Маленька принцеса
Melchisedec
"Yousee,"shesaid,"therecouldbeathick,softblueIndianrugonthefloor;andinthatcornertherecouldbeasoftlittlesofa,withcushionstocurlupon;andjustoveritcouldbeashelffullofbookssothatonecouldreachthemeasily;andtherecouldbeafurrugbeforethefire,andhangingsonthewalltocoverupthewhitewash,andpictures.Theywouldhavetobelittleones,buttheycouldbebeautiful;andtherecouldbealampwithadeeprose-coloredshade;andatableinthemiddle,withthingstohaveteawith;andalittlefatcopperkettlesingingonthehob;andthebedcouldbequitedifferent.Itcouldbemadesoftandcoveredwithalovelysilkcoverlet.Itcouldbebeautiful.Andperhapswecouldcoaxthesparrowsuntilwemadesuchfriendswiththemthattheywouldcomeandpeckatthewindowandasktobeletin."
"Oh,Sara!"criedLottie."Ishouldliketolivehere!"
WhenSarahadpersuadedhertogodownstairsagain,and,aftersettingheronherway,hadcomebacktoherattic,shestoodinthemiddleofitandlookedabouther.TheenchantmentofherimaginingsforLottiehaddiedaway.Thebedwashardandcoveredwithitsdingyquilt.Thewhitewashedwallshoweditsbrokenpatches,thefloorwascoldandbare,thegratewasbrokenandrusty,andthebatteredfootstool,tiltedsidewaysonitsinjuredleg,theonlyseatintheroom.Shesatdownonitforafewminutesandletherheaddropinherhands.ThemerefactthatLottiehadcomeandgoneawayagainmadethingsseemalittleworse—justasperhapsprisonersfeelalittlemoredesolateaftervisitorscomeandgo,leavingthembehind.
"It’salonelyplace,"shesaid."Sometimesit’stheloneliestplaceintheworld."
Shewassittinginthiswaywhenherattentionwasattractedbyaslightsoundnearher.
