`` Peter , '' she said , faltering , `` are you expecting me to fly away with you ? '' `` Of course ; that is why I have come . '' He added a little sternly , `` Have you forgotten that this is spring cleaning time ? '' She knew it was useless to say that he had let many spring cleaning times pass . `` I ca n't come , '' she said apologetically , `` I have forgotten how to fly . '' `` I 'll soon teach you again . '' `` O Peter , do n't waste the fairy dust on me . '' She had risen ; and now at last a fear assailed him . `` What is it ? '' he cried , shrinking . `` I will turn up the light , '' she said , `` and then you can see for yourself . '' For almost the only time in his life that I know of , Peter was afraid . `` Do n't turn up the light , '' he cried . She let her hands play in the hair of the tragic boy . She was not a little girl heart-broken about him ; she was a grown woman smiling at it all , but they were wet eyed smiles . Then she turned up the light , and Peter saw . He gave a cry of pain ; and when the tall beautiful creature stooped to lift him in her arms he drew back sharply . `` What is it ? '' he cried again . She had to tell him .
`` I am old , XXXXX .
O Peter boy course hair hands life light smiles woman