Таинственный сад
XXIII. Magic
“Shallweswaybackwardandforward,Mary,asifweweredervishes?”
“Icanna’donoswayin’back’ardandfor’ard,”saidBenWeatherstaff.“I’vegotth’rheumatics.”
“TheMagicwilltakethemaway,”saidColininaHighPriesttone,“butwewon’tswayuntilithasdoneit.Wewillonlychant.”
“Icanna’donochantin’”saidBenWeatherstaffatrifletestily.“Theyturnedmeouto’th’churchchoirth’onlytimeIevertriedit.”
Noonesmiled.Theywerealltoomuchinearnest.Colin’sfacewasnotevencrossedbyashadow.HewasthinkingonlyoftheMagic.
“ThenIwillchant,”hesaid.Andhebegan,lookinglikeastrangeboyspirit.“Thesunisshining—thesunisshining.ThatistheMagic.Theflowersaregrowing—therootsarestirring.ThatistheMagic.BeingaliveistheMagic—beingstrongistheMagic.TheMagicisinme—theMagicisinme.Itisinme—itisinme.It’sineveryoneofus.It’sinBenWeatherstaff’sback.Magic!Magic!Comeandhelp!”
Hesaiditagreatmanytimes—notathousandtimesbutquiteagoodlynumber.Marylistenedentranced.Shefeltasifitwereatoncequeerandbeautifulandshewantedhimtogoonandon.BenWeatherstaffbegantofeelsoothedintoasortofdreamwhichwasquiteagreeable.Thehummingofthebeesintheblossomsmingledwiththechantingvoiceanddrowsilymeltedintoadoze.Dickonsatcross-leggedwithhisrabbitasleeponhisarmandahandrestingonthelamb’sback.Soothadpushedawayasquirrelandhuddledclosetohimonhisshoulder,thegrayfilmdroppedoverhiseyes.
