Маленька принцеса

           "Losteverypenny.Thatyoungmanhadtoomuchmoney.Thedearfriendwasmadonthesubjectofthediamondmine.Heputallhisownmoneyintoit,andallCaptainCrewe’s.Thenthedearfriendranaway—CaptainCrewewasalreadystrickenwithfeverwhenthenewscame.Theshockwastoomuchforhim.Hedieddelirious,ravingabouthislittlegirl—anddidn’tleaveapenny."

           NowMissMinchinunderstood,andneverhadshereceivedsuchablowinherlife.Hershowpupil,hershowpatron,sweptawayfromtheSelectSeminaryatoneblow.Shefeltasifshehadbeenoutragedandrobbed,andthatCaptainCreweandSaraandMr.Barrowwereequallytoblame.

           "Doyoumeantotellme,"shecriedout,"thatheleftNOTHING!ThatSarawillhavenofortune!Thatthechildisabeggar!Thatsheisleftonmyhandsalittlepauperinsteadofanheiress?"

           Mr.Barrowwasashrewdbusinessman,andfeltitaswelltomakehisownfreedomfromresponsibilityquiteclearwithoutanydelay.

           "Sheiscertainlyleftabeggar,"hereplied."Andsheiscertainlyleftonyourhands,ma’am—asshehasn’tarelationintheworldthatweknowof."

           MissMinchinstartedforward.Shelookedasifshewasgoingtoopenthedoorandrushoutoftheroomtostopthefestivitiesgoingonjoyfullyandrathernoisilythatmomentovertherefreshments.

           "Itismonstrous!"shesaid."She’sinmysittingroomatthismoment,dressedinsilkgauzeandlacepetticoats,givingapartyatmyexpense."

           "She’sgivingitatyourexpense,madam,ifshe’sgivingit,"saidMr.Barrow,calmly."Barrow&Skipwortharenotresponsibleforanything.