Таємничий сад
II. Mistress Mary QuIte Contrary
ColonelMcGrewsaidhenearlyjumpedoutofhisskinwhenheopenedthedoorandfoundherstandingbyherselfinthemiddleoftheroom.”
MarymadethelongvoyagetoEnglandunderthecareofanofficer’swife,whowastakingherchildrentoleavetheminaboarding-school.Shewasverymuchabsorbedinherownlittleboyandgirl,andwasrathergladtohandthechildovertothewomanMr.ArchibaldCravensenttomeether,inLondon.ThewomanwashishousekeeperatMisselthwaiteManor,andhernamewasMrs.Medlock.Shewasastoutwoman,withveryredcheeksandsharpblackeyes.Sheworeaverypurpledress,ablacksilkmantlewithjetfringeonitandablackbonnetwithpurplevelvetflowerswhichstuckupandtrembledwhenshemovedherhead.Marydidnotlikeheratall,butassheveryseldomlikedpeopletherewasnothingremarkableinthat;besideswhichitwasveryevidentMrs.Medlockdidnotthinkmuchofher.
“Myword!she’saplainlittlepieceofgoods!”shesaid.“Andwe’dheardthathermotherwasabeauty.Shehasn’thandedmuchofitdown,hasshe,ma’am?”
“Perhapsshewillimproveasshegrowsolder,”theofficer’swifesaidgood-naturedly.“Ifshewerenotsosallowandhadanicerexpression,herfeaturesarerathergood.Childrenaltersomuch.”
“She’llhavetoalteragooddeal,”answeredMrs.Medlock.“And,there’snothinglikelytoimprovechildrenatMisselthwaite—ifyouaskme!”
TheythoughtMarywasnotlisteningbecauseshewasstandingalittleapartfromthematthewindowoftheprivatehoteltheyhadgoneto.
