Таинственный сад
VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way
Itwasstrongenoughtowavethebranchesofthetrees,anditwasmorethanstrongenoughtoswaythetrailingspraysofuntrimmedivyhangingfromthewall.Maryhadsteppedclosetotherobin,andsuddenlythegustofwindswungasidesomelooseivytrails,andmoresuddenlystillshejumpedtowarditandcaughtitinherhand.Thisshedidbecauseshehadseensomethingunderit—aroundknobwhichhadbeencoveredbytheleaveshangingoverit.Itwastheknobofadoor.
Sheputherhandsundertheleavesandbegantopullandpushthemaside.Thickastheivyhung,itnearlyallwasalooseandswingingcurtain,thoughsomehadcreptoverwoodandiron.Mary’sheartbegantothumpandherhandstoshakealittleinherdelightandexcitement.Therobinkeptsingingandtwitteringawayandtiltinghisheadononeside,asifhewereasexcitedasshewas.Whatwasthisunderherhandswhichwassquareandmadeofironandwhichherfingersfoundaholein?
Itwasthelockofthedoorwhichhadbeenclosedtenyearsandsheputherhandinherpocket,drewoutthekeyandfounditfittedthekeyhole.Sheputthekeyinandturnedit.Ittooktwohandstodoit,butitdidturn.
Andthenshetookalongbreathandlookedbehindherupthelongwalktoseeifanyonewascoming.Noonewascoming.Nooneeverdidcome,itseemed,andshetookanotherlongbreath,becauseshecouldnothelpit,andsheheldbacktheswingingcurtainofivyandpushedbackthedoorwhichopenedslowly—slowly
