Таємничий сад
II. Mistress Mary QuIte Contrary
Shefrownedbecausesherememberedthatherfatherandmotherhadnevertalkedtoheraboutanythinginparticular.Certainlytheyhadnevertoldherthings.
“Humph,”mutteredMrs.Medlock,staringatherqueer,unresponsivelittleface.Shedidnotsayanymoreforafewmomentsandthenshebeganagain.
“Isupposeyoumightaswellbetoldsomething—toprepareyou.Youaregoingtoaqueerplace.”
Marysaidnothingatall,andMrs.Medlocklookedratherdiscomfitedbyherapparentindifference,but,aftertakingabreath,shewenton.
“Notbutthatit’sagrandbigplaceinagloomyway,andMr.Craven’sproudofitinhisway—andthat’sgloomyenough,too.Thehouseissixhundredyearsoldandit’sontheedgeofthemoor,andthere’snearahundredroomsinit,thoughmostofthem’sshutupandlocked.Andthere’spicturesandfineoldfurnitureandthingsthat’sbeenthereforages,andthere’sabigparkrounditandgardensandtreeswithbranchestrailingtotheground—someofthem.”Shepausedandtookanotherbreath.“Butthere’snothingelse,”sheendedsuddenly.
Maryhadbeguntolisteninspiteofherself.ItallsoundedsounlikeIndia,andanythingnewratherattractedher.Butshedidnotintendtolookasifshewereinterested.Thatwasoneofherunhappy,disagreeableways.Soshesatstill.
“Well,”saidMrs.Medlock.“Whatdoyouthinkofit?”
“Nothing,”sheanswered.“Iknownothingaboutsuchplaces.”
ThatmadeMrs.Medlocklaughashortsortoflaugh.
“Eh!”shesaid,“butyouarelikeanoldwoman.
