Маленька принцеса
The Diamond Mines Again
NobodybutSaraherselfeverknewwhathadhappenedinherroomaftershehadrunupstairsandlockedherdoor.Infact,sheherselfscarcelyrememberedanythingbutthatshewalkedupanddown,sayingoverandoveragaintoherselfinavoicewhichdidnotseemherown,"Mypapaisdead!Mypapaisdead!"
OnceshestoppedbeforeEmily,whosatwatchingherfromherchair,andcriedoutwildly,"Emily!Doyouhear?Doyouhear—papaisdead?HeisdeadinIndia—thousandsofmilesaway."
WhenshecameintoMissMinchin’ssittingroominanswertohersummons,herfacewaswhiteandhereyeshaddarkringsaroundthem.Hermouthwassetasifshedidnotwishittorevealwhatshehadsufferedandwassuffering.Shedidnotlookintheleastliketherose-coloredbutterflychildwhohadflownaboutfromoneofhertreasurestotheotherinthedecoratedschoolroom.Shelookedinsteadastrange,desolate,almostgrotesquelittlefigure.
Shehadputon,withoutMariette’shelp,thecast-asideblack-velvetfrock.Itwastooshortandtight,andherslenderlegslookedlongandthin,showingthemselvesfrombeneaththebriefskirt.Asshehadnotfoundapieceofblackribbon,hershort,thick,blackhairtumbledlooselyaboutherfaceandcontrastedstronglywithitspallor.SheheldEmilytightlyinonearm,andEmilywasswathedinapieceofblackmaterial.
"Putdownyourdoll,"saidMissMinchin."Whatdoyoumeanbybringingherhere?"
"No,"Saraanswered."Iwillnotputherdown.SheisallIhave.Mypapagavehertome."
