Таємничий сад
XXIV. “Let Them Laugh”
CravencameandlookedatColinlongandcarefully,Heworeanextremelyworriedexpressionwhenthenursetalkedwithhimandshowedhimthealmostuntouchedtrayofbreakfastshehadsavedforhimtolookat—butitwasevenmoreworriedwhenhesatdownbyColin’ssofaandexaminedhim.HehadbeencalledtoLondononbusinessandhadnotseentheboyfornearlytwoweeks.Whenyoungthingsbegintogainhealththeygainitrapidly.Thewaxentingehadleft,Colinsskinandawarmroseshowedthroughit;hisbeautifuleyeswereclearandthehollowsunderthemandinhischeeksandtempleshadfilledout.Hisoncedark,heavylockshadbeguntolookasiftheyspranghealthilyfromhisforeheadandweresoftandwarmwithlife.Hislipswerefullerandofanormalcolor.Infactasanimitationofaboywhowasaconfirmedinvalidhewasadisgracefulsight.Dr.Cravenheldhischininhishandandthoughthimover.
“Iamsorrytohearthatyoudonoteatanything,”hesaid.“Thatwillnotdo.Youwillloseallyouhavegained—andyouhavegainedamazingly.Youatesowellashorttimeago.”
“Itoldyouitwasanunnaturalappetite,”answeredColin.
Marywassittingonherstoolnearbyandshesuddenlymadeaveryqueersoundwhichshetriedsoviolentlytorepressthatsheendedbyalmostchoking.
“Whatisthematter?”saidDr.Craven,turningtolookather.
Marybecamequitesevereinhermanner.
“Itwassomethingbetweenasneezeandacough,”sherepliedwithreproachfuldignity,“anditgotintomythroat.”
“But,”shesaidafterwardtoColin,“Icouldn’tstopmyself
