The secret garden

BEN WEATHERSTAFF 281It was too much. The strength which Colinusually threw into his tantrums rushed throughhim now in a new way. Never yet had he beenaccused of crooked legs even in whispers andthe perfectly simple belief in their existence whichwas revealed by Ben Weatherstaff's voice wasmore than Rajah flesh and blood could endure.His anger and insulted pride made him forgeteverything but this one moment and filled him witha power he had never known before, an almost unnaturalstrength." Come here!'he shouted to Dickon, and heactually began to tear the coverings off his lowerlimbs and disentangle himself." Come here!'Come here ! This minute !Dickon was by his side in a second. Marycaught her breath in a short gaspturn pale." He can do it ! Heand felt herself'can do it ! He can do it IHe can! she gabbled over to herself under herbreath as fast as ever she could.There was a brief fierce scramble, the rugswere tossed on to the ground, Dickon held Colin'sarm, the thin legs were out, the thin feet were onthe grass. Colin was standing upright uprighttallas straight as an arrow and looking strangelyhis head thrown back and his strange eyesflashing lightning.