Таинственный сад
XXV. The Curtain
DoyouknowthatwhenIwakeninthemorning,Mary,whenit’squiteearlyandthebirdsarejustshoutingoutsideandeverythingseemsjustshoutingforjoy—eventhetreesandthingswecan’treallyhear—IfeelasifImustjumpoutofbedandshoutmyself.IfIdidit,justthinkwhatwouldhappen!”
Marygiggledinordinately.
“ThenursewouldcomerunningandMrs.Medlockwouldcomerunningandtheywouldbesureyouhadgonecrazyandthey’dsendforthedoctor,”shesaid.
Colingiggledhimself.Hecouldseehowtheywouldalllook—howhorrifiedbyhisoutbreakandhowamazedtoseehimstandingupright.
“Iwishmyfatherwouldcomehome,”hesaid.“Iwanttotellhimmyself.I’malwaysthinkingaboutit—butwecouldn’tgoonlikethismuchlonger.Ican’tstandlyingstillandpretending,andbesidesIlooktoodifferent.Iwishitwasn’trainingtoday.”
ItwasthenMistressMaryhadherinspiration.
“Colin,”shebeganmysteriously,“doyouknowhowmanyroomsthereareinthishouse?”
“Aboutathousand,Isuppose,”heanswered.
“There’saboutahundrednooneevergoesinto,”saidMary.“AndonerainydayIwentandlookedintoeversomanyofthem.Nooneeverknew,thoughMrs.Medlocknearlyfoundmeout.IlostmywaywhenIwascomingbackandIstoppedattheendofyourcorridor.ThatwasthesecondtimeIheardyoucrying.”
Colinstarteduponhissofa.
“Ahundredroomsnoonegoesinto,”hesaid.“Itsoundsalmostlikeasecretgarden.Supposewegoandlookatthem.Wheelmeinmychairandnobodywouldknowwewent.
