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The Railway Children (Graded Reader), Chapter 3. The Old Gentleman

Chapter 3. The Old Gentleman

At 9.15 the next morning, the old gentleman was on the train. He stopped reading his newspaper. Here's the tunnel. We're near the station, he thought. I can wave at those three nice children again.

The train came out of the tunnel. He looked out of the window but he didn't see three children. He only saw one. It was Peter. Peter had a sheet in his hands. There were some words on the sheet. It said:

LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW! AT THE STATION!

The train stopped at the station. The old gentleman looked out of the window. Then he saw Phyllis, running to his window. ‘I thought, … I was late,' she said. Then she gave the old gentleman a letter. Soon the train started again and he read the letter.

Dear Mr…We don't know your name,

Mother is ill. We have to buy some medicine, but we don't have much money. Can you help us? Father isn't here and we don't know his address. Father will pay you when we see him. Here are the things that Mother needs.

Thank you so much.

The old man looked at the letter again, then he smiled.

That evening at 6,00 a big box arrived at “Three Chimneys”. The children opened the box. Inside there was some medicine – and some other things they needed. There was a letter to the children.

Dear Children,

Here's the medicine. Tell your mother it's from a friend. She'll be better soon. Don't worry.

The old gentleman was right. Two weeks later, the children made another sheet. On this sheet they wrote:

SHE'S BETTER. THANK YOU FOR THE MEDICINE!

When the old man saw it, he smiled and waved at the children again.

The train passed and then Peter said, ‘Now we have to tell Mother about the old gentleman.' The children went home. They told Mother everything, but Mother wasn't very happy.

‘You mustn't talk to other people about our life. Promise me this.'

The children promised. They were very sorry.

Soon they were happy again. The next day was Bobbie's birthday. On the table there were lots of good things to eat and a birthday cake. Bobbie was very happy. At the end of the party, Peter gave his sister something.

‘It's the toy train,' said Peter. ‘I know it's my train. But now it's also your train. We can play with it together.'

‘Thank you, Peter,' said Bobbie. ‘You're a good brother. This is a really great day. Thank you everybody.'

The next day, Bobbie looked at the train.

It's beautiful, she thought. Peter is really sad because it's broken. But I know what to do.'

An hour later Bobbie was at the station. She waited for the next train. And when it arrived she got on.

‘Excuse me! Driver! Driver! Can you help me?' she said. But the driver couldn't hear her. ‘Please driver, I've got my brother's toy train and it's broken and …'

But then the train left the station. ‘Help me!' said Bobbie. ‘Stop the train!' The driver still couldn't hear Bobbie. Then the driver saw something. There was a little girl. She was very frightened.

‘What are you doing here?' said the driver. ‘You can't stay here. It's dangerous.'

‘I'm sorry,' said Bobbie. ‘I've got this toy train. It's my brother's and it's broken. Can you help me? It's really important.'

The driver looked at the toy train. Then he looked at Bobbie.

She's only a little girl, he thought.

‘Well,' said the driver, ‘I can try. I have a friend. Maybe he can help me, but first we have to take you home.' At the next station Bobbie got off the train. The driver helped her to get another train for her town.

‘Well, Bobbie,' said the driver, ‘I know where you live. I promise to try and help you with your brother's toy train.'

What an interesting day! Now I can do something nice for my brother, she thought.

Two days later her brother had a very big surprise. ‘Peter, come to the station with me,' said Bobbie.

‘Why?' asked Peter.

‘Because I want you to meet someone. It's a surprise.' said Bobbie.

Bobbie and Peter went to the station. At the station there was a man on the platform.

‘Hello, Peter,' said the man. ‘I'm a train driver. I know you want to be a train driver one day. Your sister told me. I have something for you.' Then the driver gave Peter his toy train.

Peter took the train. ‘I can't believe it. A real train driver. My train is new again,' said Peter. ‘Thank you.'

• • •

One day, the children were at the station again. They had to meet their mother. ‘When is Mother arriving?' asked Phyllis.

‘Very soon,' said Bobbie. ‘Let's wait here. She'll be tired, so we can help carry her bags.' Then the children heard a strange noise.

‘What is it?' asked Peter. There were a lot of people on the platform. The children could hear Perks.

‘OK everybody,' said Perks. ‘Please stay back. I need to do my job.' Then the children heard another language. It wasn't English, but what language was it?

‘I want to see what's happening,' said Bobbie. ‘We can help.' The children went near the group of people. They saw a man. He had grey hair, and his clothes were dirty.

‘I can speak a little French,' said Peter. ‘I learnt it at school. I can speak to him.'

‘OK,' said Perks. ‘I don't think he's French. But maybe he understands that language.'

‘Parlez-vous français?' asked Peter. The man stopped speaking. Then he started speaking again, but this time he spoke very quickly. ‘Er …he speaks French, but I don't understand,' said Peter.

‘Don't worry,' said Bobbie. ‘Mother will be here soon. Take him to your room, Perks. We can wait for her. Mother can speak French well and she's on the next train.'

So they waited and when Mother arrived, she went to the room. She started speaking to the man. They spoke for a long time. The children watched and waited.

‘Well, Mother, who is he?' asked Peter.

‘He's Russian,' said Mother. ‘And he can't find his ticket. Let's take him home with us. Don't worry. He's a nice man. He writes books – beautiful books. I know some of them. I read one the other day. He needs to rest, and to be warm. I promise to tell you some more about him tomorrow.'

Chapter 3. The Old Gentleman Kapitel 3. Der alte Gentleman Capitulo 3. El viejo caballero Chapitre 3. Le vieux gentleman Capitolo 3. Il vecchio gentiluomo 第3章.老紳士 3장. 올드 젠틀맨 Rozdział 3. Stary dżentelmen Capítulo 3. O Velho Cavalheiro Глава 3. Старый джентльмен Bölüm 3. Yaşlı Beyefendi Розділ 3. Старий джентльмен 第3章 老先生 第 3 章 老绅士老绅士

At 9.15 the next morning, the old gentleman was on the train. He stopped reading his newspaper. Here's the tunnel. Hier ist der Tunnel. We're near the station, he thought. I can wave at those three nice children again. Ich kann diesen drei netten Kindern wieder zuwinken.

The train came out of the tunnel. Der Zug kam aus dem Tunnel. He looked out of the window but he didn't see three children. Er sah aus dem Fenster, aber er sah keine drei Kinder. He only saw one. Er hat nur einen gesehen. It was Peter. Peter had a sheet in his hands. Peter hatte ein Laken in der Hand. There were some words on the sheet. Auf dem Blatt standen einige Worte. It said:

LOOK OUT OF THE WINDOW! SCHAUEN SIE AUS DEM FENSTER! AT THE STATION! AM BAHNHOF!

The train stopped at the station. Der Zug hielt am Bahnhof. The old gentleman looked out of the window. Der alte Herr schaute aus dem Fenster. Then he saw Phyllis, running to his window. Dann sah er Phyllis, die zu seinem Fenster lief. ‘I thought, … I was late,' she said. Ich dachte, ... ich bin zu spät", sagte sie. Then she gave the old gentleman a letter. Dann gab sie dem alten Herrn einen Brief. Soon the train started again and he read the letter. Bald fuhr der Zug wieder los und er las den Brief.

Dear Mr…We don't know your name, Sehr geehrter Herr ... Wir kennen Ihren Namen nicht,

Mother is ill. We have to buy some medicine, but we don't have much money. Wir müssen Medikamente kaufen, aber wir haben nicht viel Geld. Can you help us? Father isn't here and we don't know his address. Vater ist nicht hier und wir kennen seine Adresse nicht. Father will pay you when we see him. Vater wird dich bezahlen, wenn wir ihn sehen. Here are the things that Mother needs. Hier sind die Dinge, die Mutter braucht.

Thank you so much. Ich danke Ihnen vielmals.

The old man looked at the letter again, then he smiled. Der alte Mann sah sich den Brief noch einmal an, dann lächelte er.

That evening at 6,00 a big box arrived at “Three Chimneys”. An diesem Abend um 18.00 Uhr kam eine große Kiste bei "Three Chimneys" an. The children opened the box. Inside there was some medicine – and some other things they needed. Darin befanden sich Medikamente - und einige andere Dinge, die sie brauchten. There was a letter to the children. Es gab einen Brief an die Kinder.

Dear Children, Liebe Kinder,

Here's the medicine. Tell your mother it's from a friend. Sag deiner Mutter, es sei von einem Freund. She'll be better soon. Es wird ihr bald besser gehen. Don't worry. Machen Sie sich keine Sorgen.

The old gentleman was right. Der alte Herr hatte Recht. Two weeks later, the children made another sheet. Zwei Wochen später fertigten die Kinder ein weiteres Blatt an. On this sheet they wrote: Auf dieses Blatt schrieben sie:

SHE'S BETTER. SIE IST BESSER. THANK YOU FOR THE MEDICINE! VIELEN DANK FÜR DIE MEDIZIN!

When the old man saw it, he smiled and waved at the children again. Als der alte Mann das sah, lächelte er und winkte den Kindern wieder zu.

The train passed and then Peter said, ‘Now we have to tell Mother about the old gentleman.' The children went home. Der Zug fuhr vorbei, und dann sagte Peter: "Jetzt müssen wir Mutter von dem alten Herrn erzählen", und die Kinder gingen nach Hause. They told Mother everything, but Mother wasn't very happy. Sie erzählten Mutter alles, aber Mutter war nicht sehr glücklich.

‘You mustn't talk to other people about our life. Du darfst nicht mit anderen Leuten über unser Leben sprechen. Promise me this.' Versprich mir das.'

The children promised. Die Kinder haben es versprochen. They were very sorry. Es tat ihnen sehr leid.

Soon they were happy again. Bald waren sie wieder glücklich. The next day was Bobbie's birthday. Der nächste Tag war Bobbies Geburtstag. On the table there were lots of good things to eat and a birthday cake. Auf dem Tisch standen viele gute Sachen zum Essen und ein Geburtstagskuchen. Bobbie was very happy. At the end of the party, Peter gave his sister something. Am Ende der Party schenkte Peter seiner Schwester etwas.

‘It's the toy train,' said Peter. Das ist die Spielzeugeisenbahn", sagte Peter. ‘I know it's my train. Ich weiß, dass es mein Zug ist. But now it's also your train. Aber jetzt ist es auch Ihr Zug. We can play with it together.' Wir können gemeinsam damit spielen.'

‘Thank you, Peter,' said Bobbie. Danke, Peter", sagte Bobbie. ‘You're a good brother. Du bist ein guter Bruder. This is a really great day. Dies ist ein wirklich großartiger Tag. Thank you everybody.' Ich danke Ihnen allen.

The next day, Bobbie looked at the train.

It's beautiful, she thought. Es ist wunderschön, dachte sie. Peter is really sad because it's broken. Peter ist wirklich traurig, weil es kaputt ist. But I know what to do.' Aber ich weiß, was zu tun ist.

An hour later Bobbie was at the station. She waited for the next train. And when it arrived she got on. Und als es ankam, stieg sie ein.

‘Excuse me! Driver! Fahrer! Driver! Can you help me?' she said. But the driver couldn't hear her. Aber der Fahrer konnte sie nicht hören. ‘Please driver, I've got my brother's toy train and it's broken and …'

But then the train left the station. Doch dann verließ der Zug den Bahnhof. ‘Help me!' said Bobbie. Hilf mir!", sagte Bobbie. ‘Stop the train!' The driver still couldn't hear Bobbie. Der Lokführer konnte Bobbie immer noch nicht hören. Then the driver saw something. Dann sah der Fahrer etwas. There was a little girl. Da war ein kleines Mädchen. She was very frightened.

‘What are you doing here?' said the driver. Was machen Sie hier?", fragte der Fahrer. ‘You can't stay here. Du kannst hier nicht bleiben. It's dangerous.'

‘I'm sorry,' said Bobbie. Es tut mir leid", sagte Bobbie. ‘I've got this toy train. Ich habe diese Spielzeugeisenbahn. It's my brother's and it's broken. Es gehört meinem Bruder, und es ist kaputt. Can you help me? It's really important.' Das ist wirklich wichtig.'

The driver looked at the toy train. Der Lokführer schaute sich die Spielzeugeisenbahn an. Then he looked at Bobbie. Dann sah er Bobbie an.

She's only a little girl, he thought. Sie ist doch nur ein kleines Mädchen, dachte er.

‘Well,' said the driver, ‘I can try. Nun", sagte der Fahrer, "ich kann es versuchen. I have a friend. Maybe he can help me, but first we have to take you home.' At the next station Bobbie got off the train. Vielleicht kann er mir helfen, aber zuerst müssen wir dich nach Hause bringen." An der nächsten Station stieg Bobbie aus dem Zug. The driver helped her to get another train for her town. Der Fahrer half ihr, einen anderen Zug in ihre Stadt zu bekommen.

‘Well, Bobbie,' said the driver, ‘I know where you live. Nun, Bobbie", sagte der Fahrer, "ich weiß, wo du wohnst. I promise to try and help you with your brother's toy train.' Ich verspreche dir, dass ich versuchen werde, dir mit der Spielzeugeisenbahn deines Bruders zu helfen.

What an interesting day! Now I can do something nice for my brother, she thought.

Two days later her brother had a very big surprise. ‘Peter, come to the station with me,' said Bobbie.

‘Why?' asked Peter.

‘Because I want you to meet someone. Weil ich möchte, dass du jemanden kennenlernst. It's a surprise.' said Bobbie.

Bobbie and Peter went to the station. Bobbie und Peter gingen zum Bahnhof. At the station there was a man on the platform.

‘Hello, Peter,' said the man. ‘I'm a train driver. Ich bin Lokführer. I know you want to be a train driver one day. Ich weiß, dass du eines Tages Lokführer werden willst. Your sister told me. I have something for you.' Then the driver gave Peter his toy train. Ich habe etwas für dich", und der Fahrer gab Peter seine Spielzeugeisenbahn.

Peter took the train. ‘I can't believe it. Ich kann es nicht glauben. A real train driver. Ein echter Lokführer. My train is new again,' said Peter. Mein Zug ist wieder neu", sagte Peter. ‘Thank you.'

• • •

One day, the children were at the station again. Eines Tages waren die Kinder wieder am Bahnhof. They had to meet their mother. Sie mussten ihre Mutter treffen. ‘When is Mother arriving?' asked Phyllis. Wann kommt Mutter an?", fragte Phyllis.

‘Very soon,' said Bobbie. Sehr bald", sagte Bobbie. ‘Let's wait here. Lass uns hier warten. She'll be tired, so we can help carry her bags.' Then the children heard a strange noise. Sie wird müde sein, also können wir ihr helfen, die Taschen zu tragen", und dann hörten die Kinder ein seltsames Geräusch.

‘What is it?' asked Peter. Was ist das?", fragte Peter. There were a lot of people on the platform. Es waren viele Menschen auf dem Bahnsteig. The children could hear Perks. Die Kinder konnten Perks hören.

‘OK everybody,' said Perks. OK, Leute", sagte Perks. ‘Please stay back. Bitte bleiben Sie zurück. I need to do my job.' Then the children heard another language. Dann hörten die Kinder eine andere Sprache. It wasn't English, but what language was it?

‘I want to see what's happening,' said Bobbie. Ich will sehen, was los ist", sagte Bobbie. ‘We can help.' The children went near the group of people. Die Kinder gingen in die Nähe der Gruppe von Menschen und sagten: "Wir können helfen. They saw a man. Sie sahen einen Mann. He had grey hair, and his clothes were dirty.

‘I can speak a little French,' said Peter. Ich kann ein bisschen Französisch", sagte Peter. ‘I learnt it at school. Ich habe es in der Schule gelernt. I can speak to him.' Ich kann mit ihm sprechen.'

‘OK,' said Perks. ‘I don't think he's French. Ich glaube nicht, dass er Franzose ist. But maybe he understands that language.' Aber vielleicht versteht er diese Sprache.'

‘Parlez-vous français?' asked Peter. 'Parlez-vous français?', fragte Peter. The man stopped speaking. Der Mann hörte auf zu sprechen. Then he started speaking again, but this time he spoke very quickly. Dann begann er wieder zu sprechen, diesmal aber sehr schnell. ‘Er …he speaks French, but I don't understand,' said Peter. Äh ... er spricht Französisch, aber ich verstehe es nicht", sagte Peter.

‘Don't worry,' said Bobbie. ‘Mother will be here soon. Mutter wird bald hier sein. Take him to your room, Perks. Bring ihn in dein Zimmer, Perks. We can wait for her. Wir können auf sie warten. Mother can speak French well and she's on the next train.'

So they waited and when Mother arrived, she went to the room. Sie warteten also, und als Mutter eintraf, ging sie in das Zimmer. She started speaking to the man. Sie begann, mit dem Mann zu sprechen. They spoke for a long time. Sie sprachen lange miteinander. The children watched and waited.

‘Well, Mother, who is he?' asked Peter. Nun, Mutter, wer ist er?", fragte Peter.

‘He's Russian,' said Mother. Er ist Russe", sagte Mutter. ‘And he can't find his ticket. Und er kann sein Ticket nicht finden. Let's take him home with us. Nehmen wir ihn mit nach Hause. Don't worry. He's a nice man. Er ist ein netter Mann. He writes books – beautiful books. Er schreibt Bücher - wunderschöne Bücher. I know some of them. Ich kenne einige von ihnen. I read one the other day. Neulich habe ich einen gelesen. He needs to rest, and to be warm. Er muss sich ausruhen und warm sein. I promise to tell you some more about him tomorrow.' Ich verspreche, dass ich dir morgen mehr über ihn erzählen werde.