Таинственный сад
XII. “might I Have A BIt Of Earth?”
“Iamgettingfatter,”Maryansweredinwhatsheknewwasherstiffestway.
Whatanunhappyfacehehad!Hisblackeyesseemedasiftheyscarcelysawher,asiftheywereseeingsomethingelse,andhecouldhardlykeephisthoughtsuponher.
“Iforgotyou,”hesaid.“HowcouldIrememberyou?Iintendedtosendyouagovernessoranurse,orsomeoneofthatsort,butIforgot.”
“Please,”beganMary.“Please—”andthenthelumpinherthroatchokedher.
“Whatdoyouwanttosay?”heinquired.
“Iam—Iamtoobigforanurse,”saidMary.“Andplease—pleasedon’tmakemehaveagovernessyet.”
Herubbedhisforeheadagainandstaredather.
“ThatwaswhattheSowerbywomansaid,”hemutteredabsent-mindedly.
ThenMarygatheredascrapofcourage.
“Isshe—issheMartha’smother?”shestammered.
“Yes,Ithinkso,”hereplied.
“Sheknowsaboutchildren,”saidMary.“Shehastwelve.Sheknows.”
Heseemedtorousehimself.
“Whatdoyouwanttodo?”
“Iwanttoplayoutofdoors,”Maryanswered,hopingthathervoicedidnottremble.“IneverlikeditinIndia.Itmakesmehungryhere,andIamgettingfatter.”
Hewaswatchingher.
“Mrs.Sowerbysaiditwoulddoyougood.Perhapsitwill,”hesaid.“Shethoughtyouhadbettergetstrongerbeforeyouhadagoverness.”
“ItmakesmefeelstrongwhenIplayandthewindcomesoverthemoor,”arguedMary.
“Wheredoyouplay?”heaskednext.
“Everywhere,”gaspedMary.“Martha’smothersentmeaskipping-rope.
