Таинственный сад
IV. Martha
BenWeatherstafflaughedoutright.
“Whatdidhedothatfor?”askedMary.
“He’smadeuphismindtomakefriendswiththee,”repliedBen.“Dangmeifhehasn’ttookafancytothee.”
“Tome?”saidMary,andshemovedtowardthelittletreesoftlyandlookedup.
“Wouldyoumakefriendswithme?”shesaidtotherobinjustasifshewasspeakingtoaperson.“Wouldyou?”AndshedidnotsayiteitherinherhardlittlevoiceorinherimperiousIndianvoice,butinatonesosoftandeagerandcoaxingthatBenWeatherstaffwasassurprisedasshehadbeenwhensheheardhimwhistle.
“Why,”hecriedout,“tha’saidthatasnicean’humanasiftha’wasarealchildinsteadofasharpoldwoman.Tha’saiditalmostlikeDickontalkstohiswildthingsonth’moor.”
“DoyouknowDickon?”Maryasked,turningroundratherinahurry.
“Everybodyknowshim.Dickon’swanderin’abouteverywhere.Th’veryblackberriesan’heather-bellsknowshim.Iwarrantth’foxesshowshimwheretheircubsliesan’th’skylarksdoesn’thidetheirnestsfromhim.”
Marywouldhavelikedtoasksomemorequestions.ShewasalmostascuriousaboutDickonasshewasaboutthedesertedgarden.Butjustthatmomenttherobin,whohadendedhissong,gavealittleshakeofhiswings,spreadthemandflewaway.Hehadmadehisvisitandhadotherthingstodo.
“Hehasflownoverthewall!”Marycriedout,watchinghim.“Hehasflownintotheorchard—hehasflownacrosstheotherwall—intothegardenwherethereisnodoor!”
“Helivesthere,”saidoldBen
