Дети железной дороги
The beginning of things.
Oneday—myfriends,prepareyourminds;
I’mcomingtotheworst—
Quitesuddenlyascrewwentmad,
Andthentheboilerburst!
Withgloomyfacehepickeditup
AndtookittohisMother,
Thoughevenhecouldnotsuppose
Thatshecouldmakeanother;
Forthosewhoperishedontheline
Hedidnotseemtocare,
Hisenginebeingmoretohim
Thanallthepeoplethere.
Andnowyouseethereasonwhy
OurPeterhasbeenill:
Hesootheshissoulwithpigeon-pie
Hisgnawinggrieftokill.
Hewrapshimselfinblanketswarm
Andsleepsinbedtilllate,
Determinedthustoovercome
Hismiserablefate.
Andifhiseyesareratherred,
Hiscoldmustjustexcuseit:
Offerhimpie;youmaybesure
Heneverwillrefuseit.
Fatherhadbeenawayinthecountryforthreeorfourdays.AllPeter’shopesforthecuringofhisafflictedEnginewerenowfixedonhisFather,forFatherwasmostwonderfullycleverwithhisfingers.Hecouldmendallsortsofthings.