Come Away, Come Away!

           ForamomentafterMr.andMrs.Darlingleftthehousethenight-lightsbythebedsofthethreechildrencontinuedtoburnclearly.Theywereawfullynicelittlenight-lights,andonecannothelpwishingthattheycouldhavekeptawaketoseePeter;butWendy’slightblinkedandgavesuchayawnthattheothertwoyawnedalso,andbeforetheycouldclosetheirmouthsallthethreewentout.

           Therewasanotherlightintheroomnow,athousandtimesbrighterthanthenight-lights,andinthetimewehavetakentosaythis,ithasbeeninallthedrawersinthenursery,lookingforPeter’sshadow,rummagedthewardrobeandturnedeverypocketinsideout.Itwasnotreallyalight;itmadethislightbyflashingaboutsoquickly,butwhenitcametorestforasecondyousawitwasafairy,nolongerthanyourhand,butstillgrowing.ItwasagirlcalledTinkerBellexquisitelygownedinaskeletonleaf,cutlowandsquare,throughwhichherfigurecouldbeseentothebestadvantage.Shewasslightlyinclinedtoembonpoint.

           Amomentafterthefairy’sentrancethewindowwasblownopenbythebreathingofthelittlestars,andPeterdroppedin.HehadcarriedTinkerBellpartoftheway,andhishandwasstillmessywiththefairydust.

           ’TinkerBell,’hecalledsoftly,aftermakingsurethatthechildrenwereasleep,’Tink,whereareyou?’Shewasinajugforthemoment,andlikingitextremely;shehadneverbeeninajugbefore.

           ’Oh,docomeoutofthatjug,andtellme,doyouknowwheretheyputmyshadow?’

           Theloveliesttinkleasofgoldenbellsansweredhim.Itisthefairylanguage.