Маленькая принцесса
It Is the Child!
"Bytheway,thereisonenextdoor."
"Thenwewillbeginthere.Wecannotbeginnearerthannextdoor."
"No,"saidCarrisford."Thereisachildtherewhointerestsme;butsheisnotapupil.Andsheisalittledark,forlorncreature,asunlikepoorCreweasachildcouldbe."
PerhapstheMagicwasatworkagainatthatverymoment—thebeautifulMagic.Itreallyseemedasifitmightbeso.WhatwasitthatbroughtRamDassintotheroom—evenashismasterspoke—salaamingrespectfully,butwithascarcelyconcealedtouchofexcitementinhisdark,flashingeyes?
"Sahib,"hesaid,"thechildherselfhascome—thechildthesahibfeltpityfor.Shebringsbackthemonkeywhohadagainrunawaytoheratticundertheroof.Ihaveaskedthatsheremain.Itwasmythoughtthatitwouldpleasethesahibtoseeandspeakwithher."
"Whoisshe?"inquiredMr.Carmichael.
"Godknows,"Mr.Carrrisfordanswered."SheisthechildIspokeof.Alittledrudgeattheschool."HewavedhishandtoRamDass,andaddressedhim."Yes,Ishouldliketoseeher.Goandbringherin."ThenheturnedtoMr.Carmichael."Whileyouhavebeenaway,"heexplained,"Ihavebeendesperate.Thedaysweresodarkandlong.RamDasstoldmeofthischild’smiseries,andtogetherweinventedaromanticplantohelpher.Isupposeitwasachildishthingtodo;butitgavemesomethingtoplanandthinkof.Withoutthehelpofanagile,soft-footedOrientallikeRamDass,however,itcouldnothavebeendone."
ThenSaracameintotheroom.
