Питер Пэн и Венди
When Wendy Grew Up
’Perhapsheisill,’Michaelsaid.
’Youknowheisneverill.’
Michaelcameclosetoherandwhispered,withashiver,’Perhapsthereisnosuchperson,Wendy!’andthenWendywouldhavecriedifMichaelhadnotbeencrying.
Petercamenextspringcleaning;andthestrangethingwasthatheneverknewhehadmissedayear.
ThatwasthelasttimethegirlWendyeversawhim.Foralittlelongershetriedforhissakenottohavegrowingpains;andshefeltshewasuntruetohimwhenshegotaprizeforgeneralknowledge.Buttheyearscameandwentwithoutbringingthecarelessboy;andwhentheymetagainWendywasamarriedwoman,andPeterwasnomoretoherthanalittledustintheboxinwhichshehadkepthertoys.Wendywasgrownup.Youneednotbesorryforher.Shewasoneofthekindthatlikestogrowup.Intheendshegrewupofherownfreewilladayquickerthanothergirls.
Alltheboysweregrownupanddoneforbythistime;soitisscarcelyworthwhilesayinganythingmoreaboutthem.YoumayseethetwinsandNibsandCurlyanydaygoingtoanoffice,eachcarryingalittlebagandanumbrella.Michaelisanengine-driver.Slightlymarriedaladyoftitle,andsohebecamealord.Youseethatjudgeinawigcomingoutattheirondoor?ThatusedtobeTootles.Thebeardedmanwhodoesn’tknowanystorytotellhischildrenwasonceJohn.
Wendywasmarriedinwhitewithapinksash.ItisstrangetothinkthatPeterdidnotalightinthechurchandforbidthebanns.
Yearsrolledonagain,andWendyhadadaughter.Thisoughtnottobewrittenininkbutinagoldensplash.
