Таємничий сад
IX. The Strangest House Anyone Ever Lived In
Infact,shewasratherlateinremembering,andwhensheputonhercoatandhat,andpickedupherskipping-rope,shecouldnotbelievethatshehadbeenworkingtwoorthreehours.Shehadbeenactuallyhappyallthetime;anddozensanddozensofthetiny,palegreenpointsweretobeseeninclearedplaces,lookingtwiceascheerfulastheyhadlookedbeforewhenthegrassandweedshadbeensmotheringthem.
“Ishallcomebackthisafternoon,”shesaid,lookingallroundathernewkingdom,andspeakingtothetreesandtherose-bushesasiftheyheardher.
Thensheranlightlyacrossthegrass,pushedopentheslowolddoorandslippedthroughitundertheivy.ShehadsuchredcheeksandsuchbrighteyesandatesuchadinnerthatMarthawasdelighted.
“Twopieceso’meatan’twohelpso’ricepuddin’!”shesaid.“Eh!motherwillbepleasedwhenItellherwhatth’skippin’-rope’sdoneforthee.”
InthecourseofherdiggingwithherpointedstickMistressMaryhadfoundherselfdiggingupasortofwhiterootratherlikeanonion.ShehadputitbackinitsplaceandpattedtheearthcarefullydownonitandjustnowshewonderedifMarthacouldtellherwhatitwas.
“Martha,”shesaid,“whatarethosewhiterootsthatlooklikeonions?”
“They’rebulbs,”answeredMartha.“Lotso’springflowersgrowfrom’em.Th’verylittleonesaresnowdropsan’crocusesan’th’bigonesarenarcissusesan’jonquilsanddaffydowndillys.Th’biggestofallisliliesan’purpleflags.Eh!theyarenice.Dickon’sgotawholelotof’emplantedinourbito’garden.
