🌿 The Secret Garden – Chapter 2: The New Housemaid

The next morning, Mary woke up in her new room. It was still dark outside, and the wind was blowing hard. The sound of it made her feel lonely again.

A knock came at the door, and a young girl entered the room. She had red cheeks, bright eyes, and a friendly smile.

“I’m Martha,” she said. “I’ve come to help you dress. The bell rang an hour ago.”

Mary sat up in bed and looked at the girl. She was surprised. In India, only Indian servants had dressed her. She had never seen a girl like Martha do such work.

“Who are you?” Mary asked.

“I’m from the moor,” Martha replied. “My mother has twelve children. I’m used to helping out.”

Mary didn’t like the idea of dressing herself. She had always been waited on.

“I don’t know how,” she said angrily.

Martha laughed. “That’s funny. A big girl like you! I’ve been dressing myself since I was little.”

Mary was quiet. She didn’t like being laughed at.

Martha began to talk as she helped Mary wash and get dressed. She spoke about her family, her brothers and sisters, and her home on the moor. Mary had never heard anyone speak like that—so free, so happy.

“What’s a moor?” Mary asked.

“It’s wild land,” Martha said. “Open fields, hills, and sheep. Wind and sky all around. You’ll see it from your window.”

Mary walked to the window and looked out. The land outside looked grey and endless. The trees shook in the wind. It didn’t look friendly.

“I don’t like it,” she said.

“You will,” Martha replied. “It’s lonely, but it’s good for the soul.”

Later, Martha showed her to the breakfast room. Mr. Craven was not there. Mary sat alone and ate her food quietly. She didn’t know what to do afterward.

Martha returned to clean her room.

“Can I go outside?” Mary asked.

“If you like,” Martha said. “Put on your cloak. But don’t go too far. The gardens are big.”

“Are they pretty?” Mary asked.

“They used to be,” said Martha. “But some are locked. Especially the one behind the tall wall.”

“Why?” Mary asked quickly.

“It was Mr. Craven’s wife’s garden. After she died, he locked the door and buried the key. No one goes there.”

Mary’s eyes lit up. A secret garden? She had never heard of such a thing before. Something new stirred inside her—curiosity.

She went out into the cold wind. The sky was grey, and the grass was wet. She wandered through paths and trees, looking at everything. She saw high walls with ivy and roses, but no doors.

She felt alone—but also awake, like something was beginning.

And now she had a mystery to think about.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Moor	Wild, open land with grass and hills
Servants	People who work in someone’s house
Cloak	A warm, loose coat
Ivy	A green climbing plant
Stirred	Moved or awoke (usually emotions or thoughts)
Curiosity	A strong desire to know or learn something
Buried	Put underground

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. Who is Martha?

2. What surprised Mary about Martha?

3. What does Martha say about the moor?

4. How does Mary feel about the outdoors at first?

5. What does Martha say about the locked garden?

6. What new feeling does Mary experience at the end of the chapter?

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✅ Answers

1. A housemaid who comes to help Mary dress and talk with her.

2. She had never seen a servant who spoke so freely or happily.

3. That it’s wild, open, and good for the soul.

4. She doesn’t like it—it looks cold and unfriendly.

5. That it belonged to Mr. Craven’s wife, and after she died, he locked it and buried the key.

6. Curiosity—she becomes interested in the secret garden.