Маленькая принцесса
Ram Dass
Thefirstthingshethoughtwasthathisdarkfacelookedsorrowfulandhomesick.Shefeltabsolutelysurehehadcomeuptolookatthesun,becausehehadseenitsoseldominEnglandthathelongedforasightofit.Shelookedathiminterestedlyforasecond,andthensmiledacrosstheslates.Shehadlearnedtoknowhowcomfortingasmile,evenfromastranger,maybe.
Herswasevidentlyapleasuretohim.Hiswholeexpressionaltered,andheshowedsuchgleamingwhiteteethashesmiledbackthatitwasasifalighthadbeenilluminatedinhisduskyface.ThefriendlylookinSara’seyeswasalwaysveryeffectivewhenpeoplefelttiredordull.
Itwasperhapsinmakinghissalutetoherthatheloosenedhisholdonthemonkey.Hewasanimpishmonkeyandalwaysreadyforadventure,anditisprobablethatthesightofalittlegirlexcitedhim.Hesuddenlybrokeloose,jumpedontotheslates,ranacrossthemchattering,andactuallyleapedontoSara’sshoulder,andfromtheredownintoheratticroom.Itmadeherlaughanddelightedher;butsheknewhemustberestoredtohismaster—iftheLascarwashismaster—andshewonderedhowthiswastobedone.Wouldhelethercatchhim,orwouldhebenaughtyandrefusetobecaught,andperhapsgetawayandrunoffovertheroofsandbelost?Thatwouldnotdoatall.PerhapshebelongedtotheIndiangentleman,andthepoormanwasfondofhim.
