Таємничий сад
XIII. “I Am Colin”
Shehadbrighthairtiedupwithablueribbonandhergay,lovelyeyeswereexactlylikeColin’sunhappyones,agategrayandlookingtwiceasbigastheyreallywerebecauseoftheblacklashesallroundthem.
“Sheismymother,”saidColincomplainingly.“Idon’tseewhyshedied.SometimesIhateherfordoingit.”
“Howqueer!”saidMary.
“IfshehadlivedIbelieveIshouldnothavebeenillalways,”hegrumbled.“IdaresayIshouldhavelived,too.Andmyfatherwouldnothavehatedtolookatme.IdaresayIshouldhavehadastrongback.Drawthecurtainagain.”
Marydidasshewastoldandreturnedtoherfootstool.
“Sheismuchprettierthanyou,”shesaid,“buthereyesarejustlikeyours—atleasttheyarethesameshapeandcolor.Whyisthecurtaindrawnoverher?”
Hemoveduncomfortably.
“Imadethemdoit,”hesaid.“SometimesIdon’tliketoseeherlookingatme.ShesmilestoomuchwhenIamillandmiserable.Besides,sheismineandIdon’twanteveryonetoseeher.”
TherewereafewmomentsofsilenceandthenMaryspoke.
“WhatwouldMrs.MedlockdoifshefoundoutthatIhadbeenhere?”sheinquired.
“ShewoulddoasItoldhertodo,”heanswered.“AndIshouldtellherthatIwantedyoutocomehereandtalktomeeveryday.Iamgladyoucame.”
“SoamI,”saidMary.“IwillcomeasoftenasIcan,but”—shehesitated—“Ishallhavetolookeverydayforthegardendoor.”
“Yes,youmust,”saidColin,“andyoucantellmeaboutitafterward.
