Маленька принцеса
The Diamond Mines Again
Saraturnedherheadtowardthechair.
"TheLastDoll,"shesaid."TheLastDoll."Andherlittlemournfulvoicehadanoddsound.
"TheLastDoll,indeed!"saidMissMinchin."Andsheismine,notyours.Everythingyouownismine."
"Pleasetakeitawayfromme,then,"saidSara."Idonotwantit."
Ifshehadcriedandsobbedandseemedfrightened,MissMinchinmightalmosthavehadmorepatiencewithher.Shewasawomanwholikedtodomineerandfeelherpower,andasshelookedatSara’spalelittlesteadfastfaceandheardherproudlittlevoice,shequitefeltasifhermightwasbeingsetatnaught.
"Don’tputongrandairs,"shesaid."Thetimeforthatsortofthingispast.Youarenotaprincessanylonger.Yourcarriageandyourponywillbesentaway—yourmaidwillbedismissed.Youwillwearyouroldestandplainestclothes—yourextravagantonesarenolongersuitedtoyourstation.YouarelikeBecky—youmustworkforyourliving."
Tohersurprise,afaintgleamoflightcameintothechild’seyes—ashadeofrelief.
"CanIwork?"shesaid."IfIcanworkitwillnotmattersomuch.WhatcanIdo?"
"Youcandoanythingyouaretold,"wastheanswer."Youareasharpchild,andpickupthingsreadily.IfyoumakeyourselfusefulImayletyoustayhere.YouspeakFrenchwell,andyoucanhelpwiththeyoungerchildren."
