The dog gave Mary a suspicious look and backed away.

“No, you can’t be cranky with me,” Mary pleaded. “That trap wasn’t my fault. Come on, come back and we’ll get that wound better for you.”

Jemima held her gaze but didn’t move, so Mary came to a decision.

“Very well.” If Jemima wouldn’t come to her, then she would go to Jemima! She pulled off her coat and bag, and leaving them on the grass, she stepped into the clear water, gasping at the coldness. The water got deeper and deeper until she realized she was going to have to swim. She wasn’t very good at swimming, but she struck out and swam determinedly to the far side. Reaching the bank, she pulled herself out of the water, shivering with the cold.

Jemima watched her warily.

“Can I see your paw now, Jemima?” Mary said.

The dog didn’t move.

“I promise I won’t hurt you,” Mary said. She took a step toward her, and Jemima took a step away. Mary sighed. “You don’t want help? Very well, then. We’ll deal with your paw later. First, we’ll explore. This is such a mysterious place! Come on.”

She walked past Jemima, and Jemima followed her on three legs. Mary broke into a run and Jemima overtook her, leading the way. She still seemed to be able to move just as fast on three legs as four.

There was so much to see in this garden that was hidden away behind the wall. They raced past giant tree ferns, through a grove of strange trees with bulbous trunks and frond-like leaves, and wriggled their way through junglelike foliage.

As Mary pushed the leaves aside, a story bubbled up inside her. “There were once two friends called Mary and Jemima!” she cried. “And they discovered a strange but beautiful garden together. They stayed there and played in it all day long!”

They emerged into a formal area with overgrown flower beds, gravel paths, and stone statues covered with ivy. At the far end was a beautiful sunken temple—an old building of gray stone arches with no roof. Mary and Jemima ran over to it.

“Oh, Jemima! Look!” said Mary, gazing in delight at the ankle-deep pool in the center of the temple, which shimmered and gleamed, reflecting the light. The dog barked excitedly, and Mary barked back, happiness filling her.