第5章
"She’sgoingtoanchor，"saidPeter;"justourluck！"
Thebargedidnotanchor，becauseananchorisnotpartofacanal—
boat’sfurniture，butshewasmooredwithropesforeandaft——andtheropesweremadefasttothepalingsandtocrowbarsdrivenintotheground。
"Whatyoustaringat？"growledtheBargee，crossly。
"Weweren’tstaring，"saidBobbie;"wewouldn’tbesorude。"
"Rudebeblessed，"saidtheman;"getalongwithyou！"
"Getalongyourself，"saidPeter。Herememberedwhathehadsaidaboutfightingboys，and，besides，hefeltsafehalfwayupthebank。
"We’veasmuchrighthereasanyoneelse。"
"Oh，’AVEyou，indeed！"saidtheman。"We’llsoonseeaboutthat。"
Andhecameacrosshisdeckandbegantoclimbdownthesideofhisbarge。
"Oh，comeaway，Peter，comeaway！"saidBobbieandPhyllis，inagonisedunison。
"Notme，"saidPeter，"butYOU’Dbetter。"
Thegirlsclimbedtothetopofthebankandstoodreadytoboltforhomeassoonastheysawtheirbrotheroutofdanger。Thewayhomelayalldownhill。Theyknewthattheyallranwell。TheBargeedidnotlookasifHEdid。Hewasred—faced，heavy，andbeefy。
Butassoonashisfootwasonthetowing—paththechildrensawthattheyhadmisjudgedhim。
HemadeonespringupthebankandcaughtPeterbytheleg，draggedhimdown——sethimonhisfeetwithashake——tookhimbytheear——andsaidsternly：——
"Now，then，whatdoyoumeanbyit？Don’tyouknowthese’erewatersispreserved？Youain’tnorightcatchingfish’ere——nottosaynothingofyourpreciouscheek。"
Peterwasalwaysproudafterwardswhenherememberedthat，withtheBargee’sfuriousfingerstighteningonhisear，theBargee’scrimsoncountenanceclosetohisown，theBargee’shotbreathonhisneck，hehadthecouragetospeakthetruth。
"IWASN’Tcatchingfish，"saidPeter。
"That’snotYOURfault，I’llbebound，"saidtheman，givingPeter’searatwist——notahardone——butstillatwist。
Petercouldnotsaythatitwas。BobbieandPhyllishadbeenholdingontotherailingsaboveandskippingwithanxiety。NowsuddenlyBobbieslippedthroughtherailingsandrusheddownthebanktowardsPeter，soimpetuouslythatPhyllis，followingmoretemperately，feltcertainthathersister’sdescentwouldendinthewatersofthecanal。AndsoitwouldhavedoneiftheBargeehadn’tletgoofPeter’sear——andcaughtherinhisjerseyedarm。
"Whoareyoua—shovingof？"hesaid，settingheronherfeet。
"Oh，"saidBobbie，breathless，"I’mnotshovinganybody。Atleast，notonpurpose。Pleasedon’tbecrosswithPeter。Ofcourse，ifit’syourcanal，we’resorryandwewon’tanymore。Butwedidn’tknowitwasyours。"
"Goalongwithyou，"saidtheBargee。
"Yes，wewill;indeedwewill，"saidBobbie，earnestly;"butwedobegyourpardon——andreallywehaven’tcaughtasinglefish。I’dtellyoudirectlyifwehad，honourbrightIwould。"
SheheldoutherhandsandPhyllisturnedoutherlittleemptypockettoshowthatreallytheyhadn’tanyfishconcealedaboutthem。
"Well，"saidtheBargee，moregently，"cutalong，then，anddon’tyoudoitagain，that’sall。"
Thechildrenhurriedupthebank。
"Chuckusacoat，M’ria，"shoutedtheman。Andared—hairedwomaninagreenplaidshawlcameoutfromthecabindoorwithababyinherarmsandthrewacoattohim。Heputiton，climbedthebank，andslouchedalongacrossthebridgetowardsthevillage。
"You’llfindmeupatthe’RoseandCrown’whenyou’vegotthekidtosleep，"hecalledtoherfromthebridge。
Whenhewasoutofsightthechildrenslowlyreturned。Peterinsistedonthis。
"Thecanalmaybelongtohim，"hesaid，"thoughIdon’tbelieveitdoes。Butthebridgeiseverybody’s。DoctorForresttoldmeit’spublicproperty。I’mnotgoingtobebouncedoffthebridgebyhimoranyoneelse，soItellyou。"
Peter’searwasstillsoreandsowerehisfeelings。
Thegirlsfollowedhimasgallantsoldiersmightfollowtheleaderofaforlornhope。
"Idowishyouwouldn’t，"wasalltheysaid。
"Gohomeifyou’reafraid，"saidPeter;"leavemealone。I’Mnotafraid。"
Thesoundoftheman’sfootstepsdiedawayalongthequietroad。
Thepeaceoftheeveningwasnotbrokenbythenotesofthesedge—
warblersorbythevoiceofthewomaninthebarge，singingherbabytosleep。Itwasasadsongshesang。SomethingaboutBillBaileyandhowshewantedhimtocomehome。
Thechildrenstoodleaningtheirarmsontheparapetofthebridge;
theyweregladtobequietforafewminutesbecauseallthreeheartswerebeatingmuchmorequickly。
"I’mnotgoingtobedrivenawaybyanyoldbargeman，I’mnot，"saidPeter，thickly。
"Ofcoursenot，"Phyllissaidsoothingly;"youdidn’tgiveintohim！Sonowwemightgohome，don’tyouthink？"
"NO，"saidPeter。
Nothingmorewassaidtillthewomangotoffthebarge，climbedthebank，andcameacrossthebridge。
Shehesitated，lookingatthethreebacksofthechildren，thenshesaid，"Ahem。"
Peterstayedashewas，butthegirlslookedround。
"Youmustn’ttakenonoticeofmyBill，"saidthewoman;"’isbark’sworse’n’isbite。SomeofthekidsdownFarleywayisfairterrors。
Itwasthemput’isbackupcallingoutaboutwhoatethepuppy—pieunderMarlowbridge。"
"WhoDID？"askedPhyllis。
"_I_dunno，"saidthewoman。"Nobodydon’tknow！Butsomehow，andIdon’tknowthewhynorthewhereforeofit，themwordsisp’isontoabarge—master。Don’tyoutakenonotice。’Ewon’tbebackfortwohoursgood。Youmightcatchapowero’fishaforethat。Thelight’sgoodan’all，"sheadded。
"Thankyou，"saidBobbie。"You’reverykind。Where’syourbaby？"
"Asleepinthecabin，"saidthewoman。"’E’sallright。Neverwakesaforetwelve。Reg’larasachurchclock，’eis。"
"I’msorry，"saidBobbie;"Iwouldhavelikedtoseehim，closeto。"
"Andafineryouneverdidsee，Miss，thoughIsaysit。"Thewoman’sfacebrightenedasshespoke。
"Aren’tyouafraidtoleaveit？"saidPeter。
"Lor’loveyou，no，"saidthewoman;"who’dhurtalittlethinglike’im？Besides，Spot’sthere。Solong！"
Thewomanwentaway。
"Shallwegohome？"saidPhyllis。
"Youcan。I’mgoingtofish，"saidPeterbriefly。
"IthoughtwecameupheretotalkaboutPerks’sbirthday，"saidPhyllis。
"Perks’sbirthday’llkeep。"
Sotheygotdownonthetowing—pathagainandPeterfished。Hedidnotcatchanything。
Itwasalmostquitedark，thegirlsweregettingtired，andasBobbiesaid，itwaspastbedtime，whensuddenlyPhylliscried，"What’sthat？"
Andshepointedtothecanalboat。Smokewascomingfromthechimneyofthecabin，hadindeedbeencurlingsoftlyintothesofteveningairallthetime——butnowotherwreathsofsmokewererising，andthesewerefromthecabindoor。
"It’sonfire——that’sall，"saidPeter，calmly。"Servehimright。"
"Oh——howCANyou？"criedPhyllis。"Thinkofthepoordeardog。"
"TheBABY！"screamedBobbie。
Inaninstantallthreemadeforthebarge。
Hermooringropeswereslack，andthelittlebreeze，hardlystrongenoughtobefelt，hadyetbeenstrongenoughtodrifthersternagainstthebank。Bobbiewasfirst——thencamePeter，anditwasPeterwhoslippedandfell。Hewentintothecanaluptohisneck，andhisfeetcouldnotfeelthebottom，buthisarmwasontheedgeofthebarge。Phylliscaughtathishair。Ithurt，butithelpedhimtogetout。Nextminutehehadleapedontothebarge，Phyllisfollowing。
"Notyou！"heshoutedtoBobbie;"ME，becauseI’mwet。"
HecaughtupwithBobbieatthecabindoor，andflungherasideveryroughlyindeed;iftheyhadbeenplaying，suchroughnesswouldhavemadeBobbieweepwithtearsofrageandpain。Now，thoughheflungherontotheedgeofthehold，sothatherkneeandherelbowweregrazedandbruised，sheonlycried：——
"No——notyou——ME，"andstruggledupagain。Butnotquicklyenough。
Peterhadalreadygonedowntwoofthecabinstepsintothecloudofthicksmoke。Hestopped，rememberedallhehadeverheardoffires，pulledhissoakedhandkerchiefoutofhisbreastpocketandtieditoverhismouth。Ashepulleditouthesaid：——
"It’sallright，hardlyanyfireatall。"
Andthis，thoughhethoughtitwasalie，wasrathergoodofPeter。
ItwasmeanttokeepBobbiefromrushingafterhimintodanger。Ofcourseitdidn’t。
Thecabinglowedred。Aparaffinlampwasburningcalmlyinanorangemist。
"Hi，"saidPeter，liftingthehandkerchieffromhismouthforamoment。"Hi，Baby——whereareyou？"Hechoked。
"Oh，letMEgo，"criedBobbie，closebehindhim。Peterpushedherbackmoreroughlythanbefore，andwenton。
Nowwhatwouldhavehappenedifthebabyhadn’tcriedIdon’tknow——
butjustatthatmomentitDIDcry。Peterfelthiswaythroughthedarksmoke，foundsomethingsmallandsoftandwarmandalive，pickeditupandbackedout，nearlytumblingoverBobbiewhowasclosebehind。Adogsnappedathisleg——triedtobark，choked。
"I’vegotthekid，"saidPeter，tearingoffthehandkerchiefandstaggeringontothedeck。
Bobbiecaughtattheplacewherethebarkcamefrom，andherhandsmetonthefatbackofasmooth—haireddog。Itturnedandfasteneditsteethonherhand，butverygently，asmuchastosay：——
"I’mboundtobarkandbiteifstrangerscomeintomymaster’scabin，butIknowyoumeanwell，soIwon’tREALLYbite。"
Bobbiedroppedthedog。
"Allright，oldman。Gooddog，"saidshe。"Here——givemethebaby，Peter;you’resowetyou’llgiveitcold。"
Peterwasonlytoogladtohandoverthestrangelittlebundlethatsquirmedandwhimperedinhisarms。
"Now，"saidBobbie，quickly，"yourunstraighttothe’RoseandCrown’andtellthem。PhilandIwillstayherewiththeprecious。
Hush，then，adear，aduck，adarling！GoNOW，Peter！Run！"
"Ican’truninthesethings，"saidPeter，firmly;"they’reasheavyaslead。I’llwalk。"
"ThenI’LLrun，"saidBobbie。"Getonthebank，Phil，andI’llhandyouthedear。"
Thebabywascarefullyhanded。Phyllissatdownonthebankandtriedtohushthebaby。Peterwrungthewaterfromhissleevesandknickerbockerlegsaswellashecould，anditwasBobbiewhoranlikethewindacrossthebridgeandupthelongwhitequiettwilightroadtowardsthe’RoseandCrown。’
Thereisaniceold—fashionedroomatthe’RoseandCrown;whereBargeesandtheirwivessitofaneveningdrinkingtheirsupperbeer，andtoastingtheirsuppercheeseataglowingbasketfulofcoalsthatsticksoutintotheroomunderagreathoodedchimneyandiswarmerandprettierandmorecomfortingthananyotherfireplace_I_eversaw。
Therewasapleasantpartyofbargepeopleroundthefire。Youmightnothavethoughtitpleasant，buttheydid;fortheywereallfriendsoracquaintances，andtheylikedthesamesortofthings，andtalkedthesamesortoftalk。Thisistherealsecretofpleasantsociety。TheBargeeBill，whomthechildrenhadfoundsodisagreeable，wasconsideredexcellentcompanybyhismates。Hewastellingataleofhisownwrongs——alwaysathrillingsubject。Itwashisbargehewasspeakingabout。
"And’esentdownword’paintherinsidehout，’notnamin’nocolour，d’yesee？SoIgetsalottergreenpaintandIpaintsherstemtostern，andItellyershelookedA1。Then’Ecomesalongand’esays，’Wotyerpaint’erallonecolourfor？’’esays。AndI
says，saysI，’CauseIthoughtshe’dlookfust—rate，’saysI，’andI
thinksostill。’An’hesays，’DEWyer？Thenyecanjustpayforthebloomin’paintyerself，’sayshe。An’I’adto，too。"Amurmurofsympathyranroundtheroom。BreakingnoisilyinonitcameBobbie。Sheburstopentheswingdoor——cryingbreathlessly：——
"Bill！IwantBilltheBargeman。"
Therewasastupefiedsilence。Potsofbeerwereheldinmid—air，paralysedontheirwaytothirstymouths。
"Oh，"saidBobbie，seeingthebargewomanandmakingforher。"Yourbargecabin’sonfire。Goquickly。"
Thewomanstartedtoherfeet，andputabigredhandtoherwaist，ontheleftside，whereyourheartseemstobewhenyouarefrightenedormiserable。
"ReginaldHorace！"shecriedinaterriblevoice;"myReginaldHorace！"
"Allright，"saidBobbie，"ifyoumeanthebaby;gothimoutsafe。
Dog，too。"Shehadnobreathformore，except，"Goon——it’sallalight。"
Thenshesankontheale—housebenchandtriedtogetthatbreathofreliefafterrunningwhichpeoplecallthe’secondwind。’Butshefeltasthoughshewouldneverbreatheagain。
BilltheBargeeroseslowlyandheavily。Buthiswifewasahundredyardsuptheroadbeforehehadquiteunderstoodwhatwasthematter。
Phyllis，shiveringbythecanalside，hadhardlyheardthequickapproachingfeetbeforethewomanhadflungherselfontherailing，rolleddownthebank，andsnatchedthebabyfromher。
"Don’t，"saidPhyllis，reproachfully;"I’djustgothimtosleep。"
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Billcameuplatertalkinginalanguagewithwhichthechildrenwerewhollyunfamiliar。Heleapedontothebargeanddippeduppailsofwater。Peterhelpedhimandtheyputoutthefire。
Phyllis，thebargewoman，andthebaby——andpresentlyBobbie，too——
cuddledtogetherinaheaponthebank。
"Lordhelpme，ifitwasmeleftanythingascouldcatchalight，"
saidthewomanagainandagain。
Butitwasn’tshe。ItwasBilltheBargeman，whohadknockedhispipeoutandtheredashhadfallenonthehearth—rugandsmoulderedthereandatlastbrokenintoflame。Thoughasternmanhewasjust。Hedidnotblamehiswifeforwhatwashisownfault，asmanybargemen，andothermen，too，wouldhavedone。
******
MotherwashalfwildwithanxietywhenatlastthethreechildrenturnedupatThreeChimneys，allverywetbynow，forPeterseemedtohavecomeoffontheothers。Butwhenshehaddisentangledthetruthofwhathadhappenedfromtheirmixedandincoherentnarrative，sheownedthattheyhaddonequiteright，andcouldnotpossiblyhavedoneotherwise。Nordidsheputanyobstaclesinthewayoftheiracceptingthecordialinvitationwithwhichthebargemanhadpartedfromthem。
"Yebehereatsevento—morrow，"hehadsaid，"andI’lltakeyoutheentiretriptoFarleyandback，soIwill，andnotapennytopay。
Nineteenlocks！"
Theydidnotknowwhatlockswere;buttheywereatthebridgeatseven，withbreadandcheeseandhalfasodacake，andquiteaquarterofalegofmuttoninabasket。
Itwasagloriousday。Theoldwhitehorsestrainedattheropes，thebargeglidedsmoothlyandsteadilythroughthestillwater。Theskywasblueoverhead。Mr。Billwasasniceasanyonecouldpossiblybe。NoonewouldhavethoughtthathecouldbethesamemanwhohadheldPeterbytheear。AsforMrs。Bill，shehadalwaysbeennice，asBobbiesaid，andsohadthebaby，andevenSpot，whomighthavebittenthemquitebadlyifhehadliked。
"Itwassimplyripping，Mother，"saidPeter，whentheyreachedhomeveryhappy，verytired，andverydirty，"rightoverthatgloriousaqueduct。Andlocks——youdon’tknowwhatthey’relike。Yousinkintothegroundandthen，whenyoufeelyou’renevergoingtostopgoingdown，twogreatblackgatesopenslowly，slowly——yougoout，andthereyouareonthecanaljustlikeyouwerebefore。"
"Iknow，"saidMother，"therearelocksontheThames。FatherandI
usedtogoontheriveratMarlowbeforeweweremarried。"
"Andthedear，darling，duckybaby，"saidBobbie;"itletmenurseitforagesandages——anditWASsogood。Mother，Iwishwehadababytoplaywith。"
"Andeverybodywassonicetous，"saidPhyllis，"everybodywemet。
Andtheysaywemayfishwheneverwelike。AndBillisgoingtoshowusthewaynexttimehe’sintheseparts。Hesayswedon’tknowreally。"
"HesaidYOUdidn’tknow，"saidPeter;"but，Mother，hesaidhe’dtellallthebargeesupanddownthecanalthatwewerethereal，rightsort，andtheyweretotreatuslikegoodpals，aswewere。"
"SothenIsaid，"Phyllisinterrupted，"we’dalwayseachweararedribbonwhenwewentfishingbythecanal，sothey’dknowitwasUS，andwewerethereal，rightsort，andbenicetous！"
"Soyou’vemadeanotherlotoffriends，"saidMother;"firsttherailwayandthenthecanal！"
"Oh，yes，"saidBobbie;"Ithinkeveryoneintheworldisfriendsifyoucanonlygetthemtoseeyoudon’twanttobeUN—friends。"
"Perhapsyou’reright，"saidMother;andshesighed。"Come，Chicks。
It’sbedtime。"
"Yes，"saidPhyllis。"Ohdear——andwewentuptheretotalkaboutwhatwe’ddoforPerks’sbirthday。Andwehaven’ttalkedasinglethingaboutit！"
"Nomorewehave，"saidBobbie;"butPeter’ssavedReginaldHorace’slife。Ithinkthat’saboutgoodenoughforoneevening。"
"BobbiewouldhavesavedhimifIhadn’tknockedherdown;twiceI
did，"saidPeter，loyally。
"SowouldI，"saidPhyllis，"ifI’dknownwhattodo。"
"Yes，"saidMother，"you’vesavedalittlechild’slife。Idothinkthat’senoughforoneevening。Oh，mydarlings，thankGodYOU’RE
allsafe！"
ChapterIX。TheprideofPerks。
Itwasbreakfast—time。Mother’sfacewasverybrightasshepouredthemilkandladledouttheporridge。
"I’vesoldanotherstory，Chickies，"shesaid;"theoneabouttheKingoftheMussels，sothere’llbebunsfortea。Youcangoandgetthemassoonasthey’rebaked。Abouteleven，isn’tit？"
Peter，Phyllis，andBobbieexchangedglanceswitheachother，sixglancesinall。ThenBobbiesaid：——
"Mother，wouldyoumindifwedidn’thavethebunsforteato—night，butonthefifteenth？That’snextThursday。"
"_I_don’tmindwhenyouhavethem，dear，"saidMother，"butwhy？"
"Becauseit’sPerks’sbirthday，"saidBobbie;"he’sthirty—two，andhesayshedoesn’tkeephisbirthdayanymore，becausehe’sgototherthingstokeep——notrabbitsorsecrets——butthekidsandthemissus。"
"Youmeanhiswifeandchildren，"saidMother。
"Yes，"saidPhyllis;"it’sthesamething，isn’tit？"
"Andwethoughtwe’dmakeanicebirthdayforhim。He’sbeensoawfullyjollydecenttous，youknow，Mother，"saidPeter，"andweagreedthatnextbun—daywe’daskyouifwecould。"
"Butsupposetherehadn’tbeenabun—daybeforethefifteenth？"saidMother。
"Oh，then，wemeanttoaskyoutoletusanti——antipateit，andgowithoutwhenthebun—daycame。"
"Anticipate，"saidMother。"Isee。Certainly。Itwouldbenicetoputhisnameonthebunswithpinksugar，wouldn’tit？"
"Perks，"saidPeter，"it’snotaprettyname。"
"Hisothername’sAlbert，"saidPhyllis;"Iaskedhimonce。"
"WemightputA。P。，"saidMother;"I’llshowyouhowwhenthedaycomes。"
Thiswasallverywellasfarasitwent。ButevenfourteenhalfpennybunswithA。P。ontheminpinksugardonotofthemselvesmakeaverygrandcelebration。
"Therearealwaysflowers，ofcourse，"saidBobbie，later，whenareallyearnestcouncilwasbeingheldonthesubjectinthehay—loftwherethebrokenchaff—cuttingmachinewas，andtherowofholestodrophaythroughintothehay—racksoverthemangersofthestablesbelow。
"He’sgotlotsofflowersofhisown，"saidPeter。
"Butit’salwaysnicetohavethemgivenyou，"saidBobbie，"howevermanyyou’vegotofyourown。Wecanuseflowersfortrimmingstothebirthday。Buttheremustbesomethingtotrimbesidesbuns。"
"Let’sallbequietandthink，"saidPhyllis;"noone’stospeakuntilit’sthoughtofsomething。"
Sotheywereallquietandsoverystillthatabrownratthoughtthattherewasnooneintheloftandcameoutveryboldly。WhenBobbiesneezed，theratwasquiteshockedandhurriedaway，forhesawthatahay—loftwheresuchthingscouldhappenwasnoplaceforarespectablemiddle—agedratthatlikedaquietlife。
"Hooray！"criedPeter，suddenly，"I’vegotit。"Hejumpedupandkickedattheloosehay。
"What？"saidtheothers，eagerly。
"Why，Perksissonicetoeverybody。Theremustbelotsofpeopleinthevillagewho’dliketohelptomakehimabirthday。Let’sgoroundandaskeverybody。"
"Mothersaidweweren’ttoaskpeopleforthings，"saidBobbie，doubtfully。
"Forourselves，shemeant，silly，notforotherpeople。I’llasktheoldgentlemantoo。YouseeifIdon’t，"saidPeter。
"Let’saskMotherfirst，"saidBobbie。
"Oh，what’stheuseofbotheringMotherabouteverylittlething？"
saidPeter，"especiallywhenshe’sbusy。Comeon。Let’sgodowntothevillagenowandbegin。"
Sotheywent。TheoldladyatthePost—officesaidshedidn’tseewhyPerksshouldhaveabirthdayanymorethananyoneelse。
"No，"saidBobbie，"Ishouldlikeeveryonetohaveone。Onlyweknowwhenhisis。"
"Mine’sto—morrow，"saidtheoldlady，"andmuchnoticeanyonewilltakeofit。Goalongwithyou。"
Sotheywent。
Andsomepeoplewerekind，andsomewerecrusty。Andsomewouldgiveandsomewouldnot。Itisratherdifficultworkaskingforthings，evenforotherpeople，asyouhavenodoubtfoundifyouhaveevertriedit。
Whenthechildrengothomeandcountedupwhathadbeengivenandwhathadbeenpromised，theyfeltthatforthefirstdayitwasnotsobad。Peterwrotedownthelistsofthethingsinthelittlepocket—bookwherehekeptthenumbersofhisengines。Thesewerethelists：——
GIVEN。
Atobaccopipefromthesweetshop。
Halfapoundofteafromthegrocer’s。
Awoollenscarfslightlyfadedfromthedraper’s，whichwastheothersideofthegrocer’s。
AstuffedsquirrelfromtheDoctor。
PROMISED。
Apieceofmeatfromthebutcher。
Sixfresheggsfromthewomanwholivedintheoldturnpikecottage。
Apieceofhoneycombandsixbootlacesfromthecobbler，andanironshovelfromtheblacksmith’s。
VeryearlynextmorningBobbiegotupandwokePhyllis。Thishadbeenagreedonbetweenthem。TheyhadnottoldPeterbecausetheythoughthewouldthinkitsilly。Buttheytoldhimafterwards，whenithadturnedoutallright。
Theycutabigbunchofroses，andputitinabasketwiththeneedle—bookthatPhyllishadmadeforBobbieonherbirthday，andaveryprettybluenecktieofPhyllis’s。Thentheywroteonapaper：
’ForMrs。Ransome，withourbestlove，becauseitisherbirthday，’
andtheyputthepaperinthebasket，andtheytookittothePost—
office，andwentinandputitonthecounterandranawaybeforetheoldwomanatthePost—officehadtimetogetintohershop。
WhentheygothomePeterhadgrownconfidentialoverhelpingMothertogetthebreakfastandhadtoldhertheirplans。
"There’snoharminit，"saidMother，"butitdependsHOWyoudoit。
Ionlyhopehewon’tbeoffendedandthinkit’sCHARITY。Poorpeopleareveryproud，youknow。"
"Itisn’tbecausehe’spoor，"saidPhyllis;"it’sbecausewe’refondofhim。"
"I’llfindsomethingsthatPhyllishasoutgrown，"saidMother，"ifyou’requitesureyoucangivethemtohimwithouthisbeingoffended。Ishouldliketodosomelittlethingforhimbecausehe’sbeensokindtoyou。Ican’tdomuchbecausewe’repoorourselves。Whatareyouwriting，Bobbie？"
"Nothingparticular，"saidBobbie，whohadsuddenlybeguntoscribble。"I’msurehe’dlikethethings，Mother。"
ThemorningofthefifteenthwasspentveryhappilyingettingthebunsandwatchingMothermakeA。P。onthemwithpinksugar。Youknowhowit’sdone，ofcourse？Youbeatupwhitesofeggsandmixpowderedsugarwiththem，andputinafewdropsofcochineal。Andthenyoumakeaconeofclean，whitepaperwithalittleholeatthepointedend，andputthepinkegg—sugarinatthebigend。Itrunsslowlyoutatthepointedend，andyouwritetheletterswithitjustasthoughitwereagreatfatpenfullofpinksugar—ink。
ThebunslookedbeautifulwithA。P。oneveryone，and，whentheywereputinacooloventosetthesugar，thechildrenwentuptothevillagetocollectthehoneyandtheshovelandtheotherpromisedthings。
TheoldladyatthePost—officewasstandingonherdoorstep。Thechildrensaid"Goodmorning，"politely，astheypassed。
"Here，stopabit，"shesaid。
Sotheystopped。
"Thoseroses，"saidshe。
"Didyoulikethem？"saidPhyllis;"theywereasfreshasfresh。
_I_madetheneedle—book，butitwasBobbie’spresent。"Sheskippedjoyouslyasshespoke。
"Here’syourbasket，"saidthePost—officewoman。Shewentinandbroughtoutthebasket。Itwasfulloffat，redgooseberries。
"IdaresayPerks’schildrenwouldlikethem，"saidshe。
"YouAREanolddear，"saidPhyllis，throwingherarmsaroundtheoldlady’sfatwaist。"PerksWILLbepleased。"
"Hewon’tbehalfsopleasedasIwaswithyourneedle—bookandthetieandtheprettyflowersandall，"saidtheoldlady，pattingPhyllis’sshoulder。"You’regoodlittlesouls，thatyouare。Lookhere。I’vegotapramroundthebackinthewood—lodge。ItwasgotformyEmmie’sfirst，thatdidn’tlivebutsixmonths，andsheneverhadbutthatone。I’dlikeMrs。Perkstohaveit。It’udbeahelptoherwiththatgreatboyofhers。Willyoutakeitalong？"
"OH！"saidallthechildrentogether。
WhenMrs。Ransomehadgotouttheperambulatorandtakenoffthecarefulpapersthatcoveredit，anddusteditallover，shesaid：——
"Well，thereitis。Idon’tknowbutwhatI’dhavegivenittoherbeforeifI’dthoughtofit。OnlyIdidn’tquiteknowifshe’dacceptofitfromme。YoutellheritwasmyEmmie’slittleone’spram——"
"Oh，ISN’Titnicetothinkthereisgoingtobeareallivebabyinitagain！"
"Yes，"saidMrs。Ransome，sighing，andthenlaughing;"here，I’llgiveyousomepeppermintcushionsforthelittleones，andthenyourunalongbeforeIgiveyoutheroofoffmyheadandtheclothesoffmyback。"
AllthethingsthathadbeencollectedforPerkswerepackedintotheperambulator，andathalf—pastthreePeterandBobbieandPhylliswheeleditdowntothelittleyellowhousewherePerkslived。
Thehousewasverytidy。Onthewindowledgewasajugofwild—
flowers，bigdaisies，andredsorrel，andfeathery，flowerygrasses。
Therewasasoundofsplashingfromthewash—house，andapartlywashedboyputhisheadroundthedoor。
"Mother’sa—changingofherself，"hesaid。
"Downinaminute，"avoicesoundeddownthenarrow，freshlyscrubbedstairs。
Thechildrenwaited。NextmomentthestairscreakedandMrs。Perkscamedown，buttoningherbodice。Herhairwasbrushedverysmoothandtight，andherfaceshonewithsoapandwater。
"I’mabitlatechanging，Miss，"shesaidtoBobbie，"owingtomehavinghadaextryclean—upto—day，alongo’Perkshappeningtonameitsbeinghisbirthday。Idon’tknowwhatputitintohisheadtothinkofsuchathing。Wekeepsthechildren’sbirthdays，ofcourse;buthimandme——we’retoooldforsuchlike，asageneralrule。"
"Weknewitwashisbirthday，"saidPeter，"andwe’vegotsomepresentsforhimoutsideintheperambulator。
Asthepresentswerebeingunpacked，Mrs。Perksgasped。Whentheywereallunpacked，shesurprisedandhorrifiedthechildrenbysittingsuddenlydownonawoodenchairandburstingintotears。
"Oh，don’t！"saideverybody;"oh，pleasedon’t！"AndPeteradded，perhapsalittleimpatiently："Whatonearthisthematter？Youdon’tmeantosayyoudon’tlikeit？"
Mrs。Perksonlysobbed。ThePerkschildren，nowasshiny—facedasanyonecouldwish，stoodatthewash—housedoor，andscowledattheintruders。Therewasasilence，anawkwardsilence。
"DON’Tyoulikeit？"saidPeter，again，whilehissisterspattedMrs。Perksontheback。
Shestoppedcryingassuddenlyasshehadbegun。
"There，there，don’tyoumindme。I’Mallright！"shesaid。"Likeit？Why，it’sabirthdaysuchasPerksnever’ad，notevenwhen’ewasaboyandstayedwithhisuncle，whowasacornchandlerinhisownaccount。Hefailedafterwards。Likeit？Oh——"andthenshewentonandsaidallsortsofthingsthatIwon’twritedown，becauseIamsurethatPeterandBobbieandPhylliswouldnotlikemeto。Theirearsgothotterandhotter，andtheirfacesredderandredder，atthekindthingsMrs。Perkssaid。Theyfelttheyhaddonenothingtodeserveallthispraise。
AtlastPetersaid："Lookhere，we’regladyou’repleased。Butifyougoonsayingthingslikethat，wemustgohome。AndwedidwanttostayandseeifMr。Perksispleased，too。Butwecan’tstandthis。"
"Iwon’tsayanothersingleword，"saidMrs。Perks，withabeamingface，"butthatneedn’tstopmethinking，needit？Forifever——"
"Canwehaveaplateforthebuns？"Bobbieaskedabruptly。AndthenMrs。Perkshastilylaidthetablefortea，andthebunsandthehoneyandthegooseberriesweredisplayedonplates，andtheroseswereputintwoglassjamjars，andthetea—tablelooked，asMrs。
Perkssaid，"fitforaPrince。"
"Tothink！"shesaid，"megettingtheplacetidyearly，andthelittle’unsgettingthewild—flowersandall——whenneverdidIthinkthere’dbeanythingmoreforhimexcepttheounceofhispetparticularthatIgoto’Saturdayandbeensavingupfor’imeversince。Blessus！’eISearly！"
Perkshadindeedunlatchedthelatchofthelittlefrontgate。
"Oh，"whisperedBobbie，"let’shideinthebackkitchen，andYOU
tellhimaboutit。Butgivehimthetobaccofirst，becauseyougotitforhim。Andwhenyou’vetoldhim，we’llallcomeinandshout，’Manyhappyreturns！’"
Itwasaveryniceplan，butitdidnotquitecomeoff。Tobeginwith，therewasonlyjusttimeforPeterandBobbieandPhyllistorushintothewash—house，pushingtheyoungandopen—mouthedPerkschildreninfrontofthem。Therewasnottimetoshutthedoor，sothat，withoutatallmeaningit，theyhadtolistentowhatwentoninthekitchen。Thewash—housewasatightfitforthePerkschildrenandtheThreeChimneyschildren，aswellasallthewash—
house’sproperfurniture，includingthemangleandthecopper。
"Hullo，oldwoman！"theyheardMr。Perks’svoicesay;"here’saprettyset—out！"
"It’syourbirthdaytea，Bert，"saidMrs。Perks，"andhere’saounceofyourextryparticular。Igotito’Saturdayalongo’yourhappeningtorememberitwasyourbirthdayto—day。"
"Goodoldgirl！"saidMr。Perks，andtherewasasoundofakiss。
"Butwhat’sthatpramdoinghere？Andwhat’sallthesebundles？
Andwheredidyougetthesweetstuff，and——"
ThechildrendidnothearwhatMrs。Perksreplied，becausejustthenBobbiegaveastart，putherhandinherpocket，andallherbodygrewstiffwithhorror。
"Oh！"shewhisperedtotheothers，"whatevershallwedo？Iforgottoputthelabelsonanyofthethings！Hewon’tknowwhat’sfromwho。He’llthinkit’sallUS，andthatwe’retryingtobegrandorcharitableorsomethinghorrid。"
"Hush！"saidPeter。
AndthentheyheardthevoiceofMr。Perks，loudandratherangry。
"Idon’tcare，"hesaid;"Iwon’tstandit，andsoItellyoustraight。"
"But，"saidMrs。Perks，"it’sthemchildrenyoumakesuchafussabout——thechildrenfromtheThreeChimneys。"
"Idon’tcare，"saidPerks，firmly，"notifitwasaangelfromHeaven。We’vegotonallrightalltheseyearsandnofavoursasked。I’mnotgoingtobeginthesesortofcharitygoings—onatmytimeoflife，sodon’tyouthinkit，Nell。"
"Oh，hush！"saidpoorMrsPerks;"Bert，shutyoursillytongue，forgoodness’sake。Theallthreeof’emsinthewash—housea—listeningtoeverywordyouspeaks。"
"ThenI’llgivethemsomethingtolistento，"saidtheangryPerks;
"I’vespokemymindtothemaforenow，andI’lldoitagain，"headded，andhetooktwostridestothewash—housedoor，andflungitwideopen——aswide，thatis，asitwouldgo，withthetightlypackedchildrenbehindit。
"Comeout，"saidPerks，"comeoutandtellmewhatyoumeanbyit。
’AveIevercomplainedtoyouofbeingshort，asyoucomesthischaritylayoverme？"
"OH！"saidPhyllis，"Ithoughtyou’dbesopleased;I’llnevertrytobekindtoanyoneelseaslongasIlive。No，Iwon’t，notnever。"
Sheburstintotears。
"Wedidn’tmeananyharm，"saidPeter。
"Itain’twhatyoumeanssomuchaswhatyoudoes，"saidPerks。
"Oh，DON’T！"criedBobbie，tryinghardtobebraverthanPhyllis，andtofindmorewordsthanPeterhaddoneforexplainingin。"Wethoughtyou’dloveit。Wealwayshavethingsonourbirthdays。"
"Oh，yes，"saidPerks，"yourownrelations;that’sdifferent。"
"Oh，no，"Bobbieanswered。"NOTourownrelations。Alltheservantsalwaysgaveusthingsathome，andustothemwhenitwastheirbirthdays。Andwhenitwasmine，andMothergavemethebroochlikeabuttercup，Mrs。Vineygavemetwolovelyglasspots，andnobodythoughtshewascomingthecharitylayoverus。"
"Ifithadbeenglasspotshere，"saidPerks，"Iwouldn’tha’saidsomuch。It’stherebeingallthisheapsandheapsofthingsI
can’tstand。No——norwon’t，neither。"
"Butthey’renotallfromus——"saidPeter，"onlyweforgottoputthelabelson。They’refromallsortsofpeopleinthevillage。"
"Whoput’emuptoit，I’dliketoknow？"askedPerks。
"Why，wedid，"sniffedPhyllis。
Perkssatdownheavilyintheelbow—chairandlookedatthemwithwhatBobbieafterwardsdescribedaswitheringglancesofgloomydespair。
"Soyou’vebeenroundtellingtheneighbourswecan’tmakebothendsmeet？Well，nowyou’vedisgracedusasdeepasyoucanintheneighbourhood，youcanjusttakethewholebagoftricksbackw’ereitcomefrom。Verymuchobliged，I’msure。Idon’tdoubtbutwhatyoumeantitkind，butI’drathernotbeacquaintedwithyouanylongerifit’sallthesametoyou。"Hedeliberatelyturnedthechairroundsothathisbackwasturnedtothechildren。Thelegsofthechairgratedonthebrickfloor，andthatwastheonlysoundthatbrokethesilence。
ThensuddenlyBobbiespoke。
"Lookhere，"shesaid，"thisismostawful。"
"That’swhatIsays，"saidPerks，notturninground。
"Lookhere，"saidBobbie，desperately，"we’llgoifyoulike——andyouneedn’tbefriendswithusanymoreifyoudon’twant，but——"
"WEshallalwaysbefriendswithYOU，howevernastyyouaretous，"
sniffedPhyllis，wildly。
"Bequiet，"saidPeter，inafierceaside。
"Butbeforewego，"Bobbiewentondesperately，"doletusshowyouthelabelswewrotetoputonthethings。"
"Idon’twanttoseenolabels，"saidPerks，"exceptproperluggageonesinmyownwalkoflife。DoyouthinkI’vekeptrespectableandouterdebtonwhatIgets，andherhavingtotakeinwashing，tobegiveawayforalaughing—stocktoalltheneighbours？"
"Laughing？"saidPeter;"youdon’tknow。"
"You’reaveryhastygentleman，"whinedPhyllis;"youknowyouwerewrongoncebefore，aboutusnottellingyouthesecretabouttheRussian。DoletBobbietellyouaboutthelabels！"
"Well。Goahead！"saidPerks，grudgingly。
"Well，then，"saidBobbie，fumblingmiserably，yetnotwithouthope，inhertightlystuffedpocket，"wewrotedownallthethingseverybodysaidwhentheygaveusthethings，withthepeople’snames，becauseMothersaidweoughttobecareful——because——butI
wrotedownwhatshesaid——andyou’llsee。"
ButBobbiecouldnotreadthelabelsjustatonce。Shehadtoswallowonceortwicebeforeshecouldbegin。
Mrs。Perkshadbeencryingsteadilyeversinceherhusbandhadopenedthewash—housedoor。Nowshecaughtherbreath，choked，andsaid：——
"Don’tyouupsetyourself，Missy。_I_knowyoumeantitkindifhedoesn’t。"
"MayIreadthelabels？"saidBobbie，cryingontotheslipsasshetriedtosortthem。"Mother’sfirst。Itsays：——
"’LittleClothesforMrs。Perks’schildren。’Mothersaid，’I’llfindsomeofPhyllis’sthingsthatshe’sgrownoutofifyou’requitesureMr。Perkswouldn’tbeoffendedandthinkit’smeantforcharity。I’dliketodosomelittlethingforhim，becausehe’ssokindtoyou。Ican’tdomuchbecausewe’repoorourselves。’"
Bobbiepaused。
"That’sallright，"saidPerks，"yourMa’sabornlady。We’llkeepthelittlefrocks，andwhatnot，Nell。"
"Thenthere’stheperambulatorandthegooseberries，andthesweets，"saidBobbie，"they’refromMrs。Ransome。Shesaid：’IdaresayMr。Perks’schildrenwouldlikethesweets。AndtheperambulatorwasgotformyEmmie’sfirst——itdidn’tlivebutsixmonths，andshe’sneverhadbutthatone。I’dlikeMrs。Perkstohaveit。Itwouldbeahelpwithherfineboy。I’dhavegivenitbeforeifI’dbeensureshe’dacceptofitfromme。’Shetoldmetotellyou，"Bobbieadded，"thatitwasherEmmie’slittleone’spram。"
"Ican’tsendthatpramback，Bert，"saidMrsPerks，firmly，"andI
won’t。Sodon’tyouaskme——"
"I’mnota—askinganything，"saidPerks，gruffly。
"Thentheshovel，"saidBobbie。"Mr。Jamesmadeitforyouhimself。
Andhesaid——whereisit？Oh，yes，here！Hesaid，’YoutellMr。
Perksit’sapleasuretomakealittletrifleforamanasissomuchrespected，’andthenhesaidhewishedhecouldshoeyourchildrenandhisownchildren，liketheydothehorses，because，well，heknewwhatshoeleatherwas。"
"Jamesisagoodenoughchap，"saidPerks。
"Thenthehoney，"saidBobbie，inhaste，"andtheboot—laces。HE
saidherespectedamanthatpaidhisway——andthebutchersaidthesame。Andtheoldturnpikewomansaidmanywasthetimeyou’dlentherahandwithhergardenwhenyouwerealad——andthingslikethatcamehometoroost——Idon’tknowwhatshemeant。Andeverybodywhogaveanythingsaidtheylikedyou，anditwasaverygoodideaofours;andnobodysaidanythingaboutcharityoranythinghorridlikethat。AndtheoldgentlemangavePeteragoldpoundforyou，andsaidyouwereamanwhoknewyourwork。AndIthoughtyou’dLOVEtoknowhowfondpeopleareofyou，andIneverwassounhappyinmylife。Good—bye。Ihopeyou’llforgiveussomeday——"
Shecouldsaynomore，andsheturnedtogo。
"Stop，"saidPerks，stillwithhisbacktothem;"ItakebackeverywordI’vesaidcontrarytowhatyou’dwish。Nell，setonthekettle。"
"We’lltakethethingsawayifyou’reunhappyaboutthem，"saidPeter;"butIthinkeverybody’llbemostawfullydisappointed，aswellasus。"
"I’mnotunhappyaboutthem，"saidPerks;"Idon’tknow，"headded，suddenlywheelingthechairroundandshowingaveryodd—lookingscrewed—upface，"Idon’tknowaseverIwasbetterpleased。Notsomuchwiththepresents——thoughthey’reanA1collection——butthekindrespectofourneighbours。That’sworthhaving，eh，Nell？"
"Ithinkit’sallworthhaving，"saidMrs。Perks，"andyou’vemadeamostridiculousfussaboutnothing，Bert，ifyouaskme。"
"No，Iain’t，"saidPerks，firmly;"ifamandidn’trespecthisself，noonewouldn’tdoitforhim。"
"Buteveryonerespectsyou，"saidBobbie;"theyallsaidso。"
"Iknewyou’dlikeitwhenyoureallyunderstood，"saidPhyllis，brightly。
"Humph！You’llstaytotea？"saidMr。Perks。
LateronPeterproposedMr。Perks’shealth。AndMr。Perksproposedatoast，alsohonouredintea，andthetoastwas，"Maythegarlandoffriendshipbeevergreen，"whichwasmuchmorepoeticalthananyonehadexpectedfromhim。
******
"Jollygoodlittlekids，those，"saidMr。Perkstohiswifeastheywenttobed。
"Oh，they’reallright，blesstheirhearts，"saidhiswife;"it’syouthat’stheaggravatingestoldthingthateverwas。Iwasashamedofyou——Itellyou——"
"Youdidn’tneedtobe，oldgal。IclimbeddownhandsomesoonasI
understooditwasn’tcharity。Butcharity’swhatIneverdidabide，andwon’tneither。"
******
Allsortsofpeopleweremadehappybythatbirthdayparty。Mr。
PerksandMrs。PerksandthelittlePerksesbyallthenicethingsandbythekindthoughtsoftheirneighbours;theThreeChimneyschildrenbythesuccess，undoubtedthoughunexpectedlydelayed，oftheirplan;andMrs。RansomeeverytimeshesawthefatPerksbabyintheperambulator。Mrs。Perksmadequitearoundofvisitstothankpeoplefortheirkindbirthdaypresents，andaftereachvisitfeltthatshehadabetterfriendthanshehadthought。
"Yes，"saidPerks，reflectively，"it’snotsomuchwhatyoudoesaswhatyoumeans;that’swhatIsay。Nowifithadbeencharity——"
"Oh，dratcharity，"saidMrs。Perks;"nobodywon’tofferyoucharity，Bert，howevermuchyouwastowantit，Ilay。Thatwasjustfriendliness，thatwas。"
WhentheclergymancalledonMrs。Perks，shetoldhimallaboutit。
"ItWASfriendliness，wasn’tit，Sir？"saidshe。
"Ithink，"saidtheclergyman，"itwaswhatissometimescalledloving—kindness。"
Soyouseeitwasallrightintheend。Butifonedoesthatsortofthing，onehastobecarefultodoitintherightway。For，asMr。Perkssaid，whenhehadtimetothinkitover，it’snotsomuchwhatyoudo，aswhatyoumean。
ChapterX。Theterriblesecret。
WhentheyfirstwenttoliveatThreeChimneys，thechildrenhadtalkedagreatdealabouttheirFather，andhadaskedagreatmanyquestionsabouthim，andwhathewasdoingandwherehewasandwhenhewouldcomehome。Motheralwaysansweredtheirquestionsaswellasshecould。Butasthetimewentontheygrewtospeaklessofhim。BobbiehadfeltalmostfromthefirstthatforsomestrangemiserablereasonthesequestionshurtMotherandmadehersad。Andlittlebylittletheotherscametohavethisfeeling，too，thoughtheycouldnothaveputitintowords。
Oneday，whenMotherwasworkingsohardthatshecouldnotleaveoffevenfortenminutes，BobbiecarriedupherteatothebigbareroomthattheycalledMother’sworkshop。Ithadhardlyanyfurniture。Justatableandachairandarug。Butalwaysbigpotsofflowersonthewindow—sillsandonthemantelpiece。Thechildrensawtothat。Andfromthethreelonguncurtainedwindowsthebeautifulstretchofmeadowandmoorland，thefarvioletofthehills，andtheunchangingchangefulnessofcloudandsky。
"Here’syourtea，Mother—love，"saidBobbie;"dodrinkitwhileit’shot。"
Motherlaiddownherpenamongthepagesthatwerescatteredalloverthetable，pagescoveredwithherwriting，whichwasalmostasplainasprint，andmuchprettier。Sheranherhandsintoherhair，asifsheweregoingtopullitoutbyhandfuls。