Таємничий сад
VIII. The Robin Who Showed The Way
’”
“Idon’twantagoverness,”saidMarysharply.
“Butmothersaysyououghttobelearnin’yourbookbythistimean’yououghttohaveawomantolookafteryou,an’shesays:‘Now,Martha,youjustthinkhowyou’dfeelyourself,inabigplacelikethat,wanderin’aboutallalone,an’nomother.Youdoyourbesttocheerherup,’shesays,an’IsaidIwould.”
Marygaveheralong,steadylook.
“Youdocheermeup,”shesaid.“Iliketohearyoutalk.”
PresentlyMarthawentoutoftheroomandcamebackwithsomethingheldinherhandsunderherapron.
“Whatdoestha’think,”shesaid,withacheerfulgrin.“I’vebroughttheeapresent.”
“Apresent!”exclaimedMistressMary.Howcouldacottagefulloffourteenhungrypeoplegiveanyoneapresent!
“Amanwasdrivin’acrossthemoorpeddlin’,”Marthaexplained.“An’hestoppedhiscartatourdoor.Hehadpotsan’pansan’oddsan’ends,butmotherhadnomoneytobuyanythin’.Justashewasgoin’awayour’LizabethEllencalledout,‘Mother,he’sgotskippin’-ropeswithredan’bluehandles.’An’mothershecallsoutquitesudden,‘Here,stop,mister!Howmucharethey?’An’hesays‘Tuppence’,an’mothershebeganfumblin’inherpocketan’shesaystome,‘Martha,tha’sbroughtmethywageslikeagoodlass,an’I’vegotfourplacestoputeverypenny,butI’mjustgoin’totaketuppenceoutofittobuythatchildaskippin’-rope,’an’sheboughtonean’hereitis.”
Shebroughtitoutfromunderherapronandexhibiteditquiteproudly.
