Таинственный сад
IV. Martha
Shedoesn’tholdwithblackhersel’.”
“Ihateblackthings,”saidMary.
Thedressingprocesswasonewhichtaughtthembothsomething.Marthahad“buttonedup”herlittlesistersandbrothersbutshehadneverseenachildwhostoodstillandwaitedforanotherpersontodothingsforherasifshehadneitherhandsnorfeetofherown.
“Whydoesn’ttha’putontha’ownshoes?”shesaidwhenMaryquietlyheldoutherfoot.
“MyAyahdidit,”answeredMary,staring.“Itwasthecustom.”
Shesaidthatveryoften—“Itwasthecustom.”Thenativeservantswerealwayssayingit.Ifonetoldthemtodoathingtheirancestorshadnotdoneforathousandyearstheygazedatonemildlyandsaid,“Itisnotthecustom”andoneknewthatwastheendofthematter.
IthadnotbeenthecustomthatMistressMaryshoulddoanythingbutstandandallowherselftobedressedlikeadoll,butbeforeshewasreadyforbreakfastshebegantosuspectthatherlifeatMisselthwaiteManorwouldendbyteachingheranumberofthingsquitenewtoher—thingssuchasputtingonherownshoesandstockings,andpickingupthingssheletfall.IfMarthahadbeenawell-trainedfineyounglady’smaidshewouldhavebeenmoresubservientandrespectfulandwouldhaveknownthatitwasherbusinesstobrushhair,andbuttonboots,andpickthingsupandlaythemaway.
