🌿 The Secret Garden – Chapter 8: The Cry in the Night (Again)

Mary felt stronger every day.

Working in the garden gave her energy, and spending time with Dickon made her smile more. Her face was rounder now, her eyes brighter. Martha noticed the change too.

“You look almost pretty,” Martha said one morning. “You’ve got color in your cheeks.”

Mary laughed. She didn’t care much about being pretty, but she liked feeling happy.

That night, the wind was quiet. Mary slept well—until a soft sound woke her.

It was the same sound she had heard weeks ago.

A child crying.

This time, she didn’t hesitate. She got out of bed, lit a small candle, and opened her door. The hallway was cold and dark, but she walked bravely.

The sound was louder now. She followed it past many doors, around a corner, and down another hall.

Then—she stopped.

There was a door at the end, slightly open.

She pushed it gently.

Inside, she saw a large bed, heavy curtains, and—on the pillows—a pale boy.

He had dark hair and big eyes filled with tears.

“Who are you?” he asked.

“I’m Mary Lennox,” she said. “I live here too. Who are you?”

“I’m Colin Craven,” he whispered. “Mr. Craven is my father.”

Mary was shocked. This was the secret child. The one no one talked about. The one who cried at night.

“Why are you crying?” she asked softly.

“I’m always ill,” Colin said. “They say I won’t grow strong. I might die. That’s why I stay in bed.”

Mary looked at him closely. He was thin, but his eyes were sharp. She saw more sadness than sickness.

“I don’t think you’ll die,” she said. “You just need fresh air and something to care about.”

Colin stared at her. “You’re not afraid of me?”

“No,” Mary said. “And I know a secret. Would you like to hear it?”

Colin nodded slowly.

Mary leaned in and whispered, “I found the secret garden.”

His eyes grew wide. “The one my mother loved?”

“Yes. It’s not dead. It’s alive—and I’m helping it grow.”

Colin’s lips trembled. “Will you take me there one day?”

Mary smiled. “Yes. But you must promise not to tell anyone. It’s our secret now.”

Colin smiled too—for the first time in a long while.

That night, Mary returned to bed feeling full of hope.

She had shared the garden with Dickon.
Now she had shared it with Colin.
And something inside her said—this was just the beginning.

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📖 Glossary

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Hesitate	To pause or wait before doing something
Curtains	Cloth used to cover windows or beds
Pale	Very light skin color, often from illness
Trembled	Shook slightly, often from emotion
Secret child	Someone kept hidden from others
Hope	A feeling that good things will happen

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❓ Comprehension Questions

1. How has Mary changed since working in the garden?

2. What wakes her in the night?

3. Who does Mary find behind the door?

4. What does Colin say about his health?

5. How does Mary react to Colin?

6. What secret does she tell him?

7. What do they promise to each other?

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✅ Answers

1. She looks healthier and happier.

2. The sound of a child crying.

3. Colin Craven, Mr. Craven’s hidden son.

4. He says he is always sick and might die.

5. She is not afraid—she speaks kindly and directly.

6. That she found the secret garden.

7. That they will keep the garden a secret, and she’ll take him there one day.