Таинственный сад / The Secret Garden. B1

The few servants who had not died had run away in the night. No one had remembered little Miss Mary. She was all alone.

Because she had never known her parents well, she did not miss them at all. She only thought of herself, as she had always done.

�Where will I live’ she wondered. �I hope I will stay with people who’ll let me do what I want.’

At first she was taken to an English family who had known her parents. She hated their untidy house and noisy children, and preferred playing by herself in the garden.

One day she was playing her favourite game, pretending to make a garden, when one of the children, Basil, offered to help.

�Go away!’ cried Mary. �I don’t want your help!’

For a moment Basil looked angry, and then he began to laugh. He danced round and round Mary, and sang a funny little song about Miss Mary and her stupid flowers. This made Mary very cross indeed. No one had ever laughed at her so unkindly.

�You’re going home soon,’ said Basil. �And we’re all very pleased you’re leaving!’

�I’m pleased too,’ replied Mary.

�But where’s home?’

�You’re stupid if you don’t know that!’ laughed Basil. �England, of course! You’re going to live with your uncle, Mr Archibald Craven.’

�I’ve never heard of him,’ said Mary coldly.

�But I know about him because I heard Father and Mother talking,’ said Basil. �He lives in a big lonely old house, and has no friends, because he’s so bad-tempered. He’s got a crooked back and he’s horrid!’

�I don’t believe you!’ cried Mary.

But the next day Basil’s parents explained that she was going to live with her uncle in Yorkshire, in the north of England. Mary looked bored and cross and said nothing.

After the long sea journey, she was met in London by Mr Craven’s housekeeper, Mrs Medlock. Together they travelled north by train. Mrs Medlock was a large woman, with a very red face and bright black eyes. Mary did not like her, but that was not surprising, because she did not usually like people.

Mrs Medlock did not like Mary either.

�What a disagreeable child!’ thought the housekeeper. �But perhaps I should talk to her.’

�I can tell you a bit about your uncle if you like,’ she said aloud. �He lives in a big old house, a long way from anywhere. There are nearly a hundred rooms, but most of them are shut and locked. There’s a big park round the house, and all kinds of gardens.