Page:The railway children (IA railwaychildren00nesb 1).pdf/233

This page has been validated.
THE TERRIBLE SECRET
219

"I wish you wouldn't think it's rows every time we don't agree!" When Mother had gone out again, Bobbie broke out:—

"Peter, I am sorry you're hurt. But you are a beast to say I'm a Prig."

"Well," said Peter, unexpectedly, "perhaps I am. You did say I wasn't a coward, even when you were in such a wax. The only thing is—don't you be a Prig, that's all. You keep your eyes open and if you feel prigginess coming on just stop it in time. See?"

"Yes," said Bobbie, "I see."

"Then let's call it Pax," said Peter, magnanimously: "bury the hatchet in the fathoms of the past. Shake hands on it. I say, Bobbie, old chap, I am tired."

He was tired for many days after that, and the settle seemed hard and uncomfortable in spite of all the pillows and bolsters and soft folded rugs. It was terrible not to be able to go out. They moved the settle to the window, and from there Peter could see the smoke of the trains winding along the valley. But he could not see the trains.

At first Bobbie found it quite hard to be as nice to him as she wanted to be, for fear he should think her priggish. But that soon wore off, and