As the train pulled out
Jims leaned eagerly forward for a last look at Chippy, pulling his hand
from Rilla's. Rilla was so engrossed in wondering what was to become of
Jims in the future that she forgot to take notice of what was happening
to him in the present. What did happen was that Jims lost his balance,
shot headlong down the steps, hurtled across the little siding platform,
and landed in a clump of bracken fern on the other side.
Rilla shrieked and lost her head. She sprang down the steps and jumped
off the train.
Fortunately, the train was still going at a comparatively slow speed;
fortunately also, Rilla retained enough sense to jump the way it was
going; nevertheless, she fell and sprawled helplessly down the
embankment, landing in a ditch full of a rank growth of golden-rod and
fireweed.
Nobody had seen what had happened and the train whisked briskly away
round a curve in the barrens. Rilla picked herself up, dizzy but unhurt,
scrambled out of the ditch, and flew wildly across the platform,
expecting to find Jims dead or broken in pieces. But Jims, except for a
few bruises, and a big fright, was quite uninjured. He was so badly
scared that he didn't even cry, but Rilla, when she found that he was
safe and sound, burst into tears and sobbed wildly.
"Nasty old twain," remarked Jims in disgust. "And nasty old God," he
added, with a scowl at the heavens.
Pages:
354
355
356
357
358
359
360
361
362
363
364
365
366
367
368
369
370
371
372
373
374
375
376
377
378