Of course Mrs. Darling said at once that she would have them; but Mr.
Darling was curiously depressed, and they saw that he considered six a
rather large number.
I must say, he said to Wendy, that you don t do things by halves, a
grudging remark which the twins thought was pointed at them.
The first twin was the proud one, and he asked, flushing, Do you think
we should be too much of a handful, sir? Because, if so, we can go
away.
Father! Wendy cried, shocked; but still the cloud was on him. He knew
he was behaving unworthily, but he could not help it.
We could lie doubled up, said Nibs.
I always cut their hair myself, said Wendy.
George! Mrs. Darling exclaimed, pained to see her dear one showing
himself in such an unfavourable light.
Then he burst into tears, and the truth came out. He was as glad to
have them as she was, he said, but he thought they should have asked
his consent as well as hers, instead of treating him as a cypher in his
own house.
I don t think he is a cypher, Tootles cried instantly. Do you think
he is a cypher, Curly?
No, I don t. Do you think he is a cypher, Slightly?
Rather not. Twin, what do you think?
It turned out that not one of them thought him a cypher; and he was
absurdly gratified, and said he would find space for them all in the
drawing-room if they fitted in.
We ll fit in, sir, they assured him.
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