be sure, she did not mind noise, but she simply would not have them
grabbing things, and then excusing themselves by saying that Tootles
had pushed their elbow. There was a fixed rule that they must never hit
back at meals, but should refer the matter of dispute to Wendy by
raising the right arm politely and saying, I complain of so-and-so;
but what usually happened was that they forgot to do this or did it too
much.
Silence, cried Wendy when for the twentieth time she had told them
that they were not all to speak at once. Is your mug empty, Slightly
darling?
Not quite empty, mummy, Slightly said, after looking into an
imaginary mug.
He hasn t even begun to drink his milk, Nibs interposed.
This was telling, and Slightly seized his chance.
I complain of Nibs, he cried promptly.
John, however, had held up his hand first.
Well, John?
May I sit in Peter s chair, as he is not here?
Sit in father s chair, John! Wendy was scandalised. Certainly not.
He is not really our father, John answered. He didn t even know how
a father does till I showed him.
This was grumbling. We complain of John, cried the twins.
Tootles held up his hand. He was so much the humblest of them, indeed
he was the only humble one, that Wendy was specially gentle with him.
I don t suppose, Tootles said diffidently, that I could be father.
No, Tootles.
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