Пітер Пен і Венді
When Wendy Grew Up
ShewascalledJane,andalwayshadanoddinquiringlook,asiffromthemomentshearrivedonthemainlandshewantedtoaskquestions.WhenshewasoldenoughtoaskthemtheyweremostlyaboutPeterPan.ShelovedtohearofPeter,andWendytoldherallshecouldrememberintheverynurseryfromwhichthefamousflighthadtakenplace.ItwasJane’snurserynow,forherfatherhadboughtitatthethreepercents.fromWendy’sfather,whowasnolongerfondofstairs.Mrs.Darlingwasnowdeadandforgotten.
Therewereonlytwobedsinthenurserynow,Jane’sandhernurse’s;andtherewasnokennel,forNanaalsohadpassedaway.Shediedofoldage,andattheendshehadbeenratherdifficulttogetonwith;beingveryfirmlyconvincedthatnooneknewhowtolookafterchildrenexceptherself.
OnceaweekJane’snursehadhereveningoff;andthenitwasWendy’sparttoputJanetobed.Thatwasthetimeforstories.ItwasJane’sinventiontoraisethesheetoverhermother’sheadandherown,thusmakingatent,andintheawfuldarknesstowhisper:
’Whatdoweseenow?’
’Idon’tthinkIseeanythingto-night,’saysWendy,withafeelingthatifNanawerehereshewouldobjecttofurtherconversation.
’Yes,youdo,’saysJane,’youseewhenyouwerealittlegirl.’
’Thatisalongtimeago,sweetheart,’saysWendy.’Ahme,howtimeflies!’
’Doesitfly,’askstheartfulchild,’thewayyouflewwhenyouwerealittlegirl?’
’ThewayIflew!Doyouknow,Jane,IsometimeswonderwhetherIeverdidreallyfly.’
’Yes,youdid.
