Таинственный сад
X. Dickon
Itwastruethatshehadturnedredandthenpale.Dickonsawherdoit,andasshestillsaidnothing,hebegantobepuzzled.
“Wouldn’ttheygivetheeabit?”heasked.“Hasn’ttha’gotanyyet?”
Sheheldherhandstighterandturnedhereyestowardhim.
“Idon’tknowanythingaboutboys,”shesaidslowly.“Couldyoukeepasecret,ifItoldyouone?It’sagreatsecret.Idon’tknowwhatIshoulddoifanyonefounditout.IbelieveIshoulddie!”Shesaidthelastsentencequitefiercely.
Dickonlookedmorepuzzledthaneverandevenrubbedhishandoverhisroughheadagain,butheansweredquitegood-humoredly.
“I’mkeepin’secretsallth’time,”hesaid.“IfIcouldn’tkeepsecretsfromth’otherlads,secretsaboutfoxes’cubs,an’birds’nests,an’wildthings’holes,there’dbenaughtsafeonth’moor.Aye,Icankeepsecrets.”
MistressMarydidnotmeantoputoutherhandandclutchhissleevebutshedidit.
“I’vestolenagarden,”shesaidveryfast.“Itisn’tmine.Itisn’tanybody’s.Nobodywantsit,nobodycaresforit,nobodyevergoesintoit.Perhapseverythingisdeadinitalready.Idon’tknow.”
Shebegantofeelhotandascontraryasshehadeverfeltinherlife.
“Idon’tcare,Idon’tcare!NobodyhasanyrighttotakeitfrommewhenIcareaboutitandtheydon’t.They’relettingitdie,allshutinbyitself,”sheendedpassionately,andshethrewherarmsoverherfaceandburstoutcrying—poorlittleMistressMary.
Dickon’scuriousblueeyesgrewrounderandrounder
