Таинственный сад
IX. The Strangest House Anyone Ever Lived In
MedlocksaidIwastohaveashillingaweektospend.ShegivesmeoneeverySaturday.Ididn’tknowwhattospenditon.”
“Myword!that’sriches,”saidMartha.“Tha’canbuyanythinginth’worldtha’wants.Th’rentofourcottageisonlyonean’threepencean’it’slikepullin’eye-teethtogetit.NowI’vejustthoughtofsomethin’,”puttingherhandsonherhips.
“What?”saidMaryeagerly.
“IntheshopatThwaitetheysellpackageso’flower-seedsforapennyeach,andourDickonheknowswhichisth’prettiestonesan’howtomake’emgrow.HewalksovertoThwaitemanyadayjustforth’funofit.Doestha’knowhowtoprintletters?”suddenly.
“Iknowhowtowrite,”Maryanswered.
Marthashookherhead.
“OurDickoncanonlyreadprintin’.Iftha’couldprintwecouldwritealettertohiman’askhimtogoan’buyth’gardentoolsan’th’seedsatth’sametime.”
“Oh!you’reagoodgirl!”Marycried.“Youare,really!Ididn’tknowyouweresonice.IknowIcanprintlettersifItry.Let’saskMrs.Medlockforapenandinkandsomepaper.”
“I’vegotsomeofmyown,”saidMartha.“Ibought’emsoIcouldprintabitofalettertomotherofaSunday.I’llgoandgetit.”
Sheranoutoftheroom,andMarystoodbythefireandtwistedherthinlittlehandstogetherwithsheerpleasure.
“IfIhaveaspade,”shewhispered,“Icanmaketheearthniceandsoftanddigupweeds.IfIhaveseedsandcanmakeflowersgrowthegardenwon’tbedeadatall—itwillcomealive.