Now began a difficult time for Colin and Mary. Dickon told his mother about it one evening as he was digging the cottage garden.
'You see, mother, they don't want the doctor or the servants to guess that Colin can walk and is getting better. So they have to pretend he's still ill and just as disagreeable as he used to be!'
'If they're running about all day in the fresh air, that'll make them hungry, I should think!'
'Yes, that's the problem. They're both getting fatter and healthier, and they really enjoy their food now. But they have to send some of it back to the kitchen, uneaten. If they cat it all, people will realize how healthy they are! Sometimes they're very hungry!'
'I know what we can do,' said Mrs Sowerby. 'You can lake some fresh milk and some of my newly baked bread to the garden in the mornings. If they have that, it'll do them a lot of good! What a game those children are playing!' And she laughed and tears came to her eyes.
One afternoon when they were all working in the garden, the door opened and a woman came quietly in.
'It's Mother!' cried Dickon, and ran towards her. '1 told her where the door was, because I knew she would keep the secret.