It is not as if I was saying good-bye for ever to mother , it is not in the least like that . ' ` Oh no , ' answered Peter , but in his heart he knew it was very like that , and he would have told her so had he not been in a quaking fear of losing her . He was so fond of her , he felt he could not live without her . ` She will forget her mother in time , and be happy with me , ' he kept saying to himself , and he hurried her on , giving her thimbles by the way . But even when she had seen the boat and exclaimed ecstatically over its loveliness , she still talked tremblingly about her mother . ` You know quite well , Peter , do n't you , ' she said , ` that I would n't come unless I knew for certain I could go back to mother whenever I want to ? Peter , say it . ' He said it , but he could no longer look her in the face . ` If you are sure your mother will always want you , ' he added rather sourly . ` The idea of mother 's not always wanting me ! ' Maimie cried , and her face glistened . ` If she does n't bar you out , ' said Peter huskily . ` The door , ' replied Maimie , ` will always , always be open , and mother will always be waiting at it for me . ' ` Then , ' said Peter , not without grimness , ` step in , if you feel so sure of her , ' and he helped Maimie into the Thrush 's Nest . ` But why do n't you look at me ? ' she asked , taking him by the arm . Peter tried hard not to look , he tried to push off , then he gave a great gulp and jumped ashore and sat down miserably in the snow . She went to him . ` What is it , dear , dear Peter ? ' she said , wondering . '
O XXXXX , ' he cried , ` it is n't fair to take you with me if you think you can go back !
Maimie Peter door face gulp heart loveliness mother snow thimbles