The secret garden

98 THE SECRET GARDENwere dead or alive, but their thin graybranches and sprays looked like a sort of hazyor brownmantle spreading over everything, walls, and trees,and even brown grass, where they had fallen fromtheir fastenings and run along the ground. Itwas this hazy tangle from tree to tree which madeit all look so mysterious. Mary had thought itmust be different from other gardens which hadnot been left all by themselves so long; and indeedit was different from any other place she had everseen inher life."How still it is !'shewhispered."Howstill I"Then she waited a moment and listened at thestillness. The robin, who had flown to his treetop,was still as all the rest. He did not even flutterhis wings; he sat without stirring, and lookedat " Mary.No wonder it is still," she whispered again.in here" I am the first person who has spokenfor ten years."She moved away from the door, stepping assoftly as if she were afraid of awakening someone. She was glad that there was grass under herfeet and that her steps made no sounds. Shewalked under one of the fairy-like gray arches betweenthe trees and looked up at the sprays andtendrilswhich formed them.