over either. The servants are not allowed to
speak about me. If I live I may be a hunchback,
but I shan't live. My father hates to think I may
be like him."

"Oh, what a queer house this is!" Mary said.
"What a queer house! Everything is a kind of
secret. Rooms are locked up and gardens are
locked up -- and you! Have you been locked
up?"

"No. I stay in this room because I don't want
to be moved out of it. It tires me too much."

"Does your father come and see you?" Mary
ventured.

"Sometimes. Generally when I am asleep.
He doesn't want to see me."

"Why?" Mary could not help asking again.

A sort of angry shadow passed over the boy's
face.

"My mother died when I was born and it makes
him wretched to look at me. He thinks I don't
know, but I've heard people talking. He almost
hates me."

"He hates the garden, because she died," said
Mary half speaking to herself.

"What garden?" the boy asked.

"Oh! just -- just a garden she used to like,"
Mary stammered. "Have you been here always?"

[[159]]

p158 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p159w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p160

v?