Маленька принцеса

           Andlittlechildrenrunaboutinthelilyfieldsandgatherarmfulsofthem,andlaughandmakelittlewreaths.Andthestreetsareshining.Andpeoplearenevertired,howeverfartheywalk.Theycanfloatanywheretheylike.Andtherearewallsmadeofpearlandgoldallroundthecity,buttheyarelowenoughforthepeopletogoandleanonthem,andlookdownontotheearthandsmile,andsendbeautifulmessages."

           Whatsoeverstoryshehadbeguntotell,Lottiewould,nodoubt,havestoppedcrying,andbeenfascinatedintolistening;buttherewasnodenyingthatthisstorywasprettierthanmostothers.ShedraggedherselfclosetoSara,anddrankineveryworduntiltheendcame—fartoosoon.Whenitdidcome,shewassosorrythatsheputupherlipominously.

           "Iwanttogothere,"shecried."I—haven’tanymammainthisschool."

           Sarasawthedangersignal,andcameoutofherdream.Shetookholdofthechubbyhandandpulledherclosetohersidewithacoaxinglittlelaugh.

           "Iwillbeyourmamma,"shesaid."Wewillplaythatyouaremylittlegirl.AndEmilyshallbeyoursister."

           Lottie’sdimplesallbegantoshowthemselves.

           "Shallshe?"shesaid.

           "Yes,"answeredSara,jumpingtoherfeet."Letusgoandtellher.AndthenIwillwashyourfaceandbrushyourhair."

           TowhichLottieagreedquitecheerfully,andtrottedoutoftheroomandupstairswithher,withoutseemingeventorememberthatthewholeofthelasthour’stragedyhadbeencausedbythefactthatshehadrefusedtobewashedandbrushedforlunchandMissMinchinhadbeencalledintousehermajesticauthority.