Таинственный сад
VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way
Letherplayoutinth’freshairskippin’an’it’llstretchherlegsan’armsan’givehersomestrengthin’em.’”
ItwasplainthattherewasnotagreatdealofstrengthinMistressMary’sarmsandlegswhenshefirstbegantoskip.Shewasnotverycleveratit,butshelikeditsomuchthatshedidnotwanttostop.
“Putontha’thingsandrunan’skipouto’doors,”saidMartha.“MothersaidImusttellyoutokeepouto’doorsasmuchasyoucould,evenwhenitrainsabit,soastha’wrapupwarm.”
Maryputonhercoatandhatandtookherskipping-ropeoverherarm.Sheopenedthedoortogoout,andthensuddenlythoughtofsomethingandturnedbackratherslowly.
“Martha,”shesaid,“theywereyourwages.Itwasyourtwo-pencereally.Thankyou.”Shesaiditstifflybecauseshewasnotusedtothankingpeopleornoticingthattheydidthingsforher.“Thankyou,”shesaid,andheldoutherhandbecauseshedidnotknowwhatelsetodo.
Marthagaveherhandaclumsylittleshake,asifshewasnotaccustomedtothissortofthingeither.Thenshelaughed.
“Eh!th’artaqueer,old-womanishthing,”shesaid.“Iftha’dbeenour’LizabethEllentha’dhavegivenmeakiss.”
Marylookedstifferthanever.
“Doyouwantmetokissyou?”
Marthalaughedagain.
“Nay,notme,”sheanswered.“Iftha’wasdifferent,p’rapstha’dwanttothysel’.Buttha’isn’t.Runoffoutsidean’playwiththyrope.”
MistressMaryfeltalittleawkwardasshewentoutoftheroom.
