Питер Пэн и Венди

           Whyonearthshouldtheirbedsbeproperlyaired,seeingthattheylefttheminsuchathanklesshurry?Woulditnotservethemjollywellrightiftheycamebackandfoundthattheirparentswerespendingtheweek-endinthecountry?Itwouldbethemorallessontheyhavebeeninneedofeversincewemetthem;butifwecontrivedthingsinthiswayMrs.Darlingwouldneverforgiveus.

           OnethingIshouldliketodoimmensely,andthatistotellher,inthewayauthorshave,thatthechildrenarecomingback,thatindeedtheywillbehereonThursdayweek.ThiswouldspoilsocompletelythesurprisetowhichWendyandJohnandMichaelarelookingforward.Theyhavebeenplanningitoutontheship:mother’srapture,father’sshoutofjoy,Nana’sleapthroughtheairtoembracethemfirst,whenwhattheyoughttobepreparingforisagoodhiding.Howdelicioustospoilitallbybreakingthenewsinadvance;sothatwhentheyentergrandlyMrs.DarlingmaynotevenofferWendyhermouth,andMr.Darlingmayexclaimpettishly,’Dashitall,herearethoseboysagain.’However,weshouldgetnothanksevenforthis.WearebeginningtoknowMrs.Darlingbythistime,andmaybesurethatshewouldupbraidusfordeprivingthechildrenoftheirlittlepleasure.

           ’But,mydearmadam,itistendaystillThursdayweek;sothatbytellingyouwhat’swhat,wecansaveyoutendaysofunhappiness.’

           ’Yes,butatwhatacost!Bydeprivingthechildrenoftenminutesofdelight.’

           ’Oh,ifyoulookatitinthatway.’

           ’Whatotherwayisthereinwhichtolookatit?’

           Yousee,thewomanhadnoproperspirit.