The next morning Martha was back at Misselthwaite Manor, and told Mary all about her day with her family.
'I really enjoyed myself. I helped Mother with the whole week's washing and baking. And I told the children about you. They wanted to know about your servants, and the
ship that brought you to England, and everything!'
'I can tell you some more for next time,' offered Mary. 'They'd like to hear about riding on elephants and camels
wouldn't they?' '
'Oh, that would be kind of you, miss! And look, Mother has sent you a present!'
Finding the secret garden
'A present!' repeated Mary. How could a family of fourteen hungry people give anyone a present!
'Mother bought it from a man who came to the door to sell things. She told me, "Martha, you've brought me your pay, like a good girl, and we need it all, but I'm going to buy something for that lonely child at the Manor," and she bought one, and here it is!'
It was a skipping-rope. Mary stared at it.
'What is it?'she asked.
'Don't they have skipping-ropes in India? Well, this is
how you use it. Just watch me.'
Martha took the rope and ran into the middle of the
room. She counted up to a hundred as she skipped.
'That looks lovely,' said Mary. 'Your mother is very
kind. Do you think I could ever skip like that?'
'Just try,' said Martha. 'Mother says it'll make you
strong and healthy. Skip outside in the fresh air.'
Mary put her coat on and took the skipping-rope. As she was opening the door, she thought of something and
turned round.
'Martha, it was your money really. Thank you.' She never thanked people usually and she did not know how to do it. So she held out her hand, because she knew that adults did that.
Martha shook her hand and laughed. 'You're a strange child,' she said. 'Like an old woman! Now run away and
play!'
The skipping-rope was wonderful. Mary counted and