Маленька принцеса
The Indian Gentleman
When,afteralong,hardday,inwhichshehadbeensenthereandthere,sometimesonlongerrandsthroughwindandcoldandrain,shecameinwetandhungry,andwassentoutagainbecausenobodychosetorememberthatshewasonlyachild,andthatherslimlegsmightbetiredandhersmallbodymightbechilled;whenshehadbeengivenonlyharshwordsandcold,slightinglooksforthanks;whenthecookhadbeenvulgarandinsolent;whenMissMinchinhadbeeninherworstmood,andwhenshehadseenthegirlssneeringamongthemselvesathershabbiness—thenshewasnotalwaysabletocomforthersore,proud,desolateheartwithfancieswhenEmilymerelysatuprightinheroldchairandstared.
Oneofthesenights,whenshecameuptotheatticcoldandhungry,withatempestraginginheryoungbreast,Emily’sstareseemedsovacant,hersawdustlegsandarmssoinexpressive,thatSaralostallcontroloverherself.TherewasnobodybutEmily—nooneintheworld.Andthereshesat.
"Ishalldiepresently,"shesaidatfirst.
Emilysimplystared.
"Ican’tbearthis,"saidthepoorchild,trembling."IknowIshalldie.I’mcold;I’mwet;I’mstarvingtodeath.I’vewalkedathousandmilestoday,andtheyhavedonenothingbutscoldmefrommorninguntilnight.AndbecauseIcouldnotfindthatlastthingthecooksentmefor,theywouldnotgivemeanysupper.Somemenlaughedatmebecausemyoldshoesmademeslipdowninthemud.I’mcoveredwithmudnow.Andtheylaughed.
