Дети железной дороги

           "

           "Isay,"saidPhyllis,whenpeacewasreallyrestored,whichwasnottilltheywerewashingupthecupsaftertea,"Dr.Forrestdidn’tREALLYsaywewerefemalebeasts,didhe?"

           "Yes,"saidPeter,firmly,"butIthinkhemeantwemenwerewildbeasts,too."

           "Howfunnyofhim!"saidPhyllis,breakingacup.

           ***

           "MayIcomein,Mother?"PeterwasatthedoorofMother’swritingroom,whereMothersatathertablewithtwocandlesinfrontofher.Theirflameslookedorangeandvioletagainstthecleargreyblueoftheskywherealreadyafewstarsweretwinkling.

           "Yes,dear,"saidMother,absently,"anythingwrong?"Shewroteafewmorewordsandthenlaiddownherpenandbegantofoldupwhatshehadwritten."IwasjustwritingtoJim’sgrandfather.Helivesnearhere,youknow."

           "Yes,yousaidsoattea.That’swhatIwanttosay.Mustyouwritetohim,Mother?Couldn’twekeepJim,andnotsayanythingtohispeopletillhe’swell?Itwouldbesuchasurpriseforthem."

           "Well,yes,"saidMother,laughing,"Ithinkitwould."

           "Yousee,"Peterwenton,"ofcoursethegirlsareallrightandallthat—I’mnotsayinganythingagainstTHEM.ButIshouldlikeitifIhadanotherchaptotalktosometimes."

           "Yes,"saidMother,"Iknowit’sdullforyou,dear.ButIcan’thelpit.