Дети железной дороги

           "Lookslikewithoutvisiblemeanstome,"saidtheStationMaster."Well,Idon’tmindgivinghimthebenefitofthedoubttillyourMammacomes.ISHOULDliketoknowwhatnation’sgotthecreditofHIM,thatIshould."

           ThenPeterhadanidea.Hepulledanenvelopeoutofhispocket,andshowedthatitwashalffullofforeignstamps.

           "Lookhere,"hesaid,"let’sshowhimthese—"

           Bobbielookedandsawthatthestrangerhaddriedhiseyeswithherhandkerchief.Soshesaid:"Allright."

           TheyshowedhimanItalianstamp,andpointedfromhimtoitandbackagain,andmadesignsofquestionwiththeireyebrows.Heshookhishead.ThentheyshowedhimaNorwegianstamp—thecommonbluekinditwas—andagainhesignedNo.ThentheyshowedhimaSpanishone,andatthathetooktheenvelopefromPeter’shandandsearchedamongthestampswithahandthattrembled.Thehandthathereachedoutatlast,withagestureasofoneansweringaquestion,containedaRUSSIANstamp.

           "He’sRussian,"criedPeter,"orelsehe’slike‘themanwhowas’—inKipling,youknow."

           ThetrainfromMaidbridgewassignalled.

           "I’llstaywithhimtillyoubringMotherin,"saidBobbie.

           "You’renotafraid,Missie?"

           "Oh,no,"saidBobbie,lookingatthestranger,asshemighthavelookedatastrangedogofdoubtfultemper.