Питер Пэн в Кенсингтонском Саду
Lock-Out Time
’ThewindowIflewoutatwillbeopen,’Petersaidconfidently.’MotheralwayskeepsitopeninthehopethatImayflyback.’
’Howdoyouknow?’theyasked,quitesurprised,and,really,Petercouldnotexplainhowheknew.
’Ijustdoknow,’hesaid.
Soashepersistedinhiswish,theyhadtograntit.Thewaytheygavehimpowertoflywasthis:Theyalltickledhimontheshoulder,andsoonhefeltafunnyitchinginthatpart,andthenupherosehigherandhigher,andflewawayoutoftheGardensandoverthehousetops.
ItwassodeliciousthatinsteadofflyingstraighttohisownhomeheskimmedawayoverSt.Paul’stotheCrystalPalaceandbackbytheriverandRegent’sPark,andbythetimehereachedhismother’swindowhehadquitemadeuphismindthathissecondwishshouldbetobecomeabird.
Thewindowwaswideopen,justasheknewitwouldbe,andinhefluttered,andtherewashismotherlyingasleep.Peteralightedsoftlyonthewoodenrailatthefootofthebedandhadagoodlookather.Shelaywithherheadonherhand,andthehollowinthepillowwaslikeanestlinedwithherbrownwavyhair.Heremembered,thoughhehadlongforgottenit,thatshealwaysgaveherhairaholidayatnight.Howsweetthefrillsofhernightgownwere!Hewasverygladshewassuchaprettymother.
Butshelookedsad,andheknewwhyshelookedsad.Oneofherarmsmovedasifitwantedtogoroundsomething,andheknewwhatitwantedtogoround.
’Omother!’saidPetertohimself,’ifyoujustknewwhoissittingontherailatthefootofthebed.’