Маленька принцеса

           WhenshefoundherselfaloneintheatticshealwayspreferredtositonthebeduntilSaraarrived.Shehad,infact,onthisoccasionhadtimetobecomerathernervous,becauseMelchisedechadappearedandsniffedaboutagooddeal,andoncehadmadeherutterarepressedsquealbysittinguponhishindlegsand,whilehelookedather,sniffingpointedlyinherdirection.

           "Oh,Sara,"shecriedout,"Iamgladyouhavecome.MelchyWOULDsniffaboutso.Itriedtocoaxhimtogoback,buthewouldn’tforsuchalongtime.Ilikehim,youknow;butitdoesfrightenmewhenhesniffsrightatme.DoyouthinkheeverWOULDjump?"

           "No,"answeredSara.

           Ermengardecrawledforwardonthebedtolookather.

           "YouDOlooktired,Sara,"shesaid;"youarequitepale."

           "IAMtired,"saidSara,droppingontothelopsidedfootstool."Oh,there’sMelchisedec,poorthing.He’scometoaskforhissupper."

           Melchisedechadcomeoutofhisholeasifhehadbeenlisteningforherfootstep.Sarawasquitesureheknewit.Hecameforwardwithanaffectionate,expectantexpressionasSaraputherhandinherpocketandturneditinsideout,shakingherhead.

           "I’mverysorry,"shesaid."Ihaven’tonecrumbleft.Gohome,Melchisedec,andtellyourwifetherewasnothinginmypocket.I’mafraidIforgotbecausethecookandMissMinchinweresocross."

           Melchisedecseemedtounderstand.Heshuffledresignedly,ifnotcontentedly,backtohishome.

           "Ididnotexpecttoseeyoutonight,Ermie,"Sarasaid.