Маленька принцеса
Melchisedec
Theskyseemedsomuchnearerthanwhenonesawitfromthestreet,thatLottiewasenchanted.Fromtheatticwindow,amongthechimneypots,thethingswhichwerehappeningintheworldbelowseemedalmostunreal.OnescarcelybelievedintheexistenceofMissMinchinandMissAmeliaandtheschoolroom,andtherollofwheelsinthesquareseemedasoundbelongingtoanotherexistence.
"Oh,Sara!"criedLottie,cuddlinginherguardingarm."Ilikethisattic—Ilikeit!Itisnicerthandownstairs!"
"Lookatthatsparrow,"whisperedSara."IwishIhadsomecrumbstothrowtohim."
"Ihavesome!"cameinalittleshriekfromLottie."Ihavepartofabuninmypocket;Iboughtitwithmypennyyesterday,andIsavedabit."
Whentheythrewoutafewcrumbsthesparrowjumpedandflewawaytoanadjacentchimneytop.Hewasevidentlynotaccustomedtointimatesinattics,andunexpectedcrumbsstartledhim.ButwhenLottieremainedquitestillandSarachirpedverysoftly—almostasifshewereasparrowherself—hesawthatthethingwhichhadalarmedhimrepresentedhospitality,afterall.Heputhisheadononeside,andfromhisperchonthechimneylookeddownatthecrumbswithtwinklingeyes.Lottiecouldscarcelykeepstill.
"Willhecome?Willhecome?"shewhispered.
"Hiseyeslookasifhewould,"Sarawhisperedback."Heisthinkingandthinkingwhetherhedare.Yes,hewill!Yes,heiscoming!"
Heflewdownandhoppedtowardthecrumbs,butstoppedafewinchesawayfromthem,puttinghisheadononesideagain,asifreflectingonthechancesthatSaraandLottiemightturnouttobebigcatsandjumponhim.
