Маленька принцеса
The Diamond Mines Again
"Hereishertrunk,"saidSara."Letusopenitandlookatherthings."
Shesatdownuponthefloorandturnedthekey.Thechildrencrowdedclamoringaroundher,assheliftedtrayaftertrayandrevealedtheircontents.Neverhadtheschoolroombeeninsuchanuproar.Therewerelacecollarsandsilkstockingsandhandkerchiefs;therewasajewelcasecontaininganecklaceandatiarawhichlookedquiteasiftheyweremadeofrealdiamonds;therewasalongsealskinandmuff,therewereballdressesandwalkingdressesandvisitingdresses;therewerehatsandteagownsandfans.EvenLaviniaandJessieforgotthattheyweretooelderlytocarefordolls,andutteredexclamationsofdelightandcaughtupthingstolookatthem.
"Suppose,"Sarasaid,asshestoodbythetable,puttingalarge,black-velvethatontheimpassivelysmilingownerofallthesesplendors—"supposesheunderstandshumantalkandfeelsproudofbeingadmired."
"Youarealwayssupposingthings,"saidLavinia,andherairwasverysuperior.
"IknowIam,"answeredSara,undisturbedly."Ilikeit.Thereisnothingsoniceassupposing.It’salmostlikebeingafairy.Ifyousupposeanythinghardenoughitseemsasifitwerereal."
"It’sallverywelltosupposethingsifyouhaveeverything,"saidLavinia."Couldyousupposeandpretendifyouwereabeggarandlivedinagarret?"
SarastoppedarrangingtheLastDoll’sostrichplumes,andlookedthoughtful.
"IBELIEVEIcould,"shesaid."Ifonewasabeggar,onewouldhavetosupposeandpretendallthetime.Butitmightn’tbeeasy."
