Таинственный сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
He’sknowedmeeversinceIwasalittle’unan’he’safriendlysortan’Iaxedhimsomequestions.Th’gentrycallshimaathleteandIthoughto’thee,MesterColin,andIsays,‘Howdidtha’maketha’musclesstickoutthatway,Bob?Didtha’doanythin’extratomakethysel’sostrong?’An’hesays‘Well,yes,lad,Idid.AstrongmaninashowthatcametoThwaiteonceshowedmehowtoexercisemyarmsan’legsan’everymuscleinmybody.An’Isays,‘Couldadelicatechapmakehimselfstrongerwith’em,Bob?’an’helaughedan’says,‘Arttha’th’delicatechap?’an’Isays,‘No,butIknowsayounggentlemanthat’sgettin’wellofalongillnessan’IwishIknowedsomeo’themtrickstotellhimabout.’Ididn’tsaynonamesan’hedidn’tasknone.He’sfriendlysameasIsaidan’hestoodupan’showedmegood-naturedlike,an’IimitatedwhathedidtillIknoweditbyheart.”
Colinhadbeenlisteningexcitedly.
“Canyoushowme?”hecried.“Willyou?”
“Aye,tobesure,”Dickonanswered,gettingup.“Buthesaystha’mundo’emgentleatfirstan’becarefulnottotirethysel’.Restinbetweentimesan’takedeepbreathsan’don’toverdo.”
“I’llbecareful,”saidColin.“Showme!Showme!Dickon,youarethemostMagicboyintheworld!”
Dickonstooduponthegrassandslowlywentthroughacarefullypracticalbutsimpleseriesofmuscleexercises.Colinwatchedthemwithwideningeyes.Hecoulddoafewwhilehewassittingdown.
