Белая птичка
The Grand Tour of the Gardens
Theyaregreatfighters,andthussounlikecountrysheepthateveryyeartheygivePorthosashock.Hecanmakeafieldofcountrysheepflybymerelyannouncinghisapproach,butthesetownsheepcometowardhimwithnopromiseofgentleentertainment,andthenalightfromlastyearbreaksuponPorthos.Hecannotwithdignityretreat,buthestopsandlooksabouthimasiflostinadmirationofthescenery,andpresentlyhestrollsawaywithafineindifferenceandaglintatmefromthecornerofhiseye.
TheSerpentinebeginsnearhere.Itisalovelylake,andthereisadrownedforestatthebottomofit.Ifyoupeerovertheedgeyoucanseethetreesallgrowingupsidedown,andtheysaythatatnighttherearealsodrownedstarsinit.Ifso,PeterPanseesthemwhenheissailingacrossthelakeintheThrush’sNest.AsmallpartonlyoftheSerpentineisintheGardens,forsoonitpassesbeneathabridgetofarawaywheretheislandisonwhichallthebirdsarebornthatbecomebabyboysandgirls.Noonewhoishuman,exceptPeterPan(andheisonlyhalfhuman),canlandontheisland,butyoumaywritewhatyouwant(boyorgirl,darkorfair)onapieceofpaper,andthentwistitintotheshapeofaboatandslipitintothewater,anditreachesPeterPan’sislandafterdark.
Weareonthewayhomenow,though,ofcourse,itisallpretencethatwecangotosomanyoftheplacesinoneday.IshouldhavehadtobecarryingDavidlongagoandrestingoneveryseatlikeoldMr.Salford.
