Маленька принцеса

           Sarawassentonerrandsinallweathers,andscoldedanddrivenhitherandthither;shewasscarcelyallowedtospeaktoErmengardeandLottie;Laviniasneeredattheincreasingshabbinessofherclothes;andtheothergirlsstaredcuriouslyatherwhensheappearedintheschoolroom.Butwhatdiditallmatterwhileshewaslivinginthiswonderfulmysteriousstory?Itwasmoreromanticanddelightfulthananythingshehadeverinventedtocomfortherstarvedyoungsoulandsaveherselffromdespair.Sometimes,whenshewasscolded,shecouldscarcelykeepfromsmiling.

           "Ifyouonlyknew!"shewassayingtoherself."Ifyouonlyknew!"

           Thecomfortandhappinesssheenjoyedweremakingherstronger,andshehadthemalwaystolookforwardto.Ifshecamehomefromhererrandswetandtiredandhungry,sheknewshewouldsoonbewarmandwellfedaftershehadclimbedthestairs.Duringthehardestdayshecouldoccupyherselfblissfullybythinkingofwhatsheshouldseewhensheopenedtheatticdoor,andwonderingwhatnewdelighthadbeenpreparedforher.Inaveryshorttimeshebegantolooklessthin.Colorcameintohercheeks,andhereyesdidnotseemsomuchtoobigforherface.

           "SaraCrewelookswonderfullywell,"MissMinchinremarkeddisapprovinglytohersister.

           "Yes,"answeredpoor,sillyMissAmelia."Sheisabsolutelyfattening.Shewasbeginningtolooklikealittlestarvedcrow."

           "Starved!"exclaimedMissMinchin,angrily."Therewasnoreasonwhysheshouldlookstarved.