Таємничий сад
VI. The Key To The Garden
MistressMaryforgotthatshehadeverbeencontraryinherlifewhenheallowedhertodrawcloserandclosertohim,andbenddownandtalkandtrytomakesomethinglikerobinsounds.
Oh!tothinkthatheshouldactuallylethercomeasneartohimasthat!Heknewnothingintheworldwouldmakeherputoutherhandtowardhimorstartlehimintheleasttiniestway.Heknewitbecausehewasarealperson—onlynicerthananyotherpersonintheworld.Shewassohappythatshescarcelydaredtobreathe.
Theflower-bedwasnotquitebare.Itwasbareofflowersbecausetheperennialplantshadbeencutdownfortheirwinterrest,butthereweretallshrubsandlowoneswhichgrewtogetheratthebackofthebed,andastherobinhoppedaboutunderthemshesawhimhopoverasmallpileoffreshlyturnedupearth.Hestoppedonittolookforaworm.Theearthhadbeenturnedupbecauseadoghadbeentryingtodigupamoleandhehadscratchedquiteadeephole.
Marylookedatit,notreallyknowingwhytheholewasthere,andasshelookedshesawsomethingalmostburiedinthenewly-turnedsoil.Itwassomethinglikearingofrustyironorbrassandwhentherobinflewupintoatreenearbysheputoutherhandandpickedtheringup.Itwasmorethanaring,however;itwasanoldkeywhichlookedasifithadbeenburiedalongtime.
MistressMarystoodupandlookedatitwithanalmostfrightenedfaceasithungfromherfinger.
“Perhapsithasbeenburiedfortenyears,”shesaidinawhisper.“Perhapsitisthekeytothegarden!”
