Таинственный сад
XII. “might I Have A BIt Of Earth?”
Medlock,butturnedandwalkedintoherbedroom,followedbyMartha.Shesaidnothingwhileherdresswaschanged,andherhairbrushed,andaftershewasquitetidyshefollowedMrs.Medlockdownthecorridors,insilence.Whatwasthereforhertosay?ShewasobligedtogoandseeMr.Cravenandhewouldnotlikeher,andshewouldnotlikehim.Sheknewwhathewouldthinkofher.
Shewastakentoapartofthehouseshehadnotbeenintobefore.AtlastMrs.Medlockknockedatadoor,andwhensomeonesaid,“Comein,”theyenteredtheroomtogether.Amanwassittinginanarmchairbeforethefire,andMrs.Medlockspoketohim.
“ThisisMissMary,sir,”shesaid.
“Youcangoandleaveherhere.IwillringforyouwhenIwantyoutotakeheraway,”saidMr.Craven.
Whenshewentoutandclosedthedoor,Marycouldonlystandwaiting,aplainlittlething,twistingherthinhandstogether.Shecouldseethatthemaninthechairwasnotsomuchahunchbackasamanwithhigh,rathercrookedshoulders,andhehadblackhairstreakedwithwhite.Heturnedhisheadoverhishighshouldersandspoketoher.
“Comehere!”hesaid.
Marywenttohim.
Hewasnotugly.Hisfacewouldhavebeenhandsomeifithadnotbeensomiserable.Helookedasifthesightofherworriedandfrettedhimandasifhedidnotknowwhatintheworldtodowithher.
“Areyouwell?”heasked.
“Yes,”answeredMary.
“Dotheytakegoodcareofyou?”
“Yes.”
Herubbedhisforeheadfretfullyashelookedherover.
“Youareverythin,”hesaid.