Таинственный сад
IV. Martha
SoshebegantofeelaslightinterestinDickon,andasshehadneverbeforebeeninterestedinanyonebutherself,itwasthedawningofahealthysentiment.Whenshewentintotheroomwhichhadbeenmadeintoanurseryforher,shefoundthatitwasratherliketheoneshehadsleptin.Itwasnotachild’sroom,butagrown-upperson’sroom,withgloomyoldpicturesonthewallsandheavyoldoakchairs.Atableinthecenterwassetwithagoodsubstantialbreakfast.Butshehadalwayshadaverysmallappetite,andshelookedwithsomethingmorethanindifferenceatthefirstplateMarthasetbeforeher.
“Idon’twantit,”shesaid.
“Tha’doesn’twantthyporridge!”Marthaexclaimedincredulously.
“No.”
“Tha’doesn’tknowhowgooditis.Putabito’treacleonitorabito’sugar.”
“Idon’twantit,”repeatedMary.
“Eh!”saidMartha.“Ican’tabidetoseegoodvictualsgotowaste.Ifourchildrenwasatthistablethey’dcleanitbareinfiveminutes.”
“Why?”saidMarycoldly.
“Why!”echoedMartha.“Becausetheyscarceeverhadtheirstomachsfullintheirlives.They’reashungryasyounghawksan’foxes.”
“Idon’tknowwhatitistobehungry,”saidMary,withtheindifferenceofignorance.
Marthalookedindignant.
“Well,itwoulddotheegoodtotryit.Icanseethatplainenough,”shesaidoutspokenly.“I’venopatiencewithfolkassitsan’juststaresatgoodbreadan’meat.Myword!don’tIwishDickonandPhilan’Janean’th’restof’emhadwhat’shereundertheirpinafores.
