Маленька принцеса

           Excusetheliberty,miss,"—toSara—"butyoulookrosierand—well,betterthanyoudidthat—that—"

           "Iambetter,thankyou,"saidSara."And—Iammuchhappier—andIhavecometoaskyoutodosomethingforme."

           "Me,miss!"exclaimedthebun-woman,smilingcheerfully."Why,blessyou!Yes,miss.WhatcanIdo?"

           AndthenSara,leaningonthecounter,madeherlittleproposalconcerningthedreadfuldaysandthehungrywaifsandthebuns.

           Thewomanwatchedher,andlistenedwithanastonishedface.

           "Why,blessme!"shesaidagainwhenshehadhearditall;"it’llbeapleasuretometodoit.Iamaworking-womanmyselfandcannotaffordtodomuchonmyownaccount,andthere’ssightsoftroubleoneveryside;but,ifyou’llexcuseme,I’mboundtosayI’vegivenawaymanyabitofbreadsincethatwetafternoon,justalongo’thinkingofyou—an’howwetan’coldyouwas,an’howhungryyoulooked;an’yetyougaveawayyourhotbunsasifyouwasaprincess."

           TheIndiangentlemansmiledinvoluntarilyatthis,andSarasmiledalittle,too,rememberingwhatshehadsaidtoherselfwhensheputthebunsdownontheravenouschild’sraggedlap.

           "Shelookedsohungry,"shesaid."ShewasevenhungrierthanIwas."

           "Shewasstarving,"saidthewoman."Many’sthetimeshe’stoldmeofitsince—howshesatthereinthewet,andfeltasifawolfwasa-tearingatherpooryounginsides."

           "Oh,haveyouseenhersincethen?"exclaimedSara.