Питер Пэн и Венди
Come Away, Come Away!
’
Wendywasquitesurprised,butinterested;andsheindicatedinthecharmingdrawing-roommanner,byatouchonhernight-gown,thathecouldsitnearerher.
’ItwasbecauseIheardfatherandmother,’heexplainedinalowvoice,’talkingaboutwhatIwastobewhenIbecameaman.’Hewasextraordinarilyagitatednow.’Idon’twantevertobeaman,’hesaidwithpassion.’Iwantalwaystobealittleboyandtohavefun.SoIranawaytoKensingtonGardensandlivedalonglongtimeamongthefairies.’
Shegavehimalookofthemostintenseadmiration,andhethoughtitwasbecausehehadrunaway,butitwasreallybecauseheknewfairies.Wendyhadlivedsuchahomelifethattoknowfairiesstruckherasquitedelightful.Shepouredoutquestionsaboutthem,tohissurprise,fortheywereratheranuisancetohim,gettinginhiswayandsoon,andindeedhesometimeshadtogivethemahiding.Still,helikedthemonthewhole,andhetoldheraboutthebeginningoffairies.
’Yousee,Wendy,whenthefirstbabylaughedforthefirsttime,itslaughbrokeintoathousandpieces,andtheyallwentskippingabout,andthatwasthebeginningoffairies.’
Tedioustalkthis,butbeingastay-at-homeshelikedit.
’Andso,’hewentongood-naturedly,’thereoughttobeonefairyforeveryboyandgirl.’
’Oughttobe?Isn’tthere?’
’No.Youseechildrenknowsuchalotnow,theysoondon’tbelieveinfairies,andeverytimeachildsays,’Idon’tbelieveinfairies,’thereisafairysomewherethatfallsdowndead.
