Маленька принцеса
The Visitor
Sara’ssupperofthenightbeforehadgivenherstrength,sheknewthatsheshouldsleepwellandwarmly,and,eventhoughshehadnaturallybeguntobehungryagainbeforeevening,shefeltthatshecouldbearituntilbreakfast-timeonthefollowingday,whenhermealswouldsurelybegiventoheragain.Itwasquitelatewhenshewasatlastallowedtogoupstairs.Shehadbeentoldtogointotheschoolroomandstudyuntilteno’clock,andshehadbecomeinterestedinherwork,andremainedoverherbookslater.
Whenshereachedthetopflightofstairsandstoodbeforetheatticdoor,itmustbeconfessedthatherheartbeatratherfast.
"OfcourseitMIGHTallhavebeentakenaway,"shewhispered,tryingtobebrave."Itmightonlyhavebeenlenttomeforjustthatoneawfulnight.ButitWASlenttome—Ihadit.Itwasreal."
Shepushedthedooropenandwentin.Onceinside,shegaspedslightly,shutthedoor,andstoodwithherbackagainstitlookingfromsidetoside.
TheMagichadbeenthereagain.Itactuallyhad,andithaddoneevenmorethanbefore.Thefirewasblazing,inlovelyleapingflames,moremerrilythanever.Anumberofnewthingshadbeenbroughtintotheatticwhichsoalteredthelookofitthatifshehadnotbeenpastdoubtingshewouldhaverubbedhereyes.Uponthelowtableanothersupperstood—thistimewithcupsandplatesforBeckyaswellasherself;apieceofbright,heavy,strangeembroiderycoveredthebatteredmantel,andonitsomeornamentshadbeenplaced.
