Suddenly she felt very homesick. Tears sprang to her eyes. “Why, Peter!” she cried wistfully. “Why, Peter! It must be over a year since my mother kissed me! Shall I turn wicked, too? Oh, I wish I could see her—my own dear mother!”
As she finished speaking, a beautiful little sail-boat appeared before them. It was smaller than The Good Ferry.
“Step aboard, then,” said Peter Pan, rising and leading her toward the boat. “This is a fairy boat. You will be home in an hour. Sit in the stern. Take the tiller in your hand. Hold it steady, and wish out loud where you want to go.”
He helped Mary Frances into the boat.
“Oh, but I haven’t thanked the Story People for my wonderful, wonderful time!” she exclaimed. “I wish I could thank them!”
Even as she spoke, every door and window of the castle opened and the Story People appeared.
“Thank you all! Thank you forever—and—ever! Thank you for all the girls and boys in the world!” cried Mary Frances.
“Have you your stories?” called the Story King.
“Yes, I have them here!” said Mary Frances, holding up her story satchel.
“When you want more, come again, dear child,” called the Story Queen.