Маленькая принцесса
Ram Dass
Heslippedthroughtheskylightanddroppeduponhisfeetwithoutasound.ThenheturnedtoSaraandsalaamedagain.Themonkeysawhimandutteredalittlescream.RamDasshastilytooktheprecautionofshuttingtheskylight,andthenwentinchaseofhim.Itwasnotaverylongchase.Themonkeyprolongeditafewminutesevidentlyforthemerefunofit,butpresentlyhesprangchatteringontoRamDass’sshoulderandsattherechatteringandclingingtohisneckwithaweirdlittleskinnyarm.
RamDassthankedSaraprofoundly.Shehadseenthathisquicknativeeyeshadtakeninataglanceallthebareshabbinessoftheroom,buthespoketoherasifhewerespeakingtothelittledaughterofarajah,andpretendedthatheobservednothing.Hedidnotpresumetoremainmorethanafewmomentsafterhehadcaughtthemonkey,andthosemomentsweregiventofurtherdeepandgratefulobeisancetoherinreturnforherindulgence.Thislittleevilone,hesaid,strokingthemonkey,was,intruth,notsoevilasheseemed,andhismaster,whowasill,wassometimesamusedbyhim.Hewouldhavebeenmadesadifhisfavoritehadrunawayandbeenlost.Thenhesalaamedoncemoreandgotthroughtheskylightandacrosstheslatesagainwithasmuchagilityasthemonkeyhimselfhaddisplayed.
WhenhehadgoneSarastoodinthemiddleofheratticandthoughtofmanythingshisfaceandhismannerhadbroughtbacktoher.
