Wendy and James are deeply in discussion while making the final preparations
Wendy:…however, James, I still do think you've been too hard on her tonight, and I have my doubts about the outcome of all this.
James: Too hard? Do you, my lady, call forbidding her to go to that silly party being too hard? (Indignantly)In my times, she'd have been locked up in her room on mere bread and water for no less than a week- and perhaps that would teach your daughter to show some respect to her parents!
Wendy: My daughter, darling? Why, doesn't it seem to you, so to say, unfair, that when Jane is behaving herself, getting good marks, or making progress in her music studies, she is always "My daughter" and a "True Stuart", and when she's set on having her own way, answering back or just demanding fashionable shoes "like Kathy's", she is always "your daughter, "? I thought double standards were bad form, weren't they?
James (uneasy):You may accuse me of all deadly sins if you wish, madam, but it is evident you're always taking her side, not mine, as you should be doing…
Wendy: Cheri, I'm not taking anyone's side, I'm only standing for the truth…
James: …and it's evidently far too many truths in this household, and while I am supposed to be its head, I'm just a pathetic object to be laughed at. (Wendy protests)Don't contradict me, madam – both of you – no, the four of you, - no, it makes seven of you, including those blasted animals, - are always against me when it comes to the matter of punishment…Darn it, can a man have some respect in his own family!
Wendy: Don't swear, James. You are wrong, -yes you really are- to begin with, I am never against you, I only do not always approve of your…er…methods, and choice of words. And you are forgetting that I also was the eldest, and ceased to be a little girl at the age of two and a half, when John was born. And finally, it's nothing to be proud of, but….I never was really close to my own father – not even when I was small, you see, Jane is more fortunate than me in this case…
James (snorts): As if my late father-in-law ever had other confidants than his financial paperwork!
Wendy: …and, though I hate to speak ill of the deceased, but he only cared for the "right and proper" appearances, and never about our feelings…
James (uneasy): So this is your opinion on me?
Wendy(wistfully): …and so one winter night we had a quarrel on the subject of my "growing up" and leaving all " stuff and nonsense " – in other words, all that really mattered to me – behind. So,that is how I came to be willing to go to Neverland.
James (turning pale at once): What are you hinting at, Mrs. Stuart?
Wendy: I'm not hinting, I'm speaking plainly. You'll never win either her confidence or her respect, James, if you keep on yelling at her and making her stay within four walls, quite on the contrary! Believe me, I know what I am saying!
James(indignantly): Brimstone and gall! (The pair of turtles show up)Not the two of you, unworthy reptiles!!!(The turtles crawl away)
Wendy(trying to make peace): Come on, my lord, even St. Paul says in his Epistles : "Fathers, do not provoke your children, lest they become discouraged"
James (almost good-tempered):Doesn't the Apostle by chance mention mothers as well?
Suddenly Mary Anne makes her appearance from under the tableMary Anne: SURPRISE!!!
Wendy and James ( taken aback): Split my infinitives!
May, darling, what are you doing here?!
Mary Anne (matter-of-factly): Why, Mummy, Daddy, that's my fav burrow!
Wendy and James: A burrow?
Mary Anne: Yes,like where rabbit lived inAlice in Wonderland! It's so great – to hear all you are saying, much better than listening under the doors!
Wendy and James are at a loss for words
Mary Anne (quite unaware of that, coming up to the window):One star, two stars, three stars…how to count them all?…a long yellow car there on the other side , Great-Auntie knocking at the wrong door…again!
James: Oh, no!
Wendy (looking out herself): Oh, yes! May, honey, run and tell your sister and brother to show up immediately!
Mary Anne: OK, mum. (Runs out shouting: Jane! Michael! Old Girl has come!)
James (embarrassed):Now, don't give me THAT look, Mrs. Stuart. I apologize, but even after nearly two decades of my acquaintance with honourable Miss Wilkes her mere presence is getting on my nerves worse than that cursed croc's ticking!
Wendy: Oh, James, please, be, for my sake, civil to her! Poor Auntie has no family of her own, and certainly doesn't deserve to be left out in the cold for holidays!
James (softened): Only for your sake, my beauty…though personally I'd rather face the whole Spanish fleet again!
Wendy (giving him a slight kiss): Just think about eternal sufferings in Hades, and several hours in the Darlings' company will seem to you a mere trifle!
James (kissing her back): Although loving one's relatives is sometimes more complicated than to love one's neighbour, I promise to make a try. But I beg of you, my lady, not to shock Miss Wilkes and the Darlings with your specific spiritual viewpoints. That would be bad form indeed!(Leaves the room)
Wendy:Of course, darling…(To herself)Form, always Form…And what about theinterior? Thank God we cannot listen to each other's thoughts, we, modern people, who are so void of love that it takes us immense efforts just to keep up appearances… (Sighs) Oh, Lord, help us all and give me strength, for I'm in a great need of it! (Leaves the kitchen)