Таинственный сад
IV. Martha
”
Shethoughtoftherobinandofthewayheseemedtosinghissongather,andassherememberedthetree-topheperchedonshestoppedrathersuddenlyonthepath.
“Ibelievethattreewasinthesecretgarden—Ifeelsureitwas,”shesaid.“Therewasawallroundtheplaceandtherewasnodoor.”
Shewalkedbackintothefirstkitchen-gardenshehadenteredandfoundtheoldmandiggingthere.Shewentandstoodbesidehimandwatchedhimafewmomentsinhercoldlittleway.Hetooknonoticeofherandsoatlastshespoketohim.
“Ihavebeenintotheothergardens,”shesaid.
“Therewasnothin’topreventthee,”heansweredcrustily.
“Iwentintotheorchard.”
“Therewasnodogatth’doortobitethee,”heanswered.
“Therewasnodoorthereintotheothergarden,”saidMary.
“Whatgarden?”hesaidinaroughvoice,stoppinghisdiggingforamoment.
“Theoneontheothersideofthewall,”answeredMistressMary.“Therearetreesthere—Isawthetopsofthem.Abirdwitharedbreastwassittingononeofthemandhesang.”
Tohersurprisethesurlyoldweather-beatenfaceactuallychangeditsexpression.Aslowsmilespreadoveritandthegardenerlookedquitedifferent.Itmadeherthinkthatitwascurioushowmuchnicerapersonlookedwhenhesmiled.Shehadnotthoughtofitbefore.
Heturnedabouttotheorchardsideofhisgardenandbegantowhistle—alowsoftwhistle.Shecouldnotunderstandhowsuchasurlymancouldmakesuchacoaxingsound.
Almostthenextmomentawonderfulthinghappened.
