Таємничий сад
XXII. When The Sun Went Down
“Tha’die!”hesaidwithdryexultation.“Nowto’th’sort!Tha’sgottoomuchpluckinthee.WhenIseedtheeputtha’legsonth’groundinsuchahurryIknowedtha’wasallright.Sittheedownonth’rugabityoungMesteran’givemethyorders.”
Therewasaqueermixtureofcrabbedtendernessandshrewdunderstandinginhismanner.MaryhadpouredoutspeechasrapidlyasshecouldastheyhadcomedowntheLongWalk.Thechiefthingtoberemembered,shehadtoldhim,wasthatColinwasgettingwell—gettingwell.Thegardenwasdoingit.Noonemustlethimrememberabouthavinghumpsanddying.
TheRajahcondescendedtoseathimselfonarugunderthetree.
“Whatworkdoyoudointhegardens,Weatherstaff?”heinquired.
“Anythin’I’mtoldtodo,”answeredoldBen.“I’mkep’onbyfavor—becauseshelikedme.”
“She?”saidColin.
“Tha’mother,”answeredBenWeatherstaff.
“Mymother?”saidColin,andhelookedabouthimquietly.“Thiswashergarden,wasn’tit?”
“Aye,itwasthat!”andBenWeatherstafflookedabouthimtoo.“Sheweremainfondofit.”
“Itismygardennow.Iamfondofit.Ishallcomehereeveryday,”announcedColin.“Butitistobeasecret.Myordersarethatnooneistoknowthatwecomehere.Dickonandmycousinhaveworkedandmadeitcomealive.Ishallsendforyousometimestohelp—butyoumustcomewhennoonecanseeyou.”
BenWeatherstaff’sfacetwisteditselfinadryoldsmile.
“I’vecomeherebeforewhennoonesawme,”hesaid.
“What!”exclaimedColin.
