Питер Пэн и Венди
The Return Home
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NowIunderstandwhathadhithertopuzzledme,whywhenPeterhadexterminatedthepirateshedidnotreturntotheislandandleaveTinktoescortthechildrentothemainland.Thistrickhadbeeninhisheadallthetime.
Insteadoffeelingthathewasbehavingbadlyhedancedwithglee;thenhepeepedintotheday-nurserytoseewhowasplaying.HewhisperedtoTink,’It’sWendy’smother.Sheisaprettylady,butnotsoprettyasmymother.Hermouthisfullofthimbles,butnotsofullasmymother’swas.’
Ofcourseheknewnothingwhateverabouthismother;buthesometimesbraggedabouther.
Hedidnotknowthetune,whichwas’Home,SweetHome,’butheknewitwassaying,’Comeback,Wendy,Wendy,Wendy’;andhecriedexultantly,’YouwillneverseeWendyagain,lady,forthewindowisbarred.’
Hepeepedinagaintoseewhythemusichadstopped;andnowhesawthatMrs.Darlinghadlaidherheadonthebox,andthattwotearsweresittingonhereyes.
’Shewantsmetounbarthewindow,’thoughtPeter,’butIwon’t,notI.’
Hepeepedagain,andthetearswerestillthere,oranothertwohadtakentheirplace.
’She’sawfullyfondofWendy,’hesaidtohimself.HewasangrywithhernowfornotseeingwhyshecouldnothaveWendy.
Thereasonwassosimple:’I’mfondofhertoo.Wecan’tbothhaveher,lady.’
Buttheladywouldnotmakethebestofit,andhewasunhappy.Heceasedtolookather,buteventhenshewouldnotletgoofhim.Heskippedaboutandmadefunnyfaces,butwhenhestoppeditwasjustasifshewereinsidehim,knocking.
