Маленька принцеса
I Tried Not to Be
AmeliaandIalwayssaidyouwerethecleverestchildintheschool.Willyounotdoyourdutytoyourpoorpapaandcomehomewithme?"
Saratookasteptowardherandstoodstill.Shewasthinkingofthedaywhenshehadbeentoldthatshebelongedtonobody,andwasindangerofbeingturnedintothestreet;shewasthinkingofthecold,hungryhoursshehadspentalonewithEmilyandMelchisedecintheattic.ShelookedMissMinchinsteadilyintheface.
"YouknowwhyIwillnotgohomewithyou,MissMinchin,"shesaid;"youknowquitewell."
AhotflushshoweditselfonMissMinchin’shard,angryface.
"Youwillneverseeyourcompanionsagain,"shebegan."IwillseethatErmengardeandLottiearekeptaway—"
Mr.Carmichaelstoppedherwithpolitefirmness.
"Excuseme,"hesaid;"shewillseeanyoneshewishestosee.TheparentsofMissCrewe’sfellow-pupilsarenotlikelytorefuseherinvitationstovisitheratherguardian’shouse.Mr.Carrisfordwillattendtothat."
ItmustbeconfessedthatevenMissMinchinflinched.Thiswasworsethantheeccentricbachelorunclewhomighthaveapepperytemperandbeeasilyoffendedatthetreatmentofhisniece.Awomanofsordidmindcouldeasilybelievethatmostpeoplewouldnotrefusetoallowtheirchildrentoremainfriendswithalittleheiressofdiamondmines.AndifMr.CarrisfordchosetotellcertainofherpatronshowunhappySaraCrewehadbeenmade,manyunpleasantthingsmighthappen.
