«Peter Pan» kitabından alıntılar, sayfa 7

Misguided man though he [Hook] was, we may be glad, without sympathising with him, that in the end he was true to the traditions of his race. The other boys were flying around him now, flouting, scornful; and he staggered about the deck striking up at them impotently, his mind was no longer with them; it was slouching in the playing fields of long ago, or being sent up to the headmaster for good, or watching the wall-game from a famous wall. And his shoes were right, and his waistcoat was right, and his tie was right, and his socks were right.James Hook, thou not wholly unheroic figure, farewell. For we have come to his last moment.

"Shall we still be respectful subjects of the King?" John inquired. Through Hook's teeth came the answer:

"You would have to swear, `Down with the King.'"

Perhaps John had not behaved very well so far, but he shone out now.

"Then I refuse," he cried, banging the barrel in front of Hook.

"And I refuse," cried Michael.

"Rule Britannia!" squeaked Curly.

It must have been not less than ten o'clock by the crocodile, when he suddenly sat up in his bed, wakened by he knew not what.

"Tootles," she cried, "I appeal to you."

"I am just Tootles," he said, "and nobody minds me. But the first who does not behave to Wendy like an English gentleman I will blood him severely."

"There was once a gentleman--"

"I had rather he had been a lady," Curly said.

"I wish he had been a white rat," said Nibs.

Peter had a sudden idea.

"Perhaps Tink wants to be my mother?"

"You silly ass!" cried Tinker Bell in a passion. She had said it so often that Wendy needed no translation.

"I almost agree with her," Wendy snapped. Fancy Wendy snapping!

"Peter," she asked, trying to speak firmly, "what are your exact feelings to me?"

"Oh dear, oh dear," cried Wendy, "I'm sure I sometimes think that spinsters are to be envied."

Secretly Wendy sympathised with them a little, but she was far too loyal a housewife to listen to any complaints against father.

"Father knows best," she always said, whatever her private opinion must be. Her private opinion was that the redskins should not call her a squaw.

Every boy had adventures to tell; but perhaps the biggest adventure of all was that they were several hours late for bed.