Таинственный сад
XXI. Ben Weatherstaff
Maryprivatelythoughthelookedasifhemightsnoreinaminute.
InthemidstofthisstillnessitwasratherstartlingwhenColinhalfliftedhisheadandexclaimedinaloudsuddenlyalarmedwhisper:
“Whoisthatman?”
DickonandMaryscrambledtotheirfeet.
“Man!”theybothcriedinlowquickvoices.
Colinpointedtothehighwall.
“Look!”hewhisperedexcitedly.“Justlook!”
MaryandDickonwheeledaboutandlooked.TherewasBenWeatherstaff’sindignantfaceglaringatthemoverthewallfromthetopofaladder!HeactuallyshookhisfistatMary.
“IfIwasn’tabachelder,an’tha’wasawencho’mine,”hecried,“I’dgivetheeahidin’!”
Hemountedanotherstepthreateninglyasifitwerehisenergeticintentiontojumpdownanddealwithher;butasshecametowardhimheevidentlythoughtbetterofitandstoodonthetopstepofhisladdershakinghisfistdownather.
“Ineverthowtmucho’thee!”heharangued.“Icouldna’abidetheeth’firsttimeIseteyesonthee.Ascrawnybuttermilk-facedyoungbesom,allusaskin’questionsan’pokin’tha’nosewhereitwasna,wanted.Ineverknowedhowtha’gotsothickwi’me.Ifithadna’beenforth’robin—Drathim—”
“BenWeatherstaff,”calledoutMary,findingherbreath.Shestoodbelowhimandcalleduptohimwithasortofgasp.“BenWeatherstaff,itwastherobinwhoshowedmetheway!”
ThenitdidseemasifBenreallywouldscrambledownonhersideofthewall,hewassooutraged.
“Tha’youngbad’un!”hecalleddownather.
