Таинственный сад
XIV. A Young Rajah
HeaskedmequestionsandIsatonabigfootstoolandtalkedtohimaboutIndiaandabouttherobinandgardens.Hewouldn’tletmego.Heletmeseehismother’spicture.BeforeIlefthimIsanghimtosleep.”
Marthafairlygaspedwithamazement.
“Icanscarcelybelievethee!”sheprotested.“It’sasiftha’dwalkedstraightintoalion’sden.Ifhe’dbeenlikeheismosttimeshe’dhavethrowedhimselfintooneofhistantrumsandrousedth’house.Hewon’tletstrangerslookathim.”
“Heletmelookathim.Ilookedathimallthetimeandhelookedatme.Westared!”saidMary.
“Idon’tknowwhattodo!”criedagitatedMartha.“IfMrs.Medlockfindsout,she’llthinkIbrokeordersandtoldtheeandIshallbepackedbacktomother.”
“HeisnotgoingtotellMrs.Medlockanythingaboutityet.It’stobeasortofsecretjustatfirst,”saidMaryfirmly.“Andhesayseverybodyisobligedtodoashepleases.”
“Aye,that’strueenough—th’badlad!”sighedMartha,wipingherforeheadwithherapron.
“HesaysMrs.Medlockmust.Andhewantsmetocomeandtalktohimeveryday.Andyouaretotellmewhenhewantsme.”
“Me!”saidMartha;“Ishalllosemyplace—Ishallforsure!”
“Youcan’tifyouaredoingwhathewantsyoutodoandeverybodyisorderedtoobeyhim,”Maryargued.
“Doestha’meantosay,”criedMarthawithwideopeneyes,“thathewasnicetothee!”
“Ithinkhealmostlikedme,”Maryanswered.
“Thentha’musthavebewitchedhim!”decidedMartha,drawingalongbreath.
