Питер Пэн и Венди
Come Away, Come Away!
’
NowWendywaseveryinchawoman,thoughtherewerenotverymanyinches,andshepeepedoutofthebedclothes.
’Doyoureallythinkso,Peter?’
’Yes,Ido.’
’Ithinkit’sperfectlysweetofyou,’shedeclared,’andI’llgetupagain’;andshesatwithhimonthesideofthebed.Shealsosaidshewouldgivehimakissifheliked,butPeterdidnotknowwhatshemeant,andheheldouthishandexpectantly.
’Surelyyouknowwhatakissis?’sheasked,aghast.
’Ishallknowwhenyougiveittome,’herepliedstiffly;andnottohurthisfeelingsshegavehimathimble.
’Now,’saidhe,’shallIgiveyouakiss?’andsherepliedwithaslightprimness,’Ifyouplease.’Shemadeherselfrathercheapbyincliningherfacetowardhim,buthemerelydroppedanacornbuttonintoherhand;sosheslowlyreturnedherfacetowhereithadbeenbefore,andsaidnicelythatshewouldwearhiskissonthechainroundherneck.Itwasluckythatshedidputitonthatchain,foritwasafterwardstosaveherlife.
Whenpeopleinoursetareintroduced,itiscustomaryforthemtoaskeachother’sage,andsoWendy,whoalwayslikedtodothecorrectthing,askedPeterhowoldhewas.Itwasnotreallyahappyquestiontoaskhim;itwaslikeanexaminationpaperthatasksgrammar,whenwhatyouwanttobeaskedisKingsofEngland.
’Idon’tknow,’hereplieduneasily,’butIamquiteyoung.’Hereallyknewnothingaboutit;hehadmerelysuspicions,buthesaidataventure,’Wendy,IranawaythedayIwasborn.
