Таинственный сад

VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way

           Itwasastrong,slenderropewithastripedredandbluehandleateachend,butMaryLennoxhadneverseenaskipping-ropebefore.Shegazedatitwithamystifiedexpression.

           “Whatisitfor?”sheaskedcuriously.

           “For!”criedoutMartha.“Doestha’meanthatthey’venotgotskippin’-ropesinIndia,forallthey’vegotelephantsandtigersandcamels!Nowondermostof’em’sblack.Thisiswhatit’sfor;justwatchme.”

           Andsheranintothemiddleoftheroomand,takingahandleineachhand,begantoskip,andskip,andskip,whileMaryturnedinherchairtostareather,andthequeerfacesintheoldportraitsseemedtostareather,too,andwonderwhatonearththiscommonlittlecottagerhadtheimpudencetobedoingundertheirverynoses.ButMarthadidnotevenseethem.TheinterestandcuriosityinMistressMary’sfacedelightedher,andshewentonskippingandcountedassheskippeduntilshehadreachedahundred.

           “Icouldskiplongerthanthat,”shesaidwhenshestopped.“I’veskippedasmuchasfivehundredwhenIwastwelve,butIwasn’tasfatthenasIamnow,an’Iwasinpractice.”

           Marygotupfromherchairbeginningtofeelexcitedherself.

           “Itlooksnice,”shesaid.“Yourmotherisakindwoman.DoyouthinkIcouldeverskiplikethat?”

           “Youjusttryit,”urgedMartha,handinghertheskipping-rope.“Youcan’tskipahundredatfirst,butifyoupracticeyou’llmountup.That’swhatmothersaid.Shesays,‘Nothin’willdohermoregoodthanskippin’rope.It’sth’sensiblesttoyachildcanhave.

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