第18章 The engine-burglar(4)

Viney to post, and she never went to the village herself.Peter and Phyllis went with her.Bobbie wanted an excuse not to go, but try as she would she couldn't think of a good one.And just when she felt that all was lost, her frock caught on a big nail by the kitchen door and there was a great criss-cross tear all along the front of the skirt.I assure you this was really an accident.So the others pitied her and went without her, for there was no time for her to change, because they were rather late already and had to hurry to the station to catch the train.

When they had gone, Bobbie put on her everyday frock, and went down to the railway.She did not go into the station, but she went along the line to the end of the platform where the engine is when the down train is alongside the platform--the place where there are a water tank and a long, limp, leather hose, like an elephant's trunk.

She hid behind a bush on the other side of the railway.She had the toy engine done up in brown paper, and she waited patiently with it under her arm.

Then when the next train came in and stopped, Bobbie went across the metals of the up-line and stood beside the engine.She had never been so close to an engine before.It looked much larger and harder than she had expected, and it made her feel very small indeed, and, somehow, very soft--as if she could very, very easily be hurt rather badly.

"I know what silk-worms feel like now," said Bobbie to herself.

The engine-driver and fireman did not see her.They were leaning out on the other side, telling the Porter a tale about a dog and a leg of mutton.

"If you please," said Roberta--but the engine was blowing off steam and no one heard her.

"If you please, Mr.Engineer," she spoke a little louder, but the Engine happened to speak at the same moment, and of course Roberta's soft little voice hadn't a chance.

It seemed to her that the only way would be to climb on to the engine and pull at their coats.The step was high, but she got her knee on it, and clambered into the cab; she stumbled and fell on hands and knees on the base of the great heap of coals that led up to the square opening in the tender.The engine was not above the weaknesses of its fellows; it was making a great deal more noise than there was the slightest need for.And just as Roberta fell on the coals, the engine-driver, who had turned without seeing her, started the engine, and when Bobbie had picked herself up, the train was moving--not fast, but much too fast for her to get off.

All sorts of dreadful thoughts came to her all together in one horrible flash.There were such things as express trains that went on, she supposed, for hundreds of miles without stopping.Suppose this should be one of them? How would she get home again? She had no money to pay for the return journey.

"And I've no business here.I'm an engine-burglar--that's what Iam," she thought."I shouldn't wonder if they could lock me up for this." And the train was going faster and faster.

There was something in her throat that made it impossible for her to speak.She tried twice.The men had their backs to her.They were doing something to things that looked like taps.

Suddenly she put out her hand and caught hold of the nearest sleeve.

The man turned with a start, and he and Roberta stood for a minute looking at each other in silence.Then the silence was broken by them both.

The man said, "Here's a bloomin' go!" and Roberta burst into tears.

The other man said he was blooming well blest--or something like it--but though naturally surprised they were not exactly unkind.

"You're a naughty little gell, that's what you are," said the fireman, and the engine-driver said:--"Daring little piece, I call her," but they made her sit down on an iron seat in the cab and told her to stop crying and tell them what she meant by it.

She did stop, as soon as she could.One thing that helped her was the thought that Peter would give almost his ears to be in her place--on a real engine--really going.The children had often wondered whether any engine-driver could be found noble enough to take them for a ride on an engine--and now there she was.She dried her eyes and sniffed earnestly.

"Now, then," said the fireman, "out with it.What do you mean by it, eh?""Oh, please," sniffed Bobbie.

"Try again," said the engine-driver, encouragingly.

Bobbie tried again.

"Please, Mr.Engineer," she said, "I did call out to you from the line, but you didn't hear me--and I just climbed up to touch you on the arm--quite gently I meant to do it--and then I fell into the coals--and I am so sorry if I frightened you.Oh, don't be cross--oh, please don't!" She sniffed again.