eyes which seemed to take everything in -- all
of them, even Ben Weatherstaff and the "creatures"
and every flower that was in bloom. Unexpectedly
as she had appeared, not one of them
felt that she was an intruder at all. Dickon's eyes
lighted like lamps.

"It's Mother -- that's who it is!" he cried
and he went across the grass at a run.

Colin began to move toward her, too, and Mary
went with him. They both felt their pulses beat
faster.

"It's Mother!" Dickon said again when they
met half-way. "I knowed tha' wanted to see her
an' I told her where th' door was hid."

Colin held out his hand with a sort of flushed
royal shyness but his eyes quite devoured her
face.

"Even when I was ill I wanted to see you," he
said, "you and Dickon and the secret garden.
I'd never wanted to see any one or anything before."

The sight of his uplifted face brought about a
sudden change in her own. She flushed and the
corners of her mouth shook and a mist seemed to
sweep over her eyes.

"Eh! dear lad!" she broke out tremulously.
"Eh! dear lad!" as if she had not known she
were going to say it. She did not say, "Mester

[[346]]

p345 _ -chap- _ toc-1 _ p346w _ toc-2 _ +chap+ _ p347

v?