Маленькая принцесса
Ram Dass
Ithadconsoledherthroughmanyabitterday,andshehadgoneaboutthehousewithanexpressioninherfacewhichMissMinchincouldnotunderstandandwhichwasasourceofgreatannoyancetoher,asitseemedasifthechildwerementallylivingalifewhichheldherabovetherestoftheworld.Itwasasifshescarcelyheardtherudeandacidthingssaidtoher;or,ifsheheardthem,didnotcareforthematall.Sometimes,whenshewasinthemidstofsomeharsh,domineeringspeech,MissMinchinwouldfindthestill,unchildisheyesfixeduponherwithsomethinglikeaproudsmileinthem.AtsuchtimesshedidnotknowthatSarawassayingtoherself:
"Youdon’tknowthatyouaresayingthesethingstoaprincess,andthatifIchoseIcouldwavemyhandandorderyoutoexecution.IonlyspareyoubecauseIamaprincess,andyouareapoor,stupid,unkind,vulgaroldthing,anddon’tknowanybetter."
Thisusedtointerestandamusehermorethananythingelse;andqueerandfancifulasitwas,shefoundcomfortinitanditwasagoodthingforher.Whilethethoughtheldpossessionofher,shecouldnotbemaderudeandmaliciousbytherudenessandmaliceofthoseabouther.
"Aprincessmustbepolite,"shesaidtoherself.
Andsowhentheservants,takingtheirtonefromtheirmistress,wereinsolentandorderedherabout,shewouldholdherheaderectandreplytothemwithaquaintcivilitywhichoftenmadethemstareather.
