The Railway Children

"Now, listen," said Mother; "it's quite true that we're poor, but we have enough to live on. You mustn't go telling everyone about our affairs—it's not right.

we've got to play at being Poor for a bit, my chickabiddy

No, I don't mean what you mean. I mean it's just a—what is it Father calls it?—a germ of endearment!

An Englishman's house is his castle, of course, but I do wish they built semi-detached villas with moats and drawbridges."

Who on earth!" said Father. "An Englishman's house is his castle, of course, but I do wish they built semi-de

The unselfishness was Mother's idea—but it was Peter who carried it out. And needed a good deal of patience, too.

Peter, with heroic unselfishness, did not say anything about his Engine till after Father had had his dinner

He said that his eyes were red because he had a cold. This turned out to be true, though Peter did not know it was when he said it,

The others said he cried over it—but of course boys of ten do not cry, however terrible the tragedies may be which darken their lot.

The other presents were full of charm, but the Engine was fuller of charm than any of the others were.