Таинственный сад
XII. “might I Have A BIt Of Earth?”
Shewaswalkin’toThwaitevillagean’shemethim.She’dneverspoketohimbefore,butMrs.Cravenhadbeentoourcottagetwoorthreetimes.He’dforgot,butmotherhadn’tan’shemadeboldtostophim.Idon’tknowwhatshesaidtohimaboutyoubutshesaidsomethin’asputhiminth’mindtoseeyoubeforehegoesawayagain,tomorrow.”
“Oh!”criedMary,“ishegoingawaytomorrow?Iamsoglad!”
“He’sgoin’foralongtime.Hemayn’tcomebacktillautumnorwinter.He’sgoin’totravelinforeignplaces.He’salwaysdoin’it.”
“Oh!I’msoglad—soglad!”saidMarythankfully.
Ifhedidnotcomebackuntilwinter,orevenautumn,therewouldbetimetowatchthesecretgardencomealive.Evenifhefoundoutthenandtookitawayfromhershewouldhavehadthatmuchatleast.
“Whendoyouthinkhewillwanttosee—”
Shedidnotfinishthesentence,becausethedooropened,andMrs.Medlockwalkedin.Shehadonherbestblackdressandcap,andhercollarwasfastenedwithalargebroochwithapictureofaman’sfaceonit.ItwasacoloredphotographofMr.Medlockwhohaddiedyearsago,andshealwaysworeitwhenshewasdressedup.Shelookednervousandexcited.
“Yourhair’srough,”shesaidquickly.“Goandbrushit.Martha,helphertosliponherbestdress.Mr.Cravensentmetobringhertohiminhisstudy.”
AllthepinkleftMary’scheeks.Herheartbegantothumpandshefeltherselfchangingintoastiff,plain,silentchildagain.ShedidnotevenanswerMrs.
