Питер Пэн и Венди
When Wendy Grew Up
Iamamarriedwoman,Peter.’
’No,you’renot.’
’Yes,andthelittlegirlinthebedismybaby.’
’No,she’snot.’
Buthesupposedshewas;andhetookasteptowardsthesleepingchildwithhisdaggerupraised.Ofcoursehedidnotstrike.Hesatdownonthefloorinsteadandsobbed;andWendydidnotknowhowtocomforthim,thoughshecouldhavedoneitsoeasilyonce.Shewasonlyawomannow,andsheranoutoftheroomtotrytothink.
Petercontinuedtocry,andsoonhissobswokeJane.Shesatupinbed,andwasinterestedatonce.
’Boy,’shesaid,’whyareyoucrying?’
Peterroseandbowedtoher,andshebowedtohimfromthebed.
’Hullo,’hesaid.
’Hullo,’saidJane.
’MynameisPeterPan,’hetoldher.
’Yes,Iknow.’
’Icamebackformymother,’heexplained;’totakehertotheNeverland.’
’Yes,Iknow,’Janesaid,’Ibeenwaitingforyou.’
WhenWendyreturneddiffidentlyshefoundPetersittingonthebed-postcrowinggloriously,whileJaneinhernightywasflyingroundtheroominsolemnecstasy.
’Sheismymother,’Peterexplained;andJanedescendedandstoodbyhisside,withthelookonherfacethathelikedtoseeonladieswhentheygazedathim.
’Hedoessoneedamother,’Janesaid.
’Yes,Iknow,’Wendyadmittedratherforlornly;’nooneknowsitsowellasI.’
’Good-bye,’saidPetertoWendy;andheroseintheair,andtheshamelessJanerosewithhim;itwasalreadyhereasiestwayofmovingabout.
Wendyrushedtothewindow.
’No,no,’shecried
