Маленькая принцесса
The Magic
WhenshefoundherselfaloneintheatticshealwayspreferredtositonthebeduntilSaraarrived.Shehad,infact,onthisoccasionhadtimetobecomerathernervous,becauseMelchisedechadappearedandsniffedaboutagooddeal,andoncehadmadeherutterarepressedsquealbysittinguponhishindlegsand,whilehelookedather,sniffingpointedlyinherdirection.
"Oh,Sara,"shecriedout,"Iamgladyouhavecome.MelchyWOULDsniffaboutso.Itriedtocoaxhimtogoback,buthewouldn’tforsuchalongtime.Ilikehim,youknow;butitdoesfrightenmewhenhesniffsrightatme.DoyouthinkheeverWOULDjump?"
"No,"answeredSara.
Ermengardecrawledforwardonthebedtolookather.
"YouDOlooktired,Sara,"shesaid;"youarequitepale."
"IAMtired,"saidSara,droppingontothelopsidedfootstool."Oh,there’sMelchisedec,poorthing.He’scometoaskforhissupper."
Melchisedechadcomeoutofhisholeasifhehadbeenlisteningforherfootstep.Sarawasquitesureheknewit.Hecameforwardwithanaffectionate,expectantexpressionasSaraputherhandinherpocketandturneditinsideout,shakingherhead.
"I’mverysorry,"shesaid."Ihaven’tonecrumbleft.Gohome,Melchisedec,andtellyourwifetherewasnothinginmypocket.I’mafraidIforgotbecausethecookandMissMinchinweresocross."
Melchisedecseemedtounderstand.Heshuffledresignedly,ifnotcontentedly,backtohishome.
"Ididnotexpecttoseeyoutonight,Ermie,"Sarasaid.
