Питер Пэн в Кенсингтонском Саду
Peter’s Goat
’Ifshedoesn’tbaryouout,’saidPeterhuskily.
’Thedoor,’repliedMaimie,’willalways,alwaysbeopen,andmotherwillalwaysbewaitingatitforme.’
’Then,’saidPeter,notwithoutgrimness,’stepin,ifyoufeelsosureofher,’andhehelpedMaimieintotheThrush’sNest.
’Butwhydon’tyoulookatme?’sheasked,takinghimbythearm.
Petertriedhardnottolook,hetriedtopushoff,thenhegaveagreatgulpandjumpedashoreandsatdownmiserablyinthesnow.
Shewenttohim.’Whatisit,dear,dearPeter?’shesaid,wondering.
’OMaimie,’hecried,’itisn’tfairtotakeyouwithmeifyouthinkyoucangoback!Yourmother’—hegulpedagain—’youdon’tknowthemaswellasIdo.’
Andthenhetoldherthewoefulstoryofhowhehadbeenbarredout,andshegaspedallthetime.’Butmymother,’shesaid,’mymother——’
’Yes,shewould,’saidPeter,’theyareallthesame.Idaresaysheislookingforanotheronealready.’
Maimiesaidaghast,’Ican’tbelieveit.Yousee,whenyouwentawayyourmotherhadnone,butmymotherhasTony,andsurelytheyaresatisfiedwhentheyhaveone.’
Peterrepliedbitterly,’YoushouldseethelettersSolomongetsfromladieswhohavesix.’
