The Hidden Garden
a retelling of The Secret Garden
edited by Jane Mouttet
Chapter 23 – Magic
Dr. Craven had been waiting at the house for quite a while when Colin, Mary, and Dickon returned from the garden. He had even started to wonder if he should send someone to check on them. When Colin was brought back to his room, the doctor looked at him thoughtfully.
“You shouldn’t have stayed out so long,” he said. “You mustn’t wear yourself out.”
“I’m not tired at all,” Colin replied, sitting up straight. “It made me feel better. Tomorrow I’m going out in the morning and the afternoon.”
“I don’t know if that’s wise,” Dr. Craven said, a bit concerned. “You shouldn’t overdo it.”
“It wouldn’t be wise to try and stop me,” Colin said firmly. “I’m going.”
Even Mary knew that one of Colin’s biggest habits was that he didn’t realize how bossy and rude he could be. He had always lived like a little king on an island, where no one dared to challenge him. He didn’t know how to compare himself to others. Mary had been somewhat like him before she came to Misselthwaite, and she had gradually learned that her own manners weren’t great either. She was thinking about this after Dr. Craven left and kept staring at Colin, waiting for him to ask why.
“What are you looking at me for?” Colin asked.
“I’m thinking I feel a little sorry for Dr. Craven,” Mary said.
“So am I,” Colin said, though he didn’t sound very sad. “He won’t get Misselthwaite Manor now that I’m not going to die.”
“I wasn’t thinking about that,” Mary said. “I was thinking how hard it must be for him to be polite to a boy who’s been rude for ten years. I don’t think I could’ve done it.”
“Am I rude?” Colin asked, sounding surprised.
“If you were his own boy, and he was the kind of man who believed in slapping, he would have slapped you,” Mary said honestly.
“He wouldn’t dare,” Colin replied.
“No, he wouldn’t,” Mary agreed. “Nobody dared do anything you didn’t like because they thought you were going to die. You were so sickly.”
“Well, I’m not going to be sick anymore!” Colin said proudly. “I stood on my feet today!”
Mary kept thinking. “You know,” she said, “always getting your own way has made you… Well, a bit strange.”
Colin frowned. “Am I strange?” he asked.
“Yes,” Mary said without hesitation. “But you don’t need to be upset, because so am I—and so is Ben Weatherstaff.”
“I don’t want to be strange,” Colin said, frowning even harder. “I won’t be.”
He thought for a while, and then a smile slowly spread across his face. “I think going to the garden every day will help. There’s Magic in there, Mary—good Magic.”
“I agree,” Mary said, nodding.
“Even if it’s not real Magic, we can pretend,” Colin continued. “But something is in that garden. Something wonderful.”
“It’s definitely Magic,” Mary said with confidence. “And it’s as pure and bright as snow.”
The next few months were truly magical. If you’ve ever had a garden, you’ll know how hard it is to describe all the fantastic things that can happen in one. Every day, new green plants pushed through the soil, sprouting leaves, buds, and flowers of all colors—blue, purple, crimson, and more. Roses tangled around the sundial and climbed up the trees, their petals opening like cups of sweet perfume.
Colin watched all of it. He was taken to the garden every day, regardless of the weather. Even on gray days, he loved being out there. He would lie on the grass and say he was “watching things grow.” He learned about bugs and birds, bees and frogs. And with Dickon’s help, he discovered the ways of foxes, squirrels, badgers, and other creatures. It was a whole new world for him.
But that wasn’t the only Magic. Colin’s mind was working, too. He kept thinking about how he had stood up for the first time and how Mary had helped him by telling him he could do it. He decided to try an experiment.
“There must be a lot of Magic in the world,” he said one day, “but people don’t know how to use it. If we think and say nice things, maybe we can make them happen. I’m going to try.”
The next morning, Colin asked Ben Weatherstaff to come to the garden. Ben arrived to find Colin standing tall under a tree, smiling brightly.
“Good morning, Ben,” Colin said. “I want you, Dickon, and Mary to stand in a row. I’m going to tell you something important.”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Ben replied, touching his forehead like a sailor. He had once been a sailor in his younger days.
“I’m going to try a scientific experiment,” Colin explained. “When I grow up, I’ll make great discoveries, but I’ll start with this experiment now.”
Ben stood up straighter, intrigued. “What’s the experiment, sir?”
“I’m going to learn about Magic,” Colin said, his eyes gleaming. “Magic is real, and it’s all around us. I’m sure of it. When Mary found the garden, it was dead, but something had brought it back to life. That’s Magic. And I’m going to put that Magic inside me.”
Ben Weatherstaff was amazed. “Aye, aye, sir,” he said again, more excited now.
Colin continued. “Every day, I’ll say, ‘Magic is in me. It’s making me strong. I’ll be as strong as Dickon!’ You all have to do it, too. That’s my experiment. Will you help me?”
“Aye, aye, sir!” Ben answered eagerly.
“Then, let’s begin,” Colin said with a smile. “We’ll see what happens.”
They all sat down in a circle under the big tree, and even the animals joined them. Dickon held his rabbit, and the lamb curled up next to him. The crow, the fox, and the squirrels all gathered around. It felt like a magical moment.
Chapter 24 – Unnatural Appetite
Dickon didn’t just work his magic in the hidden garden. Around his home on the moor, there was a small garden with a stone wall, where he planted vegetables such as potatoes, carrots, and cabbages for his family to enjoy. Early in the mornings and late into the evenings, when Colin and Mary didn’t need him, Dickon could be found there with his “creatures,” helping him. The plants grew strong under his care, and he always whistled or sang as he worked, sometimes talking to the animals that followed him around.
“We wouldn’t manage as well without Dickon’s garden,” Mrs. Sowerby would say. “Everything grows twice the size when he plants it, and there’s a flavor to his vegetables that no one else’s has.”
In the evenings, after supper, Mrs. Sowerby would sometimes come out and sit on the garden wall, listening to Dickon tell stories about his day. She loved hearing about Misselthwaite Manor, especially about the hidden garden and Colin’s improvements. At first, Dickon only told her that Colin had started going outside and was feeling better. But soon, Colin and Mary decided Mrs. Sowerby could be trusted with the secret. They knew she was safe to tell.
One evening, as the sun was setting, Dickon told her everything about the hidden key, the robin, and the hidden garden, which was coming back to life. He shared how Colin had started to stand on his own, how angry Ben Weatherstaff had peeked over the wall, and how Colin had surprised everyone with his sudden strength. Mrs. Sowerby’s face changed color as she listened, surprised and amazed by the story.
“My word!” she said. “It’s a good thing that little girl came to the manor. It’s been a blessing for both of them. Who would’ve thought that lad could stand on his feet? We all thought he was weak and wouldn’t make it.”
She asked a lot of questions, her eyes thoughtful and full of wonder.
“What do they think at the manor—seeing him so happy and well?” she asked.
“They’re confused,” Dickon said, grinning. “Every day, his face looks different. He’s filling out, and the pale look is going away. But he has to pretend he’s still weak so no one suspects.”
“What do you mean?” asked Mrs. Sowerby.
Dickon chuckled. “He has to act like he’s still sick. If the doctor finds out he’s standing, he might tell Mr. Craven. Colin wants to surprise his father. He’s practicing his magic every day so that when his father comes back, he can walk into the room and show him he’s strong. But to keep everyone from guessing, he and Mary have a bit of fun pretending.”
Mrs. Sowerby laughed. “That’s quite a clever game they’re playing. Kids love acting out things, don’t they? What exactly do they do?”
Dickon sat back on his heels, his eyes twinkling. “Colin’s carried out to the garden in a chair every day, and he makes a big fuss. He scolds the footman for not being careful and acts like he’s helpless. He groans and complains as they settle him into his chair, and Mary plays along, saying, ‘Poor Colin, does it hurt?’ The tricky part is that they can barely keep from laughing. When they’re finally alone in the garden, they laugh so hard they can hardly breathe. They stuff their faces into Colin’s cushions to stop the gardeners from hearing them!”
Mrs. Sowerby laughed along with him. “The more they laugh, the better. Laughter is good for growing children—it’s better than any medicine. They’ll be strong in no time!”
“They’re already getting stronger,” Dickon said. “They’re always so hungry! Colin’s worried that if he keeps asking for more food, people will suspect he’s not sick anymore. He even said Mary could share her food with him, but then he worries she’ll get too thin!”
Mrs. Sowerby rocked with laughter. “I’ve got an idea to help them,” she said. “Tomorrow morning, I’ll send you with a bucket of fresh milk and some buns filled with currants. Fresh milk and bread will fill them up in the garden without anyone getting suspicious.”
“Mother, you’re amazing!” Dickon exclaimed. “That’ll solve everything! They’ve been worrying about how to stay full without making it too obvious.”
Mrs. Sowerby smiled, pleased with her idea. “They’re having so much fun with their little play-acting. Let’s help them enjoy it even more.”
And she was right—the play-acting was one of Colin and Mary’s favorite games. It all started because the nurse and Dr. Craven had begun to notice how much Colin was improving. The nurse had remarked one day, “Your appetite is so much better, Master Colin. You hardly used to eat a thing.”
“Nothing disagrees with me now,” Colin replied. Still, when he saw the nurse’s curious expression, he added, “I mean… not as often. Maybe it’s the fresh air.”
The nurse looked puzzled and said, “I’ll have to talk to Dr. Craven.”
“She was staring at you!” Mary said after the nurse left. “Like she was trying to figure something out.”
“No one’s allowed to figure anything out yet,” Colin said firmly.
When Dr. Craven visited later that day, he, too, seemed puzzled by Colin’s improvement. “You’ve been spending a lot of time outside,” he noted. “Where do you go?”
Colin, with his usual air of importance, replied, “That’s my secret. I won’t be watched and stared at!”
Dr. Craven asked more questions, which irritated Colin. “You’re eating much more than before,” the doctor said.
“Maybe it’s an unnatural appetite,” Colin suggested, trying to seem less well than he was.
Dr. Craven shook his head. “You’re gaining weight and strength. If you keep this up, there’ll be no talk of dying.”
Colin, determined to keep his secret, said sharply, “I might get worse again. I might even get sick tonight! I won’t let anyone tell my father until I’m sure.”
Dr. Craven, seeing how upset Colin was getting, quickly reassured him. “Alright, nothing will be written to your father without your permission.”
Afterward, Colin and Mary discussed the situation. “I might have to throw a tantrum,” Colin said regretfully. “But it’s hard now because I’m not as miserable anymore. I might not even be able to fake it!”
The problem was that they were always hungry. Each morning they had delicious breakfasts, with fresh bread, butter, eggs, and jam. They told themselves they would eat less at lunch and dinner, but when the food arrived, they couldn’t resist.
“I wish the slices of ham were thicker,” Colin said one morning. “And one muffin isn’t enough.”
“It’s enough for someone who’s going to die,” Mary teased. “But not for someone who’s going to live!”
Then, one magical morning, Dickon brought out two tin pails from behind a rosebush. One was filled with rich, creamy milk, and the other had hot buns tucked inside a napkin. Colin and Mary couldn’t believe their eyes. They had never tasted anything so delicious!
“Your mother is amazing, Dickon,” Colin said between bites. “She’s full of magic, just like you. Tell her we’re extremely grateful.”
From then on, Mrs. Sowerby’s treats became a regular part of their garden visits. They realized that Mrs. Sowerby couldn’t feed them every day, so they started sending her money to help.
Dickon also discovered a secret spot in the park where they could build a little oven with stones and roast potatoes and eggs. Roasted eggs were a new treat for Colin and Mary, and the hot potatoes with butter were a feast fit for a king.
Every morning, they performed their magic ceremony under the plum tree, which was now full of green leaves. Afterward, Colin practiced walking and each day grew stronger. He also tried new exercises that Dickon had learned from a strong man on the moor. Soon, Colin and Mary were both doing these exercises daily, and their strength grew.
One day, Dr. Craven returned after being away for a while. He was amazed at the change in Colin. His skin had a healthy glow, his eyes were bright, and his hair was soft and full of life. He hardly looked like the same boy.
“I hear you’re not eating much,” Dr. Craven said, puzzled. “But you’ve improved so much.”
Colin tried to keep a serious face. “I told you it was an unnatural appetite,” he said.
Mary, sitting nearby, suddenly made a strange sound. When Dr. Craven asked what was wrong, she quickly replied, “Just a sneeze or a cough.”
Later, she told Colin, “I couldn’t help it! I remembered you eating that big potato with jam and cream, and I almost burst out laughing!”
Dr. Craven, still mystified, decided to let things be. “As long as they’re getting stronger, let them laugh,” he said.
And laugh they did—every single day.
Miss previous chapters of The Hidden Garden? You can read them here.
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