Маленька принцеса
The Visitor
Sarahadalwaysbeenanannoyingpuzzletoher,becauseseveritynevermadehercryorlookfrightened.Whenshewasscoldedshestoodstillandlistenedpolitelywithagraveface;whenshewaspunishedsheperformedherextratasksorwentwithouthermeals,makingnocomplaintoroutwardsignofrebellion.TheveryfactthatshenevermadeanimpudentanswerseemedtoMissMinchinakindofimpudenceinitself.Butafteryesterday’sdeprivationofmeals,theviolentsceneoflastnight,theprospectofhungertoday,shemustsurelyhavebrokendown.Itwouldbestrangeindeedifshedidnotcomedownstairswithpalecheeksandredeyesandanunhappy,humbledface.
MissMinchinsawherforthefirsttimewhensheenteredtheschoolroomtohearthelittleFrenchclassreciteitslessonsandsuperintenditsexercises.Andshecameinwithaspringingstep,colorinhercheeks,andasmilehoveringaboutthecornersofhermouth.ItwasthemostastonishingthingMissMinchinhadeverknown.Itgaveherquiteashock.Whatwasthechildmadeof?Whatcouldsuchathingmean?Shecalledheratoncetoherdesk.
"Youdonotlookasifyourealizethatyouareindisgrace,"shesaid.
