Таинственный сад
XIX. “It Has Come!”
Shefoundtheservants’hallamoreamusingplacethantheinvalid’schamberandjustnoweverybodywantedtohearthenewsfromupstairs.Therewasagreatdealofjokingabouttheunpopularyoungreclusewho,asthecooksaid,“hadfoundhismaster,andgoodforhim.”Theservants’hallhadbeenverytiredofthetantrums,andthebutler,whowasamanwithafamily,hadmorethanonceexpressedhisopinionthattheinvalidwouldbeallthebetter“foragoodhiding.”
WhenColinwasonhissofaandthebreakfastfortwowasputuponthetablehemadeanannouncementtothenurseinhismostRajah-likemanner.
“Aboy,andafox,andacrow,andtwosquirrels,andanew-bornlamb,arecomingtoseemethismorning.Iwantthembroughtupstairsassoonastheycome,”hesaid.“Youarenottobeginplayingwiththeanimalsintheservants’hallandkeepthemthere.Iwantthemhere.”
Thenursegaveaslightgaspandtriedtoconcealitwithacough.
“Yes,sir,”sheanswered.
“I’lltellyouwhatyoucando,”addedColin,wavinghishand.“YoucantellMarthatobringthemhere.TheboyisMartha’sbrother.HisnameisDickonandheisananimalcharmer.”
“Ihopetheanimalswon’tbite,MasterColin,”saidthenurse.
“Itoldyouhewasacharmer,”saidColinausterely.“Charmers’animalsneverbite.”
“Therearesnake-charmersinIndia,”saidMary.“Andtheycanputtheirsnakes’headsintheirmouths.”
“Goodness!”shudderedthenurse.
Theyatetheirbreakfastwiththemorningairpouringinuponthem.
