way2go! 7. Coursebook, Schulbuch

40 LITERATURE Later, that evening … “Where are you going?” He didn’t answer Lydia. Preoccupied, he let the lights glow softly on ahead of him, extinguish behind him as he padded to the nursery door. He listened against it. Far away, a lion roared. He unlocked the door and opened it. Just before he stepped inside, he heard a faraway scream. And then another roar from the lions, which subsided quickly. George Hadley stood on the African grassland alone. The lions looked up from their feeding, watching him. The only flaw to the illusion was the open door through which he could see his wife, far down the dark hall, like a framed picture, eating her dinner abstractedly. “Go away,” he said to the lions. They did not go. He knew the principle of the room exactly. You sent out your thoughts. Whatever you thought would appear. […] “There’s no Africa in the nursery,” said Peter simply. “Oh, come now, Peter. We know better.” “I don’t remember any Africa,” said Peter to Wendy. “Do you?” “No.” “Run see and come tell.” She obeyed. “Wendy, come back here!” said George Hadley, but she was gone. The house lights followed her like a flock of fireflies. Too late, he realized he had forgotten to lock the nursery door after his last inspection. “Wendy’ll look and come tell us,” said Peter. “She doesn’t have to tell me. I’ve seen it.” “I’m sure you’re mistaken, Father.” “I’m not, Peter. Come along now.” But Wendy was back. “It’s not Africa,” she said breathlessly. “We’ll see about this,” said George Hadley, and they all walked down the hall together and opened the nursery door. There was a green, lovely forest, a lovely river, a purple mountain, … The African veldtland was gone. The lions were gone. […] “I wouldn’t want the nursery locked up,” said Peter coldly. “Ever.” “Matter of fact, we’re thinking of turning the whole house off for about a month. Live sort of a carefree one-for-all existence.” “That sounds dreadful! Would I have to tie my own shoes instead of letting the shoe tier do it? And brush my own teeth and comb my hair and give myself a bath?” “It would be fun for a change, don’t you think?” […] “Will you shut off the house sometime soon?” “We’re considering it.” “I don’t think you’d better consider it any more, Father.” “I won’t have any threats from my son!” “Very well.” And Peter strolled off to the nursery. 5 Eventually George Hadley decides to lock up the nursery … “Don’t let them do it!” wailed Peter at the ceiling, as if he was talking to the house, the nursery. “Don’t let Father kill everything.” He turned to his father. “Oh, I hate you!” “Insults won’t get you anywhere.” “I wish you were dead!” 6 Nur zu Prüfzwecken – Eigentum des Verlags öbv