Маленька принцеса
Anne
OnthenightofthefrustratedbanquetRamDasshadkeptwatch,allhispackagesbeinginreadinessintheatticwhichwashisown;andthepersonwhowastohelphimhadwaitedwithhim,asinterestedashimselfintheoddadventure.RamDasshadbeenlyingflatupontheslates,lookinginattheskylight,whenthebanquethadcometoitsdisastrousconclusion;hehadbeensureoftheprofoundnessofSara’sweariedsleep;andthen,withadarklantern,hehadcreptintotheroom,whilehiscompanionremainedoutsideandhandedthethingstohim.WhenSarahadstirredeversofaintly,RamDasshadclosedthelantern-slideandlainflatuponthefloor.Theseandmanyotherexcitingthingsthechildrenfoundoutbyaskingathousandquestions.
"Iamsoglad,"Sarasaid."IamsoGLADitwasyouwhoweremyfriend!"
Thereneverweresuchfriendsasthesetwobecame.Somehow,theyseemedtosuiteachotherinawonderfulway.TheIndiangentlemanhadneverhadacompanionhelikedquiteasmuchashelikedSara.Inamonth’stimehewas,asMr.Carmichaelhadprophesiedhewouldbe,anewman.Hewasalwaysamusedandinterested,andhebegantofindanactualpleasureinthepossessionofthewealthhehadimaginedthatheloathedtheburdenof.ThereweresomanycharmingthingstoplanforSara.Therewasalittlejokebetweenthemthathewasamagician,anditwasoneofhispleasurestoinventthingstosurpriseher.
