Маленька принцеса
What Melchisedec Heard and Saw
Beingsadonenight,Ilayclosetotheopenskylightandlistened.Thevisionsherelatedtoldwhatthismiserableroommightbeifithadcomfortsinit.Sheseemedtoseeitasshetalked,andshegrewcheeredandwarmedasshespoke.Thenshecametothisfancy;andthenextday,theSahibbeingillandwretched,Itoldhimofthethingtoamusehim.Itseemedthenbutadream,butitpleasedtheSahib.Tohearofthechild’sdoingsgavehimentertainment.Hebecameinterestedinherandaskedquestions.Atlasthebegantopleasehimselfwiththethoughtofmakinghervisionsrealthings."
"Youthinkthatitcanbedonewhileshesleeps?Supposesheawakened,"suggestedthesecretary;anditwasevidentthatwhatsoevertheplanreferredtowas,ithadcaughtandpleasedhisfancyaswellastheSahibCarrisford’s.
"Icanmoveasifmyfeetwereofvelvet,"RamDassreplied;"andchildrensleepsoundly—eventheunhappyones.Icouldhaveenteredthisroominthenightmanytimes,andwithoutcausinghertoturnuponherpillow.Iftheotherbearerpassestomethethingsthroughthewindow,Icandoallandshewillnotstir.Whensheawakensshewillthinkamagicianhasbeenhere."
Hesmiledasifhisheartwarmedunderhiswhiterobe,andthesecretarysmiledbackathim.
"ItwillbelikeastoryfromtheArabianNights,"hesaid."OnlyanOrientalcouldhaveplannedit.ItdoesnotbelongtoLondonfogs."
