The Secret Garden: Chapter 26 Summary & Analysis

Sometimes in the mornings, after incantations, Colin gives Magic lectures to practice for when he's an adult and must speak about his "great scientific discoveries." As Colin speaks, Ben Weatherstaff watches him critically and notices how healthy Colin is starting to look. When he comments on Colin's appearance one morning, Colin insists that his experiment is succeeding and Magic is working. The children weed and Colin declares that Magic is most effective when a person moves their body.

A bit later, Colin stands upright and shouts for Mary and Dickon to look at him. He says that he suddenly realized he's well. He announces that he's going to live forever and make Magic, and says he wants to recite something joyful and thankful. Ben Weatherstaff grunts that Colin might consider singing the Doxology. Colin has never heard of it before as he's never been to church, but Dickon instructs Colin and Ben to take off their caps and stand up. Then, he sings the Doxology, which praises God. When Dickon finishes, Ben watches Colin closely. Colin deems the Doxology just the right thing and wonders if Magic and God are the same thing. Everyone sings the Doxology again and Ben tears up: suddenly, the Doxology has meaning for him.

Looking startled, Colin looks across the garden. A woman lets herself in through the garden door and Dickon explains that it's his mother, Mrs. Sowerby. All three children run to her and Colin shyly tells her that he's wanted to see her from the minute he learned of her existence. Mrs. Sowerby seems overtaken by emotion and explains that this is because Colin looks so much like Mrs. Craven. Colin asks if this will make Mr. Craven like him, and Mrs. Sowerby assures him it will.

Ben Weatherstaff approaches and points out Colin's strong legs to Mrs. Sowerby. Mrs. Sowerby then turns to Mary and says that with how well she's looking, she'll look as pretty as Mary's mother and will be "like a blush rose" when she grows up. Mary is pleased to hear this, as she always thought her mother was beautiful. Mrs. Sowerby then tours the garden and admires the plants. Both Colin and Mary feel warm and understood and choose to tell her about Magic. Mrs. Sowerby agrees that she believes, though she's never known Magic by that name. She suggests that "th' Big Good Thing" is all the same, and people can call it what they like.

Colin says that he feels joyful, and Mrs. Sowerby says that the Magic listened to the Doxology. Then, she pulls out a basket with a feast inside. They laugh and talk and Mrs. Sowerby laughs especially hard when she hears how difficult it is for Mary and Colin to pretend that Colin is still ill. Mrs. Sowerby assures them that Mr. Craven will come home soon. They talk about visiting Mrs. Sowerby's cottage and finally, they all prepare to leave the garden. Before Colin sits in his wheelchair, he stands in front of Mrs. Sowerby and tells her that he wishes she were his mother. Mrs. Sowerby pulls Colin into an embrace and assures him that Mrs. Craven is here, in the garden.