The Magic

           WhenSarahadpassedthehousenextdoorshehadseenRamDassclosingtheshutters,andcaughtherglimpseofthisroomalso.

           "ItisalongtimesinceIsawaniceplacefromtheinside,"wasthethoughtwhichcrossedhermind.

           Therewastheusualbrightfireglowinginthegrate,andtheIndiangentlemanwassittingbeforeit.Hisheadwasrestinginhishand,andhelookedaslonelyandunhappyasever.

           "Poorman!"saidSara."Iwonderwhatyouaresupposing."

           Andthiswaswhathewas"supposing"atthatverymoment.

           "Suppose,"hewasthinking,"suppose—evenifCarmichaeltracesthepeopletoMoscow—thelittlegirltheytookfromMadamePascal’sschoolinParisisNOTtheoneweareinsearchof.Supposesheprovestobequiteadifferentchild.WhatstepsshallItakenext?"

           WhenSarawentintothehouseshemetMissMinchin,whohadcomedownstairstoscoldthecook.

           "Wherehaveyouwastedyourtime?"shedemanded."Youhavebeenoutforhours."

           "Itwassowetandmuddy,"Saraanswered,"itwashardtowalk,becausemyshoesweresobadandslippedabout."

           "Makenoexcuses,"saidMissMinchin,"andtellnofalsehoods."

           Sarawentintothecook.Thecookhadreceivedaseverelectureandwasinafearfultemperasaresult.Shewasonlytoorejoicedtohavesomeonetoventherrageon,andSarawasaconvenience,asusual.

           "Whydidn’tyoustayallnight?"shesnapped.

           Saralaidherpurchasesonthetable.

           "Herearethethings,"shesaid.

           Thecooklookedthemover,grumbling.Shewasinaverysavagehumorindeed.