Chapter 15 Nest Building It rained for the whole next week.
Mary missed going to the garden and seeing Dickon, but she and Colin spent hours talking, playing games and reading to each other.
He hadn't had a crying fit since he met Mary.
Mary was very cautious about talking to Colin of the secret garden in case he couldn't keep a secret.
But how could they get him there without anybody knowing?
She was sure the garden would help him get better as it had helped her...
At the end of the week, Mary woke up very early.
Outside the sky was blue again.
She jumped out of bed and ran to open her window.
A sweet, fresh breeze greeted her.
She put her hand out the window to feel the sun.
"'It's warm,' she thought.
"'It will make the sprouts grow and the bulbs work very hard.
"'Oh, I must see the garden now!'
She dressed quickly to the sound of birds singing.
She hurried downstairs to a small side door she could unlock by herself.
Outside, the grass had turned green, and there seemed to be living things in every bush and tree.
Little shoots were sprouting in every flowerbed and border.
The world was waking up.
She ran to the secret garden.
She was about to fling open the door when she heard a strange, "'Go!
Go!'
Looking up, she saw a big, blue, black bird on top of the ivy-covered wall.
It made her nervous, and she hoped it would fly away.
When she entered the garden, the crow flew to an apple tree.
Under the tree was a small radish animal with a bushy tail and Dickon kneeling in the grass.
As Mary approached, the animal went over to Dickon.
The crow flew down and perched on his shoulder.
Dickon introduced his companions.
This fox cub is Captain.
The crow here is Soot.
They followed me across the moor this morning.
The fox and crow stayed with Dickon as he and Mary walked around the garden.
They didn't seem afraid of Mary.
Mary told Dickon how she had met Colin and played with him every day.
He says, I make him forget about being ill and die, she whispered.
I'm glad you know about him, Dickon whispered back.
I couldn't have told you myself.
Mary was surprised.
What do people know about Colin?
Folks know he's ill, Dickon said.
They know Mr. Craven doesn't want him talked about and can't bear to see his son while he's awake.
Mr. Colin reminds him of his wife.
Does Colin really want to die?
Mary asked.
No, but Mother says he wishes he'd never been born, and that's the worst thing for a child to think.
Mary said softly, Mr. Craven is afraid Colin will grow a hunchback.
Colin's so afraid he almost never sits up.
He feels his back for lumps.
He says if he ever finds one, he'll scream himself to death.
He'll never get well if he keeps thinking like that, Dickens said, rubbing the fox's neck.
If Colin were here, he wouldn't think about finding the lumps.
He'd watch the buds break out and the flowers bloom.
Do you think he'd be willing to come here?
I'm sure he would, Mary said.
He knows about the garden, but not that we found it.
Maybe he'd come outside for us.
He could order the gardeners and everyone to stay away.
I'm certain Colin could keep a secret.
Dickon smiled.
Then we'll get him out for sure.
