Just above the station many rocks have pushed their heads out
through the turf as though they, like the children, were interested
in the railway.

In a little hollow between three rocks lay a heap of dried brambles
and heather.

Peter halted, turned over the brushwood with a well-scarred boot,
and said:--

"Here's the first coal from the St. Peter's Mine. We'll take it
home in the chariot. Punctuality and despatch. All orders
carefully attended to. Any shaped lump cut to suit regular
customers."

The chariot was packed full of coal. And when it was packed it had
to be unpacked again because it was so heavy that it couldn't be got
up the hill by the three children, not even when Peter harnessed
himself to the handle with his braces, and firmly grasping his
waistband in one hand pulled while the girls pushed behind.

Three journeys had to be made before the coal from Peter's mine was
added to the heap of Mother's coal in the cellar.

Afterwards Peter went out alone, and came back very black and
mysterious.

"I've been to my coal-mine," he said; "to-morrow evening we'll bring
home the black diamonds in the chariot."