Маленька принцеса

           Asthethingsweretakenoutofthehamper—thefrostedcakes—thefruits—thebonbonsandthewine—thefeastbecameasplendidthing.

           "It’slikearealparty!"criedErmengarde.

           "It’slikeaqueen’stable,"sighedBecky.

           ThenErmengardehadasuddenbrilliantthought.

           "I’lltellyouwhat,Sara,"shesaid."Pretendyouareaprincessnowandthisisaroyalfeast."

           "Butit’syourfeast,"saidSara;"youmustbetheprincess,andwewillbeyourmaidsofhonor."

           "Oh,Ican’t,"saidErmengarde."I’mtoofat,andIdon’tknowhow.YOUbeher."

           "Well,ifyouwantmeto,"saidSara.

           Butsuddenlyshethoughtofsomethingelseandrantotherustygrate.

           "Thereisalotofpaperandrubbishstuffedinhere!"sheexclaimed."Ifwelightit,therewillbeabrightblazeforafewminutes,andweshallfeelasifitwasarealfire."Shestruckamatchandlighteditupwithagreatspeciousglowwhichilluminatedtheroom.

           "Bythetimeitstopsblazing,"Sarasaid,"weshallforgetaboutitsnotbeingreal."

           Shestoodinthedancingglowandsmiled.

           "Doesn’titLOOKreal?"shesaid."Nowwewillbegintheparty."

           Sheledthewaytothetable.ShewavedherhandgraciouslytoErmengardeandBecky.Shewasinthemidstofherdream.

           "Advance,fairdamsels,"shesaidinherhappydream-voice,"andbeseatedatthebanquettable.Mynoblefather,theking,whoisabsentonalongjourney,hascommandedmetofeastyou."Sheturnedherheadslightlytowardthecorneroftheroom.