` 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 Maimie , ' he cried , ` it is n't fair to take you with me if you think you can go back ! Your mother ' -- he gulped again -- ` you do n't know them as well as I do . ' And then he told her the woeful 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 dare say she is looking for another one already . ' Maimie said aghast , ' I ca n'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 said in agony , ' O 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 XXXXX , squeezing close , ` but if you hurry away I think you will be in time . '
knew know said see sprang take taking think went wondering