Reading Help Peter-pan BY J. M. BARRIE
"Michael!" `
` `
` "Tell her to go away at once, Peter," the three cried `
` simultaneously, but he refused. `
` `
` "She thinks we have lost the way," he replied stiffly, "and she `
` is rather frightened. You don't think I would send her away all `
` by herself when she is frightened!" `
` `
` For a moment the circle of light was broken, and something gave `
` Peter a loving little pinch. `
` `
` "Then tell her," Wendy begged, "to put out her light." `
` `
` "She can't put it out. That is about the only thing fairies `
` can't do. It just goes out of itself when she falls asleep, same `
` as the stars." `
` `
` "Then tell her to sleep at once," John almost ordered. `
` `
` "She can't sleep except when she's sleepy. It is the only `
` other thing fairies can't do." `
` `
` "Seems to me," growled John, "these are the only two things `
` worth doing." `
` `
` Here he got a pinch, but not a loving one. `
` `
` "If only one of us had a pocket," Peter said, "we could carry `
` her in it." However, they had set off in such a hurry that there `
` was not a pocket between the four of them. `
` `
` He had a happy idea. John's hat! `
` `
` Tink agreed to travel by hat if it was carried in the hand. `
` John carried it, though she had hoped to be carried by Peter. `
` Presently Wendy took the hat, because John said it struck against `
` his knee as he flew; and this, as we shall see, led to mischief, `
` for Tinker Bell hated to be under an obligation to Wendy. `
` `
` In the black topper the light was completely hidden, and they `
` flew on in silence. It was the stillest silence they had ever `
` known, broken once by a distant lapping, which Peter explained `
` was the wild beasts drinking at the ford, and again by a rasping `
` sound that might have been the branches of trees rubbing `
` together, but he said it was the redskins sharpening their `
` knives. `
` `
` Even these noises ceased. To Michael the loneliness was `
` dreadful. "If only something would make a sound!" he cried. `
` `
` As if in answer to his request, the air was rent by the most `
` tremendous crash he had ever heard. The pirates had fired Long `
` Tom at them. `
` `
` The roar of it echoed through the mountains, and the echoes `
` seemed to cry savagely, "Where are they, where are they, where `
` are they?" `
` `
` Thus sharply did the terrified three learn the difference `
` between an island of make-believe and the same island come true. `
` `
` When at last the heavens were steady again, John and Michael `
` found themselves alone in the darkness. John was treading the `
` air mechanically, and Michael without knowing how to float was `
` floating. `
` `
` "Are you shot?" John whispered tremulously. `
` `
` "I haven't tried [myself out] yet," Michael whispered back. `
` `
` We know now that no one had been hit. Peter, however, had been `
` carried by the wind of the shot far out to sea, while Wendy was `
` blown upwards with no companion but Tinker Bell. `
` `
` It would have been well for Wendy if at that moment she had `
` dropped the hat. `
` `
` I don't know whether the idea came suddenly to Tink, or whether `
` she had planned it on the way, but she at once popped out of the `
` hat and began to lure Wendy to her destruction. `
` `
` `
` Tink was not all bad; or, rather, she was all bad just now, `
` but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have `
` to be one thing or the other, because being so small they `
` unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They `
` are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete `
` change. At present she was full of jealousy of Wendy. What she `
` said in her lovely tinkle Wendy could not of course understand, `
` and I believe some of it was bad words, but it sounded kind, and `
` she flew back and forward, plainly meaning "Follow me, and all `
` will be well." `
` `
` What else could poor Wendy do? She called to Peter and John `
` and Michael, and got only mocking echoes in reply. She did not `
` yet know that Tink hated her with the fierce hatred of a very `
` woman. And so, bewildered, and now staggering in her flight, she `
` followed Tink to her doom. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 5 `
` `
` THE ISLAND COME TRUE `
` `
` `
` Feeling that Peter was on his way back, the Neverland had again `
` woke into life. We ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened, `
` but woke is better and was always used by Peter. `
` `
` In his absence things are usually quiet on the island. The `
` fairies take an hour longer in the morning, the beasts attend to `
` their young, the redskins feed heavily for six days and nights, `
` and when pirates and lost boys meet they merely bite their thumbs `
` at each other. But with the coming of Peter, who hates lethargy, `
` they are under way again: if you put your ear to the ground now, `
` you would hear the whole island seething with life. `
` `
` On this evening the chief forces of the island were disposed as `
` follows. The lost boys were out looking for Peter, the pirates `
` were out looking for the lost boys, the redskins were out looking `
` for the pirates, and the beasts were out looking for the `
` redskins. They were going round and round the island, but they `
` did not meet because all were going at the same rate. `
` `
` All wanted blood except the boys, who liked it as a rule, but `
` to-night were out to greet their captain. The boys on the `
` island vary, of course, in numbers, according as they get killed `
` and so on; and when they seem to be growing up, which is against `
` the rules, Peter thins them out; but at this time there were six `
` of them, counting the twins as two. Let us pretend to lie here `
` among the sugar-cane and watch them as they steal by in single `
` file, each with his hand on his dagger. `
` `
` They are forbidden by Peter to look in the least like him, and `
` they wear the skins of the bears slain by themselves, in which `
` they are so round and furry that when they fall they roll. They `
` have therefore become very sure-footed. `
` `
` The first to pass is Tootles, not the least brave but the most `
` unfortunate of all that gallant band. He had been in fewer `
` adventures than any of them, because the big things constantly `
` happened just when he had stepped round the corner; all would be `
` quiet, he would take the opportunity of going off to gather a few `
` sticks for firewood, and then when he returned the others would `
` be sweeping up the blood. This ill-luck had given a gentle `
` melancholy to his countenance, but instead of souring his nature `
` had sweetened it, so that he was quite the humblest of the boys. `
` Poor kind Tootles, there is danger in the air for you to-night. `
` Take care lest an adventure is now offered you, which, if `
` accepted, will plunge you in deepest woe. Tootles, the fairy `
` Tink, who is bent on mischief this night is looking for a `
` tool [for doing her mischief], and she thinks you are the `
` most easily tricked of the boys. 'Ware Tinker Bell. `
` `
` Would that he could hear us, but we are not really on the `
` island, and he passes by, biting his knuckles. `
` `
` Next comes Nibs, the gay and debonair, followed by Slightly, `
` who cuts whistles out of the trees and dances ecstatically to his `
` own tunes. Slightly is the most conceited of the boys. He `
` thinks he remembers the days before he was lost, with their `
` manners and customs, and this has given his nose an offensive `
` tilt. Curly is fourth; he is a pickle, [a person who gets in `
` pickles-predicaments] and so often has he had to deliver up his `
` person when Peter said sternly, "Stand forth the one who did this `
` thing," that now at the command he stands forth automatically `
` whether he has done it or not. Last come the Twins, who cannot `
` be described because we should be sure to be describing the wrong `
` one. Peter never quite knew what twins were, and his band were `
` not allowed to know anything he did not know, so these two were `
` always vague about themselves, and did their best to give `
` satisfaction by keeping close together in an apologetic sort of `
` way. `
` `
` The boys vanish in the gloom, and after a pause, but not a long `
` pause, for things go briskly on the island, come the pirates on `
` their track. We hear them before they are seen, and it is always `
` the same dreadful song: `
` `
` `
` "Avast belay, yo ho, heave to, `
` A-pirating we go, `
` And if we're parted by a shot `
` We're sure to meet below!" `
` `
` `
` A more villainous-looking lot never hung in a row on Execution `
` dock. Here, a little in advance, ever and again with his head to `
` the ground listening, his great arms bare, pieces of eight in his `
` ears as ornaments, is the handsome Italian Cecco, who cut his `
` name in letters of blood on the back of the governor of the `
` prison at Gao. That gigantic black behind him has had many `
` names since he dropped the one with which dusky mothers still `
` terrify their children on the banks of the Guadjo-mo. Here is `
` Bill Jukes, every inch of him tattooed, the same Bill Jukes who `
` got six dozen on the WALRUS from Flint before he would drop the `
` bag of moidores [Portuguese gold pieces]; and Cookson, said to be `
` Black Murphy's brother (but this was never proved), and Gentleman `
` Starkey, once an usher in a public school and still dainty in his `
`
` `
` "Tell her to go away at once, Peter," the three cried `
` simultaneously, but he refused. `
` `
` "She thinks we have lost the way," he replied stiffly, "and she `
` is rather frightened. You don't think I would send her away all `
` by herself when she is frightened!" `
` `
` For a moment the circle of light was broken, and something gave `
` Peter a loving little pinch. `
` `
` "Then tell her," Wendy begged, "to put out her light." `
` `
` "She can't put it out. That is about the only thing fairies `
` can't do. It just goes out of itself when she falls asleep, same `
` as the stars." `
` `
` "Then tell her to sleep at once," John almost ordered. `
` `
` "She can't sleep except when she's sleepy. It is the only `
` other thing fairies can't do." `
` `
` "Seems to me," growled John, "these are the only two things `
` worth doing." `
` `
` Here he got a pinch, but not a loving one. `
` `
` "If only one of us had a pocket," Peter said, "we could carry `
` her in it." However, they had set off in such a hurry that there `
` was not a pocket between the four of them. `
` `
` He had a happy idea. John's hat! `
` `
` Tink agreed to travel by hat if it was carried in the hand. `
` John carried it, though she had hoped to be carried by Peter. `
` Presently Wendy took the hat, because John said it struck against `
` his knee as he flew; and this, as we shall see, led to mischief, `
` for Tinker Bell hated to be under an obligation to Wendy. `
` `
` In the black topper the light was completely hidden, and they `
` flew on in silence. It was the stillest silence they had ever `
` known, broken once by a distant lapping, which Peter explained `
` was the wild beasts drinking at the ford, and again by a rasping `
` sound that might have been the branches of trees rubbing `
` together, but he said it was the redskins sharpening their `
` knives. `
` `
` Even these noises ceased. To Michael the loneliness was `
` dreadful. "If only something would make a sound!" he cried. `
` `
` As if in answer to his request, the air was rent by the most `
` tremendous crash he had ever heard. The pirates had fired Long `
` Tom at them. `
` `
` The roar of it echoed through the mountains, and the echoes `
` seemed to cry savagely, "Where are they, where are they, where `
` are they?" `
` `
` Thus sharply did the terrified three learn the difference `
` between an island of make-believe and the same island come true. `
` `
` When at last the heavens were steady again, John and Michael `
` found themselves alone in the darkness. John was treading the `
` air mechanically, and Michael without knowing how to float was `
` floating. `
` `
` "Are you shot?" John whispered tremulously. `
` `
` "I haven't tried [myself out] yet," Michael whispered back. `
` `
` We know now that no one had been hit. Peter, however, had been `
` carried by the wind of the shot far out to sea, while Wendy was `
` blown upwards with no companion but Tinker Bell. `
` `
` It would have been well for Wendy if at that moment she had `
` dropped the hat. `
` `
` I don't know whether the idea came suddenly to Tink, or whether `
` she had planned it on the way, but she at once popped out of the `
` hat and began to lure Wendy to her destruction. `
` `
` `
` Tink was not all bad; or, rather, she was all bad just now, `
` but, on the other hand, sometimes she was all good. Fairies have `
` to be one thing or the other, because being so small they `
` unfortunately have room for one feeling only at a time. They `
` are, however, allowed to change, only it must be a complete `
` change. At present she was full of jealousy of Wendy. What she `
` said in her lovely tinkle Wendy could not of course understand, `
` and I believe some of it was bad words, but it sounded kind, and `
` she flew back and forward, plainly meaning "Follow me, and all `
` will be well." `
` `
` What else could poor Wendy do? She called to Peter and John `
` and Michael, and got only mocking echoes in reply. She did not `
` yet know that Tink hated her with the fierce hatred of a very `
` woman. And so, bewildered, and now staggering in her flight, she `
` followed Tink to her doom. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 5 `
` `
` THE ISLAND COME TRUE `
` `
` `
` Feeling that Peter was on his way back, the Neverland had again `
` woke into life. We ought to use the pluperfect and say wakened, `
` but woke is better and was always used by Peter. `
` `
` In his absence things are usually quiet on the island. The `
` fairies take an hour longer in the morning, the beasts attend to `
` their young, the redskins feed heavily for six days and nights, `
` and when pirates and lost boys meet they merely bite their thumbs `
` at each other. But with the coming of Peter, who hates lethargy, `
` they are under way again: if you put your ear to the ground now, `
` you would hear the whole island seething with life. `
` `
` On this evening the chief forces of the island were disposed as `
` follows. The lost boys were out looking for Peter, the pirates `
` were out looking for the lost boys, the redskins were out looking `
` for the pirates, and the beasts were out looking for the `
` redskins. They were going round and round the island, but they `
` did not meet because all were going at the same rate. `
` `
` All wanted blood except the boys, who liked it as a rule, but `
` to-night were out to greet their captain. The boys on the `
` island vary, of course, in numbers, according as they get killed `
` and so on; and when they seem to be growing up, which is against `
` the rules, Peter thins them out; but at this time there were six `
` of them, counting the twins as two. Let us pretend to lie here `
` among the sugar-cane and watch them as they steal by in single `
` file, each with his hand on his dagger. `
` `
` They are forbidden by Peter to look in the least like him, and `
` they wear the skins of the bears slain by themselves, in which `
` they are so round and furry that when they fall they roll. They `
` have therefore become very sure-footed. `
` `
` The first to pass is Tootles, not the least brave but the most `
` unfortunate of all that gallant band. He had been in fewer `
` adventures than any of them, because the big things constantly `
` happened just when he had stepped round the corner; all would be `
` quiet, he would take the opportunity of going off to gather a few `
` sticks for firewood, and then when he returned the others would `
` be sweeping up the blood. This ill-luck had given a gentle `
` melancholy to his countenance, but instead of souring his nature `
` had sweetened it, so that he was quite the humblest of the boys. `
` Poor kind Tootles, there is danger in the air for you to-night. `
` Take care lest an adventure is now offered you, which, if `
` accepted, will plunge you in deepest woe. Tootles, the fairy `
` Tink, who is bent on mischief this night is looking for a `
` tool [for doing her mischief], and she thinks you are the `
` most easily tricked of the boys. 'Ware Tinker Bell. `
` `
` Would that he could hear us, but we are not really on the `
` island, and he passes by, biting his knuckles. `
` `
` Next comes Nibs, the gay and debonair, followed by Slightly, `
` who cuts whistles out of the trees and dances ecstatically to his `
` own tunes. Slightly is the most conceited of the boys. He `
` thinks he remembers the days before he was lost, with their `
` manners and customs, and this has given his nose an offensive `
` tilt. Curly is fourth; he is a pickle, [a person who gets in `
` pickles-predicaments] and so often has he had to deliver up his `
` person when Peter said sternly, "Stand forth the one who did this `
` thing," that now at the command he stands forth automatically `
` whether he has done it or not. Last come the Twins, who cannot `
` be described because we should be sure to be describing the wrong `
` one. Peter never quite knew what twins were, and his band were `
` not allowed to know anything he did not know, so these two were `
` always vague about themselves, and did their best to give `
` satisfaction by keeping close together in an apologetic sort of `
` way. `
` `
` The boys vanish in the gloom, and after a pause, but not a long `
` pause, for things go briskly on the island, come the pirates on `
` their track. We hear them before they are seen, and it is always `
` the same dreadful song: `
` `
` `
` "Avast belay, yo ho, heave to, `
` A-pirating we go, `
` And if we're parted by a shot `
` We're sure to meet below!" `
` `
` `
` A more villainous-looking lot never hung in a row on Execution `
` dock. Here, a little in advance, ever and again with his head to `
` the ground listening, his great arms bare, pieces of eight in his `
` ears as ornaments, is the handsome Italian Cecco, who cut his `
` name in letters of blood on the back of the governor of the `
` prison at Gao. That gigantic black behind him has had many `
` names since he dropped the one with which dusky mothers still `
` terrify their children on the banks of the Guadjo-mo. Here is `
` Bill Jukes, every inch of him tattooed, the same Bill Jukes who `
` got six dozen on the WALRUS from Flint before he would drop the `
` bag of moidores [Portuguese gold pieces]; and Cookson, said to be `
` Black Murphy's brother (but this was never proved), and Gentleman `
` Starkey, once an usher in a public school and still dainty in his `
`