Пітер Пен і Венді
Peter Breaks Through
Occasionallyinhertravelsthroughherchildren’smindsMrs.Darlingfoundthingsshecouldnotunderstand,andofthesequitethemostperplexingwasthewordPeter.SheknewofnoPeter,andyethewashereandthereinJohnandMichael’sminds,whileWendy’sbegantobescrawledalloverwithhim.Thenamestoodoutinbolderlettersthananyoftheotherwords,andasMrs.Darlinggazedshefeltthatithadanoddlycockyappearance.
’Yes,heisrathercocky,’Wendyadmittedwithregret.Hermotherhadbeenquestioningher.
’Butwhoishe,mypet?’
’HeisPeterPan,youknow,mother.’
AtfirstMrs.Darlingdidnotknow,butafterthinkingbackintoherchildhoodshejustrememberedaPeterPanwhowassaidtolivewiththefairies.Therewereoddstoriesabouthim;asthatwhenchildrendiedhewentpartofthewaywiththem,sothattheyshouldnotbefrightened.Shehadbelievedinhimatthetime,butnowthatshewasmarriedandfullofsenseshequitedoubtedwhethertherewasanysuchperson.
’Besides,’shesaidtoWendy,’hewouldbegrownupbythistime.’
’Ohno,heisn’tgrownup,’Wendyassuredherconfidently,’andheisjustmysize.’Shemeantthathewashersizeinbothmindandbody;shedidn’tknowhowsheknewit,shejustknewit.
Mrs.DarlingconsultedMr.Darling,buthesmiledpooh-pooh.’Markmywords,’hesaid,’itissomenonsenseNanahasbeenputtingintotheirheads;justthesortofideaadogwouldhave.Leaveitalone,anditwillblowover.’
Butitwouldnotblowover;andsoonthetroublesomeboygaveMrs.Darlingquiteashock.