Питер Пэн и Венди

           Ithadbegunsouneventfully,sopreciselylikeahundredotherevenings,withNanaputtingonthewaterforMichael’sbathandcarryinghimtoitonherback.

           ’Iwon’tgotobed,’hehadshouted,likeonewhostillbelievedthathehadthelastwordonthesubject,’Iwon’t,Iwon’t.Nana,itisn’tsixo’clockyet.Ohdear,ohdear,Ishan’tloveyouanymore,Nana.ItellyouIwon’tbebathed,Iwon’t,Iwon’t!’

           ThenMrs.Darlinghadcomein,wearingherwhiteevening-gown.ShehaddressedearlybecauseWendysolovedtoseeherinherevening-gown,withthenecklaceGeorgehadgivenher.ShewaswearingWendy’sbraceletonherarm;shehadaskedfortheloanofit.Wendysolovedtolendherbracelettohermother.

           ShehadfoundhertwoolderchildrenplayingatbeingherselfandfatherontheoccasionofWendy’sbirth,andJohnwassaying:

           ’Iamhappytoinformyou,Mrs.Darling,thatyouarenowamother,’injustsuchatoneasMr.Darlinghimselfmayhaveusedontherealoccasion.

           Wendyhaddancedwithjoy,justastherealMrs.Darlingmusthavedone.

           ThenJohnwasborn,withtheextrapompthatheconceivedduetothebirthofamale,andMichaelcamefromhisbathtoasktobebornalso,butJohnsaidbrutallythattheydidnotwantanymore.

           Michaelhadnearlycried.’Nobodywantsme,’hesaid,andofcoursetheladyinevening-dresscouldnotstandthat.

           ’Ido,’shesaid,’Isowantathirdchild.’

           ’Boyorgirl?’askedMichael,nottoohopefully.

           ’Boy.’

           Thenhehadleaptintoherarms.SuchalittlethingforMr.andMrs.