Маленькая принцесса
Becky
Apieceofflamingcoalendedherperplexityforherthatverymoment.Itbrokeofffromalargelumpandfellontothefender.Beckystarted,andopenedhereyeswithafrightenedgasp.Shedidnotknowshehadfallenasleep.Shehadonlysatdownforonemomentandfeltthebeautifulglow—andhereshefoundherselfstaringinwildalarmatthewonderfulpupil,whosatperchedquitenearher,likearose-coloredfairy,withinterestedeyes.
Shesprangupandclutchedathercap.Shefeltitdanglingoverherear,andtriedwildlytoputitstraight.Oh,shehadgotherselfintotroublenowwithavengeance!Tohaveimpudentlyfallenasleeponsuchayounglady’schair!Shewouldbeturnedoutofdoorswithoutwages.
Shemadeasoundlikeabigbreathlesssob.
"Oh,miss!Oh,miss!"shestuttered."Iarstyerpardon,miss!Oh,Ido,miss!"
Sarajumpeddown,andcamequiteclosetoher.
"Don’tbefrightened,"shesaid,quiteasifshehadbeenspeakingtoalittlegirllikeherself."Itdoesn’tmattertheleastbit."
"Ididn’tgotodoit,miss,"protestedBecky."Itwasthewarmfire—an’mebein’sotired.It—itWASN’Timpertience!"
Sarabrokeintoafriendlylittlelaugh,andputherhandonhershoulder.
"Youweretired,"shesaid;"youcouldnothelpit.Youarenotreallyawakeyet."
HowpoorBeckystaredather!Infact,shehadneverheardsuchanice,friendlysoundinanyone’svoicebefore.Shewasusedtobeingorderedaboutandscolded,andhavingherearsboxed.
