Таинственный сад
XXVII. In The Garden
Thefeetranfasterandfaster—theywerenearingthegardendoor—therewasquickstrongyoungbreathingandawildoutbreakoflaughingshoutswhichcouldnotbecontained—andthedoorinthewallwasflungwideopen,thesheetofivyswingingback,andaboyburstthroughitatfullspeedand,withoutseeingtheoutsider,dashedalmostintohisarms.
Mr.Cravenhadextendedthemjustintimetosavehimfromfallingasaresultofhisunseeingdashagainsthim,andwhenheheldhimawaytolookathiminamazementathisbeingtherehetrulygaspedforbreath.
Hewasatallboyandahandsomeone.Hewasglowingwithlifeandhisrunninghadsentsplendidcolorleapingtohisface.Hethrewthethickhairbackfromhisforeheadandliftedapairofstrangegrayeyes—eyesfullofboyishlaughterandrimmedwithblacklasheslikeafringe.ItwastheeyeswhichmadeMr.Cravengaspforbreath.
“Who—What?Who!”hestammered.
ThiswasnotwhatColinhadexpected—thiswasnotwhathehadplanned.Hehadneverthoughtofsuchameeting.Andyettocomedashingout—winningarace—perhapsitwasevenbetter.Hedrewhimselfuptohisverytallest.Mary,whohadbeenrunningwithhimandhaddashedthroughthedoortoo,believedthathemanagedtomakehimselflooktallerthanhehadeverlookedbefore—inchestaller.
“Father,”hesaid,“I’mColin.Youcan’tbelieveit.Iscarcelycanmyself.I’mColin.”
LikeMrs.Medlock,hedidnotunderstandwhathisfathermeantwhenhesaidhurriedly:
“Inthegarden!Inthegarden!”
“Yes,”hurriedonColin.
