--- title: Chapter VIII. THE MERMAIDS’ LAGOON — Peter Pan · full text with trees · page 2 description: Chapter VIII. THE MERMAIDS’ LAGOON, «Peter Pan» by J. M. Barrie: the whole chapter, every sentence with its dependency tree and pragmatics. It begins: If you shut your eyes and are a lucky one, you may see at times a shapeless pool of lovely pale colours suspended in the darkness; then if you squeez --- [Mova](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) · [this page in HTML](https://mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/page/2/) [home](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/) / [corpora](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/) / [tales](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/) / [Peter Pan](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/) / Chapter VIII. THE MERMAIDS’ LAGOON # Chapter VIII. THE MERMAIDS’ LAGOON · page 2 [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/page/3/) - [101](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/101/) — Affrighted though she was, Wendy swelled with pride. - [102](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/102/) — “O evil day!” cried Starkey. - [103](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/103/) — “What’s a mother?” asked the ignorant Smee. - [104](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/104/) — Wendy was so shocked that she exclaimed. - [105](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/105/) — “He doesn’t know!” and always after this she felt that if you could have a pet pirate Smee would be her one. - [106](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/106/) — Peter pulled her beneath the water, for Hook had started up, crying, “What was that?” - [107](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/107/) — “I heard nothing,” said Starkey, raising the lantern over the waters, and as the pirates looked they saw a strange sight. - [108](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/108/) — It was the nest I have told you of, floating on the lagoon, and the Never bird was sitting on it. - [109](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/109/) — “See,” said Hook in answer to Smee’s question, “that is a mother. - [110](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/110/) — What a lesson! - [111](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/111/) — The nest must have fallen into the water, but would the mother desert her eggs? - [112](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/112/) — No.” - [113](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/113/) — There was a break in his voice, as if for a moment he recalled innocent days when—but he brushed away this weakness with his hook. - [114](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/114/) — Smee, much impressed, gazed at the bird as the nest was borne past, but the more suspicious Starkey said, “If she is a mother, perhaps she is hanging about here to help Peter.” - [115](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/115/) — Hook winced. - [116](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/116/) — “Ay,” he said, “that is the fear that haunts me.” - [117](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/117/) — He was roused from this dejection by Smee’s eager voice. - [118](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/118/) — “Captain,” said Smee, “could we not kidnap these boys’ mother and make her our mother?” - [119](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/119/) — “It is a princely scheme,” cried Hook, and at once it took practical shape in his great brain. - [120](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/120/) — “We will seize the children and carry them to the boat: the boys we will make walk the plank, and Wendy shall be our mother.” - [121](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/121/) — Again Wendy forgot herself. - [122](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/122/) — “Never!” she cried, and bobbed. - [123](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/123/) — “What was that?” - [124](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/124/) — But they could see nothing. - [125](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/125/) — They thought it must have been a leaf in the wind. - [126](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/126/) — “Do you agree, my bullies?” asked Hook. - [127](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/127/) — “There is my hand on it,” they both said. - [128](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/128/) — “And there is my hook. - [129](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/129/) — Swear.” - [130](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/130/) — They all swore. - [131](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/131/) — By this time they were on the rock, and suddenly Hook remembered Tiger Lily. - [132](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/132/) — “Where is the redskin?” he demanded abruptly. - [133](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/133/) — He had a playful humour at moments, and they thought this was one of the moments. - [134](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/134/) — “That is all right, captain,” Smee answered complacently; “we let her go.” - [135](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/135/) — “Let her go!” cried Hook. - [136](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/136/) — “’Twas your own orders,” the bo’sun faltered. - [137](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/137/) — “You called over the water to us to let her go,” said Starkey. - [138](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/138/) — “Brimstone and gall,” thundered Hook, “what cozening is going on here!” - [139](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/139/) — His face had gone black with rage, but he saw that they believed their words, and he was startled. - [140](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/140/) — “Lads,” he said, shaking a little, “I gave no such order.” - [141](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/141/) — “It is passing queer,” Smee said, and they all fidgeted uncomfortably. - [142](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/142/) — Hook raised his voice, but there was a quiver in it. - [143](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/143/) — “Spirit that haunts this dark lagoon to-night,” he cried, “dost hear me?” - [144](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/144/) — Of course Peter should have kept quiet, but of course he did not. - [145](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/145/) — He immediately answered in Hook’s voice: - [146](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/146/) — “Odds, bobs, hammer and tongs, I hear you.” - [147](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/147/) — In that supreme moment Hook did not blanch, even at the gills, but Smee and Starkey clung to each other in terror. - [148](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/148/) — “Who are you, stranger? - [149](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/149/) — Speak!” - [150](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/150/) — Hook demanded. - [151](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/151/) — “I am James Hook,” replied the voice, “captain of the \_Jolly Roger\_.” - [152](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/152/) — “You are not; you are not,” Hook cried hoarsely. - [153](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/153/) — “Brimstone and gall,” the voice retorted, “say that again, and I’ll cast anchor in you.” - [154](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/154/) — Hook tried a more ingratiating manner. - [155](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/155/) — “If you are Hook,” he said almost humbly, “come tell me, who am I?” - [156](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/156/) — “A codfish,” replied the voice, “only a codfish.” - [157](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/157/) — “A codfish!” - [158](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/158/) — Hook echoed blankly, and it was then, but not till then, that his proud spirit broke. - [159](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/159/) — He saw his men draw back from him. - [160](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/160/) — “Have we been captained all this time by a codfish!” they muttered. - [161](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/161/) — “It is lowering to our pride.” - [162](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/162/) — They were his dogs snapping at him, but, tragic figure though he had become, he scarcely heeded them. - [163](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/163/) — Against such fearful evidence it was not their belief in him that he needed, it was his own. - [164](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/164/) — He felt his ego slipping from him. - [165](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/165/) — “Don’t desert me, bully,” he whispered hoarsely to it. - [166](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/166/) — In his dark nature there was a touch of the feminine, as in all the great pirates, and it sometimes gave him intuitions. - [167](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/167/) — Suddenly he tried the guessing game. - [168](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/168/) — “Hook,” he called, “have you another voice?” - [169](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/169/) — Now Peter could never resist a game, and he answered blithely in his own voice, “I have.” - [170](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/170/) — “And another name?” - [171](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/171/) — “Ay, ay.” - [172](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/172/) — “Vegetable?” asked Hook. - [173](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/173/) — “No.” - [174](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/174/) — “Mineral?” - [175](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/175/) — “No.” - [176](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/176/) — “Animal?” - [177](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/177/) — “Yes.” - [178](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/178/) — “Man?” - [179](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/179/) — “No!” - [180](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/180/) — This answer rang out scornfully. - [181](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/181/) — “Boy?” - [182](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/182/) — “Yes.” - [183](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/183/) — “Ordinary boy?” - [184](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/184/) — “No!” - [185](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/185/) — “Wonderful boy?” - [186](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/186/) — To Wendy’s pain the answer that rang out this time was “Yes.” - [187](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/187/) — “Are you in England?” - [188](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/188/) — “No.” - [189](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/189/) — “Are you here?” - [190](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/190/) — “Yes.” - [191](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/191/) — Hook was completely puzzled. - [192](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/192/) — “You ask him some questions,” he said to the others, wiping his damp brow. - [193](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/193/) — Smee reflected. - [194](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/194/) — “I can’t think of a thing,” he said regretfully. - [195](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/195/) — “Can’t guess, can’t guess!” crowed Peter. - [196](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/196/) — “Do you give it up?” - [197](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/197/) — Of course in his pride he was carrying the game too far, and the miscreants saw their chance. - [198](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/198/) — “Yes, yes,” they answered eagerly. - [199](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/199/) — “Well, then,” he cried, “I am Peter Pan.” - [200](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/200/) — Pan! [1](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/) **2** [3](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/9/page/3/) - ← previous: [Chapter VII. THE HOME UNDER THE GROUND](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/8/) - next →: [Chapter IX. THE NEVER BIRD](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/10/) - ↑ back to [Peter Pan](https://md.mova.elamur.ai/free/en/corpora/tales/pg16/)