Діти залізниці
The engine-burglar.
Allsortsofdreadfulthoughtscametoheralltogetherinonehorribleflash.Thereweresuchthingsasexpresstrainsthatwenton,shesupposed,forhundredsofmileswithoutstopping.Supposethisshouldbeoneofthem?Howwouldshegethomeagain?Shehadnomoneytopayforthereturnjourney.
"AndI’venobusinesshere.I’manengine-burglar—that’swhatIam,"shethought."Ishouldn’twonderiftheycouldlockmeupforthis."Andthetrainwasgoingfasterandfaster.
Therewassomethinginherthroatthatmadeitimpossibleforhertospeak.Shetriedtwice.Themenhadtheirbackstoher.Theyweredoingsomethingtothingsthatlookedliketaps.
Suddenlysheputoutherhandandcaughtholdofthenearestsleeve.Themanturnedwithastart,andheandRobertastoodforaminutelookingateachotherinsilence.Thenthesilencewasbrokenbythemboth.
Themansaid,"Here’sabloomin’go!"andRobertaburstintotears.
Theothermansaidhewasbloomingwellblest—orsomethinglikeit--butthoughnaturallysurprisedtheywerenotexactlyunkind.
"You’reanaughtylittlegell,that’swhatyouare,"saidthefireman,andtheengine-driversaid:—
"Daringlittlepiece,Icallher,"buttheymadehersitdownonanironseatinthecabandtoldhertostopcryingandtellthemwhatshemeantbyit.
Shedidstop,assoonasshecould.
