CHAPTER X 78
" Tha ' thinks tha ' ll get over me by doin ' that," said Ben, wrinkling his face up in such a way that Mary felt sure he was trying not to look pleased. " Tha ' thinks no one can stand out against thee--that ' s what tha ' thinks."
The robin spread his wings--Mary could scarcely believe her eyes. He flew right up to the handle of Ben Weatherstaff ' s spade and alighted on the top of it. Then the old man ' s face wrinkled itself slowly into a new expression. He stood still as if he were afraid to breathe--as if he would not have stirred for the world, lest his robin should start away. He spoke quite in a whisper.
" Well, I ' m danged!" he said as softly as if he were saying something quite different. " Tha ' does know how to get at a chap--tha ' does! Tha ' s fair unearthly, tha ' s so knowin '."
And he stood without stirring--almost without drawing his breath--until the robin gave another flirt to his wings and flew away. Then he stood looking at the handle of the spade as if there might be Magic in it, and then he began to dig again and said nothing for several minutes.
But because he kept breaking into a slow grin now and then, Mary was not afraid to talk to him.
" Have you a garden of your own?" she asked. " No. I ' m bachelder an ' lodge with Martin at th ' gate." " If you had one," said Mary, " what would you plant?" " Cabbages an ' ' taters an ' onions."
" But if you wanted to make a flower garden," persisted Mary, " what would you plant?"
" Bulbs an ' sweet-smellin ' things--but mostly roses." Mary ' s face lighted up.