` 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 Peter , how perfectly lovely ! ' -LSB- Illustration : Building the house for Maimie -RSB- But as they drew near the Serpentine , she shivered a little , and said , ` Of course I shall go and see mother often , quite often . 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 XXXXX , not without grimness , ` step in , if you feel so sure of her , ' and he helped Maimie into the Thrush 's Nest .
Illustration Maimie Open-Gate Peter Serpentine boat course loveliness thimbles way