Белая птичка
The Thrush’s Nest
Youmustnotthink,however,thathewasacoward,forhecamebacknextnightwithacrustinonehandandastickintheother,buttheperambulatorhadgone,andheneversawanotherone.Ihavepromisedtotellyoualsoabouthispaddle.Itwasachild’sspadewhichhehadfoundnearSt.Govor’sWell,andhethoughtitwasapaddle.
DoyoupityPeterPanformakingthesemistakes?Ifso,Ithinkitrathersillyofyou.WhatImeanisthat,ofcourse,onemustpityhimnowandthen,buttopityhimallthetimewouldbeimpertinence.HethoughthehadthemostsplendidtimeintheGardens,andtothinkyouhaveitisalmostquiteasgoodasreallytohaveit.Heplayedwithoutceasing,whileyouoftenwastetimebybeingmad-dogorMary-Annish.Hecouldbeneitherofthesethings,forhehadneverheardofthem,butdoyouthinkheistobepitiedforthat?
Oh,hewasmerry.Hewasasmuchmerrierthanyou,forinstance,asyouaremerrierthanyourfather.Sometimeshefell,likeaspinning-top,fromsheermerriment.HaveyouseenagreyhoundleapingthefencesoftheGardens?ThatishowPeterleapsthem.
Andthinkofthemusicofhispipe.GentlemenwhowalkhomeatnightwritetothepaperstosaytheyheardanightingaleintheGardens,butitisreallyPeter’spipetheyhear.Ofcourse,hehadnomother—atleast,whatusewasshetohim?Youcanbesorryforhimforthat,butdon’tbetoosorry,forthenextthingImeantotellyouishowherevisitedher.Itwasthefairieswhogavehimthechance.
