The engine-burglar.
WhatwasleftofthesecondsheetandtheBrunswickblackcameinverynicelytomakeabannerbearingthelegend
SHEISNEARLYWELLTHANKYOU
andthiswasdisplayedtotheGreenDragonaboutafortnightafterthearrivalofthewonderfulhamper.Theoldgentlemansawit,andwavedacheerfulresponsefromthetrain.AndwhenthishadbeendonethechildrensawthatnowwasthetimewhentheymusttellMotherwhattheyhaddonewhenshewasill.Anditdidnotseemnearlysoeasyastheyhadthoughtitwouldbe.Butithadtobedone.Anditwasdone.Motherwasextremelyangry.Shewasseldomangry,andnowshewasangrierthantheyhadeverknownher.Thiswashorrible.Butitwasmuchworsewhenshesuddenlybegantocry.Cryingiscatching,Ibelieve,likemeaslesandwhooping-cough.Atanyrate,everyoneatoncefounditselftakingpartinacrying-party.
Motherstoppedfirst.Shedriedhereyesandthenshesaid:—
"I’msorryIwassoangry,darlings,becauseIknowyoudidn’tunderstand."
"Wedidn’tmeantobenaughty,Mammy,"sobbedBobbie,andPeterandPhyllissniffed.
"Now,listen,"saidMother;"it’squitetruethatwe’repoor,butwehaveenoughtoliveon.Youmustn’tgotellingeveryoneaboutouraffairs—it’snotright.Andyoumustnever,never,neveraskstrangerstogiveyouthings.