Маленька принцеса
The Indian Gentleman
Hedidnotknowthattheylookedsobecauseshewashungryforthewarm,merrylifehishomeheldandhisrosyfacespokeof,andthatshehadahungrywishtosnatchhiminherarmsandkisshim.Heonlyknewthatshehadbigeyesandathinfaceandthinlegsandacommonbasketandpoorclothes.Soheputhishandinhispocketandfoundhissixpenceandwalkeduptoherbenignly.
"Here,poorlittlegirl,"hesaid."Hereisasixpence.Iwillgiveittoyou."
Sarastarted,andallatoncerealizedthatshelookedexactlylikepoorchildrenshehadseen,inherbetterdays,waitingonthepavementtowatchherasshegotoutofherbrougham.Andshehadgiventhempenniesmanyatime.Herfacewentredandthenitwentpale,andforasecondshefeltasifshecouldnottakethedearlittlesixpence.
"Oh,no!"shesaid."Oh,no,thankyou;Imustn’ttakeit,indeed!"
Hervoicewassounlikeanordinarystreetchild’svoiceandhermannerwassolikethemannerofawell-bredlittlepersonthatVeronicaEustacia(whoserealnamewasJanet)andRosalindGladys(whowasreallycalledNora)leanedforwardtolisten.
ButGuyClarencewasnottobethwartedinhisbenevolence.Hethrustthesixpenceintoherhand.
"Yes,youmusttakeit,poorlittlegirl!"heinsistedstoutly."Youcanbuythingstoeatwithit.Itisawholesixpence!"
Therewassomethingsohonestandkindinhisface,andhelookedsolikelytobeheartbrokenlydisappointedifshedidnottakeit,thatSaraknewshemustnotrefusehim.
