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The Secret Garden Chapter 3 Summary

"Across the Moor"

  • And as Mary and Mrs. Medlock get closer to Misselthwaite Manor, things definitely don't get more hopeful.
  • It's all rainy and gloomy—not exactly the most cheerful start to Mary's new life in Yorkshire.
  • As they drive in a horse-drawn carriage, they go past a large, barren patch of ground without any trees or anything. It's a moor.
  • Mary takes one look at this big, empty, bleak stretch of land and decides, "I don't like it" (3.20).
  • Approaching the large, low, dark house that will be Mary's new home, Mary only sees one light lit upstairs.
  • A big set of doors leads to an enormous hall.
  • A thin old man named Mr. Pitcher talks to Mrs. Medlock like Mary isn't even there.
  • Mr. Pitcher tells Mrs. Medlock that it's her job to "make sure that he's not disturbed and that he doesn't see what he doesn't want to see" (3.30).
  • We don't know who this "he" is yet, but one thing's pretty clear: "He" doesn't want to see Misstress Mary Quite Contrary any time soon.