Таинственный сад
VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way
OurDickonhesaidourcottagewasgoodenoughforakingtolivein.”
Intheeveningtheyhadallsatroundthefire,andMarthaandhermotherhadsewedpatchesontornclothesandmendedstockingsandMarthahadtoldthemaboutthelittlegirlwhohadcomefromIndiaandwhohadbeenwaitedonallherlifebywhatMarthacalled“blacks”untilshedidn’tknowhowtoputonherownstockings.
“Eh!theydidliketohearaboutyou,”saidMartha.“Theywantedtoknowallaboutth’blacksan’aboutth’shipyoucamein.Icouldn’ttell’emenough.”
Maryreflectedalittle.
“I’lltellyouagreatdealmorebeforeyournextdayout,”shesaid,“sothatyouwillhavemoretotalkabout.Idaresaytheywouldliketohearaboutridingonelephantsandcamels,andabouttheofficersgoingtohunttigers.”
“Myword!”crieddelightedMartha.“Itwouldset’emcleanofftheirheads.Wouldtha’reallydothat,Miss?ItwouldbesameasawildbeastshowlikeweheardtheyhadinYorkonce.”
“IndiaisquitedifferentfromYorkshire,”Marysaidslowly,asshethoughtthematterover.“Ineverthoughtofthat.DidDickonandyourmotherliketohearyoutalkaboutme?”
“Why,ourDickon’seyesnearlystartedouto’hishead,theygotthatround,”answeredMartha.“Butmother,shewasputoutaboutyourseemin’tobeallbyyourselflike.Shesaid,‘Hasn’tMr.Cravengotnogovernessforher,nornonurse?’andIsaid,‘No,hehasn’t,thoughMrs.Medlocksayshewillwhenhethinksofit,butshesayshemayn’tthinkofitfortwoorthreeyears.
