectFatherwillhaveforgottenaboutwhenhewasaboyiftheystaymuchlonger。"
　　MothertriedtomakethetimepassbytellingthemanewfairystoryaboutaPrincesswithgreeneyes，butitwasdifficultbecausetheycouldhearthevoicesofFatherandthegentlemenintheLibrary，andFather’svoicesoundedlouderanddifferenttothevoicehegenerallyusedtopeoplewhocameabouttestimonialsandholidayfunds。
　　ThentheLibrarybellrang，andeveryoneheavedabreathofrelief。
　　"They’regoingnow，"saidPhyllis;"he’srungtohavethemshownout。"
　　Butinsteadofshowinganybodyout，Ruthshowedherselfin，andshelookedqueer，thechildrenthought。
　　"Please’m，"shesaid，"theMasterwantsyoutojuststepintothestudy。Helookslikethedead，mum;Ithinkhe’shadbadnews。
　　You’dbestprepareyourselffortheworst，’m——p’rapsit’sadeathinthefamilyorabankbustedor——"
　　"That’lldo，Ruth，"saidMothergently;"youcango。"
　　ThenMotherwentintotheLibrary。Therewasmoretalking。Thenthebellrangagain，andRuthfetchedacab。Thechildrenheardbootsgooutanddownthesteps。Thecabdroveaway，andthefrontdoorshut。ThenMothercamein。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。
　　"IfMotherdoesn’twantustoknowshe’sbeencrying，"shesaidtoherselfassheheardthroughthedarkthecatchingofherMother’sbreath，"weWON’Tknowit。That’sall。"
　　Whentheycamedowntobreakfastthenextmorning，Motherhadalreadygoneout。
　　"ToLondon，"Ruthsaid，andleftthemtotheirbreakfast。
　　"There’ssomethingawfulthematter，"saidPeter，breakinghisegg。
　　"Ruthtoldmelastnightweshouldknowsoonenough。"
　　"DidyouASKher？"saidRoberta，withscorn。
　　"Yes，Idid！"saidPeter，angrily。"IfyoucouldgotobedwithoutcaringwhetherMotherwasworriedornot，Icouldn’t。Sothere。"
　　"Idon’tthinkweoughttoasktheservantsthingsMotherdoesn’ttellus，"saidRoberta。
　　"That’sright，MissGoody—goody，"saidPeter，"preachaway。"
　　"I’Mnotgoody，"saidPhyllis，"butIthinkBobbie’srightthistime。"
　　"Ofcourse。Shealwaysis。Inherownopinion，"saidPeter。
　　"Oh，DON’T！"criedRoberta，puttingdownheregg—spoon;"don’tlet’sbehorridtoeachother。I’msuresomedirecalamityishappening。
　　Don’tlet’smakeitworse！"
　　"Whobegan，Ishouldliketoknow？"saidPeter。
　　Robertamadeaneffort，andanswered：——
　　"Idid，Isuppose，but——"
　　"Well，then，"saidPeter，triumphantly。Butbeforehewenttoschoolhethumpedhissisterbetweentheshouldersandtoldhertocheerup。
　　Thechildrencamehometooneo’clockdinner，butMotherwasnotthere。Andshewasnotthereattea—time。
　　Itwasnearlysevenbeforeshecamein，lookingsoillandtiredthatthechildrenfelttheycouldnotaskheranyquestions。Shesankintoanarm—chair。Phyllistookthelongpinsoutofherhat，whileRobertatookoffhergloves，andPeterunfastenedherwalking—
　　shoesandfetchedhersoftvelvetyslippersforher。
　　Whenshehadhadacupoftea，andRobertahadputeau—de—Cologneonherpoorheadthatached，Mothersaid：——
　　"Now，mydarlings，Iwanttotellyousomething。Thosemenlastnightdidbringverybadnews，andFatherwillbeawayforsometime。Iamveryworriedaboutit，andIwantyoualltohelpme，andnottomakethingsharderforme。"
　　"Asifwewould！"saidRoberta，holdingMother’shandagainstherface。
　　"Youcanhelpmeverymuch，"saidMother，"bybeinggoodandhappyandnotquarrellingwhenI’maway"——RobertaandPeterexchangedguiltyglances——"forIshallhavetobeawayagooddeal。"
　　"Wewon’tquarrel。Indeedwewon’t，"saideverybody。Andmeantit，too。
　　"Then，"Motherwenton，"Iwantyounottoaskmeanyquestionsaboutthistrouble;andnottoaskanybodyelseanyquestions。"
　　Petercringedandshuffledhisbootsonthecarpet。
　　"You’llpromisethis，too，won’tyou？"saidMother。
　　"IdidaskRuth，"saidPeter，suddenly。"I’mverysorry，butI
　　did。"
　　"Andwhatdidshesay？"
　　"ShesaidIshouldknowsoonenough。"
　　"Itisn’tnecessaryforyoutoknowanythingaboutit，"saidMother;
　　"it’saboutbusiness，andyouneverdounderstandbusiness，doyou？"
　　"No，"saidRoberta;"isitsomethingtodowithGovernment？"ForFatherwasinaGovernmentOffice。
　　"Yes，"saidMother。"Nowit’sbed—time，mydarlings。Anddon’tYOU
　　worry。It’llallcomerightintheend。"
　　"Thendon’tYOUworryeither，Mother，"saidPhyllis，"andwe’llallbeasgoodasgold。"
　　Mothersighedandkissedthem。
　　"We’llbeginbeinggoodthefirstthingtomorrowmorning，"saidPeter，astheywentupstairs。
　　"WhynotNOW？"saidRoberta。
　　"There’snothingtobegoodABOUTnow，silly，"saidPeter。
　　"WemightbegintotrytoFEELgood，"saidPhyllis，"andnotcallnames。"
　　"Who’scallingnames？"saidPeter。"BobbieknowsrightenoughthatwhenIsay’silly’，it’sjustthesameasifIsaidBobbie。"
　　"WELL，"saidRoberta。
　　"No，Idon’tmeanwhatyoumean。Imeanit’sjusta——whatisitFathercallsit？——agermofendearment！Goodnight。"
　　Thegirlsfoldeduptheirclotheswithmorethanusualneatness——
　　whichwastheonlywayofbeinggoodthattheycouldthinkof。
　　"Isay，"saidPhyllis，smoothingoutherpinafore，"youusedtosayitwassodull——nothinghappening，likeinbooks。NowsomethingHAS
　　happened。"
　　"IneverwantedthingstohappentomakeMotherunhappy，"saidRoberta。"Everything’sperfectlyhorrid。"
　　Everythingcontinuedtobeperfectlyhorridforsomeweeks。
　　Motherwasnearlyalwaysout。Mealsweredullanddirty。Thebetween—maidwassentaway，andAuntEmmacameonavisit。AuntEmmawasmucholderthanMother。Shewasgoingabroadtobeagoverness。Shewasverybusygettingherclothesready，andtheywereveryugly，dingyclothes，andshehadthemalwayslitteringabout，andthesewing—machineseemedtowhir——onandonalldayandmostofthenight。AuntEmmabelievedinkeepingchildrenintheirproperplaces。Andtheymorethanreturnedthecompliment。TheirideaofAuntEmma’sproperplacewasanywherewheretheywerenot。
　　Sotheysawverylittleofher。Theypreferredthecompanyoftheservants，whoweremoreamusing。Cook，ifinagoodtemper，couldsingcomicsongs，andthehousemaid，ifshehappenednottobeoffendedwithyou，couldimitateahenthathaslaidanegg，abottleofchampagnebeingopened，andcouldmewliketwocatsfighting。TheservantsnevertoldthechildrenwhatthebadnewswasthatthegentlemenhadbroughttoFather。Buttheykepthintingthattheycouldtellagreatdealiftheychose——andthiswasnotcomfortable。
　　OnedaywhenPeterhadmadeaboobytrapoverthebath—roomdoor，andithadactedbeautifullyasRuthpassedthrough，thatred—hairedparlour—maidcaughthimandboxedhisears。
　　"You’llcometoabadend，"shesaidfuriously，"younastylittlelimb，you！Ifyoudon’tmendyourways，you’llgowhereyourpreciousFather’sgone，soItellyoustraight！"
　　RobertarepeatedthistoherMother，andnextdayRuthwassentaway。
　　ThencamethetimewhenMothercamehomeandwenttobedandstayedtheretwodaysandtheDoctorcame，andthechildrencreptwretchedlyaboutthehouseandwonderediftheworldwascomingtoanend。
　　Mothercamedownonemorningtobreakfast，verypaleandwithlinesonherfacethatusednottobethere。Andshesmiled，aswellasshecould，andsaid：——
　　"Now，mypets，everythingissettled。We’regoingtoleavethishouse，andgoandliveinthecountry。Suchaduckydearlittlewhitehouse。Iknowyou’llloveit。"
　　Awhirlingweekofpackingfollowed——notjustpackingclothes，likewhenyougototheseaside，butpackingchairsandtables，coveringtheirtopswithsackingandtheirlegswithstraw。
　　Allsortsofthingswerepackedthatyoudon’tpackwhenyougototheseaside。Crockery，blankets，candlesticks，carpets，bedsteads，saucepans，andevenfendersandfire—irons。
　　Thehousewaslikeafurniturewarehouse。Ithinkthechildrenenjoyeditverymuch。Motherwasverybusy，butnottoobusynowtotalktothem，andreadtothem，andeventomakeabitofpoetryforPhyllistocheerherupwhenshefelldownwithascrewdriverandranitintoherhand。
　　"Aren’tyougoingtopackthis，Mother？"Robertaasked，pointingtothebeautifulcabinetinlaidwithredturtleshellandbrass。
　　"Wecan’ttakeeverything，"saidMother。
　　"Butweseemtobetakingalltheuglythings，"saidRoberta。
　　"We’retakingtheusefulones，"saidMother;"we’vegottoplayatbeingPoorforabit，mychickabiddy。"
　　Whenalltheuglyusefulthingshadbeenpackedupandtakenawayinavanbymeningreen—baizeaprons，thetwogirlsandMotherandAuntEmmasleptinthetwospareroomswherethefurniturewasallpretty。Alltheirbedshadgone。AbedwasmadeupforPeteronthedrawing—roomsofa。
　　"Isay，thisislarks，"hesaid，wrigglingjoyously，asMothertuckedhimup。"Idolikemoving！Iwishwemovedonceamonth。"
　　Motherlaughed。
　　"Idon’t！"shesaid。"Goodnight，Peterkin。"
　　AssheturnedawayRobertasawherface。Sheneverforgotit。
　　"Oh，Mother，"shewhisperedalltoherselfasshegotintobed，"howbraveyouare！HowIloveyou！Fancybeingbraveenoughtolaughwhenyou’refeelinglikeTHAT！"
　　Nextdayboxeswerefilled，andboxesandmoreboxes;andthenlateintheafternoonacabcametotakethemtothestation。
　　AuntEmmasawthemoff。TheyfeltthatTHEYwereseeingHERoff，andtheyweregladofit。
　　"But，oh，thosepoorlittleforeignchildrenthatshe’sgoingtogoverness！"whisperedPhyllis。"Iwouldn’tbethemforanything！"
　　Atfirsttheyenjoyedlookingoutofthewindow，butwhenitgrewdusktheygrewsleepierandsleepier，andnooneknewhowlongtheyhadbeeninthetrainwhentheywererousedbyMother’sshakingthemgentlyandsaying：——
　　"Wakeup，dears。We’rethere。"
　　Theywokeup，coldandmelancholy，andstoodshiveringonthedraughtyplatformwhilethebaggagewastakenoutofthetrain。
　　Thentheengine，puffingandblowing，settoworkagain，anddraggedthetrainaway。Thechildrenwatchedthetail—lightsoftheguard’svandisappearintothedarkness。
　　Thiswasthefirsttrainthechildrensawonthatrailwaywhichwasintimetobecomesoverydeartothem。Theydidnotguessthenhowtheywouldgrowtolovetherailway，andhowsoonitwouldbecomethecentreoftheirnewlife，norwhatwondersandchangesitwouldbringtothem。Theyonlyshiveredandsneezedandhopedthewalktothenewhousewouldnotbelong。Peter’snosewascolderthanheeverrememberedittohavebeenbefore。Roberta’shatwascrooked，andtheelasticseemedtighterthanusual。Phyllis’sshoe—laceshadcomeundone。
　　"Come，"saidMother，"we’vegottowalk。Therearen’tanycabshere。"
　　Thewalkwasdarkandmuddy。Thechildrenstumbledalittleontheroughroad，andoncePhyllisabsentlyfellintoapuddle，andwaspickedupdampandunhappy。Therewerenogas—lampsontheroad，andtheroadwasuphill。Thecartwentatafoot’space，andtheyfollowedthegrittycrunchofitswheels。Astheireyesgotusedtothedarkness，theycouldseethemoundofboxesswayingdimlyinfrontofthem。
　　Alonggatehadtobeopenedforthecarttopassthrough，andafterthattheroadseemedtogoacrossfields——andnowitwentdownhill。
　　Presentlyagreatdarklumpishthingshowedovertotheright。
　　"There’sthehouse，"saidMother。"Iwonderwhyshe’sshuttheshutters。"
　　"Who’sSHE？"askedRoberta。
　　"ThewomanIengagedtocleantheplace，andputthefurniturestraightandgetsupper。"
　　Therewasalowwall，andtreesinside。
　　"That’sthegarden，"saidMother。
　　"Itlooksmorelikeadripping—panfullofblackcabbages，"saidPeter。
　　Thecartwentonalongbythegardenwall，androundtothebackofthehouse，andhereitclatteredintoacobble—stonedyardandstoppedatthebackdoor。
　　Therewasnolightinanyofthewindows。
　　Everyonehammeredatthedoor，butnoonecame。
　　ThemanwhodrovethecartsaidheexpectedMrs。Vineyhadgonehome。
　　"Youseeyourtrainwasthatlate，"saidhe。
　　"Butshe’sgotthekey，"saidMother。"Whatarewetodo？"
　　"Oh，she’llhaveleftthatunderthedoorstep，"saidthecartman;
　　"folksdohereabouts。"Hetookthelanternoffhiscartandstooped。
　　"Ay，hereitis，rightenough，"hesaid。
　　Heunlockedthedoorandwentinandsethislanternonthetable。
　　"Gote’eracandle？"saidhe。
　　"Idon’tknowwhereanythingis。"Motherspokeratherlesscheerfullythanusual。
　　Hestruckamatch。Therewasacandleonthetable，andhelightedit。Byitsthinlittleglimmerthechildrensawalargebarekitchenwithastonefloor。Therewerenocurtains，nohearth—rug。
　　Thekitchentablefromhomestoodinthemiddleoftheroom。Thechairswereinonecorner，andthepots，pans，brooms，andcrockeryinanother。Therewasnofire，andtheblackgrateshowedcold，deadashes。
　　Asthecartmanturnedtogooutafterhehadbroughtintheboxes，therewasarustling，scamperingsoundthatseemedtocomefrominsidethewallsofthehouse。
　　"Oh，what’sthat？"criedthegirls。
　　"It’sonlytherats，"saidthecartman。Andhewentawayandshutthedoor，andthesuddendraughtofitblewoutthecandle。
　　"Oh，dear，"saidPhyllis，"Iwishwehadn’tcome！"andsheknockedachairover。
　　"ONLYtherats！"saidPeter，inthedark。
　　ChapterII。Peter’scoal—mine。
　　"Whatfun！"saidMother，inthedark，feelingforthematchesonthetable。"Howfrightenedthepoormicewere——Idon’tbelievetheywereratsatall。"
　　Shestruckamatchandrelightedthecandleandeveryonelookedateachotherbyitswinky，blinkylight。
　　"Well，"shesaid，"you’veoftenwantedsomethingtohappenandnowithas。Thisisquiteanadventure，isn’tit？ItoldMrs。Vineytogetussomebreadandbutter，andmeatandthings，andtohavesupperready。Isupposeshe’slaiditinthedining—room。Solet’sgoandsee。"
　　Thedining—roomopenedoutofthekitchen。Itlookedmuchdarkerthanthekitchenwhentheywentinwiththeonecandle。Becausethekitchenwaswhitewashed，butthedining—roomwasdarkwoodfromfloortoceiling，andacrosstheceilingtherewereheavyblackbeams。Therewasamuddledmazeofdustyfurniture——thebreakfast—
　　roomfurniturefromtheoldhomewheretheyhadlivedalltheirlives。Itseemedaverylongtimeago，andaverylongwayoff。
　　Therewasthetablecertainly，andtherewerechairs，buttherewasnosupper。
　　"Let’slookintheotherrooms，"saidMother;andtheylooked。Andineachroomwasthesamekindofblunderinghalf—arrangementoffurniture，andfire—ironsandcrockery，andallsortsofoddthingsonthefloor，buttherewasnothingtoeat;eveninthepantrytherewereonlyarustycake—tinandabrokenplatewithwhiteningmixedinit。
　　"Whatahorridoldwoman！"saidMother;"she’sjustwalkedoffwiththemoneyandnotgotusanythingtoeatatall。"
　　"Thenshan’twehaveanysupperatall？"askedPhyllis，dismayed，steppingbackontoasoap—dishthatcrackedresponsively。
　　"Oh，yes，"saidMother，"onlyit’llmeanunpackingoneofthosebigcasesthatweputinthecellar。Phil，domindwhereyou’rewalkingto，there’sadear。Peter，holdthelight。"
　　Thecellardooropenedoutofthekitchen。Therewerefivewoodenstepsleadingdown。Itwasn’tapropercellaratall，thechildrenthought，becauseitsceilingwentupashighasthekitchen’s。A
　　bacon—rackhungunderitsceiling。Therewaswoodinit，andcoal。
　　Alsothebigcases。
　　Peterheldthecandle，allononeside，whileMothertriedtoopenthegreatpacking—case。Itwasverysecurelynaileddown。
　　"Where’sthehammer？"askedPeter。
　　"That’sjustit，"saidMother。"I’mafraidit’sinsidethebox。
　　Butthere’sacoal—shovel——andthere’sthekitchenpoker。"
　　Andwiththeseshetriedtogetthecaseopen。
　　"Letmedoit，"saidPeter，thinkinghecoulddoitbetterhimself。
　　Everyonethinksthiswhenheseesanotherpersonstirringafire，oropeningabox，oruntyingaknotinabitofstring。
　　"You’llhurtyourhands，Mammy，"saidRoberta;"letme。"
　　"IwishFatherwashere，"saidPhyllis;"he’dgetitopenintwoshakes。Whatareyoukickingmefor，Bobbie？"
　　"Iwasn’t，"saidRoberta。
　　Justthenthefirstofthelongnailsinthepacking—casebegantocomeoutwithascrunch。Thenalathwasraisedandthenanother，tillallfourstoodupwiththelongnailsinthemshiningfiercelylikeironteethinthecandle—light。
　　"Hooray！"saidMother;"herearesomecandles——theveryfirstthing！
　　Yougirlsgoandlightthem。You’llfindsomesaucersandthings。
　　Justdropalittlecandle—greaseinthesaucerandstickthecandleuprightinit。"
　　"Howmanyshallwelight？"
　　"Asmanyaseveryoulike，"saidMother，gaily。"Thegreatthingistobecheerful。Nobodycanbecheerfulinthedarkexceptowlsanddormice。"
　　Sothegirlslightedcandles。TheheadofthefirstmatchflewoffandstucktoPhyllis’sfinger;but，asRobertasaid，itwasonlyalittleburn，andshemighthavehadtobeaRomanmartyrandbeburnedwholeifshehadhappenedtoliveinthedayswhenthosethingswerefashionable。
　　Then，whenthedining—roomwaslightedbyfourteencandles，Robertafetchedcoalandwoodandlightedafire。
　　"It’sverycoldforMay，"shesaid，feelingwhatagrown—upthingitwastosay。
　　Thefire—lightandthecandle—lightmadethedining—roomlookverydifferent，fornowyoucouldseethatthedarkwallswereofwood，carvedhereandthereintolittlewreathsandloops。
　　Thegirlshastily’tidied’theroom，whichmeantputtingthechairsagainstthewall，andpilingalltheoddsandendsintoacornerandpartlyhidingthemwiththebigleatherarm—chairthatFatherusedtositinafterdinner。
　　"Bravo！"criedMother，cominginwithatrayfullofthings。"Thisissomethinglike！I’lljustgetatableclothandthen——"
　　Thetableclothwasinaboxwithaproperlockthatwasopenedwithakeyandnotwithashovel，andwhentheclothwasspreadonthetable，arealfeastwaslaidoutonit。
　　Everyonewasvery，verytired，buteveryonecheeredupatthesightofthefunnyanddelightfulsupper。Therewerebiscuits，theMarieandtheplainkind，sardines，preservedginger，cookingraisins，andcandiedpeelandmarmalade。
　　"WhatagoodthingAuntEmmapackedupalltheoddsandendsoutoftheStorecupboard，"saidMother。"Now，Phil，DON’Tputthemarmaladespooninamongthesardines。"
　　"No，Iwon’t，Mother，"saidPhyllis，andputitdownamongtheMariebiscuits。
　　"Let’sdrinkAuntEmma’shealth，"saidRoberta，suddenly;"whatshouldwehavedoneifshehadn’tpackedupthesethings？Here’stoAuntEmma！"
　　Andthetoastwasdrunkingingerwineandwater，outofwillow—
　　patternedtea—cups，becausetheglassescouldn’tbefound。
　　TheyallfeltthattheyhadbeenalittlehardonAuntEmma。Shewasn’tanicecuddlypersonlikeMother，butafterallitwasshewhohadthoughtofpackinguptheoddsandendsofthingstoeat。
　　ItwasAuntEmma，too，whohadairedallthesheetsready;andthemenwhohadmovedthefurniturehadputthebedsteadstogether，sothebedsweresoonmade。
　　"Goodnight，chickies，"saidMother。"I’msuretherearen’tanyrats。ButI’llleavemydooropen，andthenifamousecomes，youneedonlyscream，andI’llcomeandtellitexactlywhatIthinkofit。"
　　Thenshewenttoherownroom。Robertawoketohearthelittletravellingclockchimetwo。Itsoundedlikeachurchclockeversofaraway，shealwaysthought。Andsheheard，too，Motherstillmovingaboutinherroom。
　　NextmorningRobertawokePhyllisbypullingherhairgently，butquiteenoughforherpurpose。
　　"Wassermarrer？"askedPhyllis，stillalmostwhollyasleep。
　　"Wakeup！wakeup！"saidRoberta。"We’reinthenewhouse——don’tyouremember？Noservantsoranything。Let’sgetupandbegintobeuseful。We’lljustcreepdownmouse—quietly，andhaveeverythingbeautifulbeforeMothergetsup。I’vewokePeter。He’llbedressedassoonasweare。"
　　Sotheydressedquietlyandquickly。Ofcourse，therewasnowaterintheirroom，sowhentheygotdowntheywashedasmuchastheythoughtwasnecessaryunderthespoutofthepumpintheyard。Onepumpedandtheotherwashed。Itwassplashybutinteresting。
　　"It’smuchmorefunthanbasinwashing，"saidRoberta。"Howsparklytheweedsarebetweenthestones，andthemossontheroof——oh，andtheflowers！"
　　Theroofofthebackkitchenslopeddownquitelow。Itwasmadeofthatchandithadmossonit，andhouse—leeksandstonecropandwallflowers，andevenaclumpofpurpleflag—flowers，atthefarcorner。
　　"Thisisfar，far，farandawayprettierthanEdgecombeVilla，"saidPhyllis。"Iwonderwhatthegarden’slike。"
　　"Wemustn’tthinkofthegardenyet，"saidRoberta，withearnestenergy。"Let’sgoinandbegintowork。"
　　Theylightedthefireandputthekettleon，andtheyarrangedthecrockeryforbreakfast;theycouldnotfindalltherightthings，butaglassash—traymadeanexcellentsalt—cellar，andanewishbaking—tinseemedasifitwoulddotoputbreadon，iftheyhadany。
　　Whenthereseemedtobenothingmorethattheycoulddo，theywentoutagainintothefreshbrightmorning。
　　"We’llgointothegardennow，"saidPeter。Butsomehowtheycouldn’tfindthegarden。Theywentroundthehouseandroundthehouse。Theyardoccupiedtheback，andacrossitwerestablesandoutbuildings。Ontheotherthreesidesthehousestoodsimplyinafield，withoutayardofgardentodivideitfromtheshortsmoothturf。Andyettheyhadcertainlyseenthegardenwallthenightbefore。
　　Itwasahillycountry。Downbelowtheycouldseethelineoftherailway，andtheblackyawningmouthofatunnel。Thestationwasoutofsight。Therewasagreatbridgewithtallarchesrunningacrossoneendofthevalley。
　　"Nevermindthegarden，"saidPeter;"let’sgodownandlookattherailway。Theremightbetrainspassing。"
　　"Wecanseethemfromhere，"saidRoberta，slowly;"let’ssitdownabit。"
　　Sotheyallsatdownonagreatflatgreystonethathadpusheditselfupoutofthegrass;itwasoneofmanythatlayaboutonthehillside，andwhenMothercameouttolookforthemateighto’clock，shefoundthemdeeplyasleepinacontented，sun—warmedbunch。
　　Theyhadmadeanexcellentfire，andhadsetthekettleonitatabouthalf—pastfive。Sothatbyeightthefirehadbeenoutforsometime，thewaterhadallboiledaway，andthebottomwasburnedoutofthekettle。Alsotheyhadnotthoughtofwashingthecrockerybeforetheysetthetable。
　　"Butitdoesn’tmatter——thecupsandsaucers，Imean，"saidMother。
　　"BecauseI’vefoundanotherroom——I’dquiteforgottentherewasone。
　　Andit’smagic！AndI’veboiledthewaterforteainasaucepan。"
　　Theforgottenroomopenedoutofthekitchen。Intheagitationandhalfdarknessthenightbeforeitsdoorhadbeenmistakenforacupboard’s。Itwasalittlesquareroom，andonitstable，allnicelysetout，wasajointofcoldroastbeef，withbread，butter，cheese，andapie。
　　"Pieforbreakfast！"criedPeter;"howperfectlyripping！"
　　"Itisn’tpigeon—pie，"saidMother;"it’sonlyapple。Well，thisisthesupperweoughttohavehadlastnight。AndtherewasanotefromMrs。Viney。Herson—in—lawhasbrokenhisarm，andshehadtogethomeearly。She’scomingthismorningatten。"
　　Thatwasawonderfulbreakfast。Itisunusualtobeginthedaywithcoldapplepie，butthechildrenallsaidtheywouldratherhaveitthanmeat。
　　"Youseeit’smorelikedinnerthanbreakfasttous，"saidPeter，passinghisplateformore，"becausewewereupsoearly。"
　　ThedaypassedinhelpingMothertounpackandarrangethings。Sixsmalllegsquiteachedwithrunningaboutwhiletheirownerscarriedclothesandcrockeryandallsortsofthingstotheirproperplaces。
　　ItwasnottillquitelateintheafternoonthatMothersaid：——
　　"There！That’lldoforto—day。I’llliedownforanhour，soastobeasfreshasalarkbysupper—time。"
　　Thentheyalllookedateachother。Eachofthethreeexpressivecountenancesexpressedthesamethought。Thatthoughtwasdouble，andconsisted，likethebitsofinformationintheChild’sGuidetoKnowledge，ofaquestionandananswer。
　　Q。Whereshallwego？
　　A。Totherailway。
　　Sototherailwaytheywent，andassoonastheystartedfortherailwaytheysawwherethegardenhadhiddenitself。Itwasrightbehindthestables，andithadahighwallallround。
　　"Oh，nevermindaboutthegardennow！"criedPeter。"Mothertoldmethismorningwhereitwas。It’llkeeptillto—morrow。Let’sgettotherailway。"
　　Thewaytotherailwaywasalldownhilloversmooth，shortturfwithhereandtherefurzebushesandgreyandyellowrocksstickingoutlikecandiedpeelfromthetopofacake。
　　Thewayendedinasteeprunandawoodenfence——andtherewastherailwaywiththeshiningmetalsandthetelegraphwiresandpostsandsignals。
　　Theyallclimbedontothetopofthefence，andthensuddenlytherewasarumblingsoundthatmadethemlookalongthelinetotheright，wherethedarkmouthofatunnelopeneditselfinthefaceofarockycliff;nextmomentatrainhadrushedoutofthetunnelwithashriekandasnort，andhadslidnoisilypastthem。Theyfelttherushofitspassing，andthepebblesonthelinejumpedandrattledunderitasitwentby。
　　"Oh！"saidRoberta，drawingalongbreath;"itwaslikeagreatdragontearingby。Didyoufeelitfanuswithitshotwings？"
　　"Isupposeadragon’slairmightlookverylikethattunnelfromtheoutside，"saidPhyllis。
　　ButPetersaid：——
　　"Ineverthoughtweshouldevergetasneartoatrainasthis。
　　It’sthemostrippingsport！"
　　"Betterthantoy—engines，isn’tit？"saidRoberta。
　　（IamtiredofcallingRobertabyhername。Idon’tseewhyI
　　should。Nooneelsedid。EveryoneelsecalledherBobbie，andI
　　don’tseewhyIshouldn’t。）
　　"Idon’tknow;it’sdifferent，"saidPeter。"ItseemssooddtoseeALLofatrain。It’sawfullytall，isn’tit？"
　　"We’vealwaysseenthemcutinhalfbyplatforms，"saidPhyllis。
　　"IwonderifthattrainwasgoingtoLondon，"Bobbiesaid。
　　"London’swhereFatheris。"
　　"Let’sgodowntothestationandfindout，"saidPeter。
　　Sotheywent。
　　Theywalkedalongtheedgeoftheline，andheardthetelegraphwireshummingovertheirheads。Whenyouareinthetrain，itseemssuchalittlewaybetweenpostandpost，andoneafteranotherthepostsseemtocatchupthewiresalmostmorequicklythanyoucancountthem。Butwhenyouhavetowalk，thepostsseemfewandfarbetween。
　　Butthechildrengottothestationatlast。
　　Neverbeforehadanyofthembeenatastation，exceptforthepurposeofcatchingtrains——orperhapswaitingforthem——andalwayswithgrown—upsinattendance，grown—upswhowerenotthemselvesinterestedinstations，exceptasplacesfromwhichtheywishedtogetaway。
　　Neverbeforehadtheypassedcloseenoughtoasignal—boxtobeabletonoticethewires，andtohearthemysterious’ping，ping，’
　　followedbythestrong，firmclickingofmachinery。
　　Theverysleepersonwhichtherailslaywereadelightfulpathtotravelby——justfarenoughaparttoserveasthestepping—stonesinagameoffoamingtorrentshastilyorganisedbyBobbie。
　　Thentoarriveatthestation，notthroughthebookingoffice，butinafreebootingsortofwaybytheslopingendoftheplatform。
　　Thisinitselfwasjoy。
　　Joy，too，itwastopeepintotheporters’room，wherethelampsare，andtheRailwayalmanaconthewall，andoneporterhalfasleepbehindapaper。
　　Therewereagreatmanycrossinglinesatthestation;someofthemjustranintoayardandstoppedshort，asthoughtheyweretiredofbusinessandmeanttoretireforgood。Trucksstoodontherailshere，andononesidewasagreatheapofcoal——notalooseheap，suchasyouseeinyourcoalcellar，butasortofsolidbuildingofcoalswithlargesquareblocksofcoaloutsideusedjustasthoughtheywerebricks，andbuiltuptilltheheaplookedlikethepictureoftheCitiesofthePlainin’BibleStoriesforInfants。’Therewasalineofwhitewashnearthetopofthecoalywall。
　　WhenpresentlythePorterloungedoutofhisroomatthetwice—
　　repeatedtinglingthrillofagongoverthestationdoor，Petersaid，"Howdoyoudo？"inhisbestmanner，andhastenedtoaskwhatthewhitemarkwasonthecoalfor。
　　"Tomarkhowmuchcoaltherebe，"saidthePorter，"soaswe’llknowifanyonenicksit。Sodon’tyougooffwithnoneinyourpockets，younggentleman！"
　　Thisseemed，atthetimebutamerryjest，andPeterfeltatoncethatthePorterwasafriendlysortwithnononsenseabouthim。ButlaterthewordscamebacktoPeterwithanewmeaning。
　　Haveyouevergoneintoafarmhousekitchenonabakingday，andseenthegreatcrockofdoughsetbythefiretorise？Ifyouhave，andifyouwereatthattimestillyoungenoughtobeinterestedineverythingyousaw，youwillrememberthatyoufoundyourselfquiteunabletoresistthetemptationtopokeyourfingerintothesoftroundofdoughthatcurvedinsidethepanlikeagiantmushroom。
　　Andyouwillrememberthatyourfingermadeadentinthedough，andthatslowly，butquitesurely，thedentdisappeared，andthedoughlookedquitethesameasitdidbeforeyoutouchedit。Unless，ofcourse，yourhandwasextradirty，inwhichcase，naturally，therewouldbealittleblackmark。
　　Well，itwasjustlikethatwiththesorrowthechildrenhadfeltatFather’sgoingaway，andatMother’sbeingsounhappy。Itmadeadeepimpression，buttheimpressiondidnotlastlong。
　　TheysoongotusedtobeingwithoutFather，thoughtheydidnotforgethim;andtheygotusedtonotgoingtoschool，andtoseeingverylittleofMother，whowasnowalmostalldayshutupinherupstairsroomwriting，writing，writing。Sheusedtocomedownattea—timeandreadaloudthestoriesshehadwritten。Theywerelovelystories。
　　Therocksandhillsandvalleysandtrees，thecanal，andaboveall，therailway，weresonewandsoperfectlypleasingthattheremembranceoftheoldlifeinthevillagrewtoseemalmostlikeadream。
　　Motherhadtoldthemmorethanoncethattheywere’quitepoornow，’
　　butthisdidnotseemtobeanythingbutawayofspeaking。Grown—
　　uppeople，evenMothers，oftenmakeremarksthatdon’tseemtomeananythinginparticular，justforthesakeofsayingsomething，seemingly。Therewasalwaysenoughtoeat，andtheyworethesamekindofniceclothestheyhadalwaysworn。
　　ButinJunecamethreewetdays;theraincamedown，straightaslances，anditwasvery，verycold。Nobodycouldgoout，andeverybodyshivered。TheyallwentuptothedoorofMother’sroomandknocked。
　　"Well，whatisit？"askedMotherfrominside。
　　"Mother，"saidBobbie，"mayn’tIlightafire？Idoknowhow。"
　　AndMothersaid："No，myducky—love。Wemustn’thavefiresinJune——coalissodear。Ifyou’recold，goandhaveagoodrompintheattic。That’llwarmyou。"
　　"But，Mother，itonlytakessuchaverylittlecoaltomakeafire。"
　　"It’smorethanwecanafford，chickeny—love，"saidMother，cheerfully。"Nowrunaway，there’sdarlings——I’mmadlybusy！"
　　"Mother’salwaysbusynow，"saidPhyllis，inawhispertoPeter。
　　Peterdidnotanswer。Heshruggedhisshoulders。Hewasthinking。
　　Thought，however，couldnotlongkeepitselffromthesuitablefurnishingofabandit’slairintheattic。Peterwasthebandit，ofcourse。Bobbiewashislieutenant，hisbandoftrustyrobbers，and，induecourse，theparentofPhyllis，whowasthecapturedmaidenforwhomamagnificentransom——inhorse—beans——wasunhesitatinglypaid。
　　Theyallwentdowntoteaflushedandjoyousasanymountainbrigands。
　　ButwhenPhylliswasgoingtoaddjamtoherbreadandbutter，Mothersaid：——
　　"JamORbutter，dear——notjamANDbutter。Wecan’taffordthatsortofrecklessluxurynowadays。"
　　Phyllisfinishedthesliceofbreadandbutterinsilence，andfolloweditupbybreadandjam。Petermingledthoughtandweaktea。
　　Afterteatheywentbacktotheatticandhesaidtohissisters：——
　　"Ihaveanidea。"
　　"What’sthat？"theyaskedpolitely。
　　"Ishan’ttellyou，"wasPeter’sunexpectedrejoinder。
　　"Oh，verywell，"saidBobbie;andPhilsaid，"Don’t，then。"
　　"Girls，"saidPeter，"arealwayssohastytempered。"
　　"Ishouldliketoknowwhatboysare？"saidBobbie，withfinedisdain。"Idon’twanttoknowaboutyoursillyideas。"
　　"You’llknowsomeday，"saidPeter，keepinghisowntemperbywhatlookedexactlylikeamiracle;"ifyouhadn’tbeensokeenonarow，Imighthavetoldyouaboutitbeingonlynoble—heartednessthatmademenottellyoumyidea。ButnowIshan’ttellyouanythingatallaboutit——sothere！"
　　Anditwas，indeed，sometimebeforehecouldbeinducedtosayanything，andwhenhediditwasn’tmuch。Hesaid：——
　　"TheonlyreasonwhyIwon’ttellyoumyideathatI’mgoingtodoisbecauseitMAYbewrong，andIdon’twanttodragyouintoit。"
　　"Don’tyoudoitifit’swrong，Peter，"saidBobbie;"letmedoit。"
　　ButPhyllissaid：——
　　"_I_shouldliketodowrongifYOU’REgoingto！"
　　"No，"saidPeter，rathertouchedbythisdevotion;"it’saforlornhope，andI’mgoingtoleadit。AllIaskisthatifMotheraskswhereIam，youwon’tblab。"
　　"Wehaven’tgotanythingTOblab，"saidBobbie，indignantly。
　　"Oh，yes，youhave！"saidPeter，droppinghorse—beansthroughhisfingers。"I’vetrustedyoutothedeath。YouknowI’mgoingtodoaloneadventure——andsomepeoplemightthinkitwrong——Idon’t。