Таинственный сад

           Heansweredeveryoneoftheminhisqueergruntingwayandhedidnotseemreallycrossanddidnotpickuphisspadeandleaveher.Hesaidsomethingaboutrosesjustasshewasgoingawayanditremindedheroftheoneshehadsaidhehadbeenfondof.

           “Doyougoandseethoseotherrosesnow?”sheasked.

           “Notbeenthisyear.Myrheumaticshasmademetoostiffinth’joints.”

           Hesaiditinhisgrumblingvoice,andthenquitesuddenlyheseemedtogetangrywithher,thoughshedidnotseewhyheshould.

           “Nowlookhere!”hesaidsharply.“Don’ttha’asksomanyquestions.Tha’rtth’worstwenchforaskin’questionsI’veevercomeacross.Gettheegonean’playthee.I’vedonetalkin’fortoday.”

           Andhesaiditsocrosslythatsheknewtherewasnottheleastuseinstayinganotherminute.Shewentskippingslowlydowntheoutsidewalk,thinkinghimoverandsayingtoherselfthat,queerasitwas,herewasanotherpersonwhomshelikedinspiteofhiscrossness.ShelikedoldBenWeatherstaff.Yes,shedidlikehim.Shealwayswantedtotrytomakehimtalktoher.Alsoshebegantobelievethathekneweverythingintheworldaboutflowers.

           Therewasalaurel-hedgedwalkwhichcurvedroundthesecretgardenandendedatagatewhichopenedintoawood,inthepark.Shethoughtshewouldsliproundthiswalkandlookintothewoodandseeiftherewereanyrabbitshoppingabout.Sheenjoyedtheskippingverymuchandwhenshereachedthelittlegatesheopeneditandwentthroughbecausesheheardalow,peculiarwhistlingsoundandwantedtofindoutwhatitwas.