her. "You know
quite well, Peter, don't you," she said, "that I wouldn'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 doesn'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 don'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.

"Oh, Maimie," he cried, "it isn't fair to take you with me if you think
you can go back. Your mother"--he gulped again--"you don't know them as
well as I do."

And then he told her the woful story of how he had been barred out, and
she gasped all the time. "But my mother," she said, "my mother"--

"Yes, she would," said Peter, "they are all the same. I daresay she is
looking for another one already."

Maimie said aghast, "I can't believe it. You see, when you went away
your mother had none, but my mother has Tony, and surely they are
satisfied when they have one."

Peter replied bitterly, "You should see the letters Solomon gets from
ladies who have six."

Just then they heard a grating creak, followed by creak, creak, all
round the Gardens. It was the Opening of the Gates, and Peter jumped
nervously into his boat. He knew Maimie would not come with him now, and
he was trying bravely not to cry. But Maimie was sobbing painfully.

"If I should be too late," she called in agony, "oh, Peter, if she has
got another one already!"

Again he sprang ashore as if she had called him back. "I shall come and
look for you to-night," he said, squeezing close, "but if you hurry away
I think you will be in time."

Then he pressed a last thimble on her sweet little mouth, and covered
his face with his hands so that he might not see her go.

"Dear Peter!" she cried.

"Dear Maimie!" cried the tragic boy.

She leapt into his arms, so that it was a sort of fairy wedding, and
then she hur