Маленька принцеса
The Diamond Mines
Theywereexpectedtokeeporder,andtherewasdangerthatiftheydidnot,MissMinchinorMissAmeliawouldappearandputanendtofestivities.EvenasLaviniaspokethedooropenedandSaraenteredwithLottie,whosehabitwastotroteverywhereafterherlikealittledog.
"Theresheis,withthathorridchild!"exclaimedLaviniainawhisper."Ifshe’ssofondofher,whydoesn’tshekeepherinherownroom?Shewillbeginhowlingaboutsomethinginfiveminutes."
IthappenedthatLottiehadbeenseizedwithasuddendesiretoplayintheschoolroom,andhadbeggedheradoptedparenttocomewithher.Shejoinedagroupoflittleoneswhowereplayinginacorner.Saracurledherselfupinthewindow-seat,openedabook,andbegantoread.ItwasabookabouttheFrenchRevolution,andshewassoonlostinaharrowingpictureoftheprisonersintheBastille—menwhohadspentsomanyyearsindungeonsthatwhentheyweredraggedoutbythosewhorescuedthem,theirlong,grayhairandbeardsalmosthidtheirfaces,andtheyhadforgottenthatanoutsideworldexistedatall,andwerelikebeingsinadream.
ShewassofarawayfromtheschoolroomthatitwasnotagreeabletobedraggedbacksuddenlybyahowlfromLottie.Neverdidshefindanythingsodifficultastokeepherselffromlosinghertemperwhenshewassuddenlydisturbedwhileabsorbedinabook.Peoplewhoarefondofbooksknowthefeelingofirritationwhichsweepsoverthematsuchamoment.Thetemptationtobeunreasonableandsnappishisonenoteasytomanage.
"Itmakesmefeelasifsomeonehadhitme,"SarahadtoldErmengardeonceinconfidence."AndasifIwanttohitback.Ihavetorememberthingsquicklytokeepfromsayingsomethingill-tempered."
