Таинственный сад
XVII. A Tantrum
“Youdidn’tfeelalump!”contradictedMaryfiercely.“Ifyoudiditwasonlyahystericallump.Hystericsmakeslumps.There’snothingthematterwithyourhorridback—nothingbuthysterics!Turnoverandletmelookatit!”
Shelikedtheword“hysterics”andfeltsomehowasifithadaneffectonhim.Hewasprobablylikeherselfandhadneverhearditbefore.
“Nurse,”shecommanded,“comehereandshowmehisbackthisminute!”
Thenurse,Mrs.MedlockandMarthahadbeenstandinghuddledtogethernearthedoorstaringather,theirmouthshalfopen.Allthreehadgaspedwithfrightmorethanonce.Thenursecameforwardasifshewerehalfafraid.Colinwasheavingwithgreatbreathlesssobs.
“Perhapshe—hewon’tletme,”shehesitatedinalowvoice.
Colinheardher,however,andhegaspedoutbetweentwosobs:
“Sh-showher!She-she’llseethen!”
Itwasapoorthinbacktolookatwhenitwasbared.Everyribcouldbecountedandeveryjointofthespine,thoughMistressMarydidnotcountthemasshebentoverandexaminedthemwithasolemnsavagelittleface.Shelookedsosourandold-fashionedthatthenurseturnedherheadasidetohidethetwitchingofhermouth.Therewasjustaminute’ssilence,forevenColintriedtoholdhisbreathwhileMarylookedupanddownhisspine,anddownandup,asintentlyasifshehadbeenthegreatdoctorfromLondon.
“There’snotasinglelumpthere!”shesaidatlast.“There’snotalumpasbigasapin—exceptbackbonelumps,andyoucanonlyfeelthembecauseyou’rethin.
