Маленька принцеса

           Apieceofflamingcoalendedherperplexityforherthatverymoment.Itbrokeofffromalargelumpandfellontothefender.Beckystarted,andopenedhereyeswithafrightenedgasp.Shedidnotknowshehadfallenasleep.Shehadonlysatdownforonemomentandfeltthebeautifulglow—andhereshefoundherselfstaringinwildalarmatthewonderfulpupil,whosatperchedquitenearher,likearose-coloredfairy,withinterestedeyes.

           Shesprangupandclutchedathercap.Shefeltitdanglingoverherear,andtriedwildlytoputitstraight.Oh,shehadgotherselfintotroublenowwithavengeance!Tohaveimpudentlyfallenasleeponsuchayounglady’schair!Shewouldbeturnedoutofdoorswithoutwages.

           Shemadeasoundlikeabigbreathlesssob.

           "Oh,miss!Oh,miss!"shestuttered."Iarstyerpardon,miss!Oh,Ido,miss!"

           Sarajumpeddown,andcamequiteclosetoher.

           "Don’tbefrightened,"shesaid,quiteasifshehadbeenspeakingtoalittlegirllikeherself."Itdoesn’tmattertheleastbit."

           "Ididn’tgotodoit,miss,"protestedBecky."Itwasthewarmfire—an’mebein’sotired.It—itWASN’Timpertience!"

           Sarabrokeintoafriendlylittlelaugh,andputherhandonhershoulder.

           "Youweretired,"shesaid;"youcouldnothelpit.Youarenotreallyawakeyet."

           HowpoorBeckystaredather!Infact,shehadneverheardsuchanice,friendlysoundinanyone’svoicebefore.Shewasusedtobeingorderedaboutandscolded,andhavingherearsboxed.