Таємничий сад
IV. Martha
Sheheardasoftlittlerushingflightthroughtheair—anditwasthebirdwiththeredbreastflyingtothem,andheactuallyalightedonthebigclodofearthquiteneartothegardener’sfoot.
“Hereheis,”chuckledtheoldman,andthenhespoketothebirdasifhewerespeakingtoachild.
“Wherehastha’been,tha’cheekylittlebeggar?”hesaid.“I’venotseentheebeforetoday.Hasthabeguntha’courtin’thisearlyinth’season?Tha’rttooforrad.”
Thebirdputhistinyheadononesideandlookedupathimwithhissoftbrighteyewhichwaslikeablackdewdrop.Heseemedquitefamiliarandnottheleastafraid.Hehoppedaboutandpeckedtheearthbriskly,lookingforseedsandinsects.ItactuallygaveMaryaqueerfeelinginherheart,becausehewassoprettyandcheerfulandseemedsolikeaperson.Hehadatinyplumpbodyandadelicatebeak,andslenderdelicatelegs.
“Willhealwayscomewhenyoucallhim?”sheaskedalmostinawhisper.
“Aye,thathewill.I’veknowedhimeversincehewasafledgling.Hecomeoutofth’nestinth’othergardenan’whenfirstheflewoverth’wallhewastooweaktoflybackforafewdaysan’wegotfriendly.Whenhewentoverth’wallagainth’restofth’broodwasgonean’hewaslonelyan’hecomebacktome.”
“Whatkindofabirdishe?”Maryasked.
“Doesn’ttha’know?He’sarobinredbreastan’they’reth’friendliest,curiousestbirdsalive.They’realmostasfriendlyasdogs—ifyouknowhowtogetonwith’em.
