Маленька принцеса
Lottie
ThefirsttimeSaratookherinchargewasonemorningwhen,onpassingasittingroom,sheheardbothMissMinchinandMissAmeliatryingtosuppresstheangrywailsofsomechildwho,evidently,refusedtobesilenced.SherefusedsostrenuouslyindeedthatMissMinchinwasobligedtoalmostshout—inastatelyandseveremanner—tomakeherselfheard.
"WhatISshecryingfor?"shealmostyelled.
"Oh—oh—oh!"Saraheard;"Ihaven’tgotanymam—ma-a!"
"Oh,Lottie!"screamedMissAmelia."Dostop,darling!Don’tcry!Pleasedon’t!"
"Oh!Oh!Oh!Oh!Oh!"Lottiehowledtempestuously."Haven’t—got—any—mam—ma-a!"
"Sheoughttobewhipped,"MissMinchinproclaimed."YouSHALLbewhipped,younaughtychild!"
Lottiewailedmoreloudlythanever.MissAmeliabegantocry.MissMinchin’svoiceroseuntilitalmostthundered,thensuddenlyshesprangupfromherchairinimpotentindignationandflouncedoutoftheroom,leavingMissAmeliatoarrangethematter.
Sarahadpausedinthehall,wonderingifsheoughttogointotheroom,becauseshehadrecentlybegunafriendlyacquaintancewithLottieandmightbeabletoquiether.WhenMissMinchincameoutandsawher,shelookedratherannoyed.Sherealizedthathervoice,asheardfrominsidetheroom,couldnothavesoundedeitherdignifiedoramiable.
"Oh,Sara!"sheexclaimed,endeavoringtoproduceasuitablesmile.
