Пітер Пен і Венді
Do You Believe In Fairies?
Butwhatwasthat?TheredinhiseyehadcaughtsightofPeter’smedicinestandingonaledgewithineasyreach.Hefathomedwhatitwasstraightway,andimmediatelyheknewthatthesleeperwasinhispower.
Lestheshouldbetakenalive,Hookalwayscarriedabouthispersonadreadfuldrug,blendedbyhimselfofallthedeath-dealingringsthathadcomeintohispossession.Thesehehadboileddownintoayellowliquidquiteunknowntoscience,whichwasprobablythemostvirulentpoisoninexistence.
FivedropsofthishenowaddedtoPeter’scup.Hishandshook,butitwasinexultationratherthaninshame.Ashediditheavoidedglancingatthesleeper,butnotlestpityshouldunnervehim;merelytoavoidspilling.Thenonelonggloatinglookhecastuponhisvictim,andturning,wormedhiswaywithdifficultyupthetree.Asheemergedatthetophelookedtheveryspiritofevilbreakingfromitshole.Donninghishatatitsmostrakishangle,hewoundhiscloakaroundhim,holdingoneendinfrontasiftoconcealhispersonfromthenight,ofwhichitwastheblackestpart,andmutteringstrangelytohimselfstoleawaythroughthetrees.
Peterslepton.Thelightgutteredandwentout,leavingthetenementindarkness;butstillheslept.Itmusthavebeennotlessthanteno’clockbythecrocodile,whenhesuddenlysatupinhisbed,wakenedbyheknewnotwhat.Itwasasoftcautioustappingonthedoorofhistree.
Softandcautious,butinthatstillnessitwassinister.Peterfeltforhisdaggertillhishandgrippedit.Thenhespoke.
