Chapter XI

The Nest of the Missel Thrush

For two or three minutes he stood looking
round him, while Mary watched him, and then
he began to walk about softly, even more lightly
than Mary had walked the first time she had found
herself inside the four walls. His eyes seemed to
be taking in everything -- the gray trees with the
gray creepers climbing over them and hanging
from their branches, the tangle on the walls and
among the grass, the evergreen alcoves with the
stone seats and tall flower urns standing in them.

"I never thought I'd see this place," he said at
last, in a whisper.

"Did you know about it?" asked Mary.

She had spoken aloud and he made a sign to
her.

"We must talk low," he said, "or some one'll
hear us an' wonder what's to do in here."

"Oh! I forgot!" said Mary, feeling frightened
and putting her hand quickly against her mouth.
"Did you know about the garden?" she asked
again when she had recovered herself.

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