Таємничий сад
XIII. “I Am Colin”
“Becausewhenyouwerebornthegardendoorwaslockedandthekeywasburied.Andithasbeenlockedfortenyears.”
Colinhalfsatup,turningtowardher,leaningonhiselbows.
“Whatgardendoorwaslocked?Whodidit?Wherewasthekeyburied?”heexclaimedasifheweresuddenlyverymuchinterested.
“It—itwasthegardenMr.Cravenhates,”saidMarynervously.“Helockedthedoor.Noone—nooneknewwhereheburiedthekey.”
“Whatsortofagardenisit?”Colinpersistedeagerly.
“Noonehasbeenallowedtogointoitfortenyears,”wasMary’scarefulanswer.
Butitwastoolatetobecareful.Hewastoomuchlikeherself.Hetoohadhadnothingtothinkaboutandtheideaofahiddengardenattractedhimasithadattractedher.Heaskedquestionafterquestion.Wherewasit?Hadsheneverlookedforthedoor?Hadsheneveraskedthegardeners?
“Theywon’ttalkaboutit,”saidMary.“Ithinktheyhavebeentoldnottoanswerquestions.”
“Iwouldmakethem,”saidColin.
“Couldyou?”Maryfaltered,beginningtofeelfrightened.Ifhecouldmakepeopleanswerquestions,whoknewwhatmighthappen!
“Everyoneisobligedtopleaseme.Itoldyouthat,”hesaid.“IfIweretolive,thisplacewouldsometimebelongtome.Theyallknowthat.Iwouldmakethemtellme.”
Maryhadnotknownthatsheherselfhadbeenspoiled,butshecouldseequiteplainlythatthismysteriousboyhadbeen.Hethoughtthatthewholeworldbelongedtohim.Howpeculiarhewasandhowcoollyhespokeofnotliving.
