Таємничий сад
XXVII. In The Garden
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WhenhearrivedattheManortheservantswhoreceivedhimwiththeusualceremonynoticedthathelookedbetterandthathedidnotgototheremoteroomswhereheusuallylivedattendedbyPitcher.HewentintothelibraryandsentforMrs.Medlock.Shecametohimsomewhatexcitedandcuriousandflustered.
“HowisMasterColin,Medlock?”heinquired.
“Well,sir,”Mrs.Medlockanswered,“he’s—he’sdifferent,inamannerofspeaking.”
“Worse?”hesuggested.
Mrs.Medlockreallywasflushed.
“Well,yousee,sir,”shetriedtoexplain,“neitherDr.Craven,northenurse,normecanexactlymakehimout.”
“Whyisthat?”
“Totellthetruth,sir,MasterColinmightbebetterandhemightbechangingfortheworse.Hisappetite,sir,ispastunderstanding—andhisways—”
“Hashebecomemore—morepeculiar?”hermaster,asked,knittinghisbrowsanxiously.
“That’sit,sir.He’sgrowingverypeculiar—whenyoucomparehimwithwhatheusedtobe.Heusedtoeatnothingandthensuddenlyhebegantoeatsomethingenormous—andthenhestoppedagainallatonceandthemealsweresentbackjustastheyusedtobe.Youneverknew,sir,perhaps,thatoutofdoorsheneverwouldlethimselfbetaken.Thethingswe’vegonethroughtogethimtogooutinhischairwouldleaveabodytremblinglikealeaf.He’dthrowhimselfintosuchastatethatDr.Cravensaidhecouldn’tberesponsibleforforcinghim.
