The next day Mother stayed in bed because her head ached so badly.
She had a fever and would not eat anything.
Dr. Forest came and said it was the flu.
"Nurse Bobbie," the doctor said, smiling at Bobbie.
"I'll send some medicine later.
Please give your mother this list—she needs beef soup, fresh fruit, and brandy."
When the doctor had gone, Bobbie showed Mother the piece of paper.
"Impossible!" Mother said with a laugh.
"We can't buy all these things!
We're poor, remember?"
"Yes, Mother," Bobbie answered and tried to smile.
The children talked later.
"Mother needs those things," said Bobbie.
"How can we get them for her?
Think, everybody, as hard as you can."
A plan was formed.
Phyllis and Peter found a white sheet, some black paint, and a paintbrush.
Bobbie stayed with Mother all night long.
The next morning the doctor came again.
"Everything going all right, little nurse?" Dr. Forest said in the hall.
"Did you get the brandy and fruit for your mother?"
"No, I couldn't. But I'll get them tomorrow," Bobbie said.
"Very well, then," the doctor replied.
When the 9:15 train came out of the tunnel that same morning, the old gentleman was ready to wave.
But instead of three children on the fence, there was just one: Peter.
But he was not waving.
Instead Peter was pointing at the large white sheet attached to the fence.
On the sheet were thick black letters that read:
Look Out at the Station.
Many passengers looked out their windows at the station, but they saw nothing peculiar.
But as the train was departing, the old gentleman saw Phyllis running toward him.
"I thought I was going to miss you!" she shouted.
She quickly thrust a letter into his hand through the window as the train moved away.
The old gentleman relaxed in his seat and opened the letter:
Dear Mr. (we do not know your name),
Mother is ill.
The doctor says we must give her good food.
But we don't have any money because Father is away.
Can you help us?
We can repay you.
From Roberta, Peter, and Phyllis
Below their names they had written down their requests.
That evening Perks came to their house with a big parcel.
Inside were all the things they had asked for.
There were also some things they had not asked for—wine, two chickens, and flowers.
There was a letter too.
Children,
Here is the food for your mother.
If she says you were wrong to ask for the things, tell her that I say you were right.
I was pleased to help.
The old man's name was underneath, but it was illegible.
"I think we were right," said Phyllis.
"Of course, we were right," said Bobbie.
"I hope Mother thinks we were right too," said Peter.
But he didn't sound very sure.