Маленька принцеса
The Visitor
Allthebare,uglythingswhichcouldbecoveredwithdraperieshadbeenconcealedandmadetolookquitepretty.Someoddmaterialsofrichcolorshadbeenfastenedagainstthewallwithfine,sharptacks—sosharpthattheycouldbepressedintothewoodandplasterwithouthammering.Somebrilliantfanswerepinnedup,andtherewereseverallargecushions,bigandsubstantialenoughtouseasseats.Awoodenboxwascoveredwitharug,andsomecushionslayonit,sothatitworequitetheairofasofa.
Saraslowlymovedawayfromthedoorandsimplysatdownandlookedandlookedagain.
"Itisexactlylikesomethingfairycometrue,"shesaid."Thereisn’ttheleastdifference.IfeelasifImightwishforanything—diamondsorbagsofgold—andtheywouldappear!THATwouldn’tbeanystrangerthanthis.Isthismygarret?AmIthesamecold,ragged,dampSara?AndtothinkIusedtopretendandpretendandwishtherewerefairies!TheonethingIalwayswantedwastoseeafairystorycometrue.IamLIVINGinafairystory.IfeelasifImightbeafairymyself,andabletoturnthingsintoanythingelse."
Sheroseandknockeduponthewallfortheprisonerinthenextcell,andtheprisonercame.
Whensheenteredshealmostdroppedinaheapuponthefloor.Forafewsecondsshequitelostherbreath.
"Oh,laws!"shegasped."Oh,laws,miss!"
"Yousee,"saidSara.
OnthisnightBeckysatonacushionuponthehearthrugandhadacupandsaucerofherown.
