Питер Пэн и Венди
The Shadow
Ahme!
Theopportunitycameaweeklater,onthatnever-to-be-forgottenFriday.OfcourseitwasaFriday.
’IoughttohavebeenspeciallycarefulonaFriday,’sheusedtosayafterwardstoherhusband,whileperhapsNanawasontheothersideofher,holdingherhand.
’No,no,’Mr.Darlingalwayssaid,’Iamresponsibleforitall.I,GeorgeDarling,didit.Meaculpa,meaculpa.’Hehadhadaclassicaleducation.
TheysatthusnightafternightrecallingthatfatalFriday,tilleverydetailofitwasstampedontheirbrainsandcamethroughontheothersidelikethefacesonabadcoinage.
’IfonlyIhadnotacceptedthatinvitationtodineat27,’Mrs.Darlingsaid.
’IfonlyIhadnotpouredmymedicineintoNana’sbowl,’saidMr.Darling.
’IfonlyIhadpretendedtolikethemedicine,’waswhatNana’sweteyessaid.
’Mylikingforparties,George.’
’Myfatalgiftofhumour,dearest.’
’Mytouchinessabouttrifles,dearmasterandmistress.’
Thenoneormoreofthemwouldbreakdownaltogether;Nanaatthethought,’It’strue,it’strue,theyoughtnottohavehadadogforanurse.’ManyatimeitwasMr.DarlingwhoputthehandkerchieftoNana’seyes.
’Thatfiend!’Mr.Darlingwouldcry,andNana’sbarkwastheechoofit,butMrs.DarlingneverupbraidedPeter;therewassomethingintheright-handcornerofhermouththatwantedhernottocallPeternames.
Theywouldsitthereintheemptynursery,recallingfondlyeverysmallestdetailofthatdreadfulevening.
