Thetrainwhistled。Theconductorcamein，smilingnotunkindly。
“Well，youngman，whatareyougoingtodo？WestopatRedOakinthreeminutes。“
“Yes，thankyou。I’llletyouknow。“Theconductorwentout，andtheboydoubledupwithmisery。Hecouldn’tlethisonechancegolikethis。HefeltforhisbreastpocketandcrackledNils’
lettertogivehimcourage。Hedidn’twantNilstobeashamedofhim。Thetrainstopped。Suddenlyherememberedhisbrother’skind，twinklingeyes，thatalwayslookedatyouasiffromfaraway。Thelumpinhisthroatsoftened。“Ah，butNils，Nilswouldunderstand！“hethought。“That’sjustitaboutNils；healwaysunderstands。“
Alank，paleboywithacanvastelescopestumbledoffthetraintotheRedOaksiding，justastheconductorcalled，“Allaboard！“