`` Is that quite a little wish ? '' he inquired . `` As little as this , '' the Queen answered , putting her hands near each other . `` What size is a big wish ? '' he asked . She measured it off on her skirt and it was a very handsome length . Then Peter reflected and said , `` Well , then , I think I shall have two little wishes instead of one big one . '' Of course , the fairies had to agree , though his cleverness rather shocked them , and he said that his first wish was to go to his mother , but with the right to return to the Gardens if he found her disappointing . His second wish he would hold in reserve . They tried to dissuade him , and even put obstacles in the way . `` I can give you the power to fly to her house , '' the Queen said , `` but I ca n't open the door for you . '' `` The window I flew out at will be open , '' Peter said confidently . `` Mother always keeps it open in the hope that I may fly back . `` How do you know ? '' they asked , quite surprised , and , really , Peter could not explain how he knew . `` I just do know , '' he said . So as he persisted in his wish , they had to grant it . The way they gave him power to fly was this : They all tickled him on the shoulder , and soon he felt a funny itching in that part and then up he rose higher and higher and flew away out of the Gardens and over the house-tops . It was so delicious that instead of flying straight to his old home he skimmed away over St. Paul 's to the Crystal Palace and back by the river and Regent 's Park , and by the time he reached his mother 's window he had quite made up his mind that his second wish should be to become a bird . The window was wide open , just as he knew it would be , and in he fluttered , and there was his mother lying asleep .
XXXXX alighted softly on the wooden rail at the foot of the bed and had a good look at her .
Gardens Mother Palace Paul Peter Queen Regent first house-tops right