Маленькая принцесса
The Diamond Mines
Noonecalledher"princess"insteadof"Sara,"butheradorersweremuchpleasedwiththepicturesquenessandgrandeurofthetitle,andMissMinchin,hearingofit,mentioneditmorethanoncetovisitingparents,feelingthatitrathersuggestedasortofroyalboardingschool.
ToBeckyitseemedthemostappropriatethingintheworld.Theacquaintancebegunonthefoggyafternoonwhenshehadjumpedupterrifiedfromhersleepinthecomfortablechair,hadripenedandgrown,thoughitmustbeconfessedthatMissMinchinandMissAmeliaknewverylittleaboutit.TheywereawarethatSarawas"kind"tothescullerymaid,buttheyknewnothingofcertaindelightfulmomentssnatchedperilouslywhen,theupstairsroomsbeingsetinorderwithlightningrapidity,Sara’ssittingroomwasreached,andtheheavycoalboxsetdownwithasighofjoy.Atsuchtimesstoriesweretoldbyinstallments,thingsofasatisfyingnaturewereeitherproducedandeatenorhastilytuckedintopocketstobedisposedofatnight,whenBeckywentupstairstoherattictobed.
"ButIhastoeat’emcareful,miss,"shesaidonce;"’cosifIleavescrumbstheratscomeouttoget’em."
"Rats!"exclaimedSara,inhorror."ArethereRATSthere?"
"Lotsof’em,miss,"Beckyansweredinquiteamatter-of-factmanner."Theremostlyisratsan’miceinattics.Yougetsusedtothenoisetheymakesscuttlingabout.I’vegotsoIdon’tmind’ems’longastheydon’trunovermypiller."
"Ugh!"saidSara.
"Yougetsusedtoanythin’afterabit,"saidBecky."Youhaveto,miss,ifyou’rebornascullerymaid.I’dratherhaveratsthancockroaches."
