The Secret Garden Summary
Description
Here you will find a The Secret Garden summary (Frances Hodgson Burnett's book).
We begin with a summary of the entire book, and then you can read each individual chapter's summary by visiting the links on the "Chapters" section.
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Last Updated: Monday 1 Jan, 2024
Chapters
Chapters The Secret Garden Summary Overview
In the beginning, we meet Mary Lennox, a sick, ill-tempered, unattractive child who is unloved and devoid of affection for others. She resides in India under the care of local servants, neglected by her parents. Her world is turned upside down when a cholera outbreak leaves her the sole survivor in her household. Soldiers discover her and she's briefly taken in by an English clergyman before being shipped off to her uncle, Archibald Craven, in Yorkshire. Craven, a grieving widower, lives in a vast, desolate manor. Mary learns about a secret garden, once beloved by Craven’s late wife, which has been kept locked since her death. Once settled in Yorkshire, Mary is consumed by an urge to discover the secret garden. During her adventures, she becomes healthier and her temperament improves significantly. This transformation is assisted by the gardener, Ben Weatherstaff, and a local robin who resides in the garden. Mary also befriends Martha, Dickon, and Susan Sowerby. However, she's intrigued by strange cries echoing from the manor. Despite strict instructions from Mrs. Medlock, the chief servant, not to investigate, her curiosity leads her to the secret garden. With the assistance of the robin, she finds the key to the garden and starts tending to the neglected plants, aided by Dickon, a local boy with a magical connection to the creatures of the moor. One evening, ignoring the orders of Mrs. Medlock, Mary investigates the cries and discovers Colin, Craven’s bedridden son. Colin, spoiled and imperious due to his servants' indulgence, forms a bond with Mary, although they have a falling out when Mary chooses to garden with Dickon instead of visiting him. Colin worries about becoming a hunchback like his father, but Mary insists his ailments are psychological. Secretly, Mary and Dickon start taking Colin to the garden, which results in a miraculous improvement in his health. The secret is kept from everyone but Susan Sowerby, Dickon's mother, who insists Craven return home. On his return, a dream guides Craven to the garden, where he's reunited with his son, revealing the miraculous recovery.
chapter 1
The book's main character is a ten-year-old girl named Mary Lennox, who's noted for her unpleasant demeanor and sickly, yellowish look. Mary's parents, living in India, give her no attention or love. Her mother, a stunning and fashionable socialite, leaves Mary's care to Indian servants to avoid embarrassment. The servants are told to keep Mary out of sight and always satisfied, which results in her becoming spoiled, self-centered, and bossy. No one loves Mary, and she has no affection for others in return. A terrible cholera outbreak in their Indian locale worsens Mary's miserable life. Her mother's thoughtless self-centeredness leads to the family's inability to leave before the disease hits. Mary's mother prioritizes a dinner party over their safety. Mary's Ayah, her nanny, doesn't appear one morning, leaving Mary to play alone in the garden. Overhearing a conversation between her mother and a British officer, Mary learns her Ayah has died from cholera, a fact that doesn't emotionally affect her. In the panic and confusion that follows the outbreak, Mary is forgotten. She hides in her room, alternating between crying and sleeping. When she finally leaves her room, she finds an eerily deserted house. Drinking leftover wine, she falls into a deep sleep. When she awakens, the only other living creature is a small green snake. Everyone else has either died or fled, including her parents. British soldiers discover Mary and whisk the newly orphaned girl away.
chapter 2
After losing her parents, Mary is sent to stay with a clergyman and his family. Nevertheless, her misfortune hasn’t changed her perspective at all, and she immediately dislikes the five children and the humble living conditions. The children reciprocate the sentiment, isolating Mary and teasing her while she plays at gardening, dubbing her "Mistress Mary, Quite Contrary." Basil, the favored child, informs Mary that she will move to England to live with her uncle, Archibald Craven. Having no knowledge about England or her uncle, this news startles her. Basil also shares rumors regarding her uncle, painting him as a hunchbacked recluse living in a distant, enigmatic mansion. Even though Mary dismisses Basil's tale, his words stick with her. A few days later, she boards a ship to England, under the care of an officer's wife who is sending her own children to a boarding school. In London, Mary is entrusted to Mrs. Medlock, Archibald Craven's housekeeper. Their mutual dislike is instant and unsurprising, given Mary's sullen demeanor and plain looks, which tend to make a bad impression. With Mrs. Medlock, Mary begins to experience loneliness for the first time. Mrs. Medlock and Mary board a train to Yorkshire, home of Misselthwaite Manor. During the journey, Mrs. Medlock shares gloomy stories about the manor and its master. Archibald Craven is indeed a hunchbacked widower, whose wife's passing marked the end of his happiness. Most of his mansion's hundred rooms are now locked and unused. To Mary, her uncle's story sounds like a fairytale, or "like something in a book." As she ponders this, it starts to rain, coaxing her to sleep.
chapter 3
As Mary wakes up, she finds herself in Yorkshire. She and Mrs. Medlock travel via a coach through a village and across Missel Moor until they reach the majestic manor. Mr. Pitcher, her uncle's servant, welcomes them, informing that her uncle is unavailable. Mrs. Medlock isolates Mary in a room and warns her against exploring the mansion or its surroundings due to Mr. Craven's strict instructions. Mary's defiance escalates to new heights. In this part of the story, the depth of Mary's isolation and its roots are further explored. Her unpleasant demeanor and appearance immediately invite dislike from both the clergyman's family and Mrs. Medlock. Mary's bitterness is compounded by her mounting feelings of displacement and solitude. When Basil informs her that she's going home, she retorts, "Where is home?" Mary now feels completely uprooted from everything familiar to her. She starts contemplating her life, realizing she has never truly felt a sense of belonging to any place or person. This newfound ability for self-reflection grants Mary significant realizations in the following parts of the story.
chapter 4
Martha, a maid at the manor, meets Mary on her first day in Misselthwaite. Mary confesses her hate for the moor, but Martha assures her that she'll grow to love it. Martha's casual manner shocks Mary, who is used to servants treating her with utmost deference in India. When Mary requests help getting dressed, Martha is taken aback, not realizing that Mary doesn't know how to do it herself. Martha's surprise triggers her to lapse into her region's dialect, which everyone but the manor's residents use. Martha suggests the servants in India must have pampered Mary because there were many "blacks." She even incorrectly assumed Mary to be black. Mary, insulted by this, vehemently denies and cries, causing Martha to comfort her and help her dress. Mary's black mourning clothes have been replaced with white woolen ones, pleasing her, as she "hates black things." Martha finds it odd that Mary acts like a doll while being dressed but Mary explains, "It was the custom." Martha then talks about her family, including her little brother, Dickon, who has an uncanny bond with animals. He even has a wild pony as a pet. This fascinates Mary, piquing her interest in something outside herself for the first time. Mary rejects her breakfast, frustrating Martha, who has seen her siblings starve. Martha suggests Mary explore the moor and maybe meet Dickon. She also mentions a garden locked up ten years ago after the death of Mistress Craven. Intrigued, Mary begins her search for the secret garden. During her exploration, she spots a beautiful robin redbreast and meets a grumpy gardener, Ben Weatherstaff. To her surprise, Ben whistles a soothing tune to the robin who has been lonely since his family left. Mary empathizes with the robin’s loneliness and is taken aback when Ben points out her glaring similarities to him; both have terrible tempers and are quite unattractive. The robin sings, trying to befriend Mary, who, friendless herself, appreciates the gesture. She tries to inquire about the secret garden from Ben but he refuses to respond and leaves silently.
chapter 5
For weeks, Mary lives a monotonous life: waking up, eating, and exploring the moor. Her outdoor activities ignite a change in her, making her healthier and sparking her imagination, which had been dormant in India. She spends time exploring the manor grounds hunting for the secret garden. She meets Ben Weatherstaff's robin again outside a walled garden and excitedly chases it around the garden wall, even trying to communicate with it, convinced that it resides in the secret garden. No matter how hard she looks, she fails to find the garden's entrance. One evening, Martha disregards Master Craven's orders not to discuss the secret garden and shares more tales about it. It used to be Mrs. Craven's garden, a place filled with cherished memories of her and her husband. Mrs. Craven would often sit in a rose-covered bower atop a garden tree until one fateful day when she fell and later succumbed to her injuries. Devastated, Archibald Craven locked the garden up, unable to stand its sight. Hearing this, Mary feels sympathetic towards her uncle. That night, amidst the sounds of the blowing wind, she hears a faint cry of a child. When she questions Martha, she denies hearing anything, but Mary remains unconvinced.
chapter 6
A downpour confines Mary to the house, where she's discovering fondness for Martha and her family tales. She finds herself connecting to Martha's brother, Dickon, and mother, though she's met neither. Since everyone at the manor pays her little attention, Mary decides to seek out the estate's library and investigate its many closed rooms. She sees numerous paintings of imposing men and women as she roams the hallway. Some of them appear to be intrigued by her presence, an Indian girl in their English manor. She is particularly drawn to child portraits and even converses with one featuring a girl who bears a resemblance to her, accompanied by a green parrot. Mary wishes this girl was real, for she feels like the sole living being in Misselthwaite. Upon entering a room, she discovers another painting of the similar-looking girl, which unsettles her. She further explores and eventually finds an array of ivory elephants in a room that appears to have been a lady's lounge. These remind her of India and fascinate her. A rustling sound reveals a family of gray mice residing in a cushion, and Mary realizes they aren’t lonely like her because they have each other. On returning to the corridor, she hears a child’s cry again. Mrs. Medlock catches her attempting to trace the sound and escorts her back to her room, noticeably angry.
chapter 7
After the storm has cleared, Martha informs Mary that spring is approaching. Martha is looking forward to her monthly day off, planning to visit her family. Mary inquires about the possibility of visiting Martha's family, which is met with uncertainty. However, Martha promises to discuss it with her savvy mother. Mary expresses admiration for Dickon and Martha's mother, despite never having met them, but expresses her fear that they may not like her. In response to Martha's question, Mary admits she doesn't like herself either. Once Martha departs, Mary explores the gardens and encounters a cheerful Ben Weatherstaff. He reveals his delight in the arrival of spring. When the robin reappears, Mary takes the opportunity to question Ben about any potential life in the secret garden. Ben is unsure, suggesting that only the robin, the garden's only visitor in a decade, would know. Mary is struck by the fact that ten years ago, she was born and the garden was locked. She wanders along the garden wall, acknowledging her newfound affection for Martha, Dickon, Martha's mother, and the robin. She attempts to communicate with the robin through bird sounds. Much to Mary's surprise, the robin leads her to a pile of fresh soil. Within it, she discovers a weathered key. The key could potentially unlock the secret garden.
chapter 8
Mary is resolved to find the entrance to the hidden garden. She yearns to explore this forbidden place, believing it to be a perfect hideout where she can create her own fun. This newfound determination signifies a transformation in her persona, as she used to be a passive girl in India. At Misselthwaite Manor, in the brisk air of the moor, she is beginning to engage with her surroundings and her creativity is reawakening. Despite scrutinizing the dense ivy covering the garden's stone barriers, the door eludes her, leading her back to the manor house. Once there, Martha reveals that her family was captivated by Mary's tales of India. Martha's mother, in particular, has grown very concerned for Mary and gifts her a skipping rope. Although appreciative, Mary responds formally, shaking Martha's hand instead of the customary childlike kiss. Mary steps outside to try out her new skipping rope and encounters Ben Weatherstaff and the robin. As Mary happily skips along the path with the robin, a sudden breeze shifts some of the ivy on the wall, revealing a door. Using the key she found earlier, Mary opens it and finds herself standing in the secret garden.
chapter 9
In the hidden garden, Mary discovers numerous large rosebushes. The garden is overgrown and desolate, having been untouched for a decade. The lack of care has turned the once vibrant flora dull and lifeless due to winter. Mary, however, hopes that not everything is dead. She feels the garden is her own, a solitary space, yet she doesn't feel lonely. She spots a few green sprouts in the ground indicating life, which makes her ecstatic. To nurture these early bloomers, she busily engages in weeding around them all day. At the manor that evening, she asks Martha for gardening tools. Martha suggests that Mary write a letter to Dickon who could buy tools and seeds for her during his visit to the nearby village, Thwaite. The prospect of meeting Dickon, a boy loved even by animals, excites Mary. Martha also informs about her mother's consent to Mary's visit to their cottage, which she looks forward to, thinking Martha's mother to be different from those in India. When Martha leaves the room momentarily, Mary hears the distant crying sound again. Martha denies hearing it and leaves the room to avoid further questioning. The garden, in its mystery and grandeur, exudes a magical ambiance. Its overgrown flowers resemble "curtains", symbolizing both the concealment of mystery and the garden as a theatrical stage. This represents the garden's transformation into an "open secret" to Mary.
chapter 10
After her initial visit, Mary regards the secret garden as a place of magic and mystery that belongs to her. She spends her days skipping, digging, and weeding to nourish the few surviving plants. As a result, Mary is growing healthier and more sociable with each day spent at Misselthwaite. She befriends Ben Weatherstaff, and secretly seeks his gardening guidance. Ben shares that he used to care for a rose garden for a woman who "loved [roses] like they was children or robins." Mary quizzes him about the fate of abandoned roses until he abruptly leaves in a huff. Mary then heads to the woods in search of rabbits. She locates a strange whistling sound and finds a boy surrounded by animals, playing a wooden pipe. She recognizes him as Dickon Sowerby, the known animal-charmer. Although initially bashful, she warms up to him and accepts the gardening tools and seeds he's brought. The natural "clean fresh scent of heather and grass and leaves" he carries intrigues Mary, and she becomes comfortable with him, forgetting her shyness. The friendly robin also joins them. Dickon instructs Mary on caring for the seeds and requests to visit the spot she plans to plant them, offering his assistance. Mary is hesitant to reveal her secret garden, but Dickon assures her he can keep a secret. Mary boldly declares that she "stolen a garden," but it is hers and she won't give it up. Still, she decides to show him the garden.
chapter 11
Dickon and Mary find themselves in the secret garden, which he'd only ever heard of through Martha. He surveys the plants to figure out which are alive, commenting on how ideal the garden is for birds to nest, since there are no humans around to bother them. They start working together, tending to the plants and removing dead wood and weeds. Despite her lack of gardening knowledge, Mary's efforts impress Dickon. When he asks her about this, she simply states her love for the earth's scent. She then requests Dickon's assistance in nurturing the garden, a request he eagerly accepts. Noticing the survival of many plants, Dickon wonders if someone has been visiting the garden in the decade since Master Craven locked it up. Mary reveals her desire to cultivate bell-shaped flowers, rejecting the jingle the clergyman's children used to tease her with, "Mistress Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With silver bells, and cockle shells, And marigolds all in a row." She confesses her fondness for Dickon, asking if he and the robin feel the same way about her, which he affirms. Their gardening session is cut short for Mary's dinner time, making her anxious about never seeing Dickon again. She fears he might disappear as quickly as he showed up, much like a mythical sprite or wood-fairy. Still, she has full faith in him to keep the garden's secret.
chapter 12
Mary returns to the manor and shares with Martha her encounter with Dickon. She expresses her admiration for him, which amuses Martha. Mary learns that her uncle has just returned from a trip and has been scolded by Dickon and Martha's mother, Susan Sowerby, for his lack of care for Mary. This leads her uncle, Master Craven, to call for Mary before he leaves again the next day. Mary is relieved by his departure but is anxious about meeting him, thinking they'd loathe each other. Escorted by Mrs. Medlock, Mary meets Master Craven in his sitting room. She notes that he's not a hunchback but has crooked shoulders and would be attractive if it wasn't for the sadness reflected on his face. Master Craven admits forgetting about Mary and offers to hire a governess or a nurse to accompany her. Mary would rather spend her time on the moor, gaining strength before starting her studies. He agrees and upon asking if she needs anything, she asks for "a bit of earth" to garden. This request, reminding him of his late wife's gardening passion, moves Mr. Craven who then allows her to choose any piece of ground on the manor for her garden. Mary rushes to tell Martha about her uncle's approval to have a garden and visit Martha's family. Afterward, she hurries back to the secret garden hoping to find Dickon, but he's already left. She finds a note attached to a rose bush with Dickon's sketch of a bird in its nest and a vow to be back.
chapter 13
Awakened by the storm's relentless noise, a distraught Mary is kept awake imagining the howls of the wind as cries of a lost person. Soon, she hears a faint sobbing beneath the storm's roar. Ignoring Mrs. Medlock's orders, she explores the dark corridors of Misselthwaite until she discovers a lit room. Inside the room, Mary encounters a sickly, pale boy - Colin Craven - lying on a large bed. Initially, they both doubt each other's reality, staring silently. Colin is Master Craven's son, born the same year as Mary and when the secret garden was sealed. Colin's sickliness and resemblance to his deceased mother, whom his father is still grieving, have led to his seclusion. He hates being looked at due to the pity it draws and stays in his isolated room. However, Colin doesn't mind Mary's company, fascinated by her story. Colin lives with the constant reminder of his predicted early death, and the possibility of his doctor uncle inheriting the estate instead of him. This fear prompted his earlier crying. Upon hearing about the secret garden, Colin is intrigued, believing it could be his if he survives. However, Mary, fearing the secret becoming public, convinces Colin to keep the garden's existence a secret. Colin, who has never had a secret before, agrees to this arrangement.
chapter 14
Another rainy day finds Mary informing Martha about her encounter with Colin. Martha panics, expecting to lose her job since she dozed off while supposed to be watching Colin's room, hence allowing Mary to sneak in. Mary soothes her, stating that Colin won't allow her to be fired. Martha shares her fear of Colin, explaining his power over the servants since they rely on him for survival. She's surprised when Mary mentions Colin wants to see her daily, given his known aversion to strangers. Mary denies using any sort of spell on Colin. Martha responds that everyone must obey Colin, right before being called to his room. Colin requests to see Mary. Eager to meet him, though not as much as she is to see Dickon, Mary agrees. In his luxurious room, Mary compares Colin to a young king she saw in India whose servants obeyed his every command under threat of death. She contrasts him with Dickon, who has the power to charm animals. Mary suggests that Dickon's love for the moor could inspire the same feelings in Colin, but he dismisses the idea due to his poor health. Mary doesn’t sympathize with his talk of sickness and death, asserting they don't have to die just because others want them to. Colin reveals that a doctor from London didn't think he would die. He stated Colin would survive if he could decide to. Mary thinks that Dickon's visit could inspire Colin to choose life. They shift their conversation towards Dickon and his family, hinting at their child-like natures. Colin's uncle, Dr. Craven, and Mrs. Medlock walk in, taken back at seeing them together. Colin asserts his decision of friendship with Mary, declaring they will meet as per their wishes. Dr. Craven reminds Colin of his illness, to which Colin replies that Mary's visits help him forget his ailment.
chapter 15
Following a rainy week and constant companionship with Colin, Mary finally goes back to her secret garden. She realizes Colin isn't as sickly when he's entertained or doing something. Mrs. Medlock, though annoyed by Mary's deceit, is happy that Mary's frequent visits have brightened Colin. This improvement has made the household staff joyful, dubbing Mary as another nurse. Mary has been careful not to reveal much about the garden to Colin, unsure of his trustworthiness. She also wonders if she can sneak Colin into the garden for some much-needed sunlight and fresh air. After all, it has done wonders for her health and demeanor ever since she came to England. She also believes that Colin meeting Dickon and the robin would be beneficial. Colin has agreed to meeting Dickon, commenting, "He's a sort of animal charmer and [Colin is] a boy animal." Mary's return to the garden is marked by the arrival of spring on the moor. The plants are sprouting, and the air is filled with birdsong. Dickon is already there with his pet crow, Soot, and his pet fox, Captain. Mary is delighted to see blooming crocuses, and kisses them, surprising Dickon. When Mary explains how a flower's kiss differs from a person's, Dickon shares how he kisses his mother with the same purity of joy. As they explore the garden, they see the robin red breast building a nest. To not scare him, Mary and Dickon stay still, like trees. Mary confides in Dickon about her newfound friendship with Colin. Dickon is relieved that he doesn't need to hide Colin's existence from Mary anymore, as he hates keeping secrets. Everyone in Thwaite village is aware of Colin, but out of respect for Mr. Craven, they avoid discussing him. Dickon reveals that Mr. Craven can't bear to look at Colin because he so closely resembles his late wife. Colin doesn't want to die, he wishes he was never born as he feels his father doesn't love him. Dickon believes Colin will never recover if he continues to only think about his illness and death. Dickon suggests that if Colin could visit the garden, he could anticipate the flowers blossoming, instead of his health deteriorating. Both Dickon and Mary commit to finding a way to sneak Colin into the garden.
chapter 16
After returning to the manor for lunch, Mary learns from Martha that Colin is eager for her company. However, Mary insists she doesn't have time as Dickon is waiting for her in the garden. Martha cautions her that Colin may throw a fit if she ignores him. When Mary returns to her room, Martha informs her that Colin is on the verge of a tantrum. Mary, irritated, fails to realize her craving for Dickon's company is as selfish as Colin's demand for her attention. She visits Colin and finds him lying motionless on his bed, a worrying sight as he had been starting to sit up on the divan, a better position for his weak back. Threatening to ban Dickon from Misselthwaite if Mary chooses him over Colin, Colin stirs Mary's fury. She warns Colin that she will never speak to him again if he meddles with her friendship with Dickon. An argument ensues over Dickon, with Colin belittling him as common, while Mary defends him, stating he is "a thousand times better than a common rajah." This quarrel is a first for Colin. When Colin brings up his impending death, Mary rebukes him for seeking attention and sympathy. She leaves the room angrily, passing Colin's amused nurse in the hallway. In her room, she finds gifts from Master Craven, including picture books, games, and a golden pen with an inkstand, which delights her. As she considers sharing her presents with Colin, she recalls his admission that he experiences his hysterical fits when he fears a lump forming on his back, especially when he is upset or fatigued. She wonders if he had been obsessing over his deformity and death while waiting for her. She decides to possibly visit him the following morning.
chapter 17
Mary wakes up one night due to Colin's distant crying and wailing. At first, she's scared but then grows angry at his ongoing tantrum. Colin's nurse pleads Mary to calm him or at least divert his attention, fearing he might harm himself. The adults in the manor are looking at Mary for help, assuming she's tougher than Colin. In her own anger, Mary storms into Colin's room, expressing her hatred and wishing he'd scream to death. Colin, shocked, stops wailing and just stares at her. He shares his fear of developing a hump on his back and dying soon. Mary dismisses his fear, asking to see his back. Reluctantly, Colin shows her his back. Mary finds nothing wrong, and assures him his back is perfectly fine, threatening to ridicule if he insists otherwise. This changes Colin's perspective, as he's always been told about his frailty and imminent death. Mary is the first to hint that his sickness might be all in his head. Colin proposes a deal. He'd venture outside for fresh air if Mary and Dickon accompany him. Mary agrees to his condition, and successfully soothes him to sleep with a tale of the secret garden.
chapter 18
Rising late, Mary learns from Martha that Colin wishes to meet her, but doesn't demand it, marking a significant change in him. Mary briefly meets Colin to tell him about possibly discovering the secret garden, before hurrying off to find Dickon. In the garden, she finds Dickon with his animal companions: a fox, a crow, a moor pony named Jump, and two squirrels called Nut and Shell. Mary shares the incident of Colin's outburst with Dickon, who becomes even more enthusiastic about bringing Colin to the garden. Mary, in Yorkshire dialect, suggests he first visit Colin in the mansion with his pets, to which Dickon concurs. Returning to the mansion, Mary informs Colin about the plan. They discuss their shared loneliness, as they have always been disliked by others and reciprocated that dislike. However, they acknowledge their changing attitudes, as they are beginning to appreciate each other, Dickon, and the robin. Finally, Mary trusts Colin enough to reveal that she and Dickon have accessed the secret garden, suggesting that he might soon join them.
chapter 19
Dr. Craven comes to check on Colin after his outburst and learns from Mrs. Medlock about Mary's positive influence on him. They find Colin in high spirits, interacting enthusiastically with Mary. Although concerned about Colin's planned outdoor excursion, Dr. Craven is reassured when he learns Dickon will also be present, as Dickon is renowned for his strength and dependability. Colin insists that Mary's company helps him forget his sickness, which in turn makes him feel better. Mrs. Medlock shares these updates with Susan Sowerby, who commends the importance of children socializing with other children. Back in Colin's room, Mary opens the windows to let in fresh spring air and shares how the moor's air gives Dickon a sense of eternal life. This idea fascinates Colin, who is also intrigued by Mary's description of new spring plants and the motherless lamb Dickon found. As they have breakfast in Colin's room, Colin tells the servants to expect a visit from Dickon and his animals that afternoon. Sure enough, Dickon arrives, complete with squirrels on his shoulders, a fox and crow trailing him, and a lamb in his arms, leaving Colin in awe. Despite his informal attire, Dickon is comfortable in the manor. Together, the children discuss the garden and plan to take Colin there.
chapter 20
After a week of unfavorable weather, Colin finally prepares for his trip outside. Despite not being able to leave his room, Colin stays connected to the happenings of the garden and spring's progress through Dickon's daily updates. Ensuring the garden remains a secret, the children strategize on how to transport Colin without revealing its location. Colin orders head gardener Mr. Roach to ensure no one approaches the garden's vicinity, revealing his plans of an afternoon visit. Outside Colin's room, Mr. Roach praises his authoritative demeanor, and Mrs. Medlock hopes Mary's influence will balance this trait, reminding Colin that he doesn't own everything. Over lunch, Colin shares his excitement about witnessing spring for the first time, with Mary confessing she too had never experienced it before arriving at Misselthwaite due to India's lack of spring. Following lunch, Colin is dressed by his nurse and taken outside in a wheeled chair by a footman. Enthralled by the green scenery and fragrant flowers, Colin is led towards the secret garden. Mary points out the various places from her moor stories along the way. Overwhelmed by the garden's beauty, Colin's pale complexion turns pink as though he is coming to life. Overjoyed, he declares his intention to recover and "live forever and ever and ever."
chapter 21
Within the garden, Mary and Dickon converse in the Yorkshire dialect. Colin, for his first time, partakes in their conversation. He considers whether the garden's splendor was somehow meant for him. As Mary and Dickon share the garden's wonders with him, they falter when he inquires about the large gray tree where his mother had her fatal fall. Dickon suggests that soon roses will cover the tree, transforming its grim history into a beautiful sight. A serendipitous appearance by the robin diverts Colin's attention from the tree. Dickon's mother, Mrs. Sowerby, has a hunch that Colin's mother's spirit remains in the garden, guiding her son. Mary privately agrees, attributing it to the "Magic" that she thinks Dickon infuses into everything around him. Colin announces his plans to visit the garden daily and eventually walk and work there independently. Unexpectedly, they see a shocked Ben Weatherstaff peering over the garden wall, surprised to find the children in the previously locked space. Upon seeing Colin, he refers to him as "the poor cripple," questioning his physical condition. Outraged, Colin stands up from his chair, insisting that Ben observe his physical wellness. He then invites Ben to join them in the garden to continue their conversation.
chapter 22
Mary hurries to greet Ben Weatherstaff, leaving Dickon and Colin behind in the garden. Colin queries Dickon about the magical ability that allows him to stand upright. Dickon clarifies that it's not his unique magic, but the universal Magic that nurtures the flowers. On her way back to the garden, Mary whispers words of support to Colin, believing this to also be an aspect of Magic. Ben Weatherstaff finds Colin standing upright when he enters the garden, though Colin is subtly leaning against a tree for support. Ben Weatherstaff informs Colin that his job at Misselthwaite was saved due to Mistress Craven's fondness for him. He also reveals to the children that he has been visiting the garden secretly once a year for a decade, as per Mistress Craven's request to maintain it if she was unable to. He has faithfully followed her instructions, in spite of the locked entrance. Colin asserts that the garden is now his, but he is willing to allow the old man to visit, on the condition that Ben keeps the secret. Colin concludes the day by planting a rose in the garden, symbolically claiming it as his own.
chapter 23
Dr. Craven anticipates the arrival of Colin and Mary at Misselthwaite. Mary is shocked by Colin's disrespectful manner towards the doctor and decides to enlighten him about his behavior. She suggests that his unpleasant traits are a result of people treating him like a miserable victim and always letting him have his way. Colin, surprised by Mary's honesty, vows to change his ways with the help of the "white Magic" from the secret garden. The garden becomes the haven for Mary, Colin, Dickon, and Ben Weatherstaff, where they spend their days tracking the progress of springtime. Colin and Dickon are captivated by the development of the flora and fauna in the garden. Pursuing his aspiration of becoming a distinguished scientist, Colin starts investigating the concept of Magic. He gathers his friends to share his notions about Magic, asserting its omnipresence and the potential to harness it. He believes fervently repeating his desires will channelize this Magic and help him regain his health. In a ritualistic gathering under a tree, all four sit cross-legged while Colin recites his wishes repeatedly. He then parades around the garden to feel his increasing strength, trailed by Mary, Dickon, Ben, and Dickon's animals. Colin plans to maintain his recovering health a secret, intending to astound his father with his newfound vitality upon his return.
chapter 24
While caring for his garden in the evenings, Dickon shares with his mother, Susan Sowerby, the happenings at the manor. Trusting Mrs. Sowerby, the children decide to let her in on their secret. They inform her of the clever act Mary and Colin put up to keep Colin's progress under wraps. A new issue arose, though: increased appetites without drawing attention at the manor. To help them, Mrs. Sowerby decides to provide them with fresh milk and bread. In return, Mary and Colin send her money for fresh potatoes and eggs, which they then cook on the moor. The children persist in their "magic" rituals, sitting together daily as Colin talks about magic's healing powers. To help Colin get stronger, Dickon gets a workout regimen from Yorkshire's top wrestler. As they follow the routine, Colin's health improves rapidly, making it harder to maintain his sickly act.
chapter 25
The chapter focuses on the robin redbreast watching the children's excitements in the garden. Its mate and it are nesting, anticipating their eggs to hatch during early spring. Colin and Mary are forced to remain inside when it rains. Inspired by Mary, they start discovering the mansion's numerous rooms. Mary's transformation due to the garden and spring is so profound that she no longer resembles the girl in the portrait with the parrot, turning rather attractive. Mary observes the pink curtain in Colin's room has been withdrawn, exposing his mother's portrait. Colin shares that his room was "filled with Magic" earlier, causing him to unveil the curtain. Being healthy now, he perceives her laughter as a silent blessing. Mary points out Colin's resemblance to his mother, as if he is "her ghost made into a boy." This notion deeply resonates with Colin, hinting at possible affection from his father.
chapter 26
As Colin speaks in the garden, Ben Weatherstaff admires his strength and resemblance to his mother. Colin shares his successful experiment and plans to pen a book about magic. In a burst of joy at his own recovery, he proclaims his immortality. Suggested by Ben, Colin sings a hymn of gratitude, the Doxology, which Dickon and his mother believe is sung by skylarks. Colin interprets the song as a symbol of his gratitude towards magic, even linking God and magic together. Just then, Mrs. Sowerby appears. Dickon rushes to his mother, a serene woman in a blue cloak. She's struck by Colin's resemblance to his mother and showers him with affection, even calling him 'lad'. She warmly embraces Mary, comparing her to her own daughters. The children show her around the secret garden, both feeling comforted by her presence. Colin questions her belief in magic. Mrs. Sowerby admits she believes in it, referring to it as the 'Big Good Thing' or the 'Joy Maker'. The group plans to visit her cottage and she hopes that Master Craven will return soon to witness his son's transformation. Colin wishes she was his mother, causing her to assure him that his own mother's spirit is in the garden.
chapter 27
The tale reflects on the power of positivity, likening thoughts to sunlight or poison. It highlights the transformation of Colin and Mary due to their optimistic outlook, while contrasting Master Craven's continuous grief. Encased in his pain, Master Craven is found in the Austrian Tyrol, neglecting his responsibilities. Initially, his sorrow remains untouched by the surrounding natural beauty until he finds solace in a cluster of forget-me-nots. This encounter with nature brings him back to life, mirroring the revival of the garden at Misselthwaite. His journey to recovery continues in Italy at Lake Como. There, he dreams of his late wife urging him to return home to their garden. A letter from Susan Sowerby the following day reinforces this message, instructing him to return home immediately to see Colin, without further explanation. Hence, he travels back to England, reflecting on his past mistakes concerning his son. On reaching the moor, he stops by Susan Sowerby's to leave a small gift for her children before heading to the manor and the garden to find Colin. He is surprised to hear the laughter of children from beyond the garden. The door then opens and a healthy Colin rushes into his father's arms. Overjoyed, Master Craven asks Colin to show him the garden. Colin then narrates the tale of the garden's rediscovery and revival. The trio - Colin, Mary, and Master Craven - return to the manor, leaving everyone astonished by Master Craven's joy and Colin's newfound vitality.
