VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way

           Shelookedatthekeyquitealongtime.Sheturneditoverandover,andthoughtaboutit.AsIhavesaidbefore,shewasnotachildwhohadbeentrainedtoaskpermissionorconsulthereldersaboutthings.Allshethoughtaboutthekeywasthatifitwasthekeytotheclosedgarden,andshecouldfindoutwherethedoorwas,shecouldperhapsopenitandseewhatwasinsidethewalls,andwhathadhappenedtotheoldrose-trees.Itwasbecauseithadbeenshutupsolongthatshewantedtoseeit.Itseemedasifitmustbedifferentfromotherplacesandthatsomethingstrangemusthavehappenedtoitduringtenyears.Besidesthat,ifshelikeditshecouldgointoiteverydayandshutthedoorbehindher,andshecouldmakeupsomeplayofherownandplayitquitealone,becausenobodywouldeverknowwhereshewas,butwouldthinkthedoorwasstilllockedandthekeyburiedintheearth.Thethoughtofthatpleasedherverymuch.

           Livingasitwere,allbyherselfinahousewithahundredmysteriouslyclosedroomsandhavingnothingwhatevertodotoamuseherself,hadsetherinactivebraintoworkingandwasactuallyawakeningherimagination.Thereisnodoubtthatthefresh,strong,pureairfromthemoorhadagreatdealtodowithit.Justasithadgivenheranappetite,andfightingwiththewindhadstirredherblood,sothesamethingshadstirredhermind.InIndiashehadalwaysbeentoohotandlanguidandweaktocaremuchaboutanything,butinthisplaceshewasbeginningtocareandtowanttodonewthings.Alreadyshefeltless“contrary,”thoughshedidnotknowwhy.