Таинственный сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
ThelowwallwasoneoftheprettiestthingsinYorkshirebecausehehadtuckedmoorlandfoxgloveandfernsandrock-cressandhedgerowflowersintoeverycreviceuntilonlyhereandthereglimpsesofthestonesweretobeseen.
“Allachap’sgottodotomake’emthrive,mother,”hewouldsay,“istobefriendswith’emforsure.They’rejustliketh’‘creatures.’Ifthey’rethirstygive’emdrinkandifthey’rehungrygive’emabito’food.Theywanttolivesameaswedo.IftheydiedIshouldfeelasifI’dbeenabadladandsomehowtreatedthemheartless.”
ItwasinthesetwilighthoursthatMrs.SowerbyheardofallthathappenedatMisselthwaiteManor.Atfirstshewasonlytoldthat“MesterColin”hadtakenafancytogoingoutintothegroundswithMissMaryandthatitwasdoinghimgood.ButitwasnotlongbeforeitwasagreedbetweenthetwochildrenthatDickon’smothermight“comeintothesecret.”Somehowitwasnotdoubtedthatshewas“safeforsure.”
SoonebeautifulstilleveningDickontoldthewholestory,withallthethrillingdetailsoftheburiedkeyandtherobinandthegrayhazewhichhadseemedlikedeadnessandthesecretMistressMaryhadplannednevertoreveal.ThecomingofDickonandhowithadbeentoldtohim,thedoubtofMesterColinandthefinaldramaofhisintroductiontothehiddendomain,combinedwiththeincidentofBenWeatherstaff’sangryfacepeeringoverthewallandMesterColin’ssuddenindignantstrength,madeMrs.Sowerby’snice-lookingfacequitechangecolorseveraltimes.
“Myword!”shesaid.
