The secret garden

304 THE SECRET GARDENtheyIt all seemed most majestic and mysterious whensat down in their circle. Ben Weatherstafffelt as if he had somehow been led into appearingat a prayer-meeting. Ordinarily he was veryfixed in being what he called " agen' prayer-meetin's' but this being the Rajah's affair he did notresent it and was indeed inclined to be gratifiedat being called upon to assist. Mistress Maryfelt solemnly enraptured. Dickon held his rabbitin his arm, and perhaps he made some charmer'ssignal no one heard, for when he sat down, crossleggedlike the rest, the crow, the fox, the squirrelsand the lamb slowly drew near and made partof the circle, settling each into a place of rest as ifof their own desire." Thegravely.*creatures ' have come," said Colin"They want to help us."Colin really looked quite beautiful, Marythought. He held his head high as if he felt likea sort of priest and his strange eyes had a wonderfullook in them. The light shone on himthrough the tree canopy." Now we will begin," he said. " Shall wesway backward and forward, Mary, as if we weredervishes? '" I canna' do no swayin' back'ard and for'ard,"saidth' rheumatics."Ben Weatherstaff." I've got