Маленькая принцесса
Melchisedec
"Iknewhewanteditforhischildren,"saidSara."IdobelieveIcouldmakefriendswithhim."
Aweekorsoafterward,ononeoftherarenightswhenErmengardefounditsafetostealuptotheattic,whenshetappedonthedoorwiththetipsofherfingersSaradidnotcometoherfortwoorthreeminutes.Therewas,indeed,suchasilenceintheroomatfirstthatErmengardewonderedifshecouldhavefallenasleep.Then,tohersurprise,sheheardherutteralittle,lowlaughandspeakcoaxinglytosomeone.
"There!"Ermengardeheardhersay."Takeitandgohome,Melchisedec!Gohometoyourwife!"
AlmostimmediatelySaraopenedthedoor,andwhenshedidsoshefoundErmengardestandingwithalarmedeyesuponthethreshold.
"Who—whoAREyoutalkingto,Sara?"shegaspedout.
Saradrewherincautiously,butshelookedasifsomethingpleasedandamusedher.
"Youmustpromisenottobefrightened—nottoscreamtheleastbit,orIcan’ttellyou,"sheanswered.
Ermengardefeltalmostinclinedtoscreamonthespot,butmanagedtocontrolherself.Shelookedallroundtheatticandsawnoone.AndyetSarahadcertainlybeenspeakingTOsomeone.Shethoughtofghosts.
"Isit—somethingthatwillfrightenme?"sheaskedtimorously.
"Somepeopleareafraidofthem,"saidSara."Iwasatfirst—butIamnotnow."
