What do you mean by O father ? Mr. Darling demanded. Stop that row,
Michael. I meant to take mine, but I I missed it.
It was dreadful the way all the three were looking at him, just as if
they did not admire him. Look here, all of you, he said entreatingly,
as soon as Nana had gone into the bathroom. I have just thought of a
splendid joke. I shall pour my medicine into Nana s bowl, and she will
drink it, thinking it is milk!
It was the colour of milk; but the children did not have their father s
sense of humour, and they looked at him reproachfully as he poured the
medicine into Nana s bowl. What fun! he said doubtfully, and they did
not dare expose him when Mrs. Darling and Nana returned.
Nana, good dog, he said, patting her, I have put a little milk into
your bowl, Nana.
Nana wagged her tail, ran to the medicine, and began lapping it. Then
she gave Mr. Darling such a look, not an angry look: she showed him the
great red tear that makes us so sorry for noble dogs, and crept into
her kennel.
Mr. Darling was frightfully ashamed of himself, but he would not give
in. In a horrid silence Mrs. Darling smelt the bowl. O George, she
said, it s your medicine!
It was only a joke, he roared, while she comforted her boys, and
Wendy hugged Nana. Much good, he said bitterly, my wearing myself to
the bone trying to be funny in this house.
And still Wendy hugged Nana. That s right, he shouted. Coddle her!
Nobody coddles me. Oh dear no! I am only the breadwinner, why should I
be coddled why, why, why!
George, Mrs. Darling entreated him, not so loud; the servants will
hear you. Somehow they had got into the way of calling Liza the
servants.
Let them! he answered recklessly. Bring in the whole world. But I
refuse to allow that dog to lord it in my nursery for an hour longer.
17