Таємничий сад
XVI. “I Won’t!” Said Mary
Thetruthwasthathehadneverhadafightwithanyonelikehimselfinhislifeand,uponthewhole,itwasrathergoodforhim,thoughneitherhenorMaryknewanythingaboutthat.Heturnedhisheadonhispillowandshuthiseyesandabigtearwassqueezedoutandrandownhischeek.Hewasbeginningtofeelpatheticandsorryforhimself—notforanyoneelse.
“I’mnotasselfishasyou,becauseI’malwaysill,andI’msurethereisalumpcomingonmyback,”hesaid.“AndIamgoingtodiebesides.”
“You’renot!”contradictedMaryunsympathetically.
Heopenedhiseyesquitewidewithindignation.Hehadneverheardsuchathingsaidbefore.Hewasatoncefuriousandslightlypleased,ifapersoncouldbebothatonetime.
“I’mnot?”hecried.“Iam!YouknowIam!Everybodysaysso.”
“Idon’tbelieveit!”saidMarysourly.“Youjustsaythattomakepeoplesorry.Ibelieveyou’reproudofit.Idon’tbelieveit!Ifyouwereaniceboyitmightbetrue—butyou’retoonasty!”
InspiteofhisinvalidbackColinsatupinbedinquiteahealthyrage.
“Getoutoftheroom!”heshoutedandhecaughtholdofhispillowandthrewitather.Hewasnotstrongenoughtothrowitfaranditonlyfellatherfeet,butMary’sfacelookedaspinchedasanutcracker.
“I’mgoing,”shesaid.“AndIwon’tcomeback!”
Shewalkedtothedoorandwhenshereacheditsheturnedroundandspokeagain.
“Iwasgoingtotellyouallsortsofnicethings,”shesaid.“DickonbroughthisfoxandhisrookandIwasgoingtotellyouallaboutthem.
