Таинственный сад
XX. “I Shall Live Forever—and Ever—and Ever!”
Medlock,assheledhimupthebackstaircasetothecorridorontowhichopenedthehithertomysteriouschamber.
“Let’shopethey’rechangingforthebetter,Mrs.Medlock,”heanswered.
“Theycouldn’twellchangefortheworse,”shecontinued;“andqueerasitallisthere’sthemasfindstheirdutiesmadealoteasiertostandupunder.Don’tyoubesurprised,Mr.Roach,ifyoufindyourselfinthemiddleofamenagerieandMarthaSowerby’sDickonmoreathomethanyouormecouldeverbe.”
TherereallywasasortofMagicaboutDickon,asMaryalwaysprivatelybelieved.WhenMr.Roachheardhisnamehesmiledquiteleniently.
“He’dbeathomeinBuckinghamPalaceoratthebottomofacoalmine,”hesaid.“Andyetit’snotimpudence,either.He’sjustfine,isthatlad.”
Itwasperhapswellhehadbeenpreparedorhemighthavebeenstartled.Whenthebedroomdoorwasopenedalargecrow,whichseemedquiteathomeperchedonthehighbackofacarvenchair,announcedtheentranceofavisitorbysaying“Caw—Caw”quiteloudly.InspiteofMrs.Medlock’swarning,Mr.Roachonlyjustescapedbeingsufficientlyundignifiedtojumpbackward.
TheyoungRajahwasneitherinbednoronhissofa.Hewassittinginanarmchairandayounglambwasstandingbyhimshakingitstailinfeeding-lambfashionasDickonkneltgivingitmilkfromitsbottle.AsquirrelwasperchedonDickon’sbentbackattentivelynibblinganut.ThelittlegirlfromIndiawassittingonabigfootstoollookingon.
“HereisMr.Roach,MasterColin,”saidMrs.Medlock.
