meaning of it leaked out, and the great heart of the public was
touched. Crowds followed the cab, cheering it lustily; charming girls
scaled it to get his autograph; interviews appeared in the better class
of papers, and society invited him to dinner and added, Do come in the
kennel.
On that eventful Thursday week, Mrs. Darling was in the night-nursery
awaiting George s return home; a very sad-eyed woman. Now that we look
at her closely and remember the gaiety of her in the old days, all gone
now just because she has lost her babes, I find I won t be able to say
nasty things about her after all. If she was too fond of her rubbishy
children, she couldn t help it. Look at her in her chair, where she has
fallen asleep. The corner of her mouth, where one looks first, is
almost withered up. Her hand moves restlessly on her breast as if she
had a pain there. Some like Peter best, and some like Wendy best, but I
like her best. Suppose, to make her happy, we whisper to her in her
sleep that the brats are coming back. They are really within two miles
of the window now, and flying strong, but all we need whisper is that
they are on the way. Let s.
It is a pity we did it, for she has started up, calling their names;
and there is no one in the room but Nana.
O Nana, I dreamt my dear ones had come back.
Nana had filmy eyes, but all she could do was put her paw gently on her
mistress s lap; and they were sitting together thus when the kennel was
brought back. As Mr. Darling puts his head out to kiss his wife, we see
that his face is more worn than of yore, but has a softer expression.
He gave his hat to Liza, who took it scornfully; for she had no
imagination, and was quite incapable of understanding the motives of
such a man. Outside, the crowd who had accompanied the cab home were
still cheering, and he was naturally not unmoved.
Listen to them, he said; it is very gratifying.
Lots of little boys, sneered Liza.
There were several adults to-day, he assured her with a faint flush;
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