Таинственный сад
XXII. When The Sun Went Down
WhenBenWeatherstaffcamethroughthedoorinthewallhesawhimstandingthereandheheardMarymutteringsomethingunderherbreath.
“Whatartsayin’?”heaskedrathertestilybecausehedidnotwanthisattentiondistractedfromthelongthinstraightboyfigureandproudface.
Butshedidnottellhim.Whatshewassayingwasthis:
“Youcandoit!Youcandoit!Itoldyouyoucould!Youcandoit!Youcandoit!Youcan!”
ShewassayingittoColinbecauseshewantedtomakeMagicandkeephimonhisfeetlookinglikethat.ShecouldnotbearthatheshouldgiveinbeforeBenWeatherstaff.Hedidnotgivein.Shewasupliftedbyasuddenfeelingthathelookedquitebeautifulinspiteofhisthinness.HefixedhiseyesonBenWeatherstaffinhisfunnyimperiousway.
“Lookatme!”hecommanded.“Lookatmeallover!AmIahunchback?HaveIgotcrookedlegs?”
BenWeatherstaffhadnotquitegotoverhisemotion,buthehadrecoveredalittleandansweredalmostinhisusualway.
“Nottha’,”hesaid.“Nowto’th’sort.What’stha’beendoin’withthysel’—hidin’outo’sightan’lettin’folkthinktha’wascripplean’half-witted?”
“Half-witted!”saidColinangrily.“Whothoughtthat?”
“Lotso’fools,”saidBen.“Th’world’sfullo’jackassesbrayin’an’theyneverbraynowtbutlies.Whatdidtha’shutthysel’upfor?”
“EveryonethoughtIwasgoingtodie,”saidColinshortly.“I’mnot!”
AndhesaiditwithsuchdecisionBenWeatherstafflookedhimover,upanddown,downandup.
