Маленькая принцесса

           Sherememberedaquaintlittleintruderwhohadmadehiswayintotheatticoncebefore.Shehadseenhimthatveryafternoon,sittingdisconsolatelyonatablebeforeawindowintheIndiangentleman’shouse.

           "Suppose,"shewhisperedinpleasedexcitement—"justsupposeitwasthemonkeywhogotawayagain.Oh,Iwishitwas!"

           Sheclimbedonachair,verycautiouslyraisedtheskylight,andpeepedout.Ithadbeensnowingallday,andonthesnow,quitenearher,crouchedatiny,shiveringfigure,whosesmallblackfacewrinkleditselfpiteouslyatsightofher.

           "Itisthemonkey,"shecriedout."HehascreptoutoftheLascar’sattic,andhesawthelight."

           Beckyrantoherside.

           "Areyougoingtolethimin,miss?"shesaid.

           "Yes,"Saraansweredjoyfully."It’stoocoldformonkeystobeout.They’redelicate.I’llcoaxhimin."

           Sheputahandoutdelicately,speakinginacoaxingvoice—asshespoketothesparrowsandtoMelchisedec—asifsheweresomefriendlylittleanimalherself.

           "Comealong,monkeydarling,"shesaid."Iwon’thurtyou."

           Heknewshewouldnothurthim.Heknewitbeforeshelaidhersoft,caressinglittlepawonhimanddrewhimtowardsher.HehadfelthumanloveintheslimbrownhandsofRamDass,andhefeltitinhers.Heletherlifthimthroughtheskylight,andwhenhefoundhimselfinherarmshecuddleduptoherbreastandlookedupintoherface.

           "Nicemonkey!Nicemonkey!"shecrooned,kissinghisfunnyhead."Oh,Idolovelittleanimalthings