"See," said Hook in answer to Smee's question, "that is a
mother. What a lesson! The nest must have fallen into the
water, but would the mother desert her eggs? No."

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.

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."

Hook winced. "Ay," he said, "that is the fear that haunts me."