`` How many of your toes are thumbs ? '' said Solomon a little cruelly , and Peter saw to his consternation , that all his toes were fingers . The shock was so great that it drove away his cold . `` Ruffle your feathers , '' said that grim old Solomon , and Peter tried most desperately hard to ruffle his feathers , but he had none . Then he rose up , quaking , and for the first time since he stood on the window-ledge , he remembered a lady who had been very fond of him . `` I think I shall go back to mother , '' he said timidly . `` Good-bye , '' replied Solomon Caw with a queer look . But Peter hesitated . `` Why do n't you go ? '' the old one asked politely . `` I suppose , '' said Peter huskily , `` I suppose I can still fly ? '' You see , he had lost faith . `` Poor little half-and-half , '' said Solomon , who was not really hard-hearted , `` you will never be able to fly again , not even on windy days . You must live here on the island always . '' `` And never even go to the Kensington Gardens ? '' Peter asked tragically . `` How could you get across ? '' said Solomon . He promised very kindly , however , to teach Peter as many of the bird ways as could be learned by one of such an awkward shape . `` Then I sha 'n' t be exactly a human ? ''
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Caw Gardens Peter Solomon consternation days first half-and-half island window-ledge