"I can tell you a bit about your uncle if you like," she said aloud. "He lives in a big old house, a long way from anywhere. There are nearly a hundred rooms, but most of them are shut and locked. There's a big park round the house, and all kinds of gardens. Well, your uncle is really ____________. What do you think of that?" "Nothing", replied Mary. "It doesn't matter to me."
Mrs. Medlock laughed. "You're a hard little girl! Well, if you don't care, Mr. Craven doesn't either. He never spends time on anyone. He's got a crooked back, you see, and although he has a lot of money, he was never really happy until he married." "Married?" repeated Mary in surprise. "Yes, he married a sweet, pretty girl, and he loved her deeply. So when she died-" "Oh! Did she die?" asked Mary, interested. "Yes, she did. And now he doesn't care about anybody. If he's at home, he stays in his room and sees nobody. He won't want to see you, so you must stay out of his way and do what you're told." Mary stared out of the train window at the grey sky and the rain. She was not looking forward to life at her uncle's house. The train journey lasted all day, and it was dark when they arrived at the station. Then there was a long drive to get to the house. It was a cold, windy night, and it was raining heavily. After a while, Mary began to hear a strange, wild noise. She looked out of the window, but could see nothing except the darkness.
"What's that noise?" she asked Mrs. Medlock. "It's — it's not the sea, is it?"
"No, that's the moor. It's the sound the wind makes, blowing across the moor."
"What is a moor?"
"It's just miles and miles of wild land, with no trees or houses. Your uncle's house is right on the edge of the moor." Mary listened to the strange, frightening sound. "I don't like it," she thought. "I don't like it." She looked more disagreeable than ever.
(Be adapted from The Secret Garden)
