` If you squeeze close , ' he said eagerly . ` Perhaps the birds would be angry ? ' He assured her that the birds would love to have her , though I am not so certain of it myself . Also that there were very few birds in winter . ` Of course they might want your clothes , ' he had to admit rather falteringly . She was somewhat indignant at this . ` They are always thinking of their nests , ' he said apologetically , ` and there are some bits of you ' -- he stroked the fur on her pelisse -- ` that would excite them very much . ' ` They sha n't have my fur , ' she said sharply . ` No , ' he said , still fondling it , however , ` no . O Maimie , ' he said rapturously , ` do you know why I love you ? It is because you are like a beautiful nest . ' Somehow this made her uneasy . ' I think you are speaking more like a bird than a boy now , ' she said , holding back , and indeed he was even looking rather like a bird . ` After all , ' she said , ` you are only a Betwixt-and-Between . ' But it hurt him so much that she immediately added , ` It must be a delicious thing to be . ' ` Come and be one , then , dear Maimie , ' he implored her , and they set off for the boat , for it was now very near Open-Gate time . ` And you are not a bit like a nest , ' he whispered to please her . ` But I think it is rather nice to be like one , ' she said in a woman 's contradictory way . ` And , Peter , dear , though I ca n't give them my fur , I would n't mind their building in it . Fancy a nest in my neck with little spotty eggs in it !
O XXXXX , how perfectly lovely ! '
Betwixt-and-Between Fancy Maimie Open-Gate Peter bits boy building nest pelisse