Маленькая принцесса
The Indian Gentleman
Shewassentoutforparsleytothegreengrocer’slaterintheday,andwhenshecameuptheareastepsherheartgavequiteaquickbeatofrecognition.Severalpiecesoffurniturehadbeensetoutofthevanuponthepavement.Therewasabeautifultableofelaboratelywroughtteakwood,andsomechairs,andascreencoveredwithrichOrientalembroidery.Thesightofthemgaveheraweird,homesickfeeling.ShehadseenthingssoliketheminIndia.OneofthethingsMissMinchinhadtakenfromherwasacarvedteakwooddeskherfatherhadsenther.
"Theyarebeautifulthings,"shesaid;"theylookasiftheyoughttobelongtoaniceperson.Allthethingslookrathergrand.Isupposeitisarichfamily."
Thevansoffurniturecameandwereunloadedandgaveplacetoothersalltheday.SeveraltimesitsohappenedthatSarahadanopportunityofseeingthingscarriedin.Itbecameplainthatshehadbeenrightinguessingthatthenewcomerswerepeopleoflargemeans.Allthefurniturewasrichandbeautiful,andagreatdealofitwasOriental.Wonderfulrugsanddraperiesandornamentsweretakenfromthevans,manypictures,andbooksenoughforalibrary.AmongotherthingstherewasasuperbgodBuddhainasplendidshrine.
"SomeoneinthefamilyMUSThavebeeninIndia,"Sarathought."TheyhavegotusedtoIndianthingsandlikethem.IAMglad.Ishallfeelasiftheywerefriends,evenifaheadneverlooksoutoftheatticwindow."
