Таємничий сад
IX. The Strangest House Anyone Ever Lived In
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“Doestha’wanttoseehim?”askedMarthasuddenly,forMaryhadlookedsopleased.
“Yes,Ido.Ineversawaboyfoxesandcrowsloved.Iwanttoseehimverymuch.”
Marthagavealittlestart,asifsherememberedsomething.
“Nowtothink,”shebrokeout,“tothinko’meforgettin’thatthere;an’IthoughtIwasgoin’totellyoufirstthingthismornin’.Iaskedmother—andshesaidshe’daskMrs.Medlockherownself.”
“Doyoumean—”Marybegan.
“WhatIsaidTuesday.Askherifyoumightbedrivenovertoourcottagesomedayandhaveabito’mother’shotoatcake,an’butter,an’aglasso’milk.”
Itseemedasifalltheinterestingthingswerehappeninginoneday.Tothinkofgoingoverthemoorinthedaylightandwhentheskywasblue!Tothinkofgoingintothecottagewhichheldtwelvechildren!
“DoesshethinkMrs.Medlockwouldletmego?”sheasked,quiteanxiously.
“Aye,shethinksshewould.Sheknowswhatatidywomanmotherisandhowcleanshekeepsthecottage.”
“IfIwentIshouldseeyourmotheraswellasDickon,”saidMary,thinkingitoverandlikingtheideaverymuch.“Shedoesn’tseemtobelikethemothersinIndia.”
Herworkinthegardenandtheexcitementoftheafternoonendedbymakingherfeelquietandthoughtful.Marthastayedwithheruntiltea-time,buttheysatincomfortablequietandtalkedverylittle.ButjustbeforeMarthawentdownstairsforthetea-tray,Maryaskedaquestion.
“Martha,”shesaid,“hasthescullery-maidhadthetoothacheagaintoday?”
Marthacertainlystartedslightly
