XV. Nest Building

           Afteranotherweekofrainthehigharchofblueskyappearedagainandthesunwhichpoureddownwasquitehot.ThoughtherehadbeennochancetoseeeitherthesecretgardenorDickon,MistressMaryhadenjoyedherselfverymuch.Theweekhadnotseemedlong.ShehadspenthoursofeverydaywithColininhisroom,talkingaboutRajahsorgardensorDickonandthecottageonthemoor.TheyhadlookedatthesplendidbooksandpicturesandsometimesMaryhadreadthingstoColin,andsometimeshehadreadalittletoher.Whenhewasamusedandinterestedshethoughthescarcelylookedlikeaninvalidatall,exceptthathisfacewassocolorlessandhewasalwaysonthesofa.

           “Youareaslyyoungonetolistenandgetoutofyourbedtogofollowingthingsuplikeyoudidthatnight,”Mrs.Medlocksaidonce.“Butthere’snosayingit’snotbeenasortofblessingtothelotofus.He’snothadatantrumorawhiningfitsinceyoumadefriends.Thenursewasjustgoingtogiveupthecasebecauseshewassosickofhim,butshesaysshedoesn’tmindstayingnowyou’vegoneondutywithher,”laughingalittle.

           InhertalkswithColin,Maryhadtriedtobeverycautiousaboutthesecretgarden.Therewerecertainthingsshewantedtofindoutfromhim,butshefeltthatshemustfindthemoutwithoutaskinghimdirectquestions.Inthefirstplace,asshebegantoliketobewithhim,shewantedtodiscoverwhetherhewasthekindofboyyoucouldtellasecretto.