Таинственный сад
XXII. When The Sun Went Down
“When?”
“Th’lasttimeIwashere,”rubbinghischinandlookinground,“wasabouttwoyear’ago.”
“Butnoonehasbeeninitfortenyears!”criedColin.
“Therewasnodoor!”
“I’mnoone,”saidoldBendryly.“An’Ididn’tcomethroughth’door.Icomeoverth’wall.Th’rheumaticsheldmebackth’lasttwoyear’.”
“Tha’comean’didabito’prunin’!”criedDickon.“Icouldn’tmakeouthowithadbeendone.”
“Shewassofondofit—shewas!”saidBenWeatherstaffslowly.“An’shewassuchaprettyyoungthing.Shesaystomeonce,‘Ben,’saysshelaughin’,‘ifeverI’millorifIgoawayyoumusttakecareofmyroses.’Whenshedidgoawayth’orderswasnoonewasevertocomenigh.ButIcome,”withgrumpyobstinacy.“Overth’wallIcome—untilth’rheumaticsstoppedme—an’Ididabito’workonceayear.She’dgaveherorderfirst.”
“Itwouldn’thavebeenaswickasitisiftha’hadn’tdoneit,”saidDickon.“Ididwonder.”
“I’mgladyoudidit,Weatherstaff,”saidColin.“You’llknowhowtokeepthesecret.”
“Aye,I’llknow,sir,”answeredBen.“An’it’llbeeasierforamanwi’rheumaticstocomeinatth’door.”
OnthegrassnearthetreeMaryhaddroppedhertrowel.Colinstretchedouthishandandtookitup.Anoddexpressioncameintohisfaceandhebegantoscratchattheearth.Histhinhandwasweakenoughbutpresentlyastheywatchedhim—Marywithquitebreathlessinterest—hedrovetheendofthetrowelintothesoilandturnedsomeover.
