Reading Help Peter-pan BY J. M. BARRIE
this extraordinary man. Elation must have been in his heart, but `
` his face did not reflect it: ever a dark and solitary enigma, he `
` stood aloof from his followers in spirit as in substance. `
` `
` The night's work was not yet over, for it was not the redskins `
` he had come out to destroy; they were but the bees to be smoked, `
` so that he should get at the honey. It was Pan he wanted, Pan `
` and Wendy and their band, but chiefly Pan. `
` `
` Peter was such a small boy that one tends to wonder at the `
` man's hatred of him. True he had flung Hook's arm to the `
` crocodile, but even this and the increased insecurity of life to `
` which it led, owing to the crocodile's pertinacity [persistance], `
` hardly account for a vindictiveness so relentless and malignant. `
` The truth is that there was a something about Peter which goaded `
` the pirate captain to frenzy. It was not his courage, it was not `
` his engaging appearance, it was not --. There is no beating about `
` the bush, for we know quite well what it was, and have got to `
` tell. It was Peter's cockiness. `
` `
` This had got on Hook's nerves; it made his iron claw twitch, `
` and at night it disturbed him like an insect. While Peter lived, `
` the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a `
` sparrow had come. `
` `
` The question now was how to get down the trees, or how to get `
` his dogs down? He ran his greedy eyes over them, searching for `
` the thinnest ones. They wriggled uncomfortably, for they knew he `
` would not scruple [hesitate] to ram them down with poles. `
` `
` In the meantime, what of the boys? We have seen them at the `
` first clang of the weapons, turned as it were into stone figures, `
` open-mouthed, all appealing with outstretched arms to Peter; and `
` we return to them as their mouths close, and their arms fall to `
` their sides. The pandemonium above has ceased almost as suddenly `
` as it arose, passed like a fierce gust of wind; but they know `
` that in the passing it has determined their fate. `
` `
` Which side had won? `
` `
` The pirates, listening avidly at the mouths of the trees, `
` heard the question put by every boy, and alas, they also heard `
` Peter's answer. `
` `
` "If the redskins have won," he said, "they will beat the tom- `
` tom; it is always their sign of victory." `
` `
` Now Smee had found the tom-tom, and was at that moment sitting `
` on it. "You will never hear the tom-tom again," he muttered, but `
` inaudibly of course, for strict silence had been enjoined `
` [urged]. To his amazement Hook signed him to beat the tom-tom, `
` and slowly there came to Smee an understanding of the dreadful `
` wickedness of the order. Never, probably, had this simple man `
` admired Hook so much. `
` `
` Twice Smee beat upon the instrument, and then stopped to listen `
` gleefully. `
` `
` "The tom-tom," the miscreants heard Peter cry; "an Indian `
` victory!" `
` `
` The doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the `
` black hearts above, and almost immediately they repeated their `
` good-byes to Peter. This puzzled the pirates, but all their `
` other feelings were swallowed by a base delight that the enemy `
` were about to come up the trees. They smirked at each other and `
` rubbed their hands. Rapidly and silently Hook gave his orders: `
` one man to each tree, and the others to arrange themselves in a `
` line two yards apart. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` `
` DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES? `
` `
` `
` The more quickly this horror is disposed of the better. The `
` first to emerge from his tree was Curly. He rose out of it into `
` the arms of Cecco, who flung him to Smee, who flung him to `
` Starkey, who flung him to Bill Jukes, who flung him to Noodler, `
` and so he was tossed from one to another till he fell at the feet `
` of the black pirate. All the boys were plucked from their trees `
` in this ruthless manner; and several of them were in the air `
` at a time, like bales of goods flung from hand to hand. `
` `
` A different treatment was accorded to Wendy, who came last. `
` With ironical politeness Hook raised his hat to her, and, `
` offering her his arm, escorted her to the spot where the others `
` were being gagged. He did it with such an air, he was so `
` frightfully DISTINGUE [imposingly distinguished], that she was `
` too fascinated to cry out. She was only a little girl. `
` `
` Perhaps it is tell-tale to divulge that for a moment Hook `
` entranced her, and we tell on her only because her slip led to `
` strange results. Had she haughtily unhanded him (and we should `
` have loved to write it of her), she would have been hurled `
` through the air like the others, and then Hook would probably not `
` have been present at the tying of the children; and had he not `
` been at the tying he would not have discovered Slightly's `
` secret, and without the secret he could not presently have made `
` his foul attempt on Peter's life. `
` `
` They were tied to prevent their flying away, doubled up with `
` their knees close to their ears; and for the trussing of them the `
` black pirate had cut a rope into nine equal pieces. All went `
` well until Slightly's turn came, when he was found to be like `
` those irritating parcels that use up all the string in going `
` round and leave no tags [ends] with which to tie a knot. The `
` pirates kicked him in their rage, just as you kick the parcel `
` (though in fairness you should kick the string); and strange to `
` say it was Hook who told them to belay their violence. His lip `
` was curled with malicious triumph. While his dogs were merely `
` sweating because every time they tried to pack the unhappy lad `
` tight in one part he bulged out in another, Hook's master mind `
` had gone far beneath Slightly's surface, probing not for effects `
` but for causes; and his exultation showed that he had found them. `
` Slightly, white to the gills, knew that Hook had surprised `
` [discovered] his secret, which was this, that no boy so blown out `
` could use a tree wherein an average man need stick. Poor `
` Slightly, most wretched of all the children now, for he was in a `
` panic about Peter, bitterly regretted what he had done. Madly `
` addicted to the drinking of water when he was hot, he had swelled `
` in consequence to his present girth, and instead of reducing `
` himself to fit his tree he had, unknown to the others, whittled `
` his tree to make it fit him. `
` `
` Sufficient of this Hook guessed to persuade him that Peter at `
` last lay at his mercy, but no word of the dark design that now `
` formed in the subterranean caverns of his mind crossed his lips; he `
` merely signed that the captives were to be conveyed to the ship, `
` and that he would be alone. `
` `
` How to convey them? Hunched up in their ropes they might `
` indeed be rolled down hill like barrels, but most of the way lay `
` through a morass. Again Hook's genius surmounted difficulties. `
` He indicated that the little house must be used as a conveyance. `
` The children were flung into it, four stout pirates raised it on `
` their shoulders, the others fell in behind, and singing the `
` hateful pirate chorus the strange procession set off through the `
` wood. I don't know whether any of the children were crying; if `
` so, the singing drowned the sound; but as the little house `
` disappeared in the forest, a brave though tiny jet of smoke `
` issued from its chimney as if defying Hook. `
` `
` Hook saw it, and it did Peter a bad service. It dried up any `
` trickle of pity for him that may have remained in the pirate's `
` infuriated breast. `
` `
` The first thing he did on finding himself alone in the fast `
` falling night was to tiptoe to Slightly's tree, and make sure `
` that it provided him with a passage. Then for long he remained `
` brooding; his hat of ill omen on the sward, so that any gentle `
` breeze which had arisen might play refreshingly through his hair. `
` Dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the `
` periwinkle. Intently he listened for any sound from the nether `
` world, but all was as silent below as above; the house under the `
` ground seemed to be but one more empty tenement in the void. Was `
` that boy asleep, or did he stand waiting at the foot of `
` Slightly's tree, with his dagger in his hand? `
` `
` There was no way of knowing, save by going down. Hook let his `
` cloak slip softly to the ground, and then biting his lips till a `
` lewd blood stood on them, he stepped into the tree. He was a `
` brave man, but for a moment he had to stop there and wipe his brow, `
` which was dripping like a candle. Then, silently, he let himself `
` go into the unknown. `
` `
` He arrived unmolested at the foot of the shaft, and stood still `
` again, biting at his breath, which had almost left him. As his `
` eyes became accustomed to the dim light various objects in the `
` home under the trees took shape; but the only one on which his `
` greedy gaze rested, long sought for and found at last, was the `
` great bed. On the bed lay Peter fast asleep. `
` `
` Unaware of the tragedy being enacted above, Peter had `
` continued, for a little time after the children left, to play `
` gaily on his pipes: no doubt rather a forlorn attempt to prove `
` to himself that he did not care. Then he decided not to take his `
` medicine, so as to grieve Wendy. Then he lay down on the bed `
` outside the coverlet, to vex her still more; for she had always `
` tucked them inside it, because you never know that you may not `
` grow chilly at the turn of the night. Then he nearly cried; but `
` it struck him how indignant she would be if he laughed instead; `
` so he laughed a haughty laugh and fell asleep in the middle of `
` it. `
` `
` Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more `
` painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be `
` separated from these dreams, though he wailed piteously in them. `
` They had to do, I think, with the riddle of his existence. At `
` such times it had been Wendy's custom to take him out of bed and `
` sit with him on her lap, soothing him in dear ways of her own `
` invention, and when he grew calmer to put him back to bed before `
` he quite woke up, so that he should not know of the indignity to `
` which she had subjected him. But on this occasion he had fallen `
` at once into a dreamless sleep. One arm dropped over the edge of `
` the bed, one leg was arched, and the unfinished part of his laugh `
` was stranded on his mouth, which was open, showing the little `
` pearls. `
` `
`
` his face did not reflect it: ever a dark and solitary enigma, he `
` stood aloof from his followers in spirit as in substance. `
` `
` The night's work was not yet over, for it was not the redskins `
` he had come out to destroy; they were but the bees to be smoked, `
` so that he should get at the honey. It was Pan he wanted, Pan `
` and Wendy and their band, but chiefly Pan. `
` `
` Peter was such a small boy that one tends to wonder at the `
` man's hatred of him. True he had flung Hook's arm to the `
` crocodile, but even this and the increased insecurity of life to `
` which it led, owing to the crocodile's pertinacity [persistance], `
` hardly account for a vindictiveness so relentless and malignant. `
` The truth is that there was a something about Peter which goaded `
` the pirate captain to frenzy. It was not his courage, it was not `
` his engaging appearance, it was not --. There is no beating about `
` the bush, for we know quite well what it was, and have got to `
` tell. It was Peter's cockiness. `
` `
` This had got on Hook's nerves; it made his iron claw twitch, `
` and at night it disturbed him like an insect. While Peter lived, `
` the tortured man felt that he was a lion in a cage into which a `
` sparrow had come. `
` `
` The question now was how to get down the trees, or how to get `
` his dogs down? He ran his greedy eyes over them, searching for `
` the thinnest ones. They wriggled uncomfortably, for they knew he `
` would not scruple [hesitate] to ram them down with poles. `
` `
` In the meantime, what of the boys? We have seen them at the `
` first clang of the weapons, turned as it were into stone figures, `
` open-mouthed, all appealing with outstretched arms to Peter; and `
` we return to them as their mouths close, and their arms fall to `
` their sides. The pandemonium above has ceased almost as suddenly `
` as it arose, passed like a fierce gust of wind; but they know `
` that in the passing it has determined their fate. `
` `
` Which side had won? `
` `
` The pirates, listening avidly at the mouths of the trees, `
` heard the question put by every boy, and alas, they also heard `
` Peter's answer. `
` `
` "If the redskins have won," he said, "they will beat the tom- `
` tom; it is always their sign of victory." `
` `
` Now Smee had found the tom-tom, and was at that moment sitting `
` on it. "You will never hear the tom-tom again," he muttered, but `
` inaudibly of course, for strict silence had been enjoined `
` [urged]. To his amazement Hook signed him to beat the tom-tom, `
` and slowly there came to Smee an understanding of the dreadful `
` wickedness of the order. Never, probably, had this simple man `
` admired Hook so much. `
` `
` Twice Smee beat upon the instrument, and then stopped to listen `
` gleefully. `
` `
` "The tom-tom," the miscreants heard Peter cry; "an Indian `
` victory!" `
` `
` The doomed children answered with a cheer that was music to the `
` black hearts above, and almost immediately they repeated their `
` good-byes to Peter. This puzzled the pirates, but all their `
` other feelings were swallowed by a base delight that the enemy `
` were about to come up the trees. They smirked at each other and `
` rubbed their hands. Rapidly and silently Hook gave his orders: `
` one man to each tree, and the others to arrange themselves in a `
` line two yards apart. `
` `
` `
` `
` Chapter 13 `
` `
` DO YOU BELIEVE IN FAIRIES? `
` `
` `
` The more quickly this horror is disposed of the better. The `
` first to emerge from his tree was Curly. He rose out of it into `
` the arms of Cecco, who flung him to Smee, who flung him to `
` Starkey, who flung him to Bill Jukes, who flung him to Noodler, `
` and so he was tossed from one to another till he fell at the feet `
` of the black pirate. All the boys were plucked from their trees `
` in this ruthless manner; and several of them were in the air `
` at a time, like bales of goods flung from hand to hand. `
` `
` A different treatment was accorded to Wendy, who came last. `
` With ironical politeness Hook raised his hat to her, and, `
` offering her his arm, escorted her to the spot where the others `
` were being gagged. He did it with such an air, he was so `
` frightfully DISTINGUE [imposingly distinguished], that she was `
` too fascinated to cry out. She was only a little girl. `
` `
` Perhaps it is tell-tale to divulge that for a moment Hook `
` entranced her, and we tell on her only because her slip led to `
` strange results. Had she haughtily unhanded him (and we should `
` have loved to write it of her), she would have been hurled `
` through the air like the others, and then Hook would probably not `
` have been present at the tying of the children; and had he not `
` been at the tying he would not have discovered Slightly's `
` secret, and without the secret he could not presently have made `
` his foul attempt on Peter's life. `
` `
` They were tied to prevent their flying away, doubled up with `
` their knees close to their ears; and for the trussing of them the `
` black pirate had cut a rope into nine equal pieces. All went `
` well until Slightly's turn came, when he was found to be like `
` those irritating parcels that use up all the string in going `
` round and leave no tags [ends] with which to tie a knot. The `
` pirates kicked him in their rage, just as you kick the parcel `
` (though in fairness you should kick the string); and strange to `
` say it was Hook who told them to belay their violence. His lip `
` was curled with malicious triumph. While his dogs were merely `
` sweating because every time they tried to pack the unhappy lad `
` tight in one part he bulged out in another, Hook's master mind `
` had gone far beneath Slightly's surface, probing not for effects `
` but for causes; and his exultation showed that he had found them. `
` Slightly, white to the gills, knew that Hook had surprised `
` [discovered] his secret, which was this, that no boy so blown out `
` could use a tree wherein an average man need stick. Poor `
` Slightly, most wretched of all the children now, for he was in a `
` panic about Peter, bitterly regretted what he had done. Madly `
` addicted to the drinking of water when he was hot, he had swelled `
` in consequence to his present girth, and instead of reducing `
` himself to fit his tree he had, unknown to the others, whittled `
` his tree to make it fit him. `
` `
` Sufficient of this Hook guessed to persuade him that Peter at `
` last lay at his mercy, but no word of the dark design that now `
` formed in the subterranean caverns of his mind crossed his lips; he `
` merely signed that the captives were to be conveyed to the ship, `
` and that he would be alone. `
` `
` How to convey them? Hunched up in their ropes they might `
` indeed be rolled down hill like barrels, but most of the way lay `
` through a morass. Again Hook's genius surmounted difficulties. `
` He indicated that the little house must be used as a conveyance. `
` The children were flung into it, four stout pirates raised it on `
` their shoulders, the others fell in behind, and singing the `
` hateful pirate chorus the strange procession set off through the `
` wood. I don't know whether any of the children were crying; if `
` so, the singing drowned the sound; but as the little house `
` disappeared in the forest, a brave though tiny jet of smoke `
` issued from its chimney as if defying Hook. `
` `
` Hook saw it, and it did Peter a bad service. It dried up any `
` trickle of pity for him that may have remained in the pirate's `
` infuriated breast. `
` `
` The first thing he did on finding himself alone in the fast `
` falling night was to tiptoe to Slightly's tree, and make sure `
` that it provided him with a passage. Then for long he remained `
` brooding; his hat of ill omen on the sward, so that any gentle `
` breeze which had arisen might play refreshingly through his hair. `
` Dark as were his thoughts his blue eyes were as soft as the `
` periwinkle. Intently he listened for any sound from the nether `
` world, but all was as silent below as above; the house under the `
` ground seemed to be but one more empty tenement in the void. Was `
` that boy asleep, or did he stand waiting at the foot of `
` Slightly's tree, with his dagger in his hand? `
` `
` There was no way of knowing, save by going down. Hook let his `
` cloak slip softly to the ground, and then biting his lips till a `
` lewd blood stood on them, he stepped into the tree. He was a `
` brave man, but for a moment he had to stop there and wipe his brow, `
` which was dripping like a candle. Then, silently, he let himself `
` go into the unknown. `
` `
` He arrived unmolested at the foot of the shaft, and stood still `
` again, biting at his breath, which had almost left him. As his `
` eyes became accustomed to the dim light various objects in the `
` home under the trees took shape; but the only one on which his `
` greedy gaze rested, long sought for and found at last, was the `
` great bed. On the bed lay Peter fast asleep. `
` `
` Unaware of the tragedy being enacted above, Peter had `
` continued, for a little time after the children left, to play `
` gaily on his pipes: no doubt rather a forlorn attempt to prove `
` to himself that he did not care. Then he decided not to take his `
` medicine, so as to grieve Wendy. Then he lay down on the bed `
` outside the coverlet, to vex her still more; for she had always `
` tucked them inside it, because you never know that you may not `
` grow chilly at the turn of the night. Then he nearly cried; but `
` it struck him how indignant she would be if he laughed instead; `
` so he laughed a haughty laugh and fell asleep in the middle of `
` it. `
` `
` Sometimes, though not often, he had dreams, and they were more `
` painful than the dreams of other boys. For hours he could not be `
` separated from these dreams, though he wailed piteously in them. `
` They had to do, I think, with the riddle of his existence. At `
` such times it had been Wendy's custom to take him out of bed and `
` sit with him on her lap, soothing him in dear ways of her own `
` invention, and when he grew calmer to put him back to bed before `
` he quite woke up, so that he should not know of the indignity to `
` which she had subjected him. But on this occasion he had fallen `
` at once into a dreamless sleep. One arm dropped over the edge of `
` the bed, one leg was arched, and the unfinished part of his laugh `
` was stranded on his mouth, which was open, showing the little `
` pearls. `
` `
`