Маленька принцеса
The Diamond Mines
Howthemorningpassednobodyquiteknew,becausethereseemedsuchpreparationstobemade.Theschoolroomwasbeingdeckedwithgarlandsofholly;thedeskshadbeenmovedaway,andredcovershadbeenputontheformswhichwerearrayedroundtheroomagainstthewall.
WhenSarawentintohersittingroominthemorning,shefoundonthetableasmall,dumpypackage,tiedupinapieceofbrownpaper.Sheknewitwasapresent,andshethoughtshecouldguesswhomitcamefrom.Sheopeneditquitetenderly.Itwasasquarepincushion,madeofnotquitecleanredflannel,andblackpinshadbeenstuckcarefullyintoittoformthewords,"Mennyhapyreturns."
"Oh!"criedSara,withawarmfeelinginherheart."Whatpainsshehastaken!Ilikeitso,it—itmakesmefeelsorrowful."
Butthenextmomentshewasmystified.Ontheundersideofthepincushionwassecuredacard,bearinginneatlettersthename"MissAmeliaMinchin."
Saraturneditoverandover.
"MissAmelia!"shesaidtoherself"HowCANitbe!"
AndjustatthatverymomentsheheardthedoorbeingcautiouslypushedopenandsawBeckypeepingroundit.
Therewasanaffectionate,happygrinonherface,andsheshuffledforwardandstoodnervouslypullingatherfingers.
"Doyerlikeit,MissSara?"shesaid."Doyer?"
"Likeit?"criedSara."YoudarlingBecky,youmadeitallyourself."
