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Wendy’s Story
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TheinvitationwasmeantspeciallyforPeter;buteachoftheboyswasthinkingexclusivelyofhimself,andatoncetheyjumpedwithjoy.
’Butwon’ttheythinkusratherahandful?’Nibsaskedinthemiddleofhisjump.
’Ohno,’saidWendy,rapidlythinkingitout,’itwillonlymeanhavingafewbedsinthedrawing-room;theycanbehiddenbehindscreensonfirstThursdays.’
’Peter,canwego?’theyallcriedimploringly.Theytookitforgrantedthatiftheywenthewouldgoalso,butreallytheyscarcelycared.Thuschildrenareeverready,whennoveltyknocks,todeserttheirdearestones.
’Allright,’Peterrepliedwithabittersmile;andimmediatelytheyrushedtogettheirthings.
’Andnow,Peter,’Wendysaid,thinkingshehadputeverythingright,’Iamgoingtogiveyouyourmedicinebeforeyougo.’Shelovedtogivethemmedicine,andundoubtedlygavethemtoomuch.Ofcourseitwasonlywater,butitwasoutofacalabash,andshealwaysshookthecalabashandcountedthedrops,whichgaveitacertainmedicinalquality.Onthisoccasion,however,shedidnotgivePeterhisdraught,forjustasshehadpreparedit,shesawalookonhisfacethatmadeherheartsink.
’Getyourthings,Peter,’shecried,shaking.
’No,’heanswered,pretendingindifference,’Iamnotgoingwithyou,Wendy.’
’Yes,Peter.’
’No.’
Toshowthatherdeparturewouldleavehimunmoved,heskippedupanddowntheroom,playinggailyonhisheartlesspipes.Shehadtorunaboutafterhim,thoughitwasratherundignified.
’Tofindyourmother,’shecoaxed.
