he spoke in an easy, friendly way. Mary like him at once. As they were looking at the seed packets together, the robin hopped on to a branch near him. Dickon listened carefully to the robin's song. He's saying he's your friend, he told Mary. Really? Oh, I am pleased he likes me. Can you understand everything that birds say? I think i do, and they think i do. I think i am a bird or an animal, not a boy at all. His smile was the widest she had ever seen. He explained how to plant the seeds. Suddenly he said, I can help you plant them! Where's your garden? Mary went red, then white. She had never thought of this. What was she going to say? Could you keep a secret? It's a great secret. If anyone discovers it, I'll...I'll die! I keep secrets for all the wild birds and animals on the moor. So i can keep yours too, he replied. I've stolen a garden, she said very fast. Nobody goes into it, nobody wants it. I love it and nobody takes care of it! They're letting it die! And she threw her arms over her face and started crying.