Таємничий сад
IV. Martha
TheywouldbedifferentfromthebirdsinIndiaanditmightamusehertolookatthem.
Marthafoundhercoatandhatforherandapairofstoutlittlebootsandsheshowedherherwaydownstairs.
“Iftha’goesroundthatwaytha’llcometoth’gardens,”shesaid,pointingtoagateinawallofshrubbery.“There’slotso’flowersinsummer-time,butthere’snothin’bloomin’now.”Sheseemedtohesitateasecondbeforesheadded,“Oneofth’gardensislockedup.Noonehasbeeninitfortenyears.”
“Why?”askedMaryinspiteofherself.Herewasanotherlockeddooraddedtothehundredinthestrangehouse.
“Mr.Cravenhaditshutwhenhiswifediedsosudden.Hewon’tletnoonegoinside.Itwashergarden.Helockedth’dooran’dugaholeandburiedth’key.There’sMrs.Medlock’sbellringing—Imustrun.”
AftershewasgoneMaryturneddownthewalkwhichledtothedoorintheshrubbery.Shecouldnothelpthinkingaboutthegardenwhichnoonehadbeenintofortenyears.Shewonderedwhatitwouldlooklikeandwhethertherewereanyflowersstillaliveinit.Whenshehadpassedthroughtheshrubberygateshefoundherselfingreatgardens,withwidelawnsandwindingwalkswithclippedborders.Thereweretrees,andflower-beds,andevergreensclippedintostrangeshapes,andalargepoolwithanoldgrayfountaininitsmidst.Buttheflower-bedswerebareandwintryandthefountainwasnotplaying.Thiswasnotthegardenwhichwasshutup.Howcouldagardenbeshutup?Youcouldalwayswalkintoagarden.
