Дети железной дороги
The beginning of things.
Herdearfacewasaswhiteasherlacecollar,andhereyeslookedverybigandshining.Hermouthlookedlikejustalineofpalered—herlipswerethinandnottheirpropershapeatall.
"It’sbedtime,"shesaid."Ruthwillputyoutobed."
"ButyoupromisedweshouldsituplatetonightbecauseFather’scomehome,"saidPhyllis.
"Father’sbeencalledaway—onbusiness,"saidMother."Come,darlings,goatonce."
Theykissedherandwent.RobertalingeredtogiveMotheranextrahugandtowhisper:
"Itwasn’tbadnews,Mammy,wasit?Isanyonedead—or—"
"Nobody’sdead—no,"saidMother,andshealmostseemedtopushRobertaaway."Ican’ttellyouanythingtonight,mypet.Go,dear,goNOW."
SoRobertawent.
Ruthbrushedthegirls’hairandhelpedthemtoundress.(Motheralmostalwaysdidthisherself.)WhenshehadturneddownthegasandleftthemshefoundPeter,stilldressed,waitingonthestairs.
"Isay,Ruth,what’sup?"heasked.
"Don’taskmenoquestionsandIwon’ttellyounolies,"thered-headedRuthreplied."You’llknowsoonenough."
LatethatnightMothercameupandkissedallthreechildrenastheylayasleep.ButRobertawastheonlyonewhomthekisswoke,andshelaymousey-still,andsaidnothing.
