Питер Пэн и Венди
The Mermaids’ Lagoon
’Wewillseizethechildrenandcarrythemtotheboat:theboyswewillmakewalktheplank,andWendyshallbeourmother.’
AgainWendyforgotherself.
’Never!’shecried,andbobbed.
’Whatwasthat?’
Buttheycouldseenothing.Theythoughtitmusthavebeenbutaleafinthewind.’Doyouagree,mybullies?’askedHook.
’Thereismyhandonit,’theybothsaid.
’Andthereismyhook.Swear.’
’Theyallswore.Bythistimetheywereontherock,andsuddenlyHookrememberedTigerLily.
’Whereistheredskin?’hedemandedabruptly.
Hehadaplayfulhumouratmoments,andtheythoughtthiswasoneofthemoments.
’Thatisallright,captain,’Smeeansweredcomplacently;’welethergo.’
’Lethergo!’criedHook.
’’Twasyourownorders,’thebo’sunfaltered.
’Youcalledoverthewatertoustolethergo,’saidStarkey.
’Brimstoneandgall,’thunderedHook,’whatcozeningishere?’Hisfacehadgoneblackwithrage,buthesawthattheybelievedtheirwords,andhewasstartled.’Lads,’hesaid,shakingalittle,’Igavenosuchorder.’
’Itispassingqueer,’Smeesaid,andtheyallfidgeteduncomfortably.Hookraisedhisvoice,buttherewasaquiverinit.
’Spiritthathauntsthisdarklagoonto-night,’hecried,’dosthearme?’
OfcoursePetershouldhavekeptquiet,butofcoursehedidnot.HeimmediatelyansweredinHook’svoice:
’Odds,bobs,hammerandtongs,Ihearyou.’
InthatsuprememomentHookdidnotblanch,evenatthegills,butSmeeandStarkeyclungtoeachotherinterror.
