"Whichline？"
　　"Letmegoback，"criedPhyllis，strugglingtogetawayfromthehandbywhichBobbieheldher。
　　"Don’tbeacoward，"saidBobbie;"it’squitesafe。Standback。"
　　"Comeon，"shoutedPeter，whowasafewyardsahead。"Quick！
　　Manhole！"
　　Theroaroftheadvancingtrainwasnowlouderthanthenoiseyouhearwhenyourheadisunderwaterinthebathandbothtapsarerunning，andyouarekickingwithyourheelsagainstthebath’stinsides。ButPeterhadshoutedforallhewasworth，andBobbieheardhim。ShedraggedPhyllisalongtothemanhole。Phyllis，ofcourse，stumbledoverthewiresandgrazedbothherlegs。Buttheydraggedherin，andallthreestoodinthedark，damp，archedrecesswhilethetrainroaredlouderandlouder。Itseemedasifitwoulddeafenthem。And，inthedistance，theycouldseeitseyesoffiregrowingbiggerandbrightereveryinstant。
　　"ItISadragon——Ialwaysknewitwas——ittakesitsownshapeinhere，inthedark，"shoutedPhyllis。Butnobodyheardher。Youseethetrainwasshouting，too，anditsvoicewasbiggerthanhers。
　　Andnow，witharushandaroarandarattleandalongdazzlingflashoflightedcarriagewindows，asmellofsmoke，andblastofhotair，thetrainhurtledby，clangingandjanglingandechoinginthevaultedroofofthetunnel。PhyllisandBobbieclungtoeachother。EvenPetercaughtholdofBobbie’sarm，"incasesheshouldbefrightened，"asheexplainedafterwards。
　　Andnow，slowlyandgradually，thetail—lightsgrewsmallerandsmaller，andsodidthenoise，tillwithonelastWHIZthetraingotitselfoutofthetunnel，andsilencesettledagainonitsdampwallsanddrippingroof。
　　"OH！"saidthechildren，alltogetherinawhisper。
　　Peterwaslightingthecandleendwithahandthattrembled。
　　"Comeon，"hesaid;buthehadtoclearhisthroatbeforehecouldspeakinhisnaturalvoice。
　　"Oh，"saidPhyllis，"ifthered—jerseyedonewasinthewayofthetrain！"
　　"We’vegottogoandsee，"saidPeter。
　　"Couldn’twegoandsendsomeonefromthestation？"saidPhyllis。
　　"Wouldyouratherwaithereforus？"askedBobbie，severely，andofcoursethatsettledthequestion。
　　Sothethreewentonintothedeeperdarknessofthetunnel。Peterled，holdinghiscandleendhightolighttheway。Thegreaserandownhisfingers，andsomeofitrightuphissleeve。Hefoundalongstreakfromwristtoelbowwhenhewenttobedthatnight。
　　ItwasnotmorethanahundredandfiftyyardsfromthespotwheretheyhadstoodwhilethetrainwentbythatPeterstoodstill，shouted"Hullo，"andthenwentonmuchquickerthanbefore。Whentheotherscaughthimup，hestopped。Andhestoppedwithinayardofwhattheyhadcomeintothetunneltolookfor。Phyllissawagleamofred，andshuthereyestight。There，bythecurved，pebblydownline，wasthered—jerseyedhound。Hisbackwasagainstthewall，hisarmshunglimplybyhissides，andhiseyeswereshut。
　　"Wasthered，blood？Isheallkilled？"askedPhyllis，screwinghereyelidsmoretightlytogether。
　　"Killed？Nonsense！"saidPeter。"There’snothingredabouthimexcepthisjersey。He’sonlyfainted。Whatoneartharewetodo？"
　　"Canwemovehim？"askedBobbie。
　　"Idon’tknow;he’sabigchap。"
　　"Supposewebathehisforeheadwithwater。No，Iknowwehaven’tany，butmilk’sjustaswet。There’sawholebottle。"
　　"Yes，"saidPeter，"andtheyrubpeople’shands，Ibelieve。"
　　"Theyburnfeathers，Iknow，"saidPhyllis。
　　"What’sthegoodofsayingthatwhenwehaven’tanyfeathers？"
　　"Asithappens，"saidPhyllis，inatoneofexasperatedtriumph，"I’vegotashuttlecockinmypocket。Sothere！"
　　AndnowPeterrubbedthehandsofthered—jerseyedone。Bobbieburnedthefeathersoftheshuttlecockonebyoneunderhisnose，Phyllissplashedwarmishmilkonhisforehead，andallthreekeptonsayingasfastandasearnestlyastheycould：——
　　"Oh，lookup，speaktome！Formysake，speak！"
　　ChapterXII。WhatBobbiebroughthome。
　　"Oh，lookup！Speaktome！ForMYsake，speak！"Thechildrensaidthewordsoverandoveragaintotheunconscioushoundinaredjersey，whosatwithclosedeyesandpalefaceagainstthesideofthetunnel。
　　"Wethisearswithmilk，"saidBobbie。"Iknowtheydoittopeoplethatfaint——witheau—de—Cologne。ButIexpectmilk’sjustasgood。"
　　Sotheywettedhisears，andsomeofthemilkrandownhisneckundertheredjersey。Itwasverydarkinthetunnel。ThecandleendPeterhadcarried，andwhichnowburnedonaflatstone，gavehardlyanylightatall。
　　"Oh，DOlookup，"saidPhyllis。"ForMYsake！Ibelievehe’sdead。"
　　"ForMYsake，"repeatedBobbie。"No，heisn’t。"
　　"ForANYsake，"saidPeter;"comeoutofit。"Andheshookthesuffererbythearm。
　　Andthentheboyintheredjerseysighed，andopenedhiseyes，andshutthemagainandsaidinaverysmallvoice，"Chuckit。"
　　"Oh，he’sNOTdead，"saidPhyllis。"IKNEWhewasn’t，"andshebegantocry。
　　"What’sup？I’mallright，"saidtheboy。
　　"Drinkthis，"saidPeter，firmly，thrustingthenoseofthemilkbottleintotheboy’smouth。Theboystruggled，andsomeofthemilkwasupsetbeforehecouldgethismouthfreetosay：——
　　"Whatisit？"
　　"It’smilk，"saidPeter。"Fearnot，youareinthehandsoffriends。Phil，youstopbleatingthisminute。"
　　"Dodrinkit，"saidBobbie，gently;"it’lldoyougood。"
　　Sohedrank。Andthethreestoodbywithoutspeakingtohim。
　　"Lethimbeaminute，"Peterwhispered;"he’llbeallrightassoonasthemilkbeginstorunlikefirethroughhisveins。"
　　Hewas。
　　"I’mbetternow，"heannounced。"Irememberallaboutit。"Hetriedtomove，butthemovementendedinagroan。"Bother！I
　　believeI’vebrokenmyleg，"hesaid。
　　"Didyoutumbledown？"askedPhyllis，sniffing。
　　"Ofcoursenot——I’mnotakiddie，"saidtheboy，indignantly;"itwasoneofthosebeastlywirestrippedmeup，andwhenItriedtogetupagainIcouldn’tstand，soIsatdown。Geewhillikins！itdoeshurt，though。HowdidYOUgethere？"
　　"Wesawyouallgointothetunnelandthenwewentacrossthehilltoseeyouallcomeout。Andtheothersdid——allbutyou，andyoudidn’t。Sowearearescueparty，"saidPeter，withpride。
　　"You’vegotsomepluck，Iwillsay，"remarkedtheboy。
　　"Oh，that’snothing，"saidPeter，withmodesty。"Doyouthinkyoucouldwalkifwehelpedyou？"
　　"Icouldtry，"saidtheboy。
　　Hedidtry。Buthecouldonlystandononefoot;theotherdraggedinaverynastyway。
　　"Here，letmesitdown。Ifeellikedying，"saidtheboy。"Letgoofme——letgo，quick——"Helaydownandclosedhiseyes。Theotherslookedateachotherbythedimlightofthelittlecandle。
　　"Whatonearth！"saidPeter。
　　"Lookhere，"saidBobbie，quickly，"youmustgoandgethelp。Gotothenearesthouse。"
　　"Yes，that’stheonlything，"saidPeter。"Comeon。"
　　"IfyoutakehisfeetandPhilandItakehishead，wecouldcarryhimtothemanhole。"
　　Theydidit。Itwasperhapsaswellforthesuffererthathehadfaintedagain。
　　"Now，"saidBobbie，"I’llstaywithhim。Youtakethelongestbitofcandle，and，oh——bequick，forthisbitwon’tburnlong。"
　　"Idon’tthinkMotherwouldlikemeleavingyou，"saidPeter，doubtfully。"Letmestay，andyouandPhilgo。"
　　"No，no，"saidBobbie，"youandPhilgo——andlendmeyourknife。
　　I’lltrytogethisbootoffbeforehewakesupagain。"
　　"Ihopeit’sallrightwhatwe’redoing，"saidPeter。
　　"Ofcourseit’sright，"saidBobbie，impatiently。"WhatelseWOULD
　　youdo？Leavehimhereallalonebecauseit’sdark？Nonsense。
　　Hurryup，that’sall。"
　　Sotheyhurriedup。
　　Bobbiewatchedtheirdarkfiguresandthelittlelightofthelittlecandlewithanoddfeelingofhavingcometotheendofeverything。
　　Sheknewnow，shethought，whatnunswhowerebrickedupaliveinconventwallsfeltlike。Suddenlyshegaveherselfalittleshake。
　　"Don’tbeasillylittlegirl，"shesaid。Shewasalwaysveryangrywhenanyoneelsecalledheralittlegirl，eveniftheadjectivethatwentfirstwasnot"silly"but"nice"or"good"or"clever。"
　　AnditwasonlywhenshewasveryangrywithherselfthatsheallowedRobertatousethatexpressiontoBobbie。
　　Shefixedthelittlecandleendonabrokenbricknearthered—
　　jerseyedboy’sfeet。ThensheopenedPeter’sknife。Itwasalwayshardtomanage——ahalfpennywasgenerallyneededtogetitopenatall。ThistimeBobbiesomehowgotitopenwithherthumbnail。Shebrokethenail，andithurthorribly。Thenshecuttheboy’sbootlace，andgotthebootoff。Shetriedtopulloffhisstocking，buthislegwasdreadfullyswollen，anditdidnotseemtobethepropershape。Soshecutthestockingdown，veryslowlyandcarefully。Itwasabrown，knittedstocking，andshewonderedwhohadknittedit，andwhetheritwastheboy’smother，andwhethershewasfeelinganxiousabouthim，andhowshewouldfeelwhenhewasbroughthomewithhislegbroken。WhenBobbiehadgotthestockingoffandsawthepoorleg，shefeltasthoughthetunnelwasgrowingdarker，andthegroundfeltunsteady，andnothingseemedquitereal。
　　"SILLYlittlegirl！"saidRobertatoBobbie，andfeltbetter。
　　"Thepoorleg，"shetoldherself;"itoughttohaveacushion——ah！"
　　SherememberedthedaywhensheandPhyllishadtornuptheirredflannelpetticoatstomakedangersignalstostopthetrainandpreventanaccident。Herflannelpetticoatto—daywaswhite，butitwouldbequiteassoftasaredone。Shetookitoff。
　　"Oh，whatusefulthingsflannelpetticoatsare！"shesaid;"themanwhoinventedthemoughttohaveastatuedirectedtohim。"Andshesaiditaloud，becauseitseemedthatanyvoice，evenherown，wouldbeacomfortinthatdarkness。
　　"WHAToughttobedirected？Whoto？"askedtheboy，suddenlyandveryfeebly。
　　"Oh，"saidBobbie，"nowyou’rebetter！Holdyourteethanddon’tletithurttoomuch。Now！"
　　Shehadfoldedthepetticoat，andliftinghisleglaiditonthecushionoffoldedflannel。
　　"Don’tfaintagain，PLEASEdon’t，"saidBobbie，ashegroaned。Shehastilywettedherhandkerchiefwithmilkandspreaditoverthepoorleg。
　　"Oh，thathurts，"criedtheboy，shrinking。"Oh——no，itdoesn’t——
　　it’snice，really。"
　　"What’syourname？"saidBobbie。
　　"Jim。"
　　"Mine’sBobbie。"
　　"Butyou’reagirl，aren’tyou？"
　　"Yes，mylongname’sRoberta。"
　　"Isay——Bobbie。"
　　"Yes？"
　　"Wasn’ttheresomemoreofyoujustnow？"
　　"Yes，PeterandPhil——that’smybrotherandsister。They’vegonetogetsomeonetocarryyouout。"
　　"Whatrumnames。Allboys’。"
　　"Yes——IwishIwasaboy，don’tyou？"
　　"Ithinkyou’reallrightasyouare。"
　　"Ididn’tmeanthat——Imeantdon’tyouwishYOUwereaboy，butofcourseyouarewithoutwishing。"
　　"You’rejustasbraveasaboy。Whydidn’tyougowiththeothers？"
　　"Somebodyhadtostaywithyou，"saidBobbie。
　　"Tellyouwhat，Bobbie，"saidJim，"you’reabrick。Shake。"Hereachedoutared—jerseyedarmandBobbiesqueezedhishand。
　　"Iwon’tshakeit，"sheexplained，"becauseitwouldshakeYOU，andthatwouldshakeyourpoorleg，andthatwouldhurt。Haveyougotahanky？"
　　"Idon’texpectIhave。"Hefeltinhispocket。"Yes，Ihave。
　　Whatfor？"
　　Shetookitandwetteditwithmilkandputitonhisforehead。
　　"That’sjolly，"hesaid;"whatisit？"
　　"Milk，"saidBobbie。"Wehaven’tanywater——"
　　"You’reajollygoodlittlenurse，"saidJim。
　　"IdoitforMothersometimes，"saidBobbie——"notmilk，ofcourse，butscent，orvinegarandwater。Isay，Imustputthecandleoutnow，becausetheremayn’tbeenoughoftheotheronetogetyououtby。"
　　"ByGeorge，"saidhe，"youthinkofeverything。"
　　Bobbieblew。Outwentthecandle。Youhavenoideahowblack—
　　velvetythedarknesswas。
　　"Isay，Bobbie，"saidavoicethroughtheblackness，"aren’tyouafraidofthedark？"
　　"Not——notvery，thatis——"
　　"Let’sholdhands，"saidtheboy，anditwasreallyrathergoodofhim，becausehewaslikemostboysofhisageandhatedallmaterialtokensofaffection，suchaskissingandholdingofhands。Hecalledallsuchthings"pawings，"anddetestedthem。
　　ThedarknesswasmorebearabletoBobbienowthatherhandwasheldinthelargeroughhandofthered—jerseyedsufferer;andhe，holdingherlittlesmoothhotpaw，wassurprisedtofindthathedidnotminditsomuchasheexpected。Shetriedtotalk，toamusehim，and"takehismindoff"hissufferings，butitisverydifficulttogoontalkinginthedark，andpresentlytheyfoundthemselvesinasilence，onlybrokennowandthenbya——
　　"Youallright，Bobbie？"
　　oran——
　　"I’mafraidit’shurtingyoumostawfully，Jim。IAMsosorry。"
　　Anditwasverycold。
　　******
　　PeterandPhyllistrampeddownthelongwayofthetunneltowardsdaylight，thecandle—greasedrippingoverPeter’sfingers。TherewerenoaccidentsunlessyoucountPhyllis’scatchingherfrockonawire，andtearingalong，jaggedslitinit，andtrippingoverherbootlacewhenitcameundone，orgoingdownonherhandsandknees，allfourofwhichweregrazed。
　　"There’snoendtothistunnel，"saidPhyllis——andindeeditdidseemveryverylong。
　　"Sticktoit，"saidPeter;"everythinghasanend，andyougettoitifyouonlykeepallon。"
　　Whichisquitetrue，ifyoucometothinkofit，andausefulthingtorememberinseasonsoftrouble——suchasmeasles，arithmetic，impositions，andthosetimeswhenyouareindisgrace，andfeelasthoughnoonewouldeverloveyouagain，andyoucouldnever——neveragain——loveanybody。
　　"Hurray，"saidPeter，suddenly，"there’stheendofthetunnel——
　　looksjustlikeapin—holeinabitofblackpaper，doesn’tit？"
　　Thepin—holegotlarger——bluelightslayalongthesidesofthetunnel。Thechildrencouldseethegravelwaythatlayinfrontofthem;theairgrewwarmerandsweeter。Anothertwentystepsandtheywereoutinthegoodgladsunshinewiththegreentreesonbothsides。
　　Phyllisdrewalongbreath。
　　"I’llnevergointoatunnelagainaslongaseverIlive，"saidshe，"notiftherearetwentyhundredthousandmillionshoundsinsidewithredjerseysandtheirlegsbroken。"
　　"Don’tbeasillycuckoo，"saidPeter，asusual。"You’dHAVEto。"
　　"Ithinkitwasverybraveandgoodofme，"saidPhyllis。
　　"Notit，"saidPeter;"youdidn’tgobecauseyouwerebrave，butbecauseBobbieandIaren’tskunks。Nowwhere’sthenearesthouse，Iwonder？Youcan’tseeanythinghereforthetrees。"
　　"There’saroofoverthere，"saidPhyllis，pointingdowntheline。
　　"That’sthesignal—box，"saidPeter，"andyouknowyou’renotallowedtospeaktosignalmenonduty。It’swrong。"
　　"I’mnotnearsoafraidofdoingwrongasIwasofgoingintothattunnel，"saidPhyllis。"Comeon，"andshestartedtorunalongtheline。SoPeterran，too。
　　Itwasveryhotinthesunshine，andbothchildrenwerehotandbreathlessbythetimetheystopped，andbendingtheirheadsbacktolookupattheopenwindowsofthesignal—box，shouted"Hi！"asloudastheirbreathlessstateallowed。Butnooneanswered。Thesignal—boxstoodquietasanemptynursery，andthehandrailofitsstepswashottothehandsofthechildrenastheyclimbedsoftlyup。Theypeepedinattheopendoor。Thesignalmanwassittingonachairtiltedbackagainstthewall。Hisheadleanedsideways，andhismouthwasopen。Hewasfastasleep。
　　"Myhat！"criedPeter;"wakeup！"Andhecrieditinaterriblevoice，forheknewthatifasignalmansleepsonduty，heriskslosinghissituation，letalonealltheotherdreadfulriskstotrainswhichexpecthimtotellthemwhenitissafeforthemtogotheirways。
　　Thesignalmannevermoved。ThenPetersprangtohimandshookhim。
　　Andslowly，yawningandstretching，themanawoke。ButthemomentheWASawakeheleapttohisfeet，puthishandstohishead"likeamadmaniac，"asPhyllissaidafterwards，andshouted：——
　　"Oh，myheavens——what’so’clock？"
　　"Twelvethirteen，"saidPeter，andindeeditwasbythewhite—faced，round—facedclockonthewallofthesignal—box。
　　Themanlookedattheclock，sprangtothelevers，andwrenchedthemthiswayandthat。Anelectricbelltingled——thewiresandcrankscreaked，andthemanthrewhimselfintoachair。Hewasverypale，andthesweatstoodonhisforehead"likelargedewdropsonawhitecabbage，"asPhyllisremarkedlater。Hewastrembling，too;thechildrencouldseehisbighairyhandsshakefromsidetoside，"withquiteextra—sizedtrembles，"tousethesubsequentwordsofPeter。Hedrewlongbreaths。Thensuddenlyhecried，"ThankGod，thankGodyoucomeinwhenyoudid——oh，thankGod！"andhisshouldersbegantoheaveandhisfacegrewredagain，andhehiditinthoselargehairyhandsofhis。
　　"Oh，don’tcry——don’t，"saidPhyllis，"it’sallrightnow，"andshepattedhimononebig，broadshoulder，whilePeterconscientiouslythumpedtheother。
　　Butthesignalmanseemedquitebrokendown，andthechildrenhadtopathimandthumphimforquitealongtimebeforehefoundhishandkerchief——aredonewithmauveandwhitehorseshoesonit——andmoppedhisfaceandspoke。Duringthispattingandthumpingintervalatrainthunderedby。
　　"I’mdownrightshamed，thatIam，"werethewordsofthebigsignalmanwhenhehadstoppedcrying;"snivellinglikeakid。"Thensuddenlyheseemedtogetcross。"Andwhatwasyoudoinguphere，anyway？"hesaid;"youknowitain’tallowed。"
　　"Yes，"saidPhyllis，"weknewitwaswrong——butIwasn’tafraidofdoingwrong，andsoitturnedoutright。Youaren’tsorrywecame。"
　　"Lor’loveyou——ifyouhadn’t’a’come——"hestoppedandthenwenton。"It’sadisgrace，soitis，sleepingonduty。Ifitwastocometobeknown——evenasitis，whennoharm’scomeofit。"
　　"Itwon’tcometobeknown，"saidPeter;"wearen’tsneaks。Allthesame，yououghtn’ttosleeponduty——it’sdangerous。"
　　"TellmesomethingIdon’tknow，"saidtheman，"butIcan’thelpit。Iknow’dwellenoughjusthowit’udbe。ButIcouldn’tgetoff。Theycouldn’tgetnoonetotakeonmyduty。ItellyouI
　　ain’thadtenminutes’sleepthislastfivedays。Mylittlechap’sill——pewmonia，theDoctorsays——andthere’snoonebutmeand’islittlesistertodoforhim。That’swhereitis。Thegellmust’avehersleep。Dangerous？Yes，Ibelieveyou。Nowgoandsplitonmeifyoulike。"
　　"Ofcoursewewon’t，"saidPeter，indignantly，butPhyllisignoredthewholeofthesignalman’sspeech，exceptthefirstsixwords。
　　"Youaskedus，"shesaid，"totellyousomethingyoudon’tknow。
　　Well，Iwill。There’saboyinthetunnelovertherewitharedjerseyandhislegbroken。"
　　"Whatdidhewanttogointothebloomingtunnelfor，then？"saidtheman。
　　"Don’tyoubesocross，"saidPhyllis，kindly。"WEhaven’tdoneanythingwrongexceptcomingandwakingyouup，andthatwasright，asithappens。"
　　ThenPetertoldhowtheboycametobeinthetunnel。
　　"Well，"saidtheman，"Idon’tseeasIcandoanything。Ican’tleavethebox。"
　　"Youmighttelluswheretogoaftersomeonewhoisn’tinabox，though，"saidPhyllis。
　　"There’sBrigden’sfarmoveryonder——whereyouseethesmokea—
　　comingupthroughthetrees，"saidtheman，moreandmoregrumpy，asPhyllisnoticed。
　　"Well，good—bye，then，"saidPeter。
　　Butthemansaid，"Waitaminute。"Heputhishandinhispocketandbroughtoutsomemoney——alotofpenniesandoneortwoshillingsandsixpencesandhalf—a—crown。Hepickedouttwoshillingsandheldthemout。
　　"Here，"hesaid。"I’llgiveyouthistoholdyourtonguesaboutwhat’stakenplaceto—day。"
　　Therewasashort，unpleasantpause。Then：——
　　"YouAREanastyman，though，aren’tyou？"saidPhyllis。
　　Petertookastepforwardandknockedtheman’shandup，sothattheshillingsleaptoutofitandrolledonthefloor。
　　"IfanythingCOULDmakemesneak，THATwould！"hesaid。"Come，Phil，"andmarchedoutofthesignal—boxwithflamingcheeks。
　　Phyllishesitated。Thenshetookthehand，stillheldoutstupidly，thattheshillingshadbeenin。
　　"Iforgiveyou，"shesaid，"evenifPeterdoesn’t。You’renotinyourpropersenses，oryou’dneverhavedonethat。Iknowwantofsleepsendspeoplemad。Mothertoldme。Ihopeyourlittleboywillsoonbebetter，and——"
　　"Comeon，Phil，"criedPeter，eagerly。
　　"Igiveyoumysacredhonour—wordwe’llnevertellanyone。Kissandbefriends，"saidPhyllis，feelinghownobleitwasofhertotrytomakeupaquarrelinwhichshewasnottoblame。
　　Thesignalmanstoopedandkissedher。
　　"IdobelieveI’mabitoffmyhead，Sissy，"hesaid。"NowrunalonghometoMother。Ididn’tmeantoputyouabout——there。"
　　SoPhilleftthehotsignal—boxandfollowedPeteracrossthefieldstothefarm。
　　Whenthefarmmen，ledbyPeterandPhyllisandcarryingahurdlecoveredwithhorse—cloths，reachedthemanholeinthetunnel，BobbiewasfastasleepandsowasJim。Wornoutwiththepain，theDoctorsaidafterwards。
　　"Wheredoeshelive？"thebailifffromthefarmasked，whenJimhadbeenliftedontothehurdle。
　　"InNorthumberland，"answeredBobbie。
　　"I’matschoolatMaidbridge，"saidJim。"IsupposeI’vegottogetbackthere，somehow。"
　　"SeemstometheDoctoroughttohavealookinfirst，"saidthebailiff。
　　"Oh，bringhimuptoourhouse，"saidBobbie。"It’sonlyalittlewaybytheroad。I’msureMotherwouldsayweoughtto。"
　　"WillyourMalikeyoubringinghomestrangerswithbrokenlegs？"
　　"ShetookthepoorRussianhomeherself，"saidBobbie。"Iknowshe’dsayweought。"
　　"Allright，"saidthebailiff，"yououghttoknowwhatyourMa’udlike。Iwouldn’ttakeituponmetofetchhimuptoourplacewithoutIaskedtheMissusfirst，andtheycallmetheMaster，too。"
　　"AreyousureyourMotherwon’tmind？"whisperedJim。
　　"Certain，"saidBobbie。
　　"Thenwe’retotakehimuptoThreeChimneys？"saidthebailiff。
　　"Ofcourse，"saidPeter。
　　"ThenmyladshallnipuptoDoctor’sonhisbike，andtellhimtocomedownthere。Now，lads，lifthimquietandsteady。One，two，three！"
　　******
　　ThusithappenedthatMother，writingawayfordearlifeatastoryaboutaDuchess，adesigningvillain，asecretpassage，andamissingwill，droppedherpenasherwork—roomdoorburstopen，andturnedtoseeBobbiehatlessandredwithrunning。
　　"Oh，Mother，"shecried，"docomedown。Wefoundahoundinaredjerseyinthetunnel，andhe’sbrokenhislegandthey’rebringinghimhome。"
　　"Theyoughttotakehimtothevet，"saidMother，withaworriedfrown;"IreallyCAN’Thavealamedoghere。"
　　"He’snotadog，really——he’saboy，"saidBobbie，betweenlaughingandchoking。
　　"Thenheoughttobetakenhometohismother。"
　　"Hismother’sdead，"saidBobbie，"andhisfather’sinNorthumberland。Oh，Mother，youwillbenicetohim？ItoldhimI
　　wassureyou’dwantustobringhimhome。Youalwayswanttohelpeverybody。"
　　Mothersmiled，butshesighed，too。Itisnicethatyourchildrenshouldbelieveyouwillingtoopenhouseandhearttoanyandeveryonewhoneedshelp。Butitisratherembarrassingsometimes，too，whentheyactontheirbelief。
　　"Oh，well，"saidMother，"wemustmakethebestofit。"
　　WhenJimwascarriedin，dreadfullywhiteandwithsetlipswhoseredhadfadedtoahorridblueyvioletcolour，Mothersaid：——
　　"Iamgladyoubroughthimhere。Now，Jim，let’sgetyoucomfortableinbedbeforetheDoctorcomes！"
　　AndJim，lookingatherkindeyes，feltalittle，warm，comfortingflushofnewcourage。
　　"It’llhurtrather，won’tit？"hesaid。"Idon’tmeantobeacoward。Youwon’tthinkI’macowardifIfaintagain，willyou？I
　　reallyandtrulydon’tdoitonpurpose。AndIdohatetogiveyouallthistrouble。"
　　"Don’tyouworry，"saidMother;"it’syouthathavethetrouble，youpoordear——notus。"
　　AndshekissedhimjustasifhehadbeenPeter。"Welovetohaveyouhere——don’twe，Bobbie？"
　　"Yes，"saidBobbie——andshesawbyherMother’sfacehowrightshehadbeentobringhomethewoundedhoundintheredjersey。
　　ChapterXIII。Thehound’sgrandfather。
　　Motherdidnotgetbacktoherwritingallthatday，forthered—
　　jerseyedhoundwhomthechildrenhadbroughttoThreeChimneyshadtobeputtobed。AndthentheDoctorcame，andhurthimmosthorribly。Motherwaswithhimallthroughit，andthatmadeitalittlebetterthanitwouldhavebeen，but"badwasthebest，"asMrs。Vineysaid。
　　ThechildrensatintheparlourdownstairsandheardthesoundoftheDoctor’sbootsgoingbackwardsandforwardsoverthebedroomfloor。Andonceortwicetherewasagroan。
　　"It’shorrible，"saidBobbie。"Oh，IwishDr。Forrestwouldmakehaste。Oh，poorJim！"
　　"ItIShorrible，"saidPeter，"butit’sveryexciting。IwishDoctorsweren’tsostuck—upaboutwhothey’llhaveintheroomwhenthey’redoingthings。Ishouldmostawfullyliketoseealegset。
　　Ibelievethebonescrunchlikeanything。"
　　"Don’t！"saidthetwogirlsatonce。
　　"Rubbish！"saidPeter。"HowareyougoingtobeRedCrossNurses，likeyouweretalkingofcominghome，ifyoucan’tevenstandhearingmesayaboutbonescrunching？You’dhavetoHEARthemcrunchonthefieldofbattle——andbesteepedingoreuptotheelbowsaslikelyasnot，and——"
　　"Stopit！"criedBobbie，withawhiteface;"youdon’tknowhowfunnyyou’remakingmefeel。"
　　"Me，too，"saidPhyllis，whosefacewaspink。
　　"Cowards！"saidPeter。
　　"I’mnot，"saidBobbie。"IhelpedMotherwithyourrake—woundedfoot，andsodidPhil——youknowwedid。"
　　"Well，then！"saidPeter。"Nowlookhere。ItwouldbeajollygoodthingforyouifIweretotalktoyoueverydayforhalfanhouraboutbrokenbonesandpeople’sinsides，soastogetyouusedtoit。"
　　Achairwasmovedabove。
　　"Listen，"saidPeter，"that’sthebonecrunching。"
　　"Idowishyouwouldn’t，"saidPhyllis。"Bobbiedoesn’tlikeit。"
　　"I’lltellyouwhattheydo，"saidPeter。Ican’tthinkwhatmadehimsohorrid。Perhapsitwasbecausehehadbeensoveryniceandkindalltheearlierpartoftheday，andnowhehadtohaveachange。Thisiscalledreaction。Onenoticesitnowandtheninoneself。Sometimeswhenonehasbeenextragoodforalongertimethanusual，oneissuddenlyattackedbyaviolentfitofnotbeinggoodatall。"I’lltellyouwhattheydo，"saidPeter;"theystrapthebrokenmandownsothathecan’tresistorinterferewiththeirdoctorishdesigns，andthensomeoneholdshishead，andsomeoneholdshisleg——thebrokenone，andpullsittillthebonesfitin——
　　withacrunch，mindyou！Thentheystrapitupand——let’splayatbone—setting！"
　　"Oh，no！"saidPhyllis。
　　ButBobbiesaidsuddenly："Allright——LET’S！I’llbethedoctor，andPhilcanbethenurse。Youcanbethebrokenboner;wecangetatyourlegsmoreeasily，becauseyoudon’twearpetticoats。"
　　"I’llgetthesplintsandbandages，"saidPeter;"yougetthecouchofsufferingready。"
　　Theropesthathadtieduptheboxesthathadcomefromhomewereallinawoodenpacking—caseinthecellar。WhenPeterbroughtinatrailingtangleofthem，andtwoboardsforsplints，Phylliswasexcitedlygiggling。
　　"Now，then，"hesaid，andlaydownonthesettle，groaningmostgrievously。
　　"Notsoloud！"saidBobbie，beginningtowindtheroperoundhimandthesettle。"Youpull，Phil。"
　　"Notsotight，"moanedPeter。"You’llbreakmyotherleg。"
　　Bobbieworkedoninsilence，windingmoreandmoreroperoundhim。
　　"That’senough，"saidPeter。"Ican’tmoveatall。Oh，mypoorleg！"Hegroanedagain。
　　"SUREyoucan’tmove？"askedBobbie，inaratherstrangetone。
　　"Quitesure，"repliedPeter。"Shallweplayit’sbleedingfreelyornot？"heaskedcheerfully。
　　"YOUcanplaywhatyoulike，"saidBobbie，sternly，foldingherarmsandlookingdownathimwherehelayallwoundroundandroundwithcord。"PhilandIaregoingaway。Andweshan’tuntieyoutillyoupromisenever，nevertotalktousaboutbloodandwoundsunlesswesayyoumay。Come，Phil！"
　　"Youbeast！"saidPeter，writhing。"I’llneverpromise，never。
　　I’llyell，andMotherwillcome。"
　　"Do，"saidBobbie，"andtellherwhywetiedyouup！Comeon，Phil。
　　No，I’mnotabeast，Peter。Butyouwouldn’tstopwhenweaskedyouand——"
　　"Yah，"saidPeter，"itwasn’tevenyourownidea。YougotitoutofStalky！"
　　BobbieandPhil，retiringinsilentdignity，weremetatthedoorbytheDoctor。Hecameinrubbinghishandsandlookingpleasedwithhimself。
　　"Well，"hesaid，"THATjob’sdone。It’sanicecleanfracture，andit’llgoonallright，I’venodoubt。Pluckyyoungchap，too——
　　hullo！what’sallthis？"
　　HiseyehadfallenonPeterwholaymousy—stillinhisbondsonthesettle。
　　"Playingatprisoners，eh？"hesaid;buthiseyebrowshadgoneupalittle。SomehowhehadnotthoughtthatBobbiewouldbeplayingwhileintheroomabovesomeonewashavingabrokenboneset。
　　"Oh，no！"saidBobbie，"notatPRISONERS。Wewereplayingatsettingbones。Peter’sthebrokenboner，andIwasthedoctor。"
　　TheDoctorfrowned。
　　"ThenImustsay，"hesaid，andhesaiditrathersternly，"that’sit’saveryheartlessgame。Haven’tyouenoughimaginationeventofaintlypicturewhat’sbeengoingonupstairs？Thatpoorchap，withthedropsofsweatonhisforehead，andbitinghislipssoasnottocryout，andeverytouchonhislegagonyand——"
　　"YOUoughttobetiedup，"saidPhyllis;"you’reasbadas——"
　　"Hush，"saidBobbie;"I’msorry，butweweren’theartless，really。"
　　"Iwas，Isuppose，"saidPeter，crossly。"Allright，Bobbie，don’tyougoonbeingnobleandscreeningme，becauseIjollywellwon’thaveit。ItwasonlythatIkeptontalkingaboutbloodandwounds。
　　IwantedtotrainthemforRedCrossNurses。AndIwouldn’tstopwhentheyaskedme。"
　　"Well？"saidDr。Forrest，sittingdown。
　　"Well——thenIsaid，’Let’splayatsettingbones。’Itwasallrot。
　　IknewBobbiewouldn’t。Ionlysaidittoteaseher。Andthenwhenshesaid’yes，’ofcourseIhadtogothroughwithit。Andtheytiedmeup。TheygotitoutofStalky。AndIthinkit’sabeastlyshame。"
　　Hemanagedtowritheoverandhidehisfaceagainstthewoodenbackofthesettle。
　　"Ididn’tthinkthatanyonewouldknowbutus，"saidBobbie，indignantlyansweringPeter’sunspokenreproach。"Ineverthoughtofyourcomingin。Andhearingaboutbloodandwoundsdoesreallymakemefeelmostawfullyfunny。Itwasonlyajokeourtyinghimup。Letmeuntieyou，Pete。"
　　"Idon’tcareifyouneveruntieme，"saidPeter;"andifthat’syourideaofajoke——"
　　"IfIwereyou，"saidtheDoctor，thoughreallyhedidnotquiteknowwhattosay，"IshouldbeuntiedbeforeyourMothercomesdown。
　　Youdon’twanttoworryherjustnow，doyou？"
　　"Idon’tpromiseanythingaboutnotsayingaboutwounds，mind，"saidPeter，inverysurlytones，asBobbieandPhyllisbegantountietheknots。
　　"I’mverysorry，Pete，"Bobbiewhispered，leaningclosetohimasshefumbledwiththebigknotunderthesettle;"butifyouonlyknewhowsickyoumademefeel。"
　　"You’vemadeMEfeelprettysick，Icantellyou，"Peterrejoined。
　　Thenheshookofftheloosecords，andstoodup。
　　"Ilookedin，"saidDr。Forrest，"toseeifoneofyouwouldcomealongtothesurgery。TherearesomethingsthatyourMotherwillwantatonce，andI’vegivenmymanadayofftogoandseethecircus;willyoucome，Peter？"
　　Peterwentwithoutawordoralooktohissisters。
　　ThetwowalkedinsilenceuptothegatethatledfromtheThreeChimneysfieldtotheroad。ThenPetersaid：——
　　"Letmecarryyourbag。Isay，itisheavy——what’sinit？"
　　"Oh，knivesandlancetsanddifferentinstrumentsforhurtingpeople。Andtheetherbottle。Ihadtogivehimether，youknow——
　　theagonywassointense。"
　　Peterwassilent。
　　"Tellmeallabouthowyoufoundthatchap，"saidDr。Forrest。
　　Petertold。AndthenDr。Forresttoldhimstoriesofbraverescues;
　　hewasamostinterestingmantotalkto，asPeterhadoftenremarked。
　　TheninthesurgeryPeterhadabetterchancethanhehadeverhadofexaminingtheDoctor’sbalance，andhismicroscope，andhisscalesandmeasuringglasses。WhenallthethingswerereadythatPeterwastotakeback，theDoctorsaidsuddenly：——
　　"You’llexcusemyshovingmyoarin，won’tyou？ButIshouldliketosaysomethingtoyou。"
　　"Nowforarowing，"thoughtPeter，whohadbeenwonderinghowitwasthathehadescapedone。
　　"Somethingscientific，"addedtheDoctor。
　　"Yes，"saidPeter，fiddlingwiththefossilammonitethattheDoctorusedforapaper—weight。
　　"Wellthen，yousee。Boysandgirlsareonlylittlemenandwomen。
　　AndWEaremuchharderandhardierthantheyare——"（Peterlikedthe"we。"PerhapstheDoctorhadknownhewould。）——"andmuchstronger，andthingsthathurtTHEMdon’thurtUS。Youknowyoumustn’thitagirl——"
　　"Ishouldthinknot，indeed，"mutteredPeter，indignantly。