Таинственный сад
VI. “There Was Someone Crying—there Was!”
Twoorthreetimesshelostherwaybyturningdownthewrongcorridorandwasobligedtorambleupanddownuntilshefoundtherightone;butatlastshereachedherownflooragain,thoughshewassomedistancefromherownroomanddidnotknowexactlywhereshewas.
“IbelieveIhavetakenawrongturningagain,”shesaid,standingstillatwhatseemedtheendofashortpassagewithtapestryonthewall.“Idon’tknowwhichwaytogo.Howstilleverythingis!”
Itwaswhileshewasstandinghereandjustaftershehadsaidthisthatthestillnesswasbrokenbyasound.Itwasanothercry,butnotquiteliketheoneshehadheardlastnight;itwasonlyashortone,afretfulchildishwhinemuffledbypassingthroughwalls.
“It’snearerthanitwas,”saidMary,herheartbeatingratherfaster.“Anditiscrying.”
Sheputherhandaccidentallyuponthetapestrynearher,andthensprangback,feelingquitestartled.Thetapestrywasthecoveringofadoorwhichfellopenandshowedherthattherewasanotherpartofthecorridorbehindit,andMrs.Medlockwascomingupitwithherbunchofkeysinherhandandaverycrosslookonherface.
“Whatareyoudoinghere?”shesaid,andshetookMarybythearmandpulledheraway.“WhatdidItellyou?”
“Iturnedroundthewrongcorner,”explainedMary.“Ididn’tknowwhichwaytogoandIheardsomeonecrying.”ShequitehatedMrs.Medlockatthemoment,butshehatedhermorethenext.
“Youdidn’thearanythingofthesort,”saidthehousekeeper.“YoucomealongbacktoyourownnurseryorI’llboxyourears
