Маленькая принцесса

           CaptainCrewewouldreallyhaveenjoyedtheshoppingtremendously,butthatasadthoughtkepttuggingathisheart.Thisallmeantthathewasgoingtobeseparatedfromhisbeloved,quaintlittlecomrade.

           HegotoutofhisbedinthemiddleofthatnightandwentandstoodlookingdownatSara,wholayasleepwithEmilyinherarms.HerblackhairwasspreadoutonthepillowandEmily’sgolden-brownhairmingledwithit,bothofthemhadlace-rufflednightgowns,andbothhadlongeyelasheswhichlayandcurledupontheircheeks.EmilylookedsolikearealchildthatCaptainCrewefeltgladshewasthere.Hedrewabigsighandpulledhismustachewithaboyishexpression.

           "Heigh-ho,littleSara!"hesaidtohimself"Idon’tbelieveyouknowhowmuchyourdaddywillmissyou."

           ThenextdayhetookhertoMissMinchin’sandleftherthere.Hewastosailawaythenextmorning.HeexplainedtoMissMinchinthathissolicitors,Messrs.Barrow&Skipworth,hadchargeofhisaffairsinEnglandandwouldgiveheranyadviceshewanted,andthattheywouldpaythebillsshesentinforSara’sexpenses.HewouldwritetoSaratwiceaweek,andshewastobegiveneverypleasuresheaskedfor.

           "Sheisasensiblelittlething,andsheneverwantsanythingitisn’tsafetogiveher,"hesaid.

           ThenhewentwithSaraintoherlittlesittingroomandtheybadeeachothergood-by.Sarasatonhiskneeandheldthelapelsofhiscoatinhersmallhands,andlookedlongandhardathisface.

           "Areyoulearningmebyheart,littleSara?"hesaid,strokingherhair.