Маленька принцеса
What Melchisedec Heard and Saw
Islipacrosstheslatesandlookathermanynightstoseethatsheissafe.IwatchherfrommywindowwhenshedoesnotknowIamnear.Shestandsonthetablethereandlooksoutattheskyasifitspoketoher.Thesparrowscomeathercall.Theratshehasfedandtamedinherloneliness.Thepoorslaveofthehousecomestoherforcomfort.Thereisalittlechildwhocomestoherinsecret;thereisoneolderwhoworshipsherandwouldlistentoherforeverifshemight.ThisIhaveseenwhenIhavecreptacrosstheroof.Bythemistressofthehouse—whoisanevilwoman—sheistreatedlikeapariah;butshehasthebearingofachildwhoisofthebloodofkings!"
"Youseemtoknowagreatdealabouther,"thesecretarysaid.
"AllherlifeeachdayIknow,"answeredRamDass."HergoingoutIknow,andhercomingin;hersadnessandherpoorjoys;hercoldnessandherhunger.Iknowwhensheisaloneuntilmidnight,learningfromherbooks;Iknowwhenhersecretfriendsstealtoherandsheishappier—aschildrencanbe,eveninthemidstofpoverty—becausetheycomeandshemaylaughandtalkwiththeminwhispers.IfshewereillIshouldknow,andIwouldcomeandserveherifitmightbedone."
"Youaresurenoonecomesnearthisplacebutherself,andthatshewillnotreturnandsurpriseus.Shewouldbefrightenedifshefoundushere,andtheSahibCarrisford’splanwouldbespoiled."
RamDasscrossednoiselesslytothedoorandstoodclosetoit.
"Nonemountherebutherself,Sahib,"hesaid.
