The Iron Dragon Never Sleeps by Stephen Krensky Read Free Book Online Page A

now.
    “But they were hurt as much as you. Doesn’t the railroad care?”
    “The railroad”—Eli sighed—“has a lot of thingson its mind.” He looked at her a little sadly. “I’m tired, Winnie. We’ll talk about it another time.”
    Her father was tired a lot that first week. But soon he was up and around again.
    “The way Mrs. Swanson is feeding me,” he said ten days after the accident, “my ribs are going to have to grow back bigger just to fit my stomach.” He patted his side. The strips of cloth were wrapped around his chest and stomach. “These bandages sure feel tight.”
    Marjorie allowed herself a smile. “It’s like a corset,” she commented.
    “I suppose so. I don’t know how women breathe in those things,” he said.
    “They don’t,” she replied. She looked into her sewing basket. “Winnie, I’m out of red thread. Run down to the store and buy another spool. I want to finish your dress before we leave.”
    The general store had changed little over the summer. Except for the appearance of a few winter goods, this could have been the day she arrived.
    The candy was still in the same place, too.
    “Try the peppermints,” said a voice behind her. “It tastes like winter in your mouth.”
    It was Lee who had spoken.
    “How are you?” said Winnie. She knew his face well from drawing the portrait. He looked a little thinner.
    “I am well.”
    “And how is your brother?”
    “He is better. Already back to work.”
    “But he must need time to—”
    “No work, no pay,” Lee explained. “Railroad always in a hurry. Summer is ending.”
    “I know,” said Winnie. “I’m going home in a few days.”
    Lee nodded. “You return to the house with the garden.”
    “Yes. And school …” She made a face.
    “I have always wondered about school,” said Lee. “I have never been.”
    “You’re lucky.”
    “Perhaps. I do not always feel lucky.”
    “My father says the railroad will be done in another year or two. What will you do then?”
    “There will be railroads to build for many years. I cannot think more than that.”
    “Hey!” cried the storekeeper. He stepped in front of Winnie and stared down at Lee. “I’ve warned you before. Stop bothering my customers.”
    “I meant no—” Lee began.
    “Excuse me,” said Winnie, tugging on the storekeeper’s sleeve. “He wasn’t bothering me.” She took a deep breath. “And as near as I can tell, he wasn’t bothering you or anyone else either.”
    “Now, see here, young lady—”

    “Don’t worry,” she said, deciding the spool would have to wait. “There won’t be any trouble. My friend Lee and I were just leaving.”
    The storekeeper stood there gaping while Winnie and Lee walked out the door together.

T HE TRAIN WHISTLE BLEW ONCE.
    Eli Tucker was helping Marjorie and Winnie up onto the train. Their luggage was already on board.
    “Time to go,” said Eli. He gave Winnie a kiss. “You take care of your mother, all right?”
    Winnie nodded. It was hard to believe she was going home. Rose and Julia were waiting. It would be good to see them. Still, her railroad summer had passed all too quickly.
    “Cheer up, Winnie! You’ll like school, I’m sure.”
    “Take care, Marjorie. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”
    “Don’t forget to shave, Papa!”
    Her father cupped his hand to his ear. “What’sthat?” he asked, smiling. “It’s hard to hear over the engine noise.”
    “Never mind,” said Winnie. “Just be careful.”
    The train shuddered.
    “Let’s go sit down,” said Mrs. Tucker.
    “I think I’ll watch from here,” said Winnie. “I’ll come in after we leave.”
    “All right, dear. But just for a minute.”
    The train started up.
    Winnie took a last look at Cisco. The row of low buildings hadn’t changed much during her stay. And soon the railroad would be moving its supplies.
    “To the other side of the mountains,” her father had said.
    Farther and farther
, she thought.
And with so many