Пітер Пен і Венді
Do You Believe In Fairies?
Onearmdroppedovertheedgeofthebed,onelegwasarched,andtheunfinishedpartofhislaughwasstrandedonhismouth,whichwasopen,showingthelittlepearls.
ThusdefencelessHookfoundhim.Hestoodsilentatthefootofthetreelookingacrossthechamberathisenemy.Didnofeelingofcompassiondisturbhissombrebreast?Themanwasnotwhollyevil;helovedflowers(Ihavebeentold)andsweetmusic(hewashimselfnomeanperformerontheharpsichord);and,letitbefranklyadmitted,theidyllicnatureofthescenestirredhimprofoundly.Masteredbyhisbetterselfhewouldhavereturnedreluctantlyupthetree,butforonething.
WhatstayedhimwasPeter’simpertinentappearanceasheslept.Theopenmouth,thedroopingarm,thearchedknee:theyweresuchapersonificationofcockinessas,takentogether,willneveragainonemayhopebepresentedtoeyessosensitivetotheiroffensiveness.TheysteeledHook’sheart.Ifhisragehadbrokenhimintoahundredpieceseveryoneofthemwouldhavedisregardedtheincident,andleaptatthesleeper.
ThoughalightfromtheonelampshonedimlyonthebedHookstoodindarknesshimself,andatthefirststealthystepforwardhediscoveredanobstacle,thedoorofSlightly’stree.Itdidnotentirelyfilltheaperture,andhehadbeenlookingoverit.Feelingforthecatch,hefoundtohisfurythatitwaslowdown,beyondhisreach.TohisdisorderedbrainitseemedthenthattheirritatingqualityinPeter’sfaceandfigurevisiblyincreased,andherattledthedoorandflunghimselfagainstit.Washisenemytoescapehimafterall.
