Таємничий сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
”
“Perhaps—perhapsIambloatedandfeverish,”saidColin,assumingadiscouragingairofgloom.“Peoplewhoarenotgoingtoliveareoften—different.”
Dr.Cravenshookhishead.HewasholdingColin’swristandhepusheduphissleeveandfelthisarm.
“Youarenotfeverish,”hesaidthoughtfully,“andsuchfleshasyouhavegainedishealthy.Ifyoucankeepthisup,myboy,weneednottalkofdying.Yourfatherwillbehappytohearofthisremarkableimprovement.”
“Iwon’thavehimtold!”Colinbrokeforthfiercely.“ItwillonlydisappointhimifIgetworseagain—andImaygetworsethisverynight.Imighthavearagingfever.IfeelasifImightbebeginningtohaveonenow.Iwon’thaveletterswrittentomyfather—Iwon’t—Iwon’t!Youaremakingmeangryandyouknowthatisbadforme.Ifeelhotalready.IhatebeingwrittenaboutandbeingtalkedoverasmuchasIhatebeingstaredat!”
“Hush-h!myboy,”Dr.Cravensoothedhim.“Nothingshallbewrittenwithoutyourpermission.Youaretoosensitiveaboutthings.Youmustnotundothegoodwhichhasbeendone.”
HesaidnomoreaboutwritingtoMr.Cravenandwhenhesawthenurseheprivatelywarnedherthatsuchapossibilitymustnotbementionedtothepatient.
“Theboyisextraordinarilybetter,”hesaid.“Hisadvanceseemsalmostabnormal.Butofcourseheisdoingnowofhisownfreewillwhatwecouldnotmakehimdobefore.Still,heexciteshimselfveryeasilyandnothingmustbesaidtoirritatehim.”
MaryandColinweremuchalarmedandtalkedtogetheranxiously.
