Питер Пэн и Венди
The Shadow
Darlingslippedhisbehindhisback.
TherewasayellofragefromMichael,and’Ofather!’Wendyexclaimed.
’Whatdoyoumeanby"Ofather"?’Mr.Darlingdemanded.’Stopthatrow,Michael.Imeanttotakemine,butI—Imissedit.’
Itwasdreadfulthewayallthethreewerelookingathim,justasiftheydidnotadmirehim.’Lookhere,allofyou,’hesaidentreatingly,assoonasNanahadgoneintothebathroom,’Ihavejustthoughtofasplendidjoke.IshallpourmymedicineintoNana’sbowl,andshewilldrinkit,thinkingitismilk!’
Itwasthecolourofmilk;butthechildrendidnothavetheirfather’ssenseofhumour,andtheylookedathimreproachfullyashepouredthemedicineintoNana’sbowl.’Whatfun,’hesaiddoubtfully,andtheydidnotdareexposehimwhenMrs.DarlingandNanareturned.
’Nana,gooddog,’hesaid,pattingher,’Ihaveputalittlemilkintoyourbowl,Nana.’
Nanawaggedhertail,rantothemedicine,andbeganlappingit.ThenshegaveMr.Darlingsuchalook,notanangrylook:sheshowedhimthegreatredtearthatmakesussosorryfornobledogs,andcreptintoherkennel.
Mr.Darlingwasfrightfullyashamedofhimself,buthewouldnotgivein.InahorridsilenceMrs.Darlingsmeltthebowl.’OGeorge,’shesaid,’it’syourmedicine!’
’Itwasonlyajoke,’heroared,whileshecomfortedherboys,andWendyhuggedNana.’Muchgood,’hesaidbitterly,’mywearingmyselftothebonetryingtobefunnyinthishouse.’
AndstillWendyhuggedNana.’That’sright,’heshouted.’Coddleher!Nobodycoddlesme.
