Питер Пэн и Венди
The Return Home
AndthereneverwasamorehumblemanthantheonceproudGeorgeDarling,ashesatinthekennelofaneveningtalkingwithhiswifeoftheirchildrenandalltheirprettyways.
VerytouchingwashisdeferencetoNana.Hewouldnotlethercomeintothekennel,butonallothermattershefollowedherwishesimplicitly.
EverymorningthekennelwascarriedwithMr.Darlinginittoacab,whichconveyedhimtohisoffice,andhereturnedhomeinthesamewayatsix.Somethingofthestrengthofcharacterofthemanwillbeseenifwerememberhowsensitivehewastotheopinionofneighbours:thismanwhoseeverymovementnowattractedsurprisedattention.Inwardlyhemusthavesufferedtorture;buthepreservedacalmexteriorevenwhentheyoungcriticisedhislittlehome,andhealwaysliftedhishatcourteouslytoanyladywholookedinside.
Itmayhavebeenquixotic,butitwasmagnificent.Soontheinwardmeaningofitleakedout,andthegreatheartofthepublicwastouched.Crowdsfollowedthecab,cheeringitlustily;charminggirlsscaledittogethisautograph;interviewsappearedinthebetterclassofpapers,andsocietyinvitedhimtodinnerandadded,’Docomeinthekennel.’
OnthateventfulThursdayweekMrs.Darlingwasinthenight-nurseryawaitingGeorge’sreturnhome:averysad-eyedwoman.Nowthatwelookathercloselyandrememberthegaietyofherintheolddays,allgonenowjustbecauseshehaslostherbabes,IfindIwon’tbeabletosaynastythingsaboutherafterall.Ifshewastoofondofherrubbishychildrenshecouldn’thelpit.
