argued Mary.
Where do you play? he asked next.
Everywhere, gasped Mary. Martha s mother sent me a skipping-rope. I
skip and run and I look about to see if things are beginning to stick
up out of the earth. I don t do any harm.
Don t look so frightened, he said in a worried voice. You could not
do any harm, a child like you! You may do what you like.
Mary put her hand up to her throat because she was afraid he might see
the excited lump which she felt jump into it. She came a step nearer to
him.
May I? she said tremulously.
Her anxious little face seemed to worry him more than ever.
Don t look so frightened, he exclaimed. Of course you may. I am your
guardian, though I am a poor one for any child. I cannot give you time
or attention. I am too ill, and wretched and distracted; but I wish you
to be happy and comfortable. I don t know anything about children, but
Mrs. Medlock is to see that you have all you need. I sent for you today
because Mrs. Sowerby said I ought to see you. Her daughter had talked
about you. She thought you needed fresh air and freedom and running
about.
She knows all about children, Mary said again in spite of herself.
She ought to, said Mr. Craven. I thought her rather bold to stop me
on the moor, but she said Mrs. Craven had been kind to her. It seemed
hard for him to speak his dead wife s name. She is a respectable
woman. Now I have seen you I think she said sensible things. Play out
of doors as much as you like. It s a big place and you may go where you
like and amuse yourself as you like. Is there anything you want? as if
a sudden thought had struck him. Do you want toys, books, dolls?
Might I, quavered Mary, might I have a bit of earth?
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