Маленька принцеса
Ram Dass
SheturnedtotheLascar,feelinggladthatsherememberedstillsomeoftheHindustanishehadlearnedwhenshelivedwithherfather.Shecouldmakethemanunderstand.Shespoketohiminthelanguageheknew.
"Willheletmecatchhim?"sheasked.
Shethoughtshehadneverseenmoresurpriseanddelightthanthedarkfaceexpressedwhenshespokeinthefamiliartongue.Thetruthwasthatthepoorfellowfeltasifhisgodshadintervened,andthekindlittlevoicecamefromheavenitself.AtonceSarasawthathehadbeenaccustomedtoEuropeanchildren.Hepouredforthafloodofrespectfulthanks.HewastheservantofMisseeSahib.Themonkeywasagoodmonkeyandwouldnotbite;but,unfortunately,hewasdifficulttocatch.Hewouldfleefromonespottoanother,likethelightning.Hewasdisobedient,thoughnotevil.RamDassknewhimasifhewerehischild,andRamDasshewouldsometimesobey,butnotalways.IfMisseeSahibwouldpermitRamDass,hehimselfcouldcrosstherooftoherroom,enterthewindows,andregaintheunworthylittleanimal.ButhewasevidentlyafraidSaramightthinkhewastakingagreatlibertyandperhapswouldnotlethimcome.
ButSaragavehimleaveatonce.
"Canyougetacross?"sheinquired.
"Inamoment,"heansweredher.
"Thencome,"shesaid;"heisflyingfromsidetosideoftheroomasifhewasfrightened."
RamDassslippedthroughhisatticwindowandcrossedtohersassteadilyandlightlyasifhehadwalkedonroofsallhislife.
