The Secret Garden, complete online version

First edition illustrated Children's Book By Frances Hodgson Burnett

Home Main Menu Order Support About Search



Share page  


Previous Contents Next

MARTHA
35
"You thought I was a native! You dared! You don't know anything about natives! They are not people — they're servants who must sa­laam to you. You know nothing about India. iYou know nothing about anything! "
She was in such a rage and felt so helpless be­fore the girl's simple stare, and somehow she sud­denly felt so horribly lonely and far away from everything she understood and which understood her, that she threw herself face downward on the pillows and burst into passionate sobbing. She sobbed so unrestrainedly that good-natured York­shire Martha was a little frightened and quite sorry for her. She went to the bed and bent over her.
"Eh! you mustn't cry like that there!" she begged. " You mustn't for sure. I didn't know you'd be vexed. I don't know anythin' about any-thin'— just like you said. I beg your pardon, Miss. Do stop cryin'."
There was something comforting and really friendly in her queer Yorkshire speech and sturdy way which had a good effect on Mary. She grad­ually ceased crying and became quiet. Martha looked relieved.
" It's time for thee to get up now," she said. " Mrs. Medlock said I was to carry tha' break­fast an' tea an' dinner into th' room next to this.