Маленька принцеса
The Visitor
Throughthemysteriousagencywhichworksinschoolsandamongservants,itwasquitewellknowninthemorningthatSaraCrewewasinhorribledisgrace,thatErmengardewasunderpunishment,andthatBeckywouldhavebeenpackedoutofthehousebeforebreakfast,butthatascullerymaidcouldnotbedispensedwithatonce.TheservantsknewthatshewasallowedtostaybecauseMissMinchincouldnoteasilyfindanothercreaturehelplessandhumbleenoughtoworklikeaboundenslaveforsofewshillingsaweek.TheeldergirlsintheschoolroomknewthatifMissMinchindidnotsendSaraawayitwasforpracticalreasonsofherown.
"She’sgrowingsofastandlearningsuchalot,somehow,"saidJessietoLavinia,"thatshewillbegivenclassessoon,andMissMinchinknowsshewillhavetoworkfornothing.Itwasrathernastyofyou,Lavvy,totellaboutherhavingfuninthegarret.Howdidyoufinditout?"
"IgotitoutofLottie.She’ssuchababyshedidn’tknowshewastellingme.TherewasnothingnastyatallinspeakingtoMissMinchin.Ifeltitmyduty"—priggishly."Shewasbeingdeceitful.Andit’sridiculousthatsheshouldlooksogrand,andbemadesomuchof,inherragsandtatters!"
"WhatweretheydoingwhenMissMinchincaughtthem?"
"Pretendingsomesillything.ErmengardehadtakenupherhampertosharewithSaraandBecky.Sheneverinvitesustosharethings.NotthatIcare,butit’srathervulgarofhertosharewithservantgirlsinattics.
