He had had ecstasies innumerable that other children can never know ; but he was looking through the window at the one joy from which he must be for ever barred . Chapter 17 WHEN WENDY GREW UP I hope you want to know what became of the other boys . They were waiting below to give Wendy time to explain about them ; and when they had counted five hundred they went up . They went up by the stair , because they thought this would make a better impression . They stood in a row in front of Mrs. Darling , with their hats off , and wishing they were not wearing their pirate clothes . They said nothing , but their eyes asked her to have them . They ought to have looked at Mr. Darling also , but they forgot about him . 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 do n'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 -LSB- zero -RSB- in his own house .
`` I do n't think he is a XXXXX , '' Tootles cried instantly .
Darling Father Nibs WENDY children cloud cypher ecstasies first sir