The Secret Garden · Chapter
The Cry in the Corridor explained
Mary Lennox begins to adapt to life at Misselthwaite Manor, spending most of her time outdoors and experiencing improved health and appetite.
What happens
Mary Lennox begins to adapt to life at Misselthwaite Manor, spending most of her time outdoors and experiencing improved health and appetite. She encounters the robin, who leads her to the wall of the secret garden, and learns from Martha the tragic story of Mrs. Craven's death. That evening, Mary hears a mysterious crying sound inside the house, which Martha tries to dismiss as the wind.
Themes in this chapter
Healing Power of Nature
Mary's outdoor activity improves her appetite and health, and the moor wind is described as beneficial.
Secrecy and Discovery
The secret garden's history is revealed, and Mary hears a mysterious cry, hinting at hidden secrets in the manor.
Grief and Healing
Mr. Craven's grief over his wife's death leads to the garden being locked; Mary begins to feel sympathy for others.
Characters to notice
- Mary Lennox
Begins to thrive outdoors, gains appetite, communicates with the robin, and becomes curious about the secret garden and the crying sound.
- Martha Sowerby
Shares the story of Mrs. Craven's death and the locked garden, and tries to explain away the crying Mary hears.
- Ben Weatherstaff
Mentioned as surly and avoiding Mary; his robin leads Mary to the garden wall.
- Archibald Craven
His hatred of the garden is explained due to his wife's death; he orders that the garden not be discussed.
- Mrs. Craven
Her death from a fall in the garden is recounted by Martha.
Key passages
“It's th' air of th' moor that's givin' thee stomach for tha' victuals.”
The moor's fresh air is making you hungry.
Martha explains Mary's newfound appetite.
“It was Mrs. Craven's garden that she had made when first they were married an' she just loved it, an' they used to 'tend the flowers themselves.”
The garden was Mrs. Craven's creation, which she and her husband tended together.
Martha recounts the garden's origin.
“But one day when she was sittin' there th' branch broke an' she fell on th' ground an' was hurt so bad that next day she died.”
One day the branch she was sitting on broke, causing a fatal fall.
Martha describes Mrs. Craven's accident.
“There! I told you so! It is someone crying—and it isn't a grown-up person.”
Mary insists the crying sound is a child, not an adult.
Mary identifies the mysterious cry.