Пітер Пен і Венді

           Hedidnotknowthatthecrocodilewaswaitingforhim;forwepurposelystoppedtheclockthatthisknowledgemightbesparedhim:alittlemarkofrespectfromusattheend.

           Hehadonelasttriumph,whichIthinkweneednotgrudgehim.AshestoodonthebulwarklookingoverhisshoulderatPeterglidingthroughtheair,heinvitedhimwithagesturetousehisfoot.ItmadePeterkickinsteadofstab.

           AtlastHookhadgottheboonforwhichhecraved.

           ’Badform,’hecriedjeeringly,andwentcontenttothecrocodile.

           ThusperishedJamesHook.

           ’Seventeen,’Slightlysangout;buthewasnotquitecorrectinhisfigures.Fifteenpaidthepenaltyfortheircrimesthatnight;buttworeachedtheshore:Starkeytobecapturedbytheredskins,whomadehimnurseforalltheirpapooses,amelancholycome-downforapirate;andSmee,whohenceforthwanderedabouttheworldinhisspectacles,makingaprecariouslivingbysayinghewastheonlymanthatJas.Hookhadfeared.

           Wendy,ofcourse,hadstoodbytakingnopartinthefight,thoughwatchingPeterwithglisteningeyes;butnowthatallwasovershebecameprominentagain.Shepraisedthemequally,andshuddereddelightfullywhenMichaelshowedhertheplacewherehehadkilledone;andthenshetookthemintoHook’scabinandpointedtohiswatchwhichwashangingonanail.Itsaid’half-pastone’!

           Thelatenessofthehourwasalmostthebiggestthingofall.Shegotthemtobedinthepirates’bunksprettyquickly,youmaybesure;allbutPeter,whostruttedupanddownondeck,untilatlasthefellasleepbythesideofLongTom