Маленька принцеса
One of the Populace
TheblindswerenotyetdrawninthewindowsoftheroomwhereshenearlyalwayscaughtglimpsesofmembersoftheLargeFamily.FrequentlyatthishourshecouldseethegentlemanshecalledMr.Montmorencysittinginabigchair,withasmallswarmroundhim,talking,laughing,perchingonthearmsofhisseatoronhiskneesorleaningagainstthem.Thiseveningtheswarmwasabouthim,buthewasnotseated.Onthecontrary,therewasagooddealofexcitementgoingon.Itwasevidentthatajourneywastobetaken,anditwasMr.Montmorencywhowastotakeit.Abroughamstoodbeforethedoor,andabigportmanteauhadbeenstrappeduponit.Thechildrenweredancingabout,chatteringandhangingontotheirfather.Theprettyrosymotherwasstandingnearhim,talkingasifshewasaskingfinalquestions.Sarapausedamomenttoseethelittleonesliftedupandkissedandthebiggeronesbentoverandkissedalso.
"Iwonderifhewillstayawaylong,"shethought."Theportmanteauisratherbig.Oh,dear,howtheywillmisshim!Ishallmisshimmyself—eventhoughhedoesn’tknowIamalive."
Whenthedooropenedshemovedaway—rememberingthesixpence—butshesawthetravelercomeoutandstandagainstthebackgroundofthewarmly-lightedhall,theolderchildrenstillhoveringabouthim.
"WillMoscowbecoveredwithsnow?"saidthelittlegirlJanet."Willtherebeiceeverywhere?"
"Shallyoudriveinadrosky?"criedanother
