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.
