The best proof of this was his caution with the fairies . They were most anxious that he should remain in the Gardens to play to them , and to bring this to pass they tried to trick him into making such a remark as `` I wish the grass was not so wet , '' and some of them danced out of time in the hope that he might cry , `` I do wish you would keep time ! '' Then they would have said that this was his second wish . But he smoked their design , and though on occasions he began , `` I wish -- '' he always stopped in time . So when at last he said to them bravely , `` I wish now to go back to mother for ever and always , '' they had to tickle his shoulder and let him go . He went in a hurry in the end because he had dreamt that his mother was crying , and he knew what was the great thing she cried for , and that a hug from her splendid Peter would quickly make her to smile . Oh , he felt sure of it , and so eager was he to be nestling in her arms that this time he flew straight to the window , which was always to be open for him . But the window was closed , and there were iron bars on it , and peering inside he saw his mother sleeping peacefully with her arm round another little boy . Peter called , `` Mother ! mother ! '' but she heard him not ; in vain he beat his little limbs against the iron bars . He had to fly back , sobbing , to the Gardens , and he never saw his dear again . What a glorious boy he had meant to be to her . Ah , Peter , we who have made the great mistake , how differently we should all act at the second chance . But Solomon was right ; there is no second chance , not for most of us . When we reach the window it is Lock-out Time . CHAPTER I PETER BREAKS THROUGH All children , except one , grow up . They soon know that they will grow up , and the way Wendy knew was this . One day when she was two years old she was playing in a garden , and she plucked another flower and ran with it to her mother . I suppose she must have looked rather delightful , for Mrs. Darling put her hand to her heart and cried , ` Oh , why ca n't you remain like this for ever ! '
This was all that passed between them on the subject , but henceforth XXXXX knew that she must grow up .
Darling Gardens Mother PETER Solomon Wendy day old right second