Маленькая принцесса
Melchisedec
Ermengardethoughtshelookedasifshewereworkingaspell.Andatlast,evidentlyinresponsetoit,agray-whiskered,bright-eyedheadpeepedoutofthehole.Sarahadsomecrumbsinherhand.Shedroppedthem,andMelchisedeccamequietlyforthandatethem.Apieceoflargersizethantheresthetookandcarriedinthemostbusinesslikemannerbacktohishome.
"Yousee,"saidSara,"thatisforhiswifeandchildren.Heisverynice.Heonlyeatsthelittlebits.AfterhegoesbackIcanalwayshearhisfamilysqueakingforjoy.Therearethreekindsofsqueaks.Onekindisthechildren’s,andoneisMrs.Melchisedec’s,andoneisMelchisedec’sown."
Ermengardebegantolaugh.
"Oh,Sara!"shesaid."YouAREqueer—butyouarenice."
"IknowIamqueer,"admittedSara,cheerfully;"andITRYtobenice."Sherubbedherforeheadwithherlittlebrownpaw,andapuzzled,tenderlookcameintoherface."Papaalwayslaughedatme,"shesaid;"butIlikedit.HethoughtIwasqueer,buthelikedmetomakeupthings.I—Ican’thelpmakingupthings.IfIdidn’t,Idon’tbelieveIcouldlive."Shepausedandglancedaroundtheattic."I’msureIcouldn’tlivehere,"sheaddedinalowvoice.
Ermengardewasinterested,asshealwayswas."Whenyoutalkaboutthings,"shesaid,"theyseemasiftheygrewreal.YoutalkaboutMelchisedecasifhewasaperson."
"HeISaperson,"saidSara."Hegetshungryandfrightened,justaswedo;andheismarriedandhaschildren.Howdoweknowhedoesn’tthinkthings,justaswedo?Hiseyeslookasifhewasaperson.ThatwaswhyIgavehimaname."
