Peter’s Goat

           Maimiefeltquiteshy,butPeterknewnotwhatshywas.

           “Ihopeyouhavehadagoodnight,”hesaidearnestly.

           “Thankyou,”shereplied,“Iwassocosyandwarm.Butyou”—andshelookedathisnakednessawkwardly—“don’tyoufeeltheleastbitcold?”

           NowcoldwasanotherwordPeterhadforgotten,soheanswered,“Ithinknot,butImaybewrong:youseeIamratherignorant.Iamnotexactlyaboy,SolomonsaysIamaBetwixt-and-Between.”

           “Sothatiswhatitiscalled,”saidMaimiethoughtfully.

           “That’snotmyname,”heexplained,“mynameisPeterPan.”

           “Yes,ofcourse,”shesaid,“Iknow,everybodyknows.”

           Youcan’tthinkhowpleasedPeterwastolearnthatallthepeopleoutsidethegatesknewabouthim.HebeggedMaimietotellhimwhattheyknewandwhattheysaid,andshedidso.Theyweresittingbythistimeonafallentree;PeterhadclearedoffthesnowforMaimie,buthesatonasnowybithimself.

           “Squeezecloser,”Maimiesaid.

           “Whatisthat?”heasked,andsheshowedhim,andthenhedidit.Theytalkedtogetherandhefoundthatpeopleknewagreatdealabouthim,butnoteverything,notthathehadgonebacktohismotherandbeenbarredout,forinstance,andhesaidnothingofthistoMaimie,foritstillhumiliatedhim.

           “DotheyknowthatIplaygamesexactlylikerealboys?”heaskedveryproudly.“Oh,Maimie,pleasetellthem!”Butwhenherevealedhowheplayed,bysailinghishoopontheRoundPond,andsoon,shewassimplyhorrified.