Таинственный сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
Sowerbylaughedsoheartilyattherevelationofthisdifficultythatshequiterockedbackwardandforwardinherbluecloak,andDickonlaughedwithher.
“I’lltelltheewhat,lad,”Mrs.Sowerbysaidwhenshecouldspeak.“I’vethoughtofawaytohelp’em.Whentha’goesto’eminth’mornin’stha’shalltakeapailo’goodnewmilkan’I’llbake’emacrustycottageloaforsomebunswi’currantsin’em,sameasyouchildrenlike.Nothin’ssogoodasfreshmilkan’bread.Thentheycouldtakeoffth’edgeo’theirhungerwhiletheywereintheirgardenan’th,finefoodtheygetindoors’udpolishoffth’corners.”
“Eh!mother!”saidDickonadmiringly,“whatawondertha’art!Tha’alwaysseesawayouto’things.Theywasquiteinapotheryesterday.Theydidn’tseehowtheywastomanagewithoutorderin’upmorefood—theyfeltthatemptyinside.”
“They’retwoyoung’unsgrowin’fast,an’health’scomin’backtobothof’em.Childrenlikethatfeelslikeyoungwolvesan’food’sfleshan’bloodto’em,”saidMrs.Sowerby.ThenshesmiledDickon’sowncurvingsmile.“Eh!butthey’reenjoyin’theirselvesforsure,”shesaid.
Shewasquiteright,thecomfortablewonderfulmothercreature—andshehadneverbeenmoresothanwhenshesaidtheir“playactin’”wouldbetheirjoy.ColinandMaryfounditoneoftheirmostthrillingsourcesofentertainment.TheideaofprotectingthemselvesfromsuspicionhadbeenunconsciouslysuggestedtothemfirstbythepuzzlednurseandthenbyDr.Cravenhimself.
