The door opened and a lady came out. It was Wendy. They all whipped off
their hats.
She looked properly surprised, and this was just how they had hoped she
would look.
Where am I? she said.
Of course Slightly was the first to get his word in. Wendy lady, he
said rapidly, for you we built this house.
Oh, say you re pleased, cried Nibs.
Lovely, darling house, Wendy said, and they were the very words they
had hoped she would say.
And we are your children, cried the twins.
Then all went on their knees, and holding out their arms cried, O
Wendy lady, be our mother.
Ought I? Wendy said, all shining. Of course it s frightfully
fascinating, but you see I am only a little girl. I have no real
experience.
That doesn t matter, said Peter, as if he were the only person
present who knew all about it, though he was really the one who knew
least. What we need is just a nice motherly person.
Oh dear! Wendy said, you see, I feel that is exactly what I am.
It is, it is, they all cried; we saw it at once.
Very well, she said, I will do my best. Come inside at once, you
naughty children; I am sure your feet are damp. And before I put you to
bed I have just time to finish the story of Cinderella.
In they went; I don t know how there was room for them, but you can
squeeze very tight in the Neverland. And that was the first of the many
65