Питер Пэн и Венди

           Occasionallyinhertravelsthroughherchildren’smindsMrs.Darlingfoundthingsshecouldnotunderstand,andofthesequitethemostperplexingwasthewordPeter.SheknewofnoPeter,andyethewashereandthereinJohnandMichael’sminds,whileWendy’sbegantobescrawledalloverwithhim.Thenamestoodoutinbolderlettersthananyoftheotherwords,andasMrs.Darlinggazedshefeltthatithadanoddlycockyappearance.

           ’Yes,heisrathercocky,’Wendyadmittedwithregret.Hermotherhadbeenquestioningher.

           ’Butwhoishe,mypet?’

           ’HeisPeterPan,youknow,mother.’

           AtfirstMrs.Darlingdidnotknow,butafterthinkingbackintoherchildhoodshejustrememberedaPeterPanwhowassaidtolivewiththefairies.Therewereoddstoriesabouthim;asthatwhenchildrendiedhewentpartofthewaywiththem,sothattheyshouldnotbefrightened.Shehadbelievedinhimatthetime,butnowthatshewasmarriedandfullofsenseshequitedoubtedwhethertherewasanysuchperson.

           ’Besides,’shesaidtoWendy,’hewouldbegrownupbythistime.’

           ’Ohno,heisn’tgrownup,’Wendyassuredherconfidently,’andheisjustmysize.’Shemeantthathewashersizeinbothmindandbody;shedidn’tknowhowsheknewit,shejustknewit.

           Mrs.DarlingconsultedMr.Darling,buthesmiledpooh-pooh.’Markmywords,’hesaid,’itissomenonsenseNanahasbeenputtingintotheirheads;justthesortofideaadogwouldhave.Leaveitalone,anditwillblowover.’

           Butitwouldnotblowover;andsoonthetroublesomeboygaveMrs.Darlingquiteashock.