She had told him about Tony and of the wicked thing she did in the dark to frighten him -LRB- she knew quite well that it was wicked -RRB- , but Peter misunderstood her meaning and said , ` Oh , how I wish I was as brave as Tony ! ' It quite irritated her . ` You are twenty thousand times braver than Tony , ' she said ; ` you are ever so much the bravest boy I ever knew . ' He could scarcely believe she meant it , but when he did believe he screamed with joy . ` And if you want very much to give me a kiss , ' Maimie said , ` you can do it . ' Very reluctantly Peter began to take the thimble off his finger . He thought she wanted it back . ' I do n't mean a kiss , ' she said hurriedly , ' I mean a thimble . ' ` What 's that ? ' Peter asked . ` It 's like this , ' she said , and kissed him . ' I should love to give you a thimble , ' Peter said gravely , so he gave her one . He gave her quite a number of thimbles , and then a delightful idea came into his head . ` Maimie , ' he said , ` will you marry me ? ' -LSB- Illustration : ` My Lord Duke , ' said the physician elatedly , ' I have the honour to inform your excellency that your grace is in love ' -RSB- Now , strange to tell , the same idea had come at exactly the same time into Maimie 's head . ' I should like to , ' she answered , ` but will there be room in your boat for two ? ' ` 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 XXXXX your clothes , ' he had to admit rather falteringly .
assured believe come inform like tell told want wanted wish