Маленька принцеса

           Ermengarde’smouthfellopenalittle.SheknewthatitwouldbefarfrombehavinglikearespectablechildataselectseminarytosaythatithadneveroccurredtoyouthatyouCOULDloveyourfather,thatyouwoulddoanythingdesperatetoavoidbeingleftaloneinhissocietyfortenminutes.Shewas,indeed,greatlyembarrassed.

           "I—Iscarcelyeverseehim,"shestammered."Heisalwaysinthelibrary—readingthings."

           "Iloveminemorethanalltheworldtentimesover,"Sarasaid."Thatiswhatmypainis.Hehasgoneaway."

           Sheputherheadquietlydownonherlittle,huddled-upknees,andsatverystillforafewminutes.

           "She’sgoingtocryoutloud,"thoughtErmengarde,fearfully.

           Butshedidnot.Hershort,blacklockstumbledaboutherears,andshesatstill.Thenshespokewithoutliftingherhead.

           "IpromisedhimIwouldbearit,"shesaid."AndIwill.Youhavetobearthings.Thinkwhatsoldiersbear!Papaisasoldier.Iftherewasawarhewouldhavetobearmarchingandthirstinessand,perhaps,deepwounds.Andhewouldneversayaword—notoneword."

           Ermengardecouldonlygazeather,butshefeltthatshewasbeginningtoadoreher.Shewassowonderfulanddifferentfromanyoneelse.

           Presently,sheliftedherfaceandshookbackherblacklocks,withaqueerlittlesmile.

           "IfIgoontalkingandtalking,"shesaid,"andtellingyouthingsaboutpretending,Ishallbearitbetter.Youdon’tforget,butyoubearitbetter."