The Shadow

           Mrs.Darlingscreamed,and,asifinanswertoabell,thedooropened,andNanaentered,returnedfromhereveningout.Shegrowledandsprangattheboy,wholeaptlightlythroughthewindow.AgainMrs.Darlingscreamed,thistimeindistressforhim,forshethoughthewaskilled,andsherandownintothestreettolookforhislittlebody,butitwasnotthere;andshelookedup,andintheblacknightshecouldseenothingbutwhatshethoughtwasashootingstar.

           Shereturnedtothenursery,andfoundNanawithsomethinginhermouth,whichprovedtobetheboy’sshadow.AsheleaptatthewindowNanahadcloseditquickly,toolatetocatchhim,buthisshadowhadnothadtimetogetout;slamwentthewindowandsnappeditoff.

           YoumaybesureMrs.Darlingexaminedtheshadowcarefully,butitwasquitetheordinarykind.

           Nanahadnodoubtofwhatwasthebestthingtodowiththisshadow.Shehungitoutatthewindow,meaning’Heissuretocomebackforit;letusputitwherehecangetiteasilywithoutdisturbingthechildren.’

           ButunfortunatelyMrs.Darlingcouldnotleaveithangingoutatthewindow;itlookedsolikethewashingandloweredthewholetoneofthehouse.ShethoughtofshowingittoMr.Darling,buthewastottingupwintergreatcoatsforJohnandMichael,withawettowelroundhisheadtokeephisbrainclear,anditseemedashametotroublehim;besides,sheknewexactlywhathewouldsay:’Itallcomesofhavingadogforanurse.’

           Shedecidedtorolltheshadowupandputitawaycarefullyinadrawer,untilafittingopportunitycamefortellingherhusband.