Таинственный сад
XXV. The Curtain
Shehadnoticeditthedaybeforebuthadsaidnothingbecauseshethoughtthechangemighthavebeenmadebychance.Shesaidnothingtodaybutshesatandlookedfixedlyatthepictureoverthemantel.Shecouldlookatitbecausethecurtainhadbeendrawnaside.Thatwasthechangeshenoticed.
“Iknowwhatyouwantmetotellyou,”saidColin,aftershehadstaredafewminutes.“Ialwaysknowwhenyouwantmetotellyousomething.Youarewonderingwhythecurtainisdrawnback.Iamgoingtokeepitlikethat.”
“Why?”askedMary.
“Becauseitdoesn’tmakemeangryanymoretoseeherlaughing.IwakenedwhenitwasbrightmoonlighttwonightsagoandfeltasiftheMagicwasfillingtheroomandmakingeverythingsosplendidthatIcouldn’tliestill.Igotupandlookedoutofthewindow.Theroomwasquitelightandtherewasapatchofmoonlightonthecurtainandsomehowthatmademegoandpullthecord.ShelookedrightdownatmeasifshewerelaughingbecauseshewasgladIwasstandingthere.Itmademeliketolookather.Iwanttoseeherlaughinglikethatallthetime.IthinkshemusthavebeenasortofMagicpersonperhaps.”
“Youaresolikehernow,”saidMary,“thatsometimesIthinkperhapsyouareherghostmadeintoaboy.”
ThatideaseemedtoimpressColin.Hethoughtitoverandthenansweredherslowly.
“IfIwereherghost—myfatherwouldbefondofme,”hesaid.
“Doyouwanthimtobefondofyou?”inquiredMary.
“Iusedtohateitbecausehewasnotfondofme.IfhegrewfondofmeIthinkIshouldtellhimabouttheMagic