warrant it s been goin on in th same way every year since th world
was begun. They ve got their way o thinkin and doin things an a
body had better not meddle. You can lose a friend in springtime easier
than any other season if you re too curious.
If we talk about him I can t help looking at him, Mary said as softly
as possible. We must talk of something else. There is something I want
to tell you.
He ll like it better if us talks o somethin else, said Dickon.
What is it tha s got to tell me?
Well do you know about Colin? she whispered.
He turned his head to look at her.
What does tha know about him? he asked.
I ve seen him. I have been to talk to him every day this week. He
wants me to come. He says I m making him forget about being ill and
dying, answered Mary.
Dickon looked actually relieved as soon as the surprise died away from
his round face.
I am glad o that, he exclaimed. I m right down glad. It makes me
easier. I knowed I must say nothin about him an I don t like havin
to hide things.
Don t you like hiding the garden? said Mary.
I ll never tell about it, he answered. But I says to mother,
Mother, I says, I got a secret to keep. It s not a bad un, tha
knows that. It s no worse than hidin where a bird s nest is. Tha
doesn t mind it, does tha ?
Mary always wanted to hear about mother.
What did she say? she asked, not at all afraid to hear.
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