Таємничий сад
IX. The Strangest House Anyone Ever Lived In
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ShedidnotgooutagainthatafternoonbecausewhenMarthareturnedwithherpenandinkandpapershewasobligedtoclearthetableandcarrytheplatesanddishesdownstairsandwhenshegotintothekitchenMrs.Medlockwasthereandtoldhertodosomething,soMarywaitedforwhatseemedtoheralongtimebeforeshecameback.ThenitwasaseriouspieceofworktowritetoDickon.Maryhadbeentaughtverylittlebecausehergovernesseshaddislikedhertoomuchtostaywithher.Shecouldnotspellparticularlywellbutshefoundthatshecouldprintletterswhenshetried.ThiswastheletterMarthadictatedtoher:
“MyDearDickon:
Thiscomeshopingtofindyouwellasitleavesmeatpresent.MissMaryhasplentyofmoneyandwillyougotoThwaiteandbuyhersomeflowerseedsandasetofgardentoolstomakeaflower-bed.PicktheprettiestonesandeasytogrowbecauseshehasneverdoneitbeforeandlivedinIndiawhichisdifferent.Givemylovetomotherandeveryoneofyou.MissMaryisgoingtotellmealotmoresothatonmynextdayoutyoucanhearaboutelephantsandcamelsandgentlemengoinghuntinglionsandtigers.
“Yourlovingsister,
“MarthaPhœbeSowerby.”
“We’llputthemoneyinth’envelopean’I’llgetth’butcherboytotakeitinhiscart.He’sagreatfriendo’Dickon’s,”saidMartha.
“HowshallIgetthethingswhenDickonbuysthem?”
“He’llbring’emtoyouhimself.He’llliketowalkoverthisway.”
“Oh!”exclaimedMary,“thenIshallseehim!IneverthoughtIshouldseeDickon.
