Таинственный сад
II. Mistress Mary QuIte Contrary
”Atleast,thatiswhatshewouldhavesaidifshehadbeenasked.ShehadnotwantedtogotoLondonjustwhenhersisterMaria’sdaughterwasgoingtobemarried,butshehadacomfortable,wellpaidplaceashousekeeperatMisselthwaiteManorandtheonlywayinwhichshecouldkeepitwastodoatoncewhatMr.ArchibaldCraventoldhertodo.Sheneverdaredeventoaskaquestion.
“CaptainLennoxandhiswifediedofthecholera,”Mr.Cravenhadsaidinhisshort,coldway.“CaptainLennoxwasmywife’sbrotherandIamtheirdaughter’sguardian.Thechildistobebroughthere.YoumustgotoLondonandbringheryourself.”
Soshepackedhersmalltrunkandmadethejourney.
Marysatinhercorneroftherailwaycarriageandlookedplainandfretful.Shehadnothingtoreadortolookat,andshehadfoldedherthinlittleblack-glovedhandsinherlap.Herblackdressmadeherlookyellowerthanever,andherlimplighthairstraggledfromunderherblackcrêpehat.
“Amoremarred-lookingyoungoneIneversawinmylife,”Mrs.Medlockthought.(MarredisaYorkshirewordandmeansspoiledandpettish.)Shehadneverseenachildwhosatsostillwithoutdoinganything;andatlastshegottiredofwatchingherandbegantotalkinabrisk,hardvoice.
“IsupposeImayaswelltellyousomethingaboutwhereyouaregoingto,”shesaid.“Doyouknowanythingaboutyouruncle?”
“No,”saidMary.
“Neverheardyourfatherandmothertalkabouthim?”
“No,”saidMaryfrowning.
