第6章
"Poordearhead，"saidBobbie，"doesitache？"
"No——yes——notmuch，"saidMother。"Bobbie，doyouthinkPeterandPhilareFORGETTINGFather？"
"NO，"saidBobbie，indignantly。"Why？"
"Younoneofyoueverspeakofhimnow。"
Bobbiestoodfirstononelegandthenontheother。
"Weoftentalkabouthimwhenwe’rebyourselves，"shesaid。
"Butnottome，"saidMother。"Why？"
Bobbiedidnotfinditeasytosaywhy。
"I——you——"shesaidandstopped。Shewentovertothewindowandlookedout。
"Bobbie，comehere，"saidherMother，andBobbiecame。
"Now，"saidMother，puttingherarmroundBobbieandlayingherruffledheadagainstBobbie’sshoulder，"trytotellme，dear。"
Bobbiefidgeted。
"TellMother。"
"Well，then，"saidBobbie，"IthoughtyouweresounhappyaboutDaddynotbeinghere，itmadeyouworsewhenItalkedabouthim。SoIstoppeddoingit。"
"Andtheothers？"
"Idon’tknowabouttheothers，"saidBobbie。"IneversaidanythingaboutTHATtothem。ButIexpecttheyfeltthesameaboutitasme。"
"Bobbiedear，"saidMother，stillleaningherheadagainsther，"I’lltellyou。BesidespartingfromFather，heandIhavehadagreatsorrow——oh，terrible——worsethananythingyoucanthinkof，andatfirstitdidhurttohearyoualltalkingofhimasifeverythingwerejustthesame。Butitwouldbemuchmoreterribleifyouweretoforgethim。Thatwouldbeworsethananything。"
"Thetrouble，"saidBobbie，inaverylittlevoice——"IpromisedI
wouldneveraskyouanyquestions，andIneverhave，haveI？But——
thetrouble——itwon’tlastalways？"
"No，"saidMother，"theworstwillbeoverwhenFathercomeshometous。"
"IwishIcouldcomfortyou，"saidBobbie。
"Oh，mydear，doyousupposeyoudon’t？DoyouthinkIhaven’tnoticedhowgoodyou’veallbeen，notquarrellingnearlyasmuchasyouusedto——andallthelittlekindthingsyoudoforme——theflowers，andcleaningmyshoes，andtearinguptomakemybedbeforeIgettimetodoitmyself？"
BobbieHADsometimeswonderedwhetherMothernoticedthesethings。
"That’snothing，"shesaid，"towhat——"
"IMUSTgetonwithmywork，"saidMother，givingBobbieonelastsqueeze。"Don’tsayanythingtotheothers。"
Thateveninginthehourbeforebed—timeinsteadofreadingtothechildrenMothertoldthemstoriesofthegamessheandFatherusedtohavewhentheywerechildrenandlivedneareachotherinthecountry——talesoftheadventuresofFatherwithMother’sbrotherswhentheywereallboystogether。Veryfunnystoriestheywere，andthechildrenlaughedastheylistened。
"UncleEdwarddiedbeforehewasgrownup，didn’the？"saidPhyllis，asMotherlightedthebedroomcandles。
"Yes，dear，"saidMother，"youwouldhavelovedhim。Hewassuchabraveboy，andsoadventurous。Alwaysinmischief，andyetfriendswitheverybodyinspiteofit。AndyourUncleReggie’sinCeylon——
yes，andFather’saway，too。ButIthinkthey’dallliketothinkwe’denjoyedtalkingaboutthethingstheyusedtodo。Don’tyouthinkso？"
"NotUncleEdward，"saidPhyllis，inashockedtone;"he’sinHeaven。"
"Youdon’tsupposehe’sforgottenusandalltheoldtimes，becauseGodhastakenhim，anymorethanIforgethim。Oh，no，heremembers。He’sonlyawayforalittletime。Weshallseehimsomeday。"
"AndUncleReggie——andFather，too？"saidPeter。
"Yes，"saidMother。"UncleReggieandFather，too。Goodnight，mydarlings。"
"Goodnight，"saideveryone。Bobbiehuggedhermothermorecloselyeventhanusual，andwhisperedinherear，"Oh，Idoloveyouso，Mummy——Ido——Ido——"
WhenBobbiecametothinkitallover，shetriednottowonderwhatthegreattroublewas。Butshecouldnotalwayshelpit。Fatherwasnotdead——likepoorUncleEdward——Motherhadsaidso。Andhewasnotill，orMotherwouldhavebeenwithhim。Beingpoorwasn’tthetrouble。Bobbieknewitwassomethingnearertheheartthanmoneycouldbe。
"Imustn’ttrytothinkwhatitis，"shetoldherself;"no，I
mustn’t。IAMgladMothernoticedaboutusnotquarrellingsomuch。
We’llkeepthatup。"
Andalas，thatveryafternoonsheandPeterhadwhatPetercalledafirst—classshindy。
TheyhadnotbeenaweekatThreeChimneysbeforetheyhadaskedMothertoletthemhaveapieceofgardeneachfortheirveryown，andshehadagreed，andthesouthborderunderthepeachtreeshadbeendividedintothreepiecesandtheywereallowedtoplantwhatevertheylikedthere。
PhyllishadplantedmignonetteandnasturtiumandVirginiaStockinhers。Theseedscameup，andthoughtheylookedjustlikeweeds，Phyllisbelievedthattheywouldbearflowerssomeday。TheVirginiaStockjustifiedherfaithquitesoon，andhergardenwasgaywithabandofbrightlittleflowers，pinkandwhiteandredandmauve。
"Ican’tweedforfearIpullupthewrongthings，"sheusedtosaycomfortably;"itsavessuchalotofwork。"
Petersowedvegetableseedsinhis——carrotsandonionsandturnips。
Theseedwasgiventohimbythefarmerwholivedintheniceblack—
and—white，wood—and—plasterhousejustbeyondthebridge。Hekeptturkeysandguineafowls，andwasamostamiableman。ButPeter’svegetablesneverhadmuchofachance，becausehelikedtousetheearthofhisgardenfordiggingcanals，andmakingfortsandearthworksforhistoysoldiers。Andtheseedsofvegetablesrarelycometomuchinasoilthatisconstantlydisturbedforthepurposesofwarandirrigation。
Bobbieplantedrose—bushesinhergarden，butallthelittlenewleavesoftherose—bushesshrivelledandwithered，perhapsbecauseshemovedthemfromtheotherpartofthegardeninMay，whichisnotatalltherighttimeofyearformovingroses。Butshewouldnotownthattheyweredead，andhopedonagainsthope，untilthedaywhenPerkscameuptoseethegarden，andtoldherquiteplainlythatallherroseswereasdeadasdoornails。
"Onlygoodforbonfires，Miss，"hesaid。"Youjustdig’emupandburn’em，andI’llgiveyousomenicefreshrootsoutermygarden;
pansies，andstocks，andsweetwillies，andforget—me—nots。I’llbring’emalongto—morrowifyougetthegroundready。"
Sonextdayshesettowork，andthathappenedtobethedaywhenMotherhadpraisedherandtheothersaboutnotquarrelling。Shemovedtherose—bushesandcarriedthemtotheotherendofthegarden，wheretherubbishheapwasthattheymeanttomakeabonfireofwhenGuyFawkes’Daycame。
MeanwhilePeterhaddecidedtoflattenoutallhisfortsandearthworks，withaviewtomakingamodeloftherailway—tunnel，cutting，embankment，canal，aqueduct，bridges，andall。
SowhenBobbiecamebackfromherlastthornyjourneywiththedeadrose—bushes，hehadgottherakeandwasusingitbusily。
"_I_wasusingtherake，"saidBobbie。
"Well，I’musingitnow，"saidPeter。
"ButIhaditfirst，"saidBobbie。
"Thenit’smyturnnow，"saidPeter。Andthatwashowthequarrelbegan。
"You’realwaysbeingdisagreeableaboutnothing，"saidPeter，aftersomeheatedargument。
"Ihadtherakefirst，"saidBobbie，flushedanddefiant，holdingontoitshandle。
"Don’t——ItellyouIsaidthismorningImeanttohaveit。Didn’tI，Phil？"
Phyllissaidshedidn’twanttobemixedupintheirrows。Andinstantly，ofcourse，shewas。
"Ifyouremember，yououghttosay。"
"Ofcourseshedoesn’tremember——butshemightsayso。"
"IwishI’dhadabrotherinsteadoftwowhinylittlekiddysisters，"saidPeter。Thiswasalwaysrecognisedasindicatingthehigh—watermarkofPeter’srage。
Bobbiemadethereplyshealwaysmadetoit。
"Ican’tthinkwhylittleboyswereeverinvented，"andjustasshesaiditshelookedup，andsawthethreelongwindowsofMother’sworkshopflashingintheredraysofthesun。Thesightbroughtbackthosewordsofpraise：——
"Youdon’tquarrellikeyouusedtodo。"
"OH！"criedBobbie，justasifshehadbeenhit，orhadcaughtherfingerinadoor，orhadfeltthehideoussharpbeginningsoftoothache。
"What’sthematter？"saidPhyllis。
Bobbiewantedtosay："Don’tlet’squarrel。Motherhatesitso，"
butthoughshetriedhard，shecouldn’t。Peterwaslookingtoodisagreeableandinsulting。
"Takethehorridrake，then，"wasthebestshecouldmanage。Andshesuddenlyletgoherholdonthehandle。Peterhadbeenholdingontoittoofirmlyandpullingly，andnowthatthepulltheotherwaywassuddenlystopped，hestaggeredandfelloverbackward，theteethoftherakebetweenhisfeet。
"Serveyouright，"saidBobbie，beforeshecouldstopherself。
Peterlaystillforhalfamoment——longenoughtofrightenBobbiealittle。Thenhefrightenedheralittlemore，forhesatup——
screamedonce——turnedratherpale，andthenlaybackandbegantoshriek，faintlybutsteadily。Itsoundedexactlylikeapigbeingkilledaquarterofamileoff。
Motherputherheadoutofthewindow，anditwasn’thalfaminuteafterthatshewasinthegardenkneelingbythesideofPeter，whoneverforaninstantceasedtosqueal。
"Whathappened，Bobbie？"Motherasked。
"Itwastherake，"saidPhyllis。"Peterwaspullingatit，sowasBobbie，andsheletgoandhewentover。"
"Stopthatnoise，Peter，"saidMother。"Come。Stopatonce。"
Peterusedupwhatbreathhehadleftinalastsquealandstopped。
"Now，"saidMother，"areyouhurt？"
"Ifhewasreallyhurt，hewouldn’tmakesuchafuss，"saidBobbie，stilltremblingwithfury;"he’snotacoward！"
"Ithinkmyfoot’sbrokenoff，that’sall，"saidPeter，huffily，andsatup。Thenheturnedquitewhite。Motherputherarmroundhim。
"HeIShurt，"shesaid;"he’sfainted。Here，Bobbie，sitdownandtakehisheadonyourlap。"
ThenMotherundidPeter’sboots。Asshetooktherightoneoff，somethingdrippedfromhisfootontotheground。Itwasredblood。
AndwhenthestockingcameofftherewerethreeredwoundsinPeter’sfootandankle，wheretheteethoftherakehadbittenhim，andhisfootwascoveredwithredsmears。
"Runforwater——abasinful，"saidMother，andPhyllisran。Sheupsetmostofthewateroutofthebasininherhaste，andhadtofetchmoreinajug。
PeterdidnotopenhiseyesagaintillMotherhadtiedherhandkerchiefroundhisfoot，andsheandBobbiehadcarriedhiminandlaidhimonthebrownwoodensettleinthedining—room。BythistimePhylliswashalfwaytotheDoctor’s。
MothersatbyPeterandbathedhisfootandtalkedtohim，andBobbiewentoutandgotteaready，andputonthekettle。
"It’sallIcando，"shetoldherself。"Oh，supposePetershoulddie，orbeahelplesscrippleforlife，orhavetowalkwithcrutches，orwearabootwithasolelikealogofwood！"
Shestoodbythebackdoorreflectingonthesegloomypossibilities，hereyesfixedonthewater—butt。
"IwishI’dneverbeenborn，"shesaid，andshesaiditoutloud。
"Why，lawkamercy，what’sthatfor？"askedavoice，andPerksstoodbeforeherwithawoodentrugbasketfullofgreen—leavedthingsandsoft，looseearth。
"Oh，it’syou，"shesaid。"Peter’shurthisfootwitharake——threegreatgapingwounds，likesoldiersget。Anditwaspartlymyfault。"
"Thatitwasn’t，I’llgobail，"saidPerks。"Doctorseenhim？"
"PhyllishasgonefortheDoctor。"
"He’llbeallright;youseeifheisn’t，"saidPerks。"Why，myfather’ssecondcousinhadahay—forkrunintohim，rightintohisinside，andhewasrightaseverinafewweeks，allexcepthisbeingabitweakintheheadafterwards，andtheydidsaythatitwasalongofhisgettingatouchofthesuninthehay—field，andnottheforkatall。Irememberhimwell。Akind—’eartedchap，butsoft，asyoumightsay。"
Bobbietriedtoletherselfbecheeredbythishearteningreminiscence。
"Well，"saidPerks，"youwon’twanttobebotheredwithgardeningjustthisminute，Idaresay。Youshowmewhereyourgardenis，andI’llpopthebitsofstuffinforyou。AndI’llhangabout，ifI
maymakesofree，toseetheDoctorashecomesoutandhearwhathesays。Youcheerup，Missie。Ilayapoundheain’thurt，nottospeakof。"
Buthewas。TheDoctorcameandlookedatthefootandbandageditbeautifully，andsaidthatPetermustnotputittothegroundforatleastaweek。
"Hewon’tbelame，orhavetowearcrutchesoralumponhisfoot，willhe？"whisperedBobbie，breathlessly，atthedoor。
"Myaunt！No！"saidDr。Forrest;"he’llbeasnimbleaseveronhispinsinafortnight。Don’tyouworry，littleMotherGoose。"
ItwaswhenMotherhadgonetothegatewiththeDoctortotakehislastinstructionsandPhylliswasfillingthekettlefortea，thatPeterandBobbiefoundthemselvesalone。
"Hesaysyouwon’tbelameoranything，"saidBobbie。
"Oh，courseIshan’t，silly，"saidPeter，verymuchrelievedallthesame。
"Oh，Peter，IAMsosorry，"saidBobbie，afterapause。
"That’sallright，"saidPeter，gruffly。
"ItwasALLmyfault，"saidBobbie。
"Rot，"saidPeter。
"Ifwehadn’tquarrelled，itwouldn’thavehappened。Iknewitwaswrongtoquarrel。Iwantedtosayso，butsomehowIcouldn’t。"
"Don’tdrivel，"saidPeter。"Ishouldn’thavestoppedifyouHAD
saidit。Notlikely。Andbesides，usrowinghadn’tanythingtodowithit。Imighthavecaughtmyfootinthehoe，ortakenoffmyfingersinthechaff—cuttingmachineorblownmynoseoffwithfireworks。Itwouldhavebeenhurtjustthesamewhetherwe’dbeenrowingornot。"
"ButIknewitwaswrongtoquarrel，"saidBobbie，intears，"andnowyou’rehurtand——"
"Nowlookhere，"saidPeter，firmly，"youjustdryup。Ifyou’renotcareful，you’llturnintoabeastlylittleSunday—schoolprig，soItellyou。"
"Idon’tmeantobeaprig。Butit’ssohardnottobewhenyou’rereallytryingtobegood。"
（TheGentleReadermayperhapshavesufferedfromthisdifficulty。）
"Notit，"saidPeter;"it’sajollygoodthingitwasn’tyouwashurt。I’mgladitwasME。There！Ifithadbeenyou，you’dhavebeenlyingonthesofalookinglikeasufferingangelandbeingthelightoftheanxioushouseholdandallthat。AndIcouldn’thavestoodit。"
"No，Ishouldn’t，"saidBobbie。
"Yes，youwould，"saidPeter。
"ItellyouIshouldn’t。"
"Itellyouyouwould。"
"Oh，children，"saidMother’svoiceatthedoor。"Quarrellingagain？Already？"
"Wearen’tquarrelling——notreally，"saidPeter。"Iwishyouwouldn’tthinkit’srowseverytimewedon’tagree！"WhenMotherhadgoneoutagain，Bobbiebrokeout：——
"Peter，IAMsorryyou’rehurt。ButyouAREabeasttosayI’maprig。"
"Well，"saidPeterunexpectedly，"perhapsIam。YoudidsayI
wasn’tacoward，evenwhenyouwereinsuchawax。Theonlythingis——don’tyoubeaprig，that’sall。Youkeepyoureyesopenandifyoufeelpriggishnesscomingonjuststopintime。See？"
"Yes，"saidBobbie，"Isee。"
"Thenlet’scallitPax，"saidPeter，magnanimously："burythehatchetinthefathomsofthepast。Shakehandsonit。Isay，Bobbie，oldchap，Iamtired。"
Hewastiredformanydaysafterthat，andthesettleseemedhardanduncomfortableinspiteofallthepillowsandbolstersandsoftfoldedrugs。Itwasterriblenottobeabletogoout。Theymovedthesettletothewindow，andfromtherePetercouldseethesmokeofthetrainswindingalongthevalley。Buthecouldnotseethetrains。
AtfirstBobbiefounditquitehardtobeasnicetohimasshewantedtobe，forfearheshouldthinkherpriggish。Butthatsoonworeoff，andbothsheandPhylliswere，asheobserved，jollygoodsorts。Mothersatwithhimwhenhissisterswereout。Andthewords，"he’snotacoward，"madePeterdeterminednottomakeanyfussaboutthepaininhisfoot，thoughitwasratherbad，especiallyatnight。
Praisehelpspeopleverymuch，sometimes。
Therewerevisitors，too。Mrs。Perkscameuptoaskhowhewas，andsodidtheStationMaster，andseveralofthevillagepeople。Butthetimewentslowly，slowly。
"Idowishtherewassomethingtoread，"saidPeter。"I’vereadallourbooksfiftytimesover。"
"I’llgototheDoctor’s，"saidPhyllis;"he’ssuretohavesome。"
"Onlyabouthowtobeill，andaboutpeople’snastyinsides，I
expect，"saidPeter。
"PerkshasawholeheapofMagazinesthatcameoutoftrainswhenpeoplearetiredofthem，"saidBobbie。"I’llrundownandaskhim。"
Sothegirlswenttheirtwoways。
BobbiefoundPerksbusycleaninglamps。
"Andhow’stheyounggent？"saidhe。
"Better，thanks，"saidBobbie，"buthe’smostfrightfullybored。I
cametoaskifyou’dgotanyMagazinesyoucouldlendhim。"
"There，now，"saidPerks，regretfully，rubbinghisearwithablackandoilylumpofcottonwaste，"whydidn’tIthinkofthat，now？I
wastryingtothinkofsomethingas’udamusehimonlythismorning，andIcouldn’tthinkofanythingbetterthanaguinea—pig。AndayoungchapIknow’sgoingtofetchthatoverforhimthistea—time。"
"Howlovely！Arealliveguinea！Hewillbepleased。Buthe’dliketheMagazinesaswell。"
"That’sjustit，"saidPerks。"I’vejustsentthepickof’emtoSnigson’sboy——himwhat’sjustgettingoverthepewmonia。ButI’velotsofillustratedpapersleft。"
Heturnedtothepileofpapersinthecornerandtookupaheapsixinchesthick。
"There！"hesaid。"I’lljustslipabitofstringandabitofpaperround’em。"
Hepulledanoldnewspaperfromthepileandspreaditonthetable，andmadeaneatparcelofit。
"There，"saidhe，"there’slotsofpictures，andifhelikestomess’emaboutwithhispaint—box，orcolouredchalksorwhatnot，why，lethim。_I_don’twant’em。"
"You’readear，"saidBobbie，tooktheparcel，andstarted。Thepaperswereheavy，andwhenshehadtowaitatthelevel—crossingwhileatrainwentby，sherestedtheparcelonthetopofthegate。
Andidlyshelookedattheprintingonthepaperthattheparcelwaswrappedin。
Suddenlysheclutchedtheparceltighterandbentherheadoverit。
Itseemedlikesomehorribledream。Shereadon——thebottomofthecolumnwastornoff——shecouldreadnofarther。
Sheneverrememberedhowshegothome。Butshewentontiptoetoherroomandlockedthedoor。Thensheundidtheparcelandreadthatprintedcolumnagain，sittingontheedgeofherbed，herhandsandfeeticycoldandherfaceburning。Whenshehadreadalltherewas，shedrewalong，unevenbreath。
"SonowIknow，"shesaid。
Whatshehadreadwasheaded，’EndoftheTrial。Verdict。
Sentence。’
ThenameofthemanwhohadbeentriedwasthenameofherFather。
Theverdictwas’Guilty。’Andthesentencewas’Fiveyears’PenalServitude。’
"Oh，Daddy，"shewhispered，crushingthepaperhard，"it’snottrue—
—Idon’tbelieveit。Youneverdidit！Never，never，never！"
Therewasahammeringonthedoor。
"Whatisit？"saidBobbie。
"It’sme，"saidthevoiceofPhyllis;"tea’sready，andaboy’sbroughtPeteraguinea—pig。Comealongdown。"
AndBobbiehadto。
ChapterXI。Thehoundintheredjersey。
Bobbieknewthesecretnow。Asheetofoldnewspaperwrappedroundaparcel——justalittlechancelikethat——hadgiventhesecrettoher。Andshehadtogodowntoteaandpretendthattherewasnothingthematter。Thepretencewasbravelymade，butitwasn’tverysuccessful。
Forwhenshecamein，everyonelookedupfromteaandsawherpink—
liddedeyesandherpalefacewithredtear—blotchesonit。
"Mydarling，"criedMother，jumpingupfromthetea—tray，"whateverISthematter？"
"Myheadaches，rather，"saidBobbie。Andindeeditdid。
"Hasanythinggonewrong？"Motherasked。
"I’mallright，really，"saidBobbie，andshetelegraphedtoherMotherfromherswolleneyesthisbrief，imploringmessage——"NOT
beforetheothers！"
Teawasnotacheerfulmeal。PeterwassodistressedbytheobviousfactthatsomethinghorridhadhappenedtoBobbiethathelimitedhisspeechtorepeating，"Morebreadandbutter，please，"atstartlinglyshortintervals。Phyllisstrokedhersister’shandunderthetabletoexpresssympathy，andknockedhercupoverasshedidit。FetchingaclothandwipingupthespiltmilkhelpedBobbiealittle。Butshethoughtthatteawouldneverend。Yetatlastitdidend，asallthingsdoatlast，andwhenMothertookoutthetray，Bobbiefollowedher。
"She’sgonetoownup，"saidPhyllistoPeter;"Iwonderwhatshe’sdone。"
"Brokensomething，Isuppose，"saidPeter，"butsheneedn’tbesosillyoverit。Motherneverrowsforaccidents。Listen！Yes，they’regoingupstairs。She’stakingMotheruptoshowher——thewater—jugwithstorksonit，Iexpectitis。"
Bobbie，inthekitchen，hadcaughtholdofMother’shandasshesetdownthetea—things。
"Whatisit？"Motherasked。
ButBobbieonlysaid，"Comeupstairs，comeupwherenobodycanhearus。"
WhenshehadgotMotheraloneinherroomshelockedthedoorandthenstoodquitestill，andquitewithoutwords。
Allthroughteashehadbeenthinkingofwhattosay;shehaddecidedthat"Iknowall，"or"Allisknowntome，"or"Theterriblesecretisasecretnolonger，"wouldbetheproperthing。ButnowthatsheandherMotherandthatawfulsheetofnewspaperwerealoneintheroomtogether，shefoundthatshecouldsaynothing。
SuddenlyshewenttoMotherandputherarmsroundherandbegantocryagain。Andstillshecouldfindnowords，only，"Oh，Mammy，oh，Mammy，oh，Mammy，"overandoveragain。
Motherheldherverycloseandwaited。
SuddenlyBobbiebrokeawayfromherandwenttoherbed。Fromunderhermattressshepulledoutthepapershehadhiddenthere，andhelditout，pointingtoherFather’snamewithafingerthatshook。
"Oh，Bobbie，"Mothercried，whenonelittlequicklookhadshownherwhatitwas，"youdon’tBELIEVEit？Youdon’tbelieveDaddydidit？"
"NO，"Bobbiealmostshouted。Shehadstoppedcrying。
"That’sallright，"saidMother。"It’snottrue。Andthey’veshuthimupinprison，buthe’sdonenothingwrong。He’sgoodandnobleandhonourable，andhebelongstous。Wehavetothinkofthat，andbeproudofhim，andwait。"
AgainBobbieclungtoherMother，andagainonlyonewordcametoher，butnowthatwordwas"Daddy，"and"Oh，Daddy，oh，Daddy，oh，Daddy！"againandagain。
"Whydidn’tyoutellme，Mammy？"sheaskedpresently。
"Areyougoingtotelltheothers？"Motherasked。
"No。"
"Why？"
"Because——"
"Exactly，"saidMother;"soyouunderstandwhyIdidn’ttellyou。
Wetwomusthelpeachothertobebrave。"
"Yes，"saidBobbie;"Mother，willitmakeyoumoreunhappyifyoutellmeallaboutit？Iwanttounderstand。"
Sothen，sittingcuddledupclosetoherMother，Bobbieheard"allaboutit。"Sheheardhowthosemen，whohadaskedtoseeFatheronthatrememberedlastnightwhentheEnginewasbeingmended，hadcometoarresthim，charginghimwithsellingStatesecretstotheRussians——withbeing，infact，aspyandatraitor。Sheheardaboutthetrial，andabouttheevidence——letters，foundinFather’sdeskattheoffice，lettersthatconvincedthejurythatFatherwasguilty。
"Oh，howcouldtheylookathimandbelieveit！"criedBobbie;"andhowcouldANYonedosuchathing！"
"SOMEONEdidit，"saidMother，"andalltheevidencewasagainstFather。Thoseletters——"
"Yes。Howdidthelettersgetintohisdesk？"
"Someoneputthemthere。Andthepersonwhoputthemtherewasthepersonwhowasreallyguilty。"
"HEmustbefeelingprettyawfulallthistime，"saidBobbie，thoughtfully。
"Idon’tbelievehehadanyfeelings，"Mothersaidhotly;"hecouldn’thavedoneathinglikethatifhehad。"
"Perhapshejustshovedthelettersintothedesktohidethemwhenhethoughthewasgoingtobefoundout。Whydon’tyoutellthelawyers，orsomeone，thatitmusthavebeenthatperson？Therewasn’tanyonethatwouldhavehurtFatheronpurpose，wasthere？"
"Idon’tknow——Idon’tknow。ThemanunderhimwhogotDaddy’splacewhenhe——whentheawfulthinghappened——hewasalwaysjealousofyourFatherbecauseDaddywassocleverandeveryonethoughtsuchalotofhim。AndDaddyneverquitetrustedthatman。"
"Couldn’tweexplainallthattosomeone？"
"Nobodywilllisten，"saidMother，verybitterly，"nobodyatall。
DoyousupposeI’venottriedeverything？No，mydearest，there’snothingtobedone。Allwecando，youandIandDaddy，istobebrave，andpatient，and——"shespokeverysoftly——"topray，Bobbie，dear。"
"Mother，you’vegotverythin，"saidBobbie，abruptly。
"Alittle，perhaps。"
"Andoh，"saidBobbie，"Idothinkyou’rethebravestpersonintheworldaswellasthenicest！"
"Wewon’ttalkofallthisanymore，willwe，dear？"saidMother;
"wemustbearitandbebrave。And，darling，trynottothinkofit。Trytobecheerful，andtoamuseyourselfandtheothers。It’smucheasierformeifyoucanbealittlebithappyandenjoythings。Washyourpoorlittleroundface，andlet’sgooutintothegardenforabit。"
TheothertwowereverygentleandkindtoBobbie。Andtheydidnotaskherwhatwasthematter。ThiswasPeter’sidea，andhehaddrilledPhyllis，whowouldhaveaskedahundredquestionsifshehadbeenlefttoherself。
AweeklaterBobbiemanagedtogetawayalone。Andoncemoreshewrotealetter。Andoncemoreitwastotheoldgentleman。
"MydearFriend，"shesaid，"youseewhatisinthispaper。Itisnottrue。Fatherneverdidit。MothersayssomeoneputthepapersinFather’sdesk，andshesaysthemanunderhimthatgotFather’splaceafterwardswasjealousofFather，andFathersuspectedhimalongtime。Butnobodylistenstoawordshesays，butyouaresogoodandclever，andyoufoundoutabouttheRussiangentleman’swifedirectly。Can’tyoufindoutwhodidthetreasonbecausehewasn’tFatheruponmyhonour;heisanEnglishmananduncapabletodosuchthings，andthentheywouldletFatheroutofprison。Itisdreadful，andMotherisgettingsothin。Shetoldusoncetoprayforallprisonersandcaptives。Iseenow。Oh，dohelpme——thereisonlyjustMotherandmeknow，andwecan’tdoanything。PeterandPhildon’tknow。I’llprayforyoutwiceeverydayaslongasI
liveifyou’llonlytry——justtrytofindout。ThinkifitwasYOUR
Daddy，whatyouwouldfeel。Oh，do，do，DOhelpme。Withlove"IremainYouraffectionatelylittlefriend"Roberta。
P。S。MotherwouldsendherkindregardsifsheknewIamwriting——
butitisnousetellingherIam，incaseyoucan’tdoanything。
ButIknowyouwill。Bobbiewithbestlove。"
ShecuttheaccountofherFather’strialoutofthenewspaperwithMother’sbigcutting—outscissors，andputitintheenvelopewithherletter。
Thenshetookitdowntothestation，goingoutthebackwayandroundbytheroad，sothattheothersshouldnotseeherandoffertocomewithher，andshegavethelettertotheStationMastertogivetotheoldgentlemannextmorning。
"WhereHAVEyoubeen？"shoutedPeter，fromthetopoftheyardwallwhereheandPhylliswere。
"Tothestation，ofcourse，"saidBobbie;"giveusahand，Pete。"
Shesetherfootonthelockoftheyarddoor。Peterreacheddownahand。
"Whatonearth？"sheaskedasshereachedthewall—top——forPhyllisandPeterwereverymuddy。Alumpofwetclaylaybetweenthemonthewall，theyhadeachaslipofslateinaverydirtyhand，andbehindPeter，outofthereachofaccidents，wereseveralstrangeroundedobjectsratherlikeveryfatsausages，hollow，butclosedupatoneend。
"It’snests，"saidPeter，"swallows’nests。We’regoingtodrythemintheovenandhangthemupwithstringundertheeavesofthecoach—house。"
"Yes，"saidPhyllis;"andthenwe’regoingtosaveupallthewoolandhairwecanget，andinthespringwe’lllinethem，andthenhowpleasedtheswallowswillbe！"
"I’veoftenthoughtpeopledon’tdonearlyenoughfordumbanimals，"
saidPeterwithanairofvirtue。"Idothinkpeoplemighthavethoughtofmakingnestsforpoorlittleswallowsbeforethis。"
"Oh，"saidBobbie，vaguely，"ifeverybodythoughtofeverything，there’dbenothingleftforanybodyelsetothinkabout。"
"Lookatthenests——aren’ttheypretty？"saidPhyllis，reachingacrossPetertograspanest。
"Lookout，Phil，yougoat，"saidherbrother。Butitwastoolate;
herstronglittlefingershadcrushedthenest。
"Therenow，"saidPeter。
"Nevermind，"saidBobbie。
"ItISoneofmyown，"saidPhyllis，"soyouneedn’tjaw，Peter。
Yes，we’veputourinitialnamesontheoneswe’vedone，sothattheswallowswillknowwhothey’vegottobesogratefultoandfondof。"
"Swallowscan’tread，silly，"saidPeter。
"Sillyyourself，"retortedPhyllis;"howdoyouknow？"
"Whothoughtofmakingthenests，anyhow？"shoutedPeter。
"Idid，"screamedPhyllis。
"Nya，"rejoinedPeter，"youonlythoughtofmakinghayonesandstickingthemintheivyforthesparrows，andthey’dhavebeensoppingLONGbeforeegg—layingtime。Itwasmesaidclayandswallows。"
"Idon’tcarewhatyousaid。"
"Look，"saidBobbie，"I’vemadethenestallrightagain。Givemethebitofsticktomarkyourinitialnameonit。Buthowcanyou？
YourletterandPeter’sarethesame。P。forPeter，P。forPhyllis。"
"IputF。forPhyllis，"saidthechildofthatname。"That’showitsounds。Theswallowswouldn’tspellPhylliswithaP。，I’mcertain—
sure。"
"Theycan’tspellatall，"Peterwasstillinsisting。
"ThenwhydoyouseethemalwaysonChristmascardsandvalentineswithlettersroundtheirnecks？Howwouldtheyknowwheretogoiftheycouldn’tread？"
"That’sonlyinpictures。Youneversawonereallywithlettersrounditsneck。"
"Well，Ihaveapigeon，then;atleastDaddytoldmetheydid。Onlyitwasundertheirwingsandnotroundtheirnecks，butitcomestothesamething，and——"
"Isay，"interruptedBobbie，"there’stobeapaperchaseto—morrow。"
"Who？"Peterasked。
"GrammarSchool。Perksthinkstheharewillgoalongbythelineatfirst。Wemightgoalongthecutting。Youcanseealongwayfromthere。"
Thepaperchasewasfoundtobeamoreamusingsubjectofconversationthanthereadingpowersofswallows。Bobbiehadhopeditmightbe。AndnextmorningMotherletthemtaketheirlunchandgooutforthedaytoseethepaperchase。
"Ifwegotothecutting，"saidPeter，"weshallseetheworkmen，evenifwemissthepaperchase。"
Ofcourseithadtakensometimetogetthelineclearfromtherocksandearthandtreesthathadfallenonitwhenthegreatlandsliphappened。Thatwastheoccasion，youwillremember，whenthethreechildrensavedthetrainfrombeingwreckedbywavingsixlittlered—flannel—petticoatflags。Itisalwaysinterestingtowatchpeopleworking，especiallywhentheyworkwithsuchinterestingthingsasspadesandpicksandshovelsandplanksandbarrows，whentheyhavecinderyredfiresinironpotswithroundholesinthem，andredlampshangingneartheworksatnight。Ofcoursethechildrenwereneveroutatnight;butonce，atdusk，whenPeterhadgotoutofhisbedroomskylightontotheroof，hehadseentheredlampshiningfarawayattheedgeofthecutting。Thechildrenhadoftenbeendowntowatchthework，andthisdaytheinterestofpicksandspades，andbarrowsbeingwheeledalongplanks，completelyputthepaperchaseoutoftheirheads，sothattheyquitejumpedwhenavoicejustbehindthempanted，"Letmepass，please。"Itwasthehare——abig—boned，loose—limbedboy，withdarkhairlyingflatonaverydampforehead。Thebagoftornpaperunderhisarmwasfastenedacrossoneshoulderbyastrap。Thechildrenstoodback。Thehareranalongtheline，andtheworkmenleanedontheirpickstowatchhim。Heranonsteadilyanddisappearedintothemouthofthetunnel。
"That’sagainsttheby—laws，"saidtheforeman。
"Whyworry？"saidtheoldestworkman;"liveandletlive’swhatI
alwayssay。Ain’tyouneverbeenyoungyourself，Mr。Bates？"
"Ioughttoreporthim，"saidtheforeman。
"Whyspoilsport’swhatIalwayssay。"
"Passengersareforbiddentocrossthelineonanypretence，"
murmuredtheforeman，doubtfully。
"Heain’tnopassenger，"saidoneoftheworkmen。
"Nor’eain’tcrossedtheline，notwherewecouldsee’imdoit，"
saidanother。
"Noryet’eain’tmadenopretences，"saidathird。
"And，"saidtheoldestworkman，"’e’soutersightnow。Whattheeyedon’tseethe’artneedn’ttakenonoticeof’swhatIalwayssay。"
Andnow，followingthetrackoftheharebythelittlewhiteblotsofscatteredpaper，camethehounds。Therewerethirtyofthem，andtheyallcamedownthesteep，ladder—likestepsbyonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens。BobbieandPhyllisandPetercountedthemastheypassed。Theforemostoneshesitatedamomentatthefootoftheladder，thentheireyescaughtthegleamofscatteredwhitenessalongthelineandtheyturnedtowardsthetunnel，and，byonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens，disappearedinthedarkmouthofit。Thelastone，inaredjersey，seemedtobeextinguishedbythedarknesslikeacandlethatisblownout。
"Theydon’tknowwhatthey’reinfor，"saidtheforeman;"itisn’tsoeasyrunninginthedark。Thetunneltakestwoorthreeturns。"
"They’lltakealongtimetogetthrough，youthink？"Peterasked。
"Anhourormore，Ishouldn’twonder。"
"Thenlet’scutacrossthetopandseethemcomeoutattheotherend，"saidPeter;"weshallgettherelongbeforetheydo。"
Thecounselseemedgood，andtheywent。
Theyclimbedthesteepstepsfromwhichtheyhadpickedthewildcherryblossomforthegraveofthelittlewildrabbit，andreachingthetopofthecutting，settheirfacestowardsthehillthroughwhichthetunnelwascut。Itwasstiffwork。
"It’slikeAlps，"saidBobbie，breathlessly。
"OrAndes，"saidPeter。
"It’slikeHimmywhat’sitsnames？"gaspedPhyllis。"MountEverlasting。Dolet’sstop。"
"Sticktoit，"pantedPeter;"you’llgetyoursecondwindinaminute。"
Phyllisconsentedtosticktoit——andontheywent，runningwhentheturfwassmoothandtheslopeeasy，climbingoverstones，helpingthemselvesuprocksbythebranchesoftrees，creepingthroughnarrowopeningsbetweentreetrunksandrocks，andsoonandon，upandup，tillatlasttheystoodontheverytopofthehillwheretheyhadsooftenwishedtobe。
"Halt！"criedPeter，andthrewhimselfflatonthegrass。Fortheverytopofthehillwasasmooth，turfedtable—land，dottedwithmossyrocksandlittlemountain—ashtrees。
Thegirlsalsothrewthemselvesdownflat。
"Plentyoftime，"Peterpanted;"therest’salldownhill。"
Whentheywererestedenoughtositupandlookroundthem，Bobbiecried：——
"Oh，look！"
"Whatat？"saidPhyllis。
"Theview，"saidBobbie。
"Ihateviews，"saidPhyllis，"don’tyou，Peter？"
"Let’sgeton，"saidPeter。
"Butthisisn’tlikeaviewtheytakeyoutoincarriageswhenyou’reattheseaside，allseaandsandandbarehills。It’slikethe’colouredcounties’inoneofMother’spoetrybooks。"
"It’snotsodusty，"saidPeter;"lookattheAqueductstraddlingslapacrossthevalleylikeagiantcentipede，andthenthetownsstickingtheirchurchspiresupoutofthetreeslikepensoutofaninkstand。_I_thinkit’smorelike"TherecouldheseethebannersOftwelvefaircitiesshine。"
"Iloveit，"saidBobbie;"it’sworththeclimb。"
"Thepaperchaseisworththeclimb，"saidPhyllis，"ifwedon’tloseit。Let’sgeton。It’salldownhillnow。"
"_I_saidthattenminutesago，"saidPeter。
"Well，I’VEsaiditnow，"saidPhyllis;"comeon。"
"Loadsoftime，"saidPeter。Andtherewas。Forwhentheyhadgotdowntoalevelwiththetopofthetunnel’smouth——theywereacoupleofhundredyardsoutoftheirreckoningandhadtocreepalongthefaceofthehill——therewasnosignofthehareorthehounds。
"They’vegonelongago，ofcourse，"saidPhyllis，astheyleanedonthebrickparapetabovethetunnel。
"Idon’tthinkso，"saidBobbie，"buteveniftheyhad，it’srippinghere，andweshallseethetrainscomeoutofthetunnellikedragonsoutoflairs。We’veneverseenthatfromthetopsidebefore。"
"Nomorewehave，"saidPhyllis，partiallyappeased。
Itwasreallyamostexcitingplacetobein。Thetopofthetunnelseemedeversomuchfartherfromthelinethantheyhadexpected，anditwaslikebeingonabridge，butabridgeovergrownwithbushesandcreepersandgrassandwild—flowers。
"IKNOWthepaperchasehasgonelongago，"saidPhylliseverytwominutes，andshehardlyknewwhethershewaspleasedordisappointedwhenPeter，leaningovertheparapet，suddenlycried：——
"Lookout。Herehecomes！"
Theyallleanedoverthesun—warmedbrickwallintimetoseethehare，goingveryslowly，comeoutfromtheshadowofthetunnel。
"There，now，"saidPeter，"whatdidItellyou？Nowforthehounds！"
Verysooncamethehounds——byonesandtwosandthreesandsixesandsevens——andtheyalsoweregoingslowlyandseemedverytired。Twoorthreewholaggedfarbehindcameoutlongaftertheothers。
"There，"saidBobbie，"that’sall——nowwhatshallwedo？"
"Goalongintothetulgywoodoverthereandhavelunch，"saidPhyllis;"wecanseethemformilesfromuphere。"
"Notyet，"saidPeter。"That’snotthelast。There’stheoneintheredjerseytocomeyet。Let’sseethelastofthemcomeout。"
Butthoughtheywaitedandwaitedandwaited，theboyintheredjerseydidnotappear。
"Oh，let’shavelunch，"saidPhyllis;"I’vegotapaininmyfrontwithbeingsohungry。Youmusthavemissedseeingthered—jerseyedonewhenhecameoutwiththeothers——"
ButBobbieandPeteragreedthathehadnotcomeoutwiththeothers。
"Let’sgetdowntothetunnelmouth，"saidPeter;"thenperhapsweshallseehimcomingalongfromtheinside。Iexpecthefeltspun—
chuck，andrestedinoneofthemanholes。Youstayuphereandwatch，Bob，andwhenIsignalfrombelow，youcomedown。Wemightmissseeinghimonthewaydown，withallthesetrees。"
SotheothersclimbeddownandBobbiewaitedtilltheysignalledtoherfromthelinebelow。Andthenshe，too，scrambleddowntheroundaboutslipperypathamongrootsandmosstillshesteppedoutbetweentwodogwoodtreesandjoinedtheothersontheline。Andstilltherewasnosignofthehoundwiththeredjersey。
"Oh，do，DOlet’shavesomethingtoeat，"wailedPhyllis。"Ishalldieifyoudon’t，andthenyou’llbesorry。"
"Giveherthesandwiches，forgoodness’sake，andstophersillymouth，"saidPeter，notquiteunkindly。"Lookhere，"headded，turningtoBobbie，"perhapswe’dbetterhaveoneeach，too。Wemayneedallourstrength。Notmorethanone，though。There’snotime。"
"What？"askedBobbie，hermouthalreadyfull，forshewasjustashungryasPhyllis。
"Don’tyousee，"repliedPeter，impressively，"thatred—jerseyedhoundhashadanaccident——that’swhatitis。Perhapsevenaswespeakhe’slyingwithhisheadonthemetals，anunresistingpreytoanypassingexpress——"
"Oh，don’ttrytotalklikeabook，"criedBobbie，boltingwhatwasleftofhersandwich;"comeon。Phil，keepclosebehindme，andifatraincomes，standflatagainstthetunnelwallandholdyourpetticoatsclosetoyou。"
"Givemeonemoresandwich，"pleadedPhyllis，"andIwill。"
"I’mgoingfirst，"saidPeter;"itwasmyidea，"andhewent。
Ofcourseyouknowwhatgoingintoatunnelislike？Theenginegivesascreamandthensuddenlythenoiseoftherunning，rattlingtrainchangesandgrowsdifferentandmuchlouder。Grown—uppeoplepullupthewindowsandholdthembythestrap。Therailwaycarriagesuddenlygrowslikenight——withlamps，ofcourse，unlessyouareinaslowlocaltrain，inwhichcaselampsarenotalwaysprovided。Thenbyandbythedarknessoutsidethecarriagewindowistouchedbypuffsofcloudywhiteness，thenyouseeabluelightonthewallsofthetunnel，thenthesoundofthemovingtrainchangesoncemore，andyouareoutinthegoodopenairagain，andgrown—upsletthestrapsgo。Thewindows，alldimwiththeyellowbreathofthetunnel，rattledownintotheirplaces，andyouseeoncemorethedipandcatchofthetelegraphwiresbesidetheline，andthestraight—cuthawthornhedgeswiththetinybabytreesgrowingupoutofthemeverythirtyyards。
Allthis，ofcourse，iswhatatunnelmeanswhenyouareinatrain。
Buteverythingisquitedifferentwhenyouwalkintoatunnelonyourownfeet，andtreadonshifting，slidingstonesandgravelonapaththatcurvesdownwardsfromtheshiningmetalstothewall。
Thenyouseeslimy，oozytricklesofwaterrunningdowntheinsideofthetunnel，andyounoticethatthebricksarenotredorbrown，astheyareatthetunnel’smouth，butdull，sticky，sicklygreen。
Yourvoice，whenyouspeak，isquitechangedfromwhatitwasoutinthesunshine，anditisalongtimebeforethetunnelisquitedark。
ItwasnotyetquitedarkinthetunnelwhenPhylliscaughtatBobbie’sskirt，rippingouthalfayardofgathers，butnoonenoticedthisatthetime。
"Iwanttogoback，"shesaid，"Idon’tlikeit。It’llbepitchdarkinaminute。IWON’Tgooninthedark。Idon’tcarewhatyousay，IWON’T。"
"Don’tbeasillycuckoo，"saidPeter;"I’vegotacandleendandmatches，and——what’sthat？"
"That"wasalow，hummingsoundontherailwayline，atremblingofthewiresbesideit，abuzzing，hummingsoundthatgrewlouderandlouderastheylistened。
"It’satrain，"saidBobbie。