第7章
"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。