Wingless Bird - стр. 8
– It's so cold in here… And not a single flower! – Vivian said quietly as she entered her chambers and looked around.
Jane followed noiselessly behind her guest and kept her eyes on her.
– Oh, it's my fault, Miss Cowell," she began.
– Miss Vivian," Vivian corrected her calmly.
– Miss Vivian," Jane repeated obediently, and went on guiltily: – 'Lady Cranford ordered me to put together a beautiful bouquet for you, but I haven't had time-I can do it now! I'll make you the most beautiful bouquet in the world!
Jane was ready to do anything to please her new miss: Vivian looked a little distressed and hugged her shoulders shiveringly, though it was a sunny June day outside.
– Is there a garden here? – Vivian raised her dainty eyebrows.
– Of course, miss! The largest and most beautiful in all London! Our ma'am loves flowers and plants of all kinds," Jane smiled at her.
– It's beautiful! – Miss Cowell smiled broadly and clapped her hands together. – 'Let's go together! I'll pick the bouquet myself and admire my aunt's efforts.
The girls laughed as they left the cold white room and ran almost at a run to the garden.
Jane was not exaggerating when she said that Lady Cranford's garden was unequalled even in a city as vast as London: it was beautiful, rich in plants and flowers, and smelt of summer. The flowers shone with all the colours of the rainbow, and the delicate shades of each of the seven, and their variety delighted the eyes and hearts of lovers of the gifts of nature. Thick funny bumblebees flew from one flower to another, sometimes chasing away butterflies perched on the wide-open buds. The wide, well-maintained paths were paved with large, flat stone slabs – it was a pleasure to walk along them and enjoy the surrounding beauty. In the middle of the garden was a small lake with clear, cold water. Next to it stood a small wooden house, where a family of two snow-white swans with five grey chicks lived. Not far from the lake was a beautiful wooden gazebo where Lady Cranford and her son drank morning tea on warm days. There were marble statues of half-naked maidens everywhere, and a small round stone fountain in the middle of the garden, in which birds could often be seen bathing and drinking.
– How beautiful! – Vivian exclaimed with genuine delight: she had never seen so many flowers in her life, and many of them were even unfamiliar to her modest knowledge of botany.
Jane smiled broadly: how nice it was to see this beautiful miss happy!
– Jane, there you are! – Suddenly there was a loud female voice, and turning round the girls saw a young maid coming towards them.
– That's Emily, and she's a maid too," Jane hastened to explain to her.
– How many servants does my aunt have? – Vivian asked.
– 'A great many, Miss Vivian. A house this big, and a garden and park like this, requires a lot of labour. – Jane stood patiently waiting for Emily, who was walking at a quick, nervous pace, to reach her and tell her what she needed from her, Jane.
– Jane! Mr. Brown is grumbling and looking all over for you! – said Emily, slightly out of breath, and then crouched down before Vivian in a deep curtsy: 'Good day, miss!
– A fine day!" said Vivian in a friendly tone, feeling Emily's gaze fixed on her, full of curiosity. She was well aware of the impression her angelic appearance made on others and passers-by, and was not at all uncomfortable with the maid's insistent attention.