Таинственный сад
I. There Is No One Left
“Comewithme!Comewithme!”andsheturnedandranintothehouse.
Afterthatappallingthingshappened,andthemysteriousnessofthemorningwasexplainedtoMary.Thecholerahadbrokenoutinitsmostfatalformandpeopleweredyinglikeflies.TheAyahhadbeentakenillinthenight,anditwasbecauseshehadjustdiedthattheservantshadwailedinthehuts.Beforethenextdaythreeotherservantsweredeadandothershadrunawayinterror.Therewaspaniconeveryside,anddyingpeopleinallthebungalows.
DuringtheconfusionandbewildermentoftheseconddayMaryhidherselfinthenurseryandwasforgottenbyeveryone.Nobodythoughtofher,nobodywantedher,andstrangethingshappenedofwhichsheknewnothing.Maryalternatelycriedandsleptthroughthehours.Sheonlyknewthatpeoplewereillandthatsheheardmysteriousandfrighteningsounds.Onceshecreptintothedining-roomandfounditempty,thoughapartlyfinishedmealwasonthetableandchairsandplateslookedasiftheyhadbeenhastilypushedbackwhenthedinersrosesuddenlyforsomereason.Thechildatesomefruitandbiscuits,andbeingthirstyshedrankaglassofwinewhichstoodnearlyfilled.Itwassweet,andshedidnotknowhowstrongitwas.Verysoonitmadeherintenselydrowsy,andshewentbacktohernurseryandshutherselfinagain,frightenedbycriessheheardinthehutsandbythehurryingsoundoffeet.Thewinemadehersosleepythatshecouldscarcelykeephereyesopenandshelaydownonherbedandknewnothingmoreforalongtime.
