Питер Пэн и Венди
When Wendy Grew Up
’IsMichaelasleep?’heasked,withacarelessglanceatJane.
’Yes,’sheanswered;andnowshefeltthatshewasuntruetoJaneaswellastoPeter.
’ThatisnotMichael,’shesaidquickly,lestajudgmentshouldfallonher.
Peterlooked.’Hullo,isitanewone?’
’Yes.’
’Boyorgirl?’
’Girl.’
Nowsurelyhewouldunderstand;butnotabitofit.
’Peter,’shesaid,faltering,’areyouexpectingmetoflyawaywithyou?’
’OfcoursethatiswhyIhavecome.’Headdedalittlesternly,’Haveyouforgottenthatthisisspring-cleaningtime?’
Sheknewitwasuselesstosaythathehadletmanyspring-cleaningtimespass.
’Ican’tcome,’shesaidapologetically,’Ihaveforgottenhowtofly.’
’I’llsoonteachyouagain.’
’OPeter,don’twastethefairydustonme.’
Shehadrisen;andnowatlastafearassailedhim.’Whatisit?’hecried,shrinking.
’Iwillturnupthelight,’shesaid,’andthenyoucanseeforyourself.’
ForalmosttheonlytimeinhislifethatIknowof,Peterwasafraid.’Don’tturnupthelight,’hecried.
Sheletherhandsplayinthehairofthetragicboy.Shewasnotalittlegirlheart-brokenabouthim;shewasagrownwomansmilingatitall,buttheywerewetsmiles.
Thensheturnedupthelight,andPetersaw.Hegaveacryofpain;andwhenthetallbeautifulcreaturestoopedtolifthiminherarmshedrewbacksharply.
’Whatisit?’hecriedagain.
Shehadtotellhim.
’Iamold,Peter.Iameversomuchmorethantwenty.Igrewuplongago.’
’Youpromisednotto!’
’Icouldn’thelpit.
