The Secret Garden

Mary asks Martha to tell Colin that she can’t come to him the next day because she is busy in the garden. When she returns in the evening, she is excited to tell Colin all about Dickon and the garden, so she is annoyed when Martha tells her that Colin threw a tantrum when he learned Mary wasn’t coming to see him.

She marches into his room and demands to know why he hasn’t gotten out of bed. Colin threatens to send Dickon away if Mary leaves him alone again. Mary counters that if he does, she will never speak or look at him again. Colin tells her she is selfish. She retorts that “selfish people always say that. Anyone is selfish who doesn’t do what they want” (110). Colin tries to get her sympathy by reminding her that he is going to die. Mary shocks him by saying, “You’re not!” and adding that he is too nasty to die. Mary marches out, determined never to go back.

Returning to her room, Mary finds that her uncle has sent her a collection of games and books—including some on gardening—and a writing case. Mary had not expected him to remember that she existed, so she’s deeply touched by the gift.