Таємничий сад
XXV. The Curtain
TheywenttotheIndianroomandamusedthemselveswiththeivoryelephants.Theyfoundtherose-coloredbrocadeboudoirandtheholeinthecushionthemousehadleft,butthemicehadgrownupandrunawayandtheholewasempty.TheysawmoreroomsandmademorediscoveriesthanMaryhadmadeonherfirstpilgrimage.Theyfoundnewcorridorsandcornersandflightsofstepsandnewoldpicturestheylikedandweirdoldthingstheydidnotknowtheuseof.Itwasacuriouslyentertainingmorningandthefeelingofwanderingaboutinthesamehousewithotherpeoplebutatthesametimefeelingasifoneweremilesawayfromthemwasafascinatingthing.
“I’mgladwecame,”Colinsaid.“IneverknewIlivedinsuchabigqueeroldplace.Ilikeit.Wewillrambleabouteveryrainyday.Weshallalwaysbefindingnewqueercornersandthings.”
ThatmorningtheyhadfoundamongotherthingssuchgoodappetitesthatwhentheyreturnedtoColin’sroomitwasnotpossibletosendtheluncheonawayuntouched.
WhenthenursecarriedthetraydownstairssheslappeditdownonthekitchendressersothatMrs.Loomis,thecook,couldseethehighlypolisheddishesandplates.
“Lookatthat!”shesaid.“Thisisahouseofmystery,andthosetwochildrenarethegreatestmysteriesinit.”
“Iftheykeepthatupeveryday,”saidthestrongyoungfootmanJohn,“there’dbesmallwonderthatheweighstwiceasmuchtodayashedidamonthago.Ishouldhavetogiveupmyplaceintime,forfearofdoingmymusclesaninjury.”
ThatafternoonMarynoticedthatsomethingnewhadhappenedinColin’sroom.
