Маленька принцеса
Lottie
MissAmeliastumbledupfromherkneeswithaheavysigh,andLottie’sfatlittlelegskickedashardasever.
"Ifyouwillstealoutoftheroom,"saidSara,"Iwillstaywithher."
"Oh,Sara!"almostwhimperedMissAmelia."Weneverhadsuchadreadfulchildbefore.Idon’tbelievewecankeepher."
Butshecreptoutoftheroom,andwasverymuchrelievedtofindanexcusefordoingit.
Sarastoodbythehowlingfuriouschildforafewmoments,andlookeddownatherwithoutsayinganything.Thenshesatdownflatonthefloorbesideherandwaited.ExceptforLottie’sangryscreams,theroomwasquitequiet.ThiswasanewstateofaffairsforlittleMissLegh,whowasaccustomed,whenshescreamed,tohearotherpeopleprotestandimploreandcommandandcoaxbyturns.Tolieandkickandshriek,andfindtheonlypersonnearyounotseemingtomindintheleast,attractedherattention.Sheopenedhertight-shutstreamingeyestoseewhothispersonwas.Anditwasonlyanotherlittlegirl.ButitwastheonewhoownedEmilyandallthenicethings.Andshewaslookingathersteadilyandasifshewasmerelythinking.Havingpausedforafewsecondstofindthisout,Lottiethoughtshemustbeginagain,butthequietoftheroomandofSara’sodd,interestedfacemadeherfirsthowlratherhalf-hearted.
"I—haven’t—any—ma—ma—ma-a!"sheannounced;buthervoicewasnotsostrong.
Saralookedatherstillmoresteadily,butwithasortofunderstandinginhereyes.
"NeitherhaveI,"shesaid.
