Таинственный сад
XIII. “I Am Colin”
DidnooneevertellyouIhadcometolivehere?”
Hewasstillfingeringthefoldofherwrapper,buthebegantolookalittlemoreasifhebelievedinherreality.
“No,”heanswered.“Theydaren’t.”
“Why?”askedMary.
“BecauseIshouldhavebeenafraidyouwouldseeme.Iwon’tletpeopleseemeandtalkmeover.”
“Why?”Maryaskedagain,feelingmoremystifiedeverymoment.
“BecauseIamlikethisalways,illandhavingtoliedown.Myfatherwon’tletpeopletalkmeovereither.Theservantsarenotallowedtospeakaboutme.IfIliveImaybeahunchback,butIshan’tlive.MyfatherhatestothinkImaybelikehim.”
“Oh,whataqueerhousethisis!”Marysaid.“Whataqueerhouse!Everythingisakindofsecret.Roomsarelockedupandgardensarelockedup—andyou!Haveyoubeenlockedup?”
“No.IstayinthisroombecauseIdon’twanttobemovedoutofit.Ittiresmetoomuch.”
“Doesyourfathercomeandseeyou?”Maryventured.
“Sometimes.GenerallywhenIamasleep.Hedoesn’twanttoseeme.”
“Why?”Marycouldnothelpaskingagain.
Asortofangryshadowpassedovertheboy’sface.
“MymotherdiedwhenIwasbornanditmakeshimwretchedtolookatme.HethinksIdon’tknow,butI’veheardpeopletalking.Healmosthatesme.”
“Hehatesthegarden,becauseshedied,”saidMaryhalfspeakingtoherself.
“Whatgarden?”theboyasked.
“Oh!just—justagardensheusedtolike,”Marystammered.“Haveyoubeenherealways?”
“Nearlyalways.
