Пітер Пен і Венді
Do You Believe In Fairies?
’Besides,’saidPeter,quitebelievinghimself,’Ineverfellasleep.’
Heraisedthecup.Notimeforwordsnow;timefordeeds;andwithoneofherlightningmovementsTinkgotbetweenhislipsandthedraught,anddrainedittothedregs.
’Why,Tink,howdareyoudrinkmymedicine?’
Butshedidnotanswer.Alreadyshewasreelingintheair.
’Whatisthematterwithyou?’criedPeter,suddenlyafraid.
’Itwaspoisoned,Peter,’shetoldhimsoftly;’andnowIamgoingtobedead.’
’OTink,didyoudrinkittosaveme?’
’Yes.’
’Butwhy,Tink?’
Herwingswouldscarcelycarryhernow,butinreplyshealightedonhisshoulderandgavehischinalovingbite.Shewhisperedinhisear’Yousillyass’;andthen,totteringtoherchamber,laydownonthebed.
Hisheadalmostfilledthefourthwallofherlittleroomashekneltnearherindistress.Everymomentherlightwasgrowingfainter;andheknewthatifitwentoutshewouldbenomore.Shelikedhistearssomuchthatsheputoutherbeautifulfingerandletthemrunoverit.
Hervoicewassolowthatatfirsthecouldnotmakeoutwhatshesaid.Thenhemadeitout.Shewassayingthatshethoughtshecouldgetwellagainifchildrenbelievedinfairies.
Peterflungouthisarms.Therewerenochildrenthere,anditwasnight-time;butheaddressedallwhomightbedreamingoftheNeverland,andwhowerethereforenearertohimthanyouthink:boysandgirlsintheirnighties,andnakedpapoosesintheirbasketshungfromtrees.
’Doyoubelieve?’hecried.
Tinksatupinbedalmostbrisklytolistentoherfate.
