Таинственный сад
IV. Martha
Watchhimpeckin’abouttherean’lookin’roundatusnowan’again.Heknowswe’retalkin’abouthim.”
Itwasthequeerestthingintheworldtoseetheoldfellow.Helookedattheplumplittlescarlet-waistcoatedbirdasifhewerebothproudandfondofhim.
“He’saconceitedone,”hechuckled.“Helikestohearfolktalkabouthim.An’curious—blessme,thereneverwashislikeforcuriosityan’meddlin’.He’salwayscomin’toseewhatI’mplantin’.Heknowsallth’thingsMesterCravennevertroubleshissel’tofindout.He’sth’headgardener,heis.”
Therobinhoppedaboutbusilypeckingthesoilandnowandthenstoppedandlookedatthemalittle.Marythoughthisblackdewdropeyesgazedatherwithgreatcuriosity.Itreallyseemedasifhewerefindingoutallabouther.Thequeerfeelinginherheartincreased.
“Wheredidtherestofthebroodflyto?”sheasked.
“There’snoknowin’.Theoldonesturn’emouto’theirnestan’make’emflyan’they’rescatteredbeforeyouknowit.Thisonewasaknowin’onean’heknewhewaslonely.”
MistressMarywentastepnearertotherobinandlookedathimveryhard.
“I’mlonely,”shesaid.
Shehadnotknownbeforethatthiswasoneofthethingswhichmadeherfeelsourandcross.Sheseemedtofinditoutwhentherobinlookedatherandshelookedattherobin.
Theoldgardenerpushedhiscapbackonhisbaldheadandstaredatheraminute.
“Arttha’th’littlewenchfromIndia?”heasked.
Marynodded.
“Thennowondertha’rtlonely.
