Таинственный сад
II. Mistress Mary QuIte Contrary
“Whydon’tyouputaheapofstonesthereandpretenditisarockery?”hesaid.“Thereinthemiddle,”andheleanedoverhertopoint.
“Goaway!”criedMary.“Idon’twantboys.Goaway!”
ForamomentBasillookedangry,andthenhebegantotease.Hewasalwaysteasinghissisters.Hedancedroundandroundherandmadefacesandsangandlaughed.
“MistressMary,quitecontrary,
Howdoesyourgardengrow?
Withsilverbells,andcockleshells,
Andmarigoldsallinarow.”
Hesangituntiltheotherchildrenheardandlaughed,too;andthecrosserMarygot,themoretheysang“MistressMary,quitecontrary”;andafterthataslongasshestayedwiththemtheycalledher“MistressMaryQuiteContrary”whentheyspokeofhertoeachother,andoftenwhentheyspoketoher.
“Youaregoingtobesenthome,”Basilsaidtoher,“attheendoftheweek.Andwe’regladofit.”
“Iamgladofit,too,”answeredMary.“Whereishome?”
“Shedoesn’tknowwherehomeis!”saidBasil,withseven-year-oldscorn.“It’sEngland,ofcourse.OurgrandmamalivesthereandoursisterMabelwassenttoherlastyear.Youarenotgoingtoyourgrandmama.Youhavenone.Youaregoingtoyouruncle.HisnameisMr.ArchibaldCraven.”
“Idon’tknowanythingabouthim,”snappedMary.
“Iknowyoudon’t,”Basilanswered.“Youdon’tknowanything.Girlsneverdo.Iheardfatherandmothertalkingabouthim.Helivesinagreat,big,desolateoldhouseinthecountryandnoonegoesnearhim.He’ssocrosshewon’tletthem,andtheywouldn’tcomeifhewouldletthem.
