Таємничий сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
Sotheyaskedhertoletthemsendsomeoftheirshillingstobuythings.
DickonmadethestimulatingdiscoverythatinthewoodintheparkoutsidethegardenwhereMaryhadfirstfoundhimpipingtothewildcreaturestherewasadeeplittlehollowwhereyoucouldbuildasortoftinyovenwithstonesandroastpotatoesandeggsinit.Roastedeggswereapreviouslyunknownluxuryandveryhotpotatoeswithsaltandfreshbutterinthemwerefitforawoodlandking—besidesbeingdeliciouslysatisfying.Youcouldbuybothpotatoesandeggsandeatasmanyasyoulikedwithoutfeelingasifyouweretakingfoodoutofthemouthsoffourteenpeople.
EverybeautifulmorningtheMagicwasworkedbythemysticcircleundertheplum-treewhichprovidedacanopyofthickeninggreenleavesafteritsbriefblossom-timewasended.AftertheceremonyColinalwaystookhiswalkingexerciseandthroughoutthedayheexercisedhisnewlyfoundpoweratintervals.Eachdayhegrewstrongerandcouldwalkmoresteadilyandcovermoreground.AndeachdayhisbeliefintheMagicgrewstronger—aswellitmight.HetriedoneexperimentafteranotherashefelthimselfgainingstrengthanditwasDickonwhoshowedhimthebestthingsofall.
“Yesterday,”hesaidonemorningafteranabsence,“IwenttoThwaiteformotheran’nearth’BlueCowInnIseedBobHaworth.He’sthestrongestchaponth’moor.He’sthechampionwrestleran’hecanjumphigherthananyotherchapan’throwth’hammerfarther.He’sgoneallth’waytoScotlandforth’sportssomeyears.
