Маленька принцеса

           ConsequentlyErmengardespentthegreaterpartofherlifeindisgraceorintears.Shelearnedthingsandforgotthem;or,ifsherememberedthem,shedidnotunderstandthem.Soitwasnaturalthat,havingmadeSara’sacquaintance,sheshouldsitandstareatherwithprofoundadmiration.

           "YoucanspeakFrench,can’tyou?"shesaidrespectfully.

           Saragotontothewindow-seat,whichwasabig,deepone,and,tuckingupherfeet,satwithherhandsclaspedroundherknees.

           "IcanspeakitbecauseIhavehearditallmylife,"sheanswered."Youcouldspeakitifyouhadalwaysheardit."

           "Oh,no,Icouldn’t,"saidErmengarde."INEVERcouldspeakit!"

           "Why?"inquiredSara,curiously.

           Ermengardeshookherheadsothatthepigtailwobbled.

           "Youheardmejustnow,"shesaid."I’malwayslikethat.Ican’tSAYthewords.They’resoqueer."

           Shepausedamoment,andthenaddedwithatouchofaweinhervoice,"YouareCLEVER,aren’tyou?"

           Saralookedoutofthewindowintothedingysquare,wherethesparrowswerehoppingandtwitteringonthewet,ironrailingsandthesootybranchesofthetrees.Shereflectedafewmoments.Shehadhearditsaidveryoftenthatshewas"clever,"andshewonderedifshewas—andIFshewas,howithadhappened.

           "Idon’tknow,"shesaid."Ican’ttell."Then,seeingamournfullookontheround,chubbyface,shegavealittlelaughandchangedthesubject.